Refused cardioversion after 3rd episode of AF and not tolerating medication

[Norfolk_spaniel]

On Sunday, I was advised to go to A&E by 111 as I was suddenly suffering from AF and was exhausted and breathless.

This was my 3rd episode of permanent AF in 26 months, my last successful cardioversion was Christmas eve.

After a long wait, at 2am, I eventually saw a doctor who confirmed AF but told me that he had spoken to the cardiologist who said it was due to a structural heart problem and another cardioversion would not work. This despite being told by my cardiologist in April that there were no heart problems and if I had AF again to go to A&E for a cardioversion.

I was sent away with a prescription for Flecainide and Soltalol and told to see my GP within 2 weeks when the medication runs out. I have mild asthma and had been told previously to avoid beta blockers.

I started the medication just over a day ago and feel awful. I have nausea and vomiting, feel exhausted, I'm dizzy and don't feel with it, I have some chest pain and I'm not sleeping.

I have a GP appointment in 10 days time, the first one I could get.

I don't know who to turn to. Everything I look up on the web says I should be closely monitored and have a treatment plan. Can anyone give me some advice from their own experience please? I'm 69, female and reasonably fit and active but currently confined to bed.

[Hidden]

Hello

I have not been through what you have been experiencing but from reading your post I would say you need to phone 111 again or your Doctors and tell them you cannot wait

You need to be seen by someone

Let us know how you get on x

[MrsSuzuki]

Hello.I'm really very sorry to hear what you are going through, surely no one should be left how you are feeling.

I'd be ringing 999 to get an ambulance and be taken back to hospital and insist on seeing a cardiologist.

This type of experience you are having is all too familiar these days.

Lily

[seniorita]

Ring 111 again, explain what has happened and how ill you are feeling. They may advise hospital again, or they may say you need to see a GP within a certain time frame. Explain your difficulty with that, they can notify your surgery.

[Qualipop]

Definitely phone he GP and INSIST.

[OrdinaryGuy]

Difficult to give you an answer to the complext A/F situation you are in - describe. However Flecainide is meant to help and stop A/F events when they occur. You need lots of "polite persistence" it seems to me - keep chasing the medical professionals. Either via A & E or directly with the Cardiologist if you can speak to his office - they normally have Cardiology Assistants who deal with e-mail and telephone queries (or at least that's what I have found over the years). Or try ringing the British Heart Foundation in London and speaking to a specialist nurse. If you can afford it you could consider a private appointment with a Cardiologist in a local private clinic. Expensive I know but where a major health issue is concerned money becomes of lesser importance. I have had two catheter ablation procedures and in my case they have worked - although my A/F was paroxysmal (intermittent but still 40+ events over 10 years). Best of luck.

[Pollypuss]

I would suggest you go to a good cardiologist . I know it’s expensive but honestly if you can stretch that far, I had exactly the same problem as you have when I was on Statins and went from doctor to doctor and they couldn’t understand what was wrong with me. This was after my bypass. It was only when I saw a cardiologist that he identified what was wrong. The wrong drugs can be misery and play havoc with your digestive system