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heart failure

Posted , 8 users are following.

linda89207
linda89207

My GP is treating me for fluid on the lungs with water tablets, aspirin and GTN spray I have been referred to a cardiologist, my appointment is 15th September should I try to get it brought forward as I feel quite unwell most of the time feeling very weak, loss of apetite, pain between my shoulder blades and central chest and shortness of breath. After a resent trip to A&E angina has been ruled out. 

1 like, 23 replies

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  • linda346
    linda346 linda89207

    Posted

    I had a cough for 2 years, investigated, xrayed - nothing wrong, but then the lung consultant listened to my chest with a stethoscope and discovered my cough was due to fluid on the lungs due to a leaky heart valve!!  I had a wait of around 10 months during which I was up at least twice a night coughing the fluid up! Heart valve was repaired in January and now my cough has gone!  Your symptoms sound worse than mine, I had no shortness of breath at all - just the cough. I would definitely have another chat with your doctor about the symptoms you are experiencing - I feel it would be good to have your cardiology appointment sooner if possible, but see what he says.  All the best to you.
    • linda89207
      linda89207 linda346

      Posted

      thank you Linda, I have been hesitant about seeing my GP again as I seem to be there all the time and do not want to pressure him as I know he is doing his best for me but I am not sure he knows how long I have to wait for appointment appreciate your reply thanks
    • derek76
      derek76 linda89207

      Posted

      Ignore your GP and phone the consultants secretary and explain your concerns. They are normally very helpfull and can slip you in.

      Strange but going to A&E never seems to get you seen by the consultant and earlier.

    • linda89207
      linda89207 derek76

      Posted

      thank you emergency GP sent me to A&E but as you say you never get anywhere they just told me no point going there as not angina if GTN didnt work take two paracetamol. So thanks I will ring secretary as sugested. 
    • derek76
      derek76 linda89207

      Posted

      Why is it always paracetamol????

      My wfe and I have been told that for serious complaints when phoning the out of hours service. I told one that I did not have any and she told that every corner shop sells them. I replied that the nearest corner shop was twenty minutes away and it was nearly 10pm.

    • derek76
      derek76 linda89207

      Posted

      When you phone you can say that you are ready at a moments notice for any cancellation.

      I had a future cardiology appointment for mid January but went back into AF at the begining of January. Locum at my GP practice said that she would write to get it brought forward. When questioned she said it would take two weeks for her letter to get to them!

      I phoned the cardiology secretary and explained my situation. A registrar phoned the next day to ask for more details and told me to come in the following afternoon as his first patient of the seesion.

    • linda89207
      linda89207 derek76

      Posted

      Paracetamol covers most things I know but just doesn't work for this, had to take another day off today as I was unwell again feeling very weak in arms and legs, I am a sole trader so means my business was closed again, I am definately going to ring tomorrow and speake to secretary. I will let you know how I get on hope you have been sorted now.
    • Quandryite
      Quandryite derek76

      Posted

      I'm in the U.S. and the situation is not different here.  I am sick of secretaries and unschooled 'medical assistants' determining the urgency of symptoms, and relaying messages that are not what was stated, no matter how slowly, clearly, and succinctly.  But this isn't considered "malpractice."

    • derek76
      derek76 Quandryite

      Posted

      The situation has worsened here with secretaries now letting all calls go to voice mail and mostly ignoring them. Even my GP suffers from this when he phones

      There had been discussion with my EP as to whether my AV node ablation should go ahead as planned while I was waiting to have a MRI scan but I could not get a reply from the secretary and did not want to prevent someone else getting the slot. I phoned the cardiology ward clerk  and asked if she could go down the corridor and ask her, She phoned back to say that the secretary had been "about " to E-Mail me not to come.

      Now six months have gone by since I had the MRI  and not another word from them on my ablation.

  • david60784
    david60784 linda89207

    Posted

    Hi

    I would and do things myself, ring the consultants secretary as your GP can only do so much.

    I was diagnosed with ALL 4 arteries blocked the consultant said ( you are having a 4 way by pass in 4 weeks ). With me ringing the hospital and insisting things where speeded up the by pass was done in 3 weeks.

    GOOD LUCK

    • derek76
      derek76 david60784

      Posted

      If I had not been pushy I probably would never have had my aortic valve replaced. I was to be referred from my local hospital to one doing heart surgery.

      After about a month I phoned the hospital that would do the surgery to ask where I was on the waiting list. Your not, was the answer as we have not had any referrals from there for over two months.

      When I phone the first hospital and I'm told that Doctor X is a little bit behind with his paperwork. When still nothing happens I eventually find that Doctor X has been away for a month.

       

    • linda89207
      linda89207 derek76

      Posted

      thought I would get you all up to speed with my situation. I have been to see a Chest Pain consultant today and she is pretty sure my problem is not my heart but my lungs and suspects it could be Fibrosis so have to be referred now to a lung specialist, symptoms are very similar to heart failure and fibrosis can lead to heart failure so I guess that will still be investigated. I am hoping it isn't fibrosis as there is no cure and will only get worse. At least with the heart there is such a lot that can be done, my husband had a triple heart bypass 18 months ago and is now fighting fit. I hope you all get on ok and thank you for your support.
    • linda346
      linda346 linda89207

      Posted

      Hi there, you said you had fluid on the lungs which actually is a symptom of leaky heart valve - has anyone just listened to your heart with a stethoscope?? How do they know it isn't your heart? Did you have a heart scan?  Sorry for all the questions!  As I said before, my leaky valve wasn't picked up by the ECG at all and the consultant didn't use his stethoscope so it wasn't till over a year later when it was found!!!  Best wishes to you and hope something is sorted out soon!  
  • linda89207
    linda89207

    Posted

    can anyone tell me if pain under my ribs is related to my condition suspected heart failure or pulmonary fibrosis I have reached the stage now that I am considering not using my GTN spray in the hope that it may be bad enough for the hospital to do tests on a visit to A&E very stupid I know but am getting desperate now
  • linda89207
    linda89207

    Posted

    forgot to say my GP was very annoyed that the chest pain consultant had ruled out heart problem without doing an echocardiogram
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