Hospital update

[Mopsey1897]

hi all

Had my first hospital assessment this afternoon but the Registrar said I wasn’t typical of Angina symptoms. ECG was ok but she’s sending me for an echocardiogram and ct scan to be sure. She did wonder if I had a lung problem due to being an ex smoker (only for 2 months) and having had radiotherapy on my left chest for breast cancer 11 years ago. She said once I’d had the tests and she had the results, then she’d have a better idea. So I still feel in limbo not knowing for sure. I was slightly tachycardic so she reduced my Bisoprolol to 1.25mg and said she was happy for me to restart Escitalopram again which I’m happy about. She said if the rib tightness didn’t go away, to use the spray, wait 15 mins, use again if still tight and then go to hospital! That surprised me lol. Other than that I feel ok but still worried. I don’t know if rib tightness is a sign of copd so it could be that? Hope you are all having a good day in the sunshine x

[BeKind28-]

Hello

I have been thinking about you today and was hoping you would post with an update

I am sorry you did not get any definite answers so obviously will still feel in limbo but when we are on the outside looking in as we say nothing alarming was picked up at this appointment some possibilities what could be the cause which they are doing tests for and they will get to the bottom of it and most important and thank goodness you can go back on your antidepressants which you were so concerned about how you were going to cope and the fact that at last you had found one that suited you and hopefully been able to go back on them they will still be in your system so will start giving you the effect you need from them quicker which is good

I really do wish they had the answers today but you are in good hands now and they will look after you and make sure whatever the cause is they give you the right treatment

Try and relax easier said than done get those antidepressants in you and also try and enjoy this nice weather and keep away from lemons

Thank you for letting us know how you got on x

[Mopsey1897 in reply to BeKind28-]

thank you. I’ve already taken an antidepressant as soon as I got home lol! I sat in the sun for a while earlier which was lovely 😎 and I’m staying away from lemons if I can! Sort of wished for an answer but sometimes we don’t get what we want do we? Hope you’re feeling ok today and enjoyed the sun also x

[BeKind28- in reply to Mopsey1897]

Hello

Glad you got your med as soon as you got in and I do hope your hair looked nice for your appointment

Sometimes these things can take time and tests need to be done but you will get there better they do all the tests and get it right

Have a lovely weekend x

[Mopsey1897 in reply to BeKind28-]

yes you’re right, better to have more tests than none. Now I’m just worried about potential lung problems; the Registrar said radiotherapy can affect heart and lungs sadly. But my hair looks nice and I had my nails done so I should have looked half decent for my ECG! x

[BeKind28- in reply to Mopsey1897]

Hello

You are going to be worried that is normal I am just the same but until you have these tests done they are just ruling these things out try and I know it is not easy but to look at it that this is what they are doing

Hair and nails you must have looked good I hope they noticed x

[Mopsey1897 in reply to BeKind28-]

thank you. Yes I’m worried as my neighbour has COPD for 4 years and she gets very breathless and has lots of inhalers. I think the Registrar thought my tight ribs went on too long to be angina so that confused me. Hope you’re ok today x

[BeKind28- in reply to Mopsey1897]

Hello

I know how you might be thinking but that is your neighbour and not you and until they do the tests needed they cannot be sure of anything it could be something really simple and I know how hard it is to not let our brains over think you only have to mention one word to me and mine does but try not to just enjoy this sunshine that lovely hair and nails

Having said all that how am I today worrying over everything and anything so I should take my own advice but it seems not to work x

[Mopsey1897]

lol yes I meant brachycardia! Got confused so thank you for putting me right. I’m glad they’re doing more tests which is good 👍 x

[Qualipop]

Typical, any mention of smoking and that's their priority. I can't really help you but I do wonder if you are taking ticagrelor. It made me feel as if I had bad asthma. My oxygen levels were perfect but I felt as if my chest wouldn't expend.

[Mopsey1897 in reply to Qualipop]

only meds I have are aspirin, beta blocker and omeprazole. They’re still treating me for angina until next lot of tests confirm or don’t confirm. I feel ok but my ribs are still tight and I breath harder after doing housework or going up the stairs quickly but I don’t feel very out of breath. I wonder if an inhaler would help? Just as well I gave up smoking though! x

[Qualipop in reply to Mopsey1897]

At least they are investigating. I wish mine would. Every time I Phone I get a different GP who starts again with the chest x rays, spirometry tests or blame it on my spinal problems making the muscles tight. After my Heart Attack I was told I have two blockages in the LAD that are 64% blocked but not bad enough to stent. I want those checking to see if they've got worse. MY cleaner just managed to get an angiogram without much of a wait so why won't my GPs even send me for a CT angiogram at least? Oh goodness, VERY Loud thunder and some of that wet stuff so I'm off.

[Mopsey1897 in reply to Qualipop]

so sorry to read you’re not being looked after by your gp. Can you request a gp by name? My surgery is fairly small and I can request a specific gp if I want. The hospital said my gp was very proactive at referring me quickly and said that’s good as so many don’t! Very sad that gp’s don’t refer more. Perhaps you could speak with a gp you know, tell him your concerns and request another scan x

[Qualipop in reply to Mopsey1897]

Been trying to speak to my named GP about chronic pain for over a year now. JUstget told to ring at 8am when I'm about number 29 in the queue. By the time I get through all appt are gone. JUst tried this morning and again told to ring at 8 tomorrow or see someone different that I don't get on with.

[Mopsey1897 in reply to Qualipop]

that’s terrible. I guess I’m lucky to live in a town with many gp’s. My friend in the country has to wait weeks just for a phone appointment as they are short of gp’s. We had thought of moving away but don’t think we will now as our nhs here is fairly good. I wish I could help 😢 x

[Qualipop in reply to Mopsey1897]

There are at least 12 GPs but most are part time and they just don't allow you to have continuity of care. for long term conditions or even to see whoever has started investigations.

[Mopsey1897 in reply to Qualipop]

that’s terrible for you if you don’t get continuity. Other GP’s don’t always read the notes which doesn’t help when you talk with them. x

[Qualipop in reply to Mopsey1897]

Precisely; they don't know you or your medical history. I had one GP who when my pain became really unbearable, told me to increase my opiate dose by 5mg instead of 1mg. An sudden increase so big could have killed me but she had no idea what I was taking or what dose. They simply don't have the time to trawl through years of records and just suggest what's already been tried for years on end and which have probably had adverse results. The newer G Ps have no idea I even had a heart attack; another one gave me an antihistamine which is specifically warned about in the oxycodone leaflet, yet another told me to just stop taking oxycodone --- after more than 20 years. Imagine the withdrawal.

[Mopsey1897 in reply to Qualipop]

OMG that’s unbelievable! Sadly some people would do what their GP advised and suffer awful consequences. Lucky you know exactly what not to do in your case. Healthcare is a bit hit and miss right now.

[Qualipop in reply to Mopsey1897]

I couldn't begin to say what they did with my prescription 2 months ago but I ended up with twice as much of a class 1 drug than I should have had. I do now know what happened but it was I who had to sort it out and get the extra taken back. It's so tightly regulated it should never have been possible.