Dr won't listen

[emcd8478]

Hi all I've not been on here for a wee while now,short and sweet,had a HA 2021 2 stents fitted, got my bag of pills and sent on my way,I've not seen anybody from cardiology since I left the hospital, been to my Dr a few times now and they don't seam to want to listen to what I have to say,I have no idea about the results to any of the scans I got and when I ask all I get is "everything is fine" I'm still in discomfort at the top of my chest,over my shoulder and down my back on the left,I go for massages every week to see if that helps,I'm now at the stage to get a private scan done to help me with my mental health as I keep thinking it's going to happen again.F 46

[BeKind28-]

Hello

I have noticed from reading posts when some have heart attacks and a stent and they are happy with how it all went they sometimes do not always follow people up even though I do think at least one appointment would be nice to give us peace of mind

Do you have regular blood tests maybe once , twice a year if you do they can tell such a lot in that everything is how it should be so that is some reassurance

It is not a nice feeling at all when we feel we are not been listened to and dismissed I know that feeling and sometimes we have to push a little harder with the Doctors and I would talk with them again and explain what pain you are going through what you are having to do to ease it and it may not even be heart related at all but something else you are suffering with which really your Doctors should be dealing with

However if you can afford it then if it were me only for peace of mind it would be money well spent I would pay to have a private scan because not only physically do we have to try and keep well but mentally to and you sound like you are struggling with your Mental health due to this which is a feeling I know only to well

Let us know what you decide to do and how you get on x

[emcd8478 in reply to BeKind28-]

Good morning thanks for your reply,I did do a little research and found that you should have a follow up scan just to make sure everything is still in place and doing what it's supposed to do,I've mentioned this to my Dr aswell but I'm just told thinks are ok,obviously I'm no Dr but how the heck does he know what's going on inside my body,I've not had bloods done in I couldn't tell you how long ,I did have to visit hospital for a work related accident and mentioned to them about a few things but they just told me I have slipped through the covin net and to speak to my Dr, I have struggled with my mental health on this and spoke with a therapist over the phone but to be honest it didn't really help me any,xx

[BeKind28- in reply to emcd8478]

Hello

I am so sorry to hear this and I struggle with anxiety so I know how this will be affecting you

I really would if you could think about going private seems from what you are saying could be the only way you will get this scan

You can also complain to your surgery and pals at the Hospital how you feel and see if that does anything

Let us know how you get on x

[Lowerfield_no_more in reply to emcd8478]

You have received some good advice above from BeKind28- . I agree that you should be pushing your GP to understand why you are in pain when you are being told everything is fine. If you do not get a satisfactory answer you can ask for a second opinion although you are not entitled to actually get one only if the grounds are considered reasonable. As for blood tests if you are on medication for lipid management you should be receiving an annual basic blood test for lipids and also a liver function test to see how you are getting on. And as you are considering going down the private medicine route to review your cardio issues I am sure you are aware that the first consultation will cost about £250 although follow ups are usually cheaper, but any tests and/or investigations are extra and can be expensive. And dependant upon where you go and who you choose to see you may need a referral from your GP. But if you do go down this route it is a good idea to prepare a briefing note covering your relevant medical history to hand over at the first appointment, rather than sit there and try to remember everything.

[BC4ever]

I'm in exactly the same position - though only had my heart attack and stents a couple of months ago. My discharge letter from the hospital does state that I will have a follow up with Cardiology - but not sure when (I'm assuming after twelve months). My Doctor is very laid back, not interested and doesn't seem bothered. I've had lots of problems with side effects from all the medication and terrible anxiety. He's just not bothered and very unhelpful. If I were you I would go and see my doctor once more and insist you want a follow up. If he is still uncooperative I would lodge a formal complaint and change my doctor. This is the road I will be going down when the time comes - if I need to. The NHS is on it's knees - but that doesn't mean we have to put up with such a poor service through no fault of our own. Good luck, be strong and don't let them fob you off any longer.

[emcd8478 in reply to BC4ever]

Hiya thanks for your reply, I got my discharge letter but no follow-up just my big bag of pills,didn't even know about cardiac rehab till a good few months after, I was paying privately for rehab (£75 per hr) and a receptionist at a gym said they done cardiac classes twice a week I just needed to contact the hospital,another thing that wasn't said to me after my discharge, I've been the same with medication chopped and changed several time but it's taken a long time to sort out,like you I know the nhs is on its knees but some sort of care would be nice instead of just offering you more pills,take care 🥰

[Lowerfield_no_more in reply to emcd8478]

I believe many hospitals stopped their cardio rehab sessions during the pandemic and it's after effects, and that may be why you were not offered rehab since things had not returned to 'normal' when you had your stent fitted in 2021. Added to which it seems from reading comments on here that some hospitals do not actually offer cardio rehab at all, although they are supposed to if the NICE recommendations are to be followed. However in essence all that cardio rehab does is to ensure you receive the basic details about lifestyle measures to reduce your ongoing heart health risk, covering diet, exercise, body weight management, alcohol and smoking etc, all of which you will find on the webpages of the BHF website, plus an opportunity to start an exercise regime. Although of course this doesn't cover the opportunity to sit down with health professionals who are there to help you with your personal circumstances which is part of the rehab sessions. However on that although some considerable time has elapsed since you were stented you could still talk to the BHF Heart Helpline nurse who may be able to provide you with some guidance on the issues you are still experiencing.

[pete109]

I have much the same experience with GPs, though I have never had a heart attack, my BP suddenly heads off to dangerous territory to 220/110 + for no reason, after a few hospital tests, x ray, blood etc. I was discharged, prescribed the usual and that was that, I knew something was wrong so in the end I put it in a letter saying that I was open to any further tests to find out what was happening, put my name, date of birth and NHS number at the top and handed it in at the surgery reception, result was many hospital appointments for basically all of the scans available, then got a call on a Sunday morning from my cardiologist who had booked me in for a PCI and stents the next week, ended up with 4 stents, though it hasn’t really solved my BP soaring problem, but at least I know that my heart’s OK. They seem to take more notice when it’s in writing than if you have a face to face, anyway it worked for me.

[EdtheDead]

Contact PALS at your local Hospital. In the past I've found them terrific and I've usually got the answers I require pretty quickly and usually resolved. Sadly GP's are the classic jack of all trades but masters of none .