Hi again all,
Just wondering if anybody else with Lupus shows a slightly prolonged QT on ecg and if so has your lupus consultant or gp taken it seriously or prescribed meds for it?
Hope to get some answers before next appointment as gp at odds with consultant .
Hoping you have a good week
Effie
I don't have this but it's interesting what you say about the difference in opinion between your GP and your rheumatologist. Shouldn't a cardiologist be the one to assess this?
Do you have any seizures or blackouts? Or maybe sometimes you feel as if the heart beats a little faster? The severity of symptoms will inform the treatment but meanwhile, what are they doing about it??
The first show was at a&E last year during checks for feinting and pleurisy so they did a second ecg showing up the same.Discharged on treatment for pleurisy and costocchondritis with note to gp to follow up and to avoid certain meds.Four ecgs later showing the same at walk in centre and gp
So different machines and over period of six months asked to do 24hour ecg plus echo.All done results sent to gp who say I now don't need to see cardiologist (appointment for this week now cancelled) and that I should make sure I am not prescribed QT lengthening meds(no list so presume meant to know) and to" eat certain potassium rich food and that sort of stuff" .I asked if any meds I am on cause the prolonged QT and told a definite no.I ask what is causing it and told "look its fine,don't worry".
Now can't get referral to cardio or repeat ecg to see what going on
and consultant can't refer direct ,unless I collapse or sppear to be in cardiac arrest ,as has to go through gp.
Hmm.Not happy.
You need to see a cardiologist, your gp should be telling you what drugs you need to avoid and exactly what foods would be helpful. He/she not doing what they are paid to do.
That's preposterous - he must send you to cardiologist asap, as you said, this is sudden death stuff if he's not careful, you tell him that!
Plus, unless you are taking antidepressants, antihistamines, diuretics, heart meds, or antibiotics on a constant basis, your long QT is likely a result of a genetic defect and whilst potassium rich food helps, you ought to be on beta-blockers at least.
You can get to a consultant directly without referral if you self-pay (as opposed to through medical insurance). Contact the relevant secretary and without giving details about why not have a referral, just ask for an appointment and say you'll bring all the relevant docs with you. Meanwhile get a copy from your GP (or the hospital, as applicable) of your ECG so that you can take it with you.
I'd go back to the GP tomorrow and say you're very concerned about this and regardless his laid back attitude to it, it isn't him that could die on the spot so can he please refer you asap.
Honestly, these people!
Many thanks for replies and understanding.
I did wonder if I was just overreacting to their dismissive attitude but from your answers I see I am not.
Just such a shock to have appointment cancelled was feeling somewhat stunned.I know that it is not hugely prolonged but not borderline either so or recommendations on meds and diet wouldn't have been mentioned if not visibly prolonged.
I think I will mentally regroup and see what I can do tomorrow.
Thanks again for any advice
Effie
Hi littleeffie
Was it the hospital who cancelled your cardiology appt?. You could see if you could make another appointment or ring the Consultants secretary explaining your ECG result and they should give you one. I agree with Purpletop, your GP is so wrong!. Hope you get it sorted. X
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