Advocate for yourself!

You're right. Time to advocate for yourself

by Gotrhythm - 2022-02-08 15:51:50

Just recently I started having PSVT (Paroxysmal Supra-Ventricular Tachycardia.) I don't know if it's the same kind of tachycardia you are having, but I can tell you I feel quite bad when the episodes are happening frequently.

Interestingly, I don't feel the my heart beating fast. What I feel is sudden weakness, shortness of breath, and occasionally, near-syncope.

I understand not wanting to take any medicine you don't actually need. I think that's rational. But it's irrational to refuse to take a med that's neccessary just because you "don't like taking medicine." If you don't like taking it because it makes you feel worse, that's different. But the only one who can discuss why you need a medication, and what alternatives there are, is your doctor. 

You're right. Hiding form the doctor because you fear she will tell you something you don't want to hear isn't rational. Time to advocate for yourself.

There are many kinds of tachycardia. Some are considered "harmless." Some, quite dangerous. You need a full discussion about your tachycardia. 

And you need to tell the doctor how you feel about the meds. Ask her to explain the rationale for taking it, and the pros and cons of not taking it.

Then make the decision to take them or not for yourself and with her full knowledge of what you are doing.

Let's look at the upside here, Mae

by Persephone - 2022-02-08 18:03:46

Your 2 month delay is not a long period in the general scheme of things.  Since you've got all of this on your mind and want to take some kind of action, how about going ahead and scheduling the appointment now.  Is a teleappt an option if it is a discussion only without tests?

Stupid

by AgentX86 - 2022-02-08 21:31:56

I agree with Gotrhythm, except in spades.  It's really stupid to avoind medication that you need just because you don't "like" taking meds.  These keep you not only alive but improve quality of life.  If your meds do something to reduce your QOL, have your doctor find an alternative.  If you're going to refuse to listen to your doctors, why do you even go?  Why bother with a pacemaker?

Yes, I'm a PITA about this but it's childish to ignore your doctor's instructions. If you dont like the way you're treated, find another doctor but listen to him.

I know, I know..

by Mae11 - 2022-02-08 23:13:07

Honestly I hear how stupid it sounds! I really do! But hear me out, atleast partially..

Part of my decision was based on how I'm feeling. I'm starting to realize now how naive I have been through this process. I was feeling so poorly that when they called and told me of the pauses I was having, it gave me hope. They said I needed a pacemaker, that a 15 second pause is extremely dangerous and could very well account for my symptoms.  Strangely, it gave me hope! I really believed that I would get the pacemaker and would be good as new.  After the surgeries I was still struggling. They said the tachy was most likely the problem, so I took the meds. Nope, still not enough. Let's take some more. If I feel my quality of life has only minimally improved and in some ways worsened, why remain hopeful that meds are the answer?

The other part of the decision was to try to reduce the focus I had put on "feeling better". I hoped that if I sat back and let nature take its course, things would settle back into place. I started going to therapy twice a month, hoping that some anxiety was playing a part. We have come to the conclusion that I do have some anxiety and have been somewhat traumatized by this. But to say it's contributing to symptoms or any cause of this, not likely..

So I realize neither of these are perfect reasoning, and that not going to the follow up was foolish.. but at the same time, sometimes ya gotta step back and say "whoa, whoa, whoa, what's going on here?" 

Meds the answer?

by AgentX86 - 2022-02-09 00:53:02

For tachy, there are only two choices.  Meds or ablation (surgery simpler than a PM implant). Neither one is a guaranteed solution nor without its risk (these drugs certainly have a risk too).  Abation has a decent chance of working more or less permanently (new arrhythmias can crop up at any time). You're right, most of these meds have side-effects but if arrhythmias bother you (symptomatic) these are the only solutions. Skipping appointments or drugs isn't the solution.  Doing so may be dangerous.

If the drugs aren't working, try another or an ablation or two.  Your doctor should welcome changing drugs to find one that you can tolerate. He should also discuss the possibility of an ablation.  If you go that way get the best, one who does at least a hundred per year. It's probability of success  depends upon this choice.