Beware of what NHS doctors tell you

[TrevorMorgan]

I feel that it is important to raise this issue. Last year, in May, as I have said before, I was admitted to hospital with a serious lung abscess accompanied by an extensive pleural effusion. At the same time I was diagnosed with severe diabetes. The diabetes was quickly brought under control. The abscess on the lung was more problematic for the respiratory doctors they could not decide whether to drain the abscess with key hole surgery or with just antibiotics. Twice I went into the operating room to have the surgery, and twice the doctors decided at the last minute not to perform the operation because it was in a dangerous position. The opinion of my primary doctor prevailed and she discharged me from hospital with a course of antibiotics. I had numerous CT scans to confirm whether the treatment was working or not Each time there was a CT scan my doctor showed me the results. The treatment was worked and I congratulated her for taking the correct course of action for me She diagnosed a further scan for June 2025 to confirm that I was just left with a scar on the lung rather than an abscess.

I had the scan as planned in June, and later I was given a telephone appointment with the respiratory clinic for early July. I though to myself that everything was ok with my chest as I was not being called in to see a doctor to see the results of the scan because the abscess was confirmed as being "cured".

In early July an acting Respiratory Consultant 'phoned me. First, the "good news" the abscess was cured and I was discharged. Now the "bad news" the radiologist had discovered that I had calcified coronary arteries. The Consultant told me that I would need a Stent. I was gobsmacked. I told the Consultant that I did intensive exercises as part of my routine to regulate my blood sugar, but he made no comment about that. I quickly ended the conversation, as I could not believe what I was hearing. Surely, no doctor worth his salt would diagnose surgery without first seeing the patient and asking some basic questions about their health etc.? What was I to do; stop exercise? Exercise is an important part of me being able to regulate my blood sugar without taking medication: would I have to make major adjustments to my diet?



I did some research and found out that around 90% of men over the age of 70 had calcified arteries. I also discovered that some cardiological doctors regard calcified arteries as being natural stents. Also, if you do not have thrombotic plaques in your arteries then the natural stents may not be such a bad thing.
https://www.scvc.co.uk/news/is-coronary-artery-calcification-good-or-bad/
https://www.scvc.co.uk/news/is-coronary-artery-calcification-good-or-bad/
https://www.scvc.co.uk/heart-health/why-i-now-might-want-to-calcify-my-coronary-arteries/
https://www.scvc.co.uk/heart-health/why-i-now-might-want-to-calcify-my-coronary-arteries/

I tried to make an appointment with my GP to ask her what she thought. I am glad that I do not panic easily but the "consultation" did play on my mind little bit, and I made sure that my wife knew where my will was. Could I drop dead at any time?

After a week of waiting for a GP appointment I decided that I would still continue with my exercise routine. When I do training my heart rate often goes up above 130 beats per minute (bpm) but it falls back very quickly to 65 bpm after 30 seconds. I feel no pain across my chest and I do not suffer from a loss of breathe when I climb some stairs quickly. I figure that my heart is ok, and the "natural Stent" is working. I received a letter form the consultant who changed his tune a bit, saying that possibly I would need a Stent rather than definitely, and that he had referred me to his cardiology department. After two weeks I am still waiting for a GP appointment, but I have received another letter from the original consultant, that said that the cardiology department had advised him that as there were no symptoms in my case no further investigation was needed. He should really have known that and should have not proceeded to stress me.

I feel that I am justified in not altering my training routine to take into account that a consultant who had not met me and who provided no evidence to me should be listened to. He is not to be trusted with my physical and mental health. It is taking so long to get to see a GP these days that you might as well try to diagnose and treat yourself, while maintaining your health as best you can, and hope that this works out for you.

The moral of the story for me is to double check everything that a doctor tells me before agreeing to take a treatment or agreeing a change to my health routine. We are all paying for this poor treatment so "caveat emptor".

I have also posted this contribution on : remainingalive.blogspot.com

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Glad your situation became clearer on further investigation @TrevorMorgan

I think Drs often ensure they make it clear that some sort of intervention may be necessary, or that some unpleasant diagnosis is a possibility to ensure that it doesn’t come as a shock if and when it happens? I certainly experienced that with my wife’s cancer diagnosis - they made it clear that it was a possibility when it was still just a ‘something’ on the corner of a CT scan. Of course that can also mean the person hearing the news may have an extended period of anxious waiting until things become clear.

It doesn’t sound like they instructed you to stop exercising? Though I can see why you may have thought it might be a sensible precaution.

Glad you were able to get to a ‘no further action required’ position though.