Hi, I just wondered if anyone else could offer any advice/or has had similar experiences? I have been getting breathlessness at night, chest pain (sometimes severe) and palpitations for about 2 years. I do also have a diagnosis of generalised anxiety disorder, which I have had for many years, but this felt different and not connected to my mental health.
I eventually got referred for a 48 hr holter monitor which then went back to the GP. The GP looked at the results and said I had ectopics, which was normal. She then went onto the next page of the results and said 'oh that's not normal' because there was a small run of ectopics but she didn't really go into much detail. Then she referred me to see a cardiologist urgently. I started to panic, thinking it might be something serious. I went to see the cardiologist and he basically just laughed at me and said it was just ectopics, nothing to worry about and that I was just anxious. So I asked well why was I referred urgently then and asked if the GP made a mistake. He said no, it wasn't a mistake but just stuck to the line of there was nothing to worry about. He dismissed the chest pain as being non cardiac related. I was given a 30 second ecg while there which was normal. But I haven't had an echo or anything. Just feel really confused by the whole thing. Should I go with his opinion as he is very experienced, or should I get a second opinion (perhaps privately?) I haven't been able to see the 48 hr holter results myself, so am unsure exactly what they show and why the GP was concerned but he was not at all concerned. It also makes me feel really upset/annoyed as I always feel as soon as people know about my anxiety, they dismiss my concerns.
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I can certainly relate to the problem people with anxiety have been dismissed and everything been put down to anxiety I have had years of that and it certainly does not make your anxiety any better especially if deep down you know something is not right I knew I had something wrong when I had pneumonia was dismissed I was panicking with what was said a virus well it landed me in resuscitation and then ICU and as powerful as anxiety can be if they had got me checked out that could have been treated before it got to that stage so I feel your frustration
I would make another Doctors appointment if you can with the one that referred you tell them what has now been said and how confused this is making you as it would many
Maybe ask if you could have a second opinion and if you are refused then if it were me and I could afford it I would go private
Hope others have some good suggestions and let us know how you get on x
Thanks so much, yes I think I'll definitely speak to my GP again about it and perhaps seek another opinion if the GP thinks it might be needed. It does get quite annoying when things are always attributed to anxiety, even when they're not actually anxiety and that seems to have happened to you as well (and probably many other people too) x
Ahhh I know exactly how you feel even though I have a long history of heart issues I still get dismissed as it being anxiety so definitely know what that's like x I feel so sorry for you having to go through that I had a similar experience last year I cried for ages after 😭. Did they do an echo to rule out anything. It's so annoying because they are the experts and know what there talking about but being so dismissive is so upsetting and enraging!!! 💔
Hi, no I haven't had an echo, he just seemed to decide that I was fine and didn't need any further tests. I have had an ecg, a 48 hr holter and a chest x ray though (through the GP). The 48 hr holter was the only thing that picked anything up, everything else was normal 🙂
oh wow ok I really think they should check everything before just deciding it's nothing, my sister has been having same issues and she suffers from severe anxiety and she is gona look into getting her heart checked cause there's so much heart disease in my family x glad your GP gave you those tests did they tell you results or everything was normal?? X
The GP sad I had ectopics (when looking at the results of the 48hr holter) and started off by saying that was normal, but then went to the next page of the results and said 'oh that's not normal' she said there was too many in a row, but didn't go into detail and I am not sure how many x
Oh have you got NHS app you can see your results on your app? X for your gp to say it's not normal I'm supprised the cardiologist didjt think it was anything concerning??
I haven't got the NHS app yet - not sure I'd get access to all my medical records without going into the practice and filling out a form, but maybe I'll do that anyway. Yes, that's what has confused me too, the fact the Gp said it wasn't normal and did an urgent referral, but then the cardiologist said it was normal and wasn't at all concerned. I am not sure who is correct and wish I had some clarity.
Yeah it's definitely mixed signals, I agree. When I have an ecg at gp they always send it to St barts because they said there not qualified to read ecgs or maybe mine 😂. So maybe they was wrong to tell you that there was something to be concerned about?? What else did the cardiologist say or are they sending a letter to your doctor? X
I expect he will send a letter to the GP, but don't know if I'll get sent a copy. Yes, the GP might have made a mistake in thinking it was urgent, but maybe the cardiologist didn't want to say this. The whole thing has just made me feel confused. The cardiologist mentioned the run of ectopics but didn't go into detail about it and he didn't seem concerned. He kept saying that I was young, otherwise physically healthy and other tests have been ok (I'm in my late thirties). But without having an echo or anything, I am not sure how he can just assume this x
I have been and know people that have been dismissed due to having anxiety and wrongly diagnosed. It's horrible to be treated in such a way. I too would go back to your gp and discuss what cardiologist has determined and take things from there. Good luck and I wish the best and hope you find answers.
Go back to your GP and discuss the outcome of your cardiologist consultation. And under the NHS 'rules' you are entitled to ask for a second opinion, and your request will be considered, but there is no guarantee that you will be given a second opinion. However if you can afford it and feel sufficiently strongly about it, there is no reason why you should not ask your GP to refer you to for a private consultation, although clearly not with the cardiologist who you have already seen.
Ive had anxiety and depression issues for yrs and diabetes but finally theyve discovered my bicuspid aortic stenosis , its only taken them 67 yrs to discover it, i have surgery soonSo yes DEF get another opinion as soon as poss even if its private
Hi not quite the same situation but I saw nhs cardiologist and had 2 ct scans which had step artefact probably because they were done with my heart rate at 89 when it needs to be 60 the cardiologist spoke to me for 5 mins on the phone saying it showed some narrowing in lad but that lots of people had this and in his words take it with pinch of salt prescribed 2 meds and said will ring 2 months time to see how you are doing. My son was not happy and paid for a private cardiologist and ct scan I had a call from him same day saying LAD totally blocked and severe stenosis in the other 2 in his words I needed urgent angiogram and prob need bypass surgery ! I am not suggesting for a minute that there are excellent NHS cardiologists but I would say if you can afford a private consultation for a second opinion even to put your own mind at rest I would have one. It cost us 250 for a private consultation and another 850 for private ct scan but without them I would be sitting here with major heart problems thinking all is OK as it is I have an angiogram in 3 weeks time . I also have MS and its easy for consultants and indeed ourselves to put symptoms down to other things !Good luck i hope you get some answers and help
I suggest private and insist on Echocardiogram and other tests as this was my experience. They also look at your NHS results and say everything is ok and if maybe not?! You know your own body so get checked out and good luck x
Good morning greensea3 I agree with BeKind and others on here try to arrange another appointment with your GP. Ask them to explain why they were concerned and felt you needed to be referred urgently to a cardiologist, explain how you feel regarding your anxiety and being dismissed. Tell them how confused and frustrated you feel it’s wrong, you need answers and reassurance. Ask for an echocardiogram also if you feel you need a second opinion then I think you should request one.
Anyone would be frustrated and worried if this happened but when you have anxiety it’s worse. I do hope you get the reassurance and understanding you need please keep us updated. Good luck 😊X
I constantly remind myself of a joke which, as it happens, is invariably true.
Q What is the difference between God and a Consultant?
A God doesn't think he's a Consultant!!🤣
With that in mind I take what consultants say with a healthy measure of skepticism and question as to whether their advice agrees with advice from elsewhere. I am also prepared to question them, after all, it is my health/life which is on the line, not theirs.
I may not be their ideal patient, but at least I tend to get the rationale for their thinking not just a dismissive answer with no reasoning behind it.
I've been through all this over the last few months. Upshot is that my anxiety is the main cause of my issues (have a look at my posts).
Listen to what the professionals have to say and try to take it on board. If you feel there is still a problem though you will have to be persistent and advocate for yourself.
My advice is try not to worry (easier said than done) I've been in this situation and my anxiety drove me to panic attacks, multiple a&e visits and strained my marriage greatly (we're still working on that).
I hope you get the answers and any help you need. When it comes to your mental health, you definitely get back what you put in. I've done everything! Self paced, group courses, 121 therapist and it is paying off. The journey is long (it probably never ends) but it's worth it!
Iam in the same boat as you and most of us on this web site are too..It is very difficult to get love ones on board to hear your voice what you are going through. They do want to listen but it is difficult for them to understand. I have been waking up to having panic attack while in sleep or trying to get too sleep, I get a squeeze on my head and it feels like someone is pushing your head down towards the ground, or you are in a lift and it starts to go down really fast. It's horrible when it starts.take care.
others have responded to your health concerns, but you may also find it helpful in the longer term to develop your self advocacy skills
if you search for "self advocacy skills" online you will find a host of advice, toolkits etc to get you started, look for the ones from community and health related organisation, many are free
this does not guarantee that you will get what you want, but it could help you to communicate your needs more clearly and deal with dismissive attitudes and responses in a wide variety of situations
Yes, this would be good for me I think. I have been dismissed a lot by other professionals too and I do try to advocate for myself but it gets me down not feeling that I'm getting my voice heard.
Ectopics aren't to be simply dismissed. The clue is in the name, out of place, not meant to be there.
If you are generally heathy and don't have other cardiac problems, then the occasional flutter doesn't matter much.
But if there is something else going on, like some form of heart block that needs pacemaker treatment, then it's a different story.
I can tell you from personal experience that a run of ectopics can put you on the floor and you won't feel it coming.
I'm due to see a consultant in a couple of days time and I won't be leaving until I get some straight answers. I've already had a casual diagnosis of ectopy, but they'll have to do better than that one-worder.
Hi there iam sorry to hear you are having a hard time with heart issues. I have the same problems as you. Because you have Anxiety the doctors always think you had an episode and rule out anything else, it's so annoying.
Have you got a Kardia? You could then see what your heart is doing yourself. It might reassure you but I agree with BeKind28 that you should try to ask the GP who referred you. I know myself that anxiety brings on A/Fib and higher bp although it does not show to look at me.
No I don't have a Kardia, but I might get one. I think I might just try to access my medical records and get a copy of the test results so that I can get another opinion privately without having to go through the GP. I don't want to come across like an 'awkward' patient, especially if there has been a mistake on their part. I would like to think the cardiologist knows best, it's just that I don't have complete trust in professionals, especially as I had an experience in my family where someone I loved was seriously ill from medical error.
I am sure this is unusual, I would just like peace of mind. I think the cardiologist & GP could both have explained things more carefully to me - as soon as the cardiologist start talking about my anxiety it annoys me because I wasn't the one to refer myself, the GP did! It automatically makes me wonder why they are bring it up and I am concerned that they see this and then don't check properely from a physical health point of view.
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