running out of options

[Sleepybear987]

hearts been tight since Feb 23rd. Been to A&E three times. Nothing but codeine and naproxen.

gp didn’t take my blood pressure or listen to my heart. Just shrugged me off

Work GP (doctor care anywhere) recommended diazepam. he concluded it could be coronary muscle spasm. Nobody will sign off on it.

I’m looking at private CT coronary scan but you need referrals which just means more money I assume.

still looking for private cardiologists or someone that can help.

I need to be believed but it’s getting harder to find the energy to bother. If it’s this hard to get someone to believe you, like why bother.

(And please don’t say have patience. I can’t shower and feed myself).

[Captain_Birdseye]

I've had to teach out to a private cardiologist, my appointment is today...

Unfortunately being young and having a condition like pericarditis thst has an expected recoverytime of a few months, we get punted down the priority list as the health system tries to keep up with emergencies.

[Sleepybear987 in reply to Captain_Birdseye]

Good luck for your appointment though! And make sure look after yourself once you've had your appointment 😘

[Captain_Birdseye in reply to Sleepybear987]

So the consultant is going to wrote to my GP and cardiology consultant to see about a medication change and further tests - the idea being that this should be progressed via the NHS rather than paying out my own pocket. As an expert, I'd hope they'll take his recommendations under consideration... but he did say he found the Scottish system didn't flow as smoothly in the past...

In any case, will hopefully make some headway with this, and it will be money well spent... time will tell.

[Sleepybear987 in reply to Captain_Birdseye]

fingers crossed! And my friend is in Scotland and has told me about the system there.

[HHH2017]

Im so sorry to read how you've been treated, it sounds awful. My anxiety would be through the roof.

If you can find a way to go private I would highly recommend it. So much more thorough, time to talk, etc You need answers, your GP referral shouldn't cost extra or if it does just the cost of a letter. Its unfair to 'have to' do this but hopefully it will be well worth it.

[Sleepybear987 in reply to HHH2017]

you’re right!! I think initially I was upset because paying someone in hopes they'll be empathic and help. But at the end of the day, I want to be able to do things. So I need to fight back until I sort myself out🙆🏿‍♀️ I’m just a bit disheartened man ☹️

[HHH2017 in reply to Sleepybear987]

I totally understand😟 if you can try to flip your thinking and take the view that this is 'you taking back some control' of the situation 💪🏽 It might help your mindset.🤞🏽 Which at the mo is obviously & very understandably a bit low. Make a change Monday tomorrow - get on that phone 😉

[DiggyDoggy]

If you can afford to have a private consultation I 100% recommend it. Having one probably saved my life. I went to a Spires hospital for the consultation and was looked at very quickly. In my case he saw a problem with my heartbeat in the morning - and that afternoon I was in hospital (on the NHS) having an angiogram and stents.

[wischo]

Private is the way to go if you can afford it, well worth the speedy peace of mind it will bring you. Good luck.

[MummaSoap]

Hi Sleepybear

I’m sorry to hear that you’re having such a difficult time at the moment and that you don’t feel heard by professionals.

You know your body better than anyone else and if you’re not satisfied with the explanation that you’ve been given, keep pushing for answers. There’s nothing worse than feeling like you’re living your life in limbo.

My cardiologist repeatedly tells me that my results are encouraging although not always within “normal” ranges and yet continues to be unphased by how symptomatic I am at times. I feel like I’m missing out on some of the best years of my children’s childhoods and I’m fed up of having to say, “I hear that you want to play X but Mummy needs to sit down for a minute” or “Mummy feels really tired right now, do you think we could have a cuddle for 5 minutes instead” - they’re always so good about it, even though I can see the disappointment in their eyes and it crushes me. I hate feeling like a cop out parent.

Honestly, I really sympathise with your frustration and I encourage you to continue to seek answers and try to carve out your path back to your life.

You may already have done so but have you tried asking for a second opinion and request to be transferred to a different cardiologist? Although I appreciate that going private is probably quicker.

If you do decide to go private, collate all your results from scans and tests, and letters you’ve had, start keeping a diary of your symptoms to take with you (if you don’t already) and make sure you get your moneys worth from that initial consultation.

Wishing you all the best, keep us posted!

Soap 🧼

[Sleepybear987 in reply to MummaSoap]

Thank you so much and I am sorry that you can relate to this! I really think I might asked for a second opinion from everyone. From the GP and the cardiologist! I just need the drugs to help my heart for now which I'll try and get privately. Then when that's all sorted, I'll go back to the NHS and sort them out 😉

Also I hear you about you family, not being able to do things that you love really must sucks. Give your kids loads of cuddles from me and I hope that we both get better. 🥰

[MummaSoap in reply to Sleepybear987]

Sounds like the formation of a solid plan and I hope you get the care and support that you need.

I will be sure to pass on the cuddles 🥰 thank you and I hope we both start feeling better very soon 🤞🏼🤞🏼