New Symptom

[maria40]

I have reduced to 17mg prednisolone from 30 and have had no problems, except the usual sleeplessness, which is lessening, but recently I have had on several occasions a sudden sense of heaviness in both arms followed by a feeling of intense weakness which means I have to sit down wherever I am - once on a public bench in the pouring rain! I do also suffer from SVT and don't know whether this is related or is to do with PMR/GCA. There has been no rapid heart rate or dizziness which are usual in my SVT episodes. My GP is inaccessible, offering telephone only appointments except in dire emergencies and I am due to speak to him on Friday about the results of a 7-day heart monitor and I will raise this question but would really welcome any advice from you as you are all so helpful. Thanks.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I had very occasional feelings like that which, in retrospect, were atrial fibrillation/tachy episodes. I never felt any tachycardia unless it was well over 200, I just felt decidedly woozy. Whether it was the tachycardia or the bradycardia that almost always follows a tachy episode we will never know! Of course - they rarely happen while you are actually hooked up do they?

What use is a doctor like that for anyone with a chronic health problem? I have to say, knowing I can see my GP the same day is a great plus for living here! A&E also seems to run a dual system during the winter: ordinary people with emergencies and ski accidents seem to be in two separate queues. Obviously, the have a triage room and then serious ski stuff is seen quickly, anything that needs an x-ray is done almost immediately and then you wait according to the severity of that. But they also fit in post-day-surgery checks and my husband hasn't had to wait more than about 10 mins each time.

Ah - hark! Another helicopter heading for the hospital landing pad...

[maria40 in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks so much PMRpro. I suspect it is a heart rather than a PMR problem. This time I did have three incidents while hooked up and the fact that the surgery contacted me with the phone appointment suggests something has shown up. I'll hear on Friday I hope.

The ludicrousness of the phone only system was highlighted when I needed advice on a dermatological problem and receptionist insisted on a phone appointment ; whether I was supposed to angle the affected skin at my Skype screen I don't know. However I did manage to get the privilege of a face to face by arguing my case. But this system really militates against those who are less articulate or second language speakers and often in great need.

I do miss my German healthcare as does my daughter who says if she has another baby it will be in Germany where they have kept up their health insurance (my son-in-law is German). She had a disastrous experience in Norwich with a Caesarean, the repercussions of which still cause her pain six years later.

Thanks again for your response. Your advice and that of the others on the forum makes me feel that I am not coping alone with my health problems.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to maria40]

You used to live in Germany? Where? Are you German? I learnt so much about other ways of treating things when I lived there that has helped me a lot in dealing with PMR and friends. And they think the same way here

[maria40 in reply to PMRpro]

I lived mostly in Hamburg but I am English though with German grandparents. My husband and I were there for 22 years and came back here for the children's secondary schooling 20 years ago. I liked the fact that you could go straight to a specialist without referral and that there was never any waiting in A&E. It is pure chance that my daughter married a German though; they met while she was at university here. They go over regularly and do all their health, dental and optical checks while they are there visiting her in-laws. She feels my grandson gets better treatment there.

Were you there for long?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to maria40]

We lived close to Erlangen, near Nuernberg, for nearly 10 years. One daughter was born there and both went through Grundschule. My best friends still live there - Irish but married to Germans. We always said we wanted to return to a German-speaking area at some point - and have retired to Suedtirol! The weather is DEFINITELY better! I love it here, it's a bit like the UK was 40 years ago but up-to-date. No desire to return to the UK.