Time

Finally going for my exercise stress test on Monday to try and see what else is going on with my pacing/arrhythmia. Nearly 6 months post PM and still having huge problem exercising. (even walking from car park and up the stairs to work)Have read posts where some of you seem to be able to work with the technicians and or EP folk. Was this at your own request or via your existing Consultant. I don't see mine until the end of September and have been thinking of asking to be referred to a specialist in arrhythmias, as they will see more problem cases and I can't believe I am that unusual. (not after reading messages here). Was 53 yesterday and maybe expected to much to soon, but had hope to be more consistent by now.
Did once took a beta blocker one night as I was feeling so awful, did nothing for the night time but felt better the next 2 days ??coincidence. I know one shouldn't take stuff but had been on them in the past, as a lot of you will understand you can feel pretty low at times.
Any tips for Monday.
thanks Jane

2 Comments

Ian's right

by knb123 - 2015-08-08 01:08:44

I'm not in the UK so I can't comment as specifically as he did, but I would reinforce his encouragement that you become your own healthcare advocate...chart your data so that you can report specifics to your doc(s)...get your primary care physician involved in your case...establish WHO is driving the bus when it comes to your care (this is an ongoing problem for patients in the US, too: after a major event like a PM it's not always clear who's leading the case)...and I would not hesitate to continue to ask questions whenever they occur to me.

The teaching hospital where I receive my medical care has an online portal through which I can email my primary care physician at any time. She is wonderful and responds same day to any of my questions...not to mention she is available by phone 24/7.

Good luck Jane and let us know how things turn out. By six months post-PM, you should not be experiencing such difficulties even climbing a set of stairs. Keeping you in my thoughts.

Tips for Monday

by IAN MC - 2015-08-08 12:08:20

Hi Jane It seems that you have some sort of exercise-induced arrhythmia which may be difficult to diagnose and treat . If I were you :-

i) I see that ( like me ) you have a scientific background

To make it easier for them on Monday I would try to find out exactly what is happening when " you have huge problems exercising " . Do some self-measurements while you go up stairs . Does this cause a high HR , a low HR , an irregular beat , pauses between beats , increase in BP , fall in BP , pains in the chest etc . I had the annoying habit of not replicating symptoms while doing an exercise stress test and they said that my data was really helpful.

ii) I get the feeling , maybe wrongly that "they " are driving the appointment / check-up process instead of you. You worry me when you say that you " have been thinking" of asking to see a specialist . In the words of the Nike ad JUST DO IT !

iii) I am in the UK too and you really need to work the system. Stress to your PM clinic that your life is far from satisfactory and establish with them that you can ring them anytime if things continue not to improve.
I did , it is possible !!!

iv) The first line of attack for arrythmias is always drugs and it does seem that you may need to take beta blockers regularly and see what happens. You don't have to see a specialist to get things started ; get your GP more involved . Stress to him / her how your life is impaired and if the GP cannot help they can point you in the right direction.

There are many other drugs as well as beta blockers ; have they all been tried ?

v ) Don't let them rush through the exercise stress test.
You need answers to the questions " Where do I go from here ? " 'What is the next step and when ? "


Hope it goes well

Ian

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