Help!

Thank you. Inherent driven for a long time now since all this began. I'd be too afraid too, especially after passing out one time. I am no longer confident to take a walk by myself and so getting out and about revolves around when my husband can be with me. It's no life.
 
Sometimes these things are difficult, and GP's do only deal with general medicine. Most are far from being specialists in a specific area and look at what is presented to them. Based off my experiences, if at the specific time they see you they see no actual symptom then they may take a view there is nothing to work with (I've met with non-action many times).
I went to my GP saying I was experiencing bad side effects when on a previous medication - the specific random doctor I spoke to did not want to know! Some days/weeks later (I forget) I had to call an ambulance due to experiencing tachycardia with my pulse rising to 135. I spent 12 hours in A&E being checked over, but I did get my meds changed, so I guess it was worth it.

So I understand the stress of this, and the stress of trying to actually see a doctor in person, let alone one which will look further. Has your gp referred you to the hospital for any tests?
I had various scans and a 24 hour heart monitor before I was prescribed the beta blocker (apparently my heart is fine, it just wants to do me in with it's abnormal rhythms 🙄). In May this year I had a 48 hr heart monitor from the hospital but am still waiting for results / follow up.
It may help to ensure before you see the doctor you put things down in writing so you can highlight issues, just key stuff - short points which can be discussed further. Hopefully you get a doctor who can both listen and talk, I find those are rare these days.
 
s'nic said:
Sometimes these things are difficult, and GP's do only deal with general medicine. Most are far from being specialists in a specific area and look at what is presented to them. Based off my experiences, if at the specific time they see you they see no actual symptom then they may take a view there is nothing to work with (I've met with non-action many times).
I went to my GP saying I was experiencing bad side effects when on a previous medication - the specific random doctor I spoke to did not want to know! Some days/weeks later (I forget) I had to call an ambulance due to experiencing tachycardia with my pulse rising to 135. I spent 12 hours in A&E being checked over, but I did get my meds changed, so I guess it was worth it.

So I understand the stress of this, and the stress of trying to actually see a doctor in person, let alone one which will look further. Has your gp referred you to the hospital for any tests?
I had various scans and a 24 hour heart monitor before I was prescribed the beta blocker (apparently my heart is fine, it just wants to do me in with it's abnormal rhythms 🙄). In May this year I had a 48 hr heart monitor from the hospital but am still waiting for results / follow up.
It may help to ensure before you see the doctor you put things down in writing so you can highlight issues, just key stuff - short points which can be discussed further. Hopefully you get a doctor who can both listen and talk, I find those are rare these days.
Click to expand...
 
Yes, you wisely said right. They are general practitioners and not specislists. Also, like the paramedic told me, doctors can only treat us if tests through up something wrong. If they cannot find anthing, they cannot treat it. And yes, it's hard to get to see a doctor in person these days. Telephone appointments are not enough either, but all we sometimes get. So many general GP's (including those in my own practice) only work 1.5 days (and the rest sometimes in private care because that's where they are better paid). Nothing is the same as it used to be in the NHS sadly. Ha, now don't get me into politics, lol!!!! Thank you so much for your response (and to everyone else who as responded too). You are all appreciated.
 
I did have another thought ... a lot of doctors see faster hear rates, slower heart rates, and a lot see palpitations.
So while ensuring the doctor knows you have the palpitations and what your heart rate / bp have been, it would be good to focus on the actual symptoms you get.
Eg my doctor will not really bother about my low blood pressure unless I get symptoms (eg passing out).

And don't worry excessively over a faster heart rate at a specific point during the day if it's not producing symptoms - unless of course it's hugely faster than normal.
I've had weeks where my average resting BPM was 41, and weeks where my average high has been 111. Recognising normal variations will help focus only on abnormal highs or lows.
A friend came over yesterday (ex nurse who decided to downgrade to some form of care assistant, works in a hospital), we got talking of health and she mentioned her heart ran about 90 BPM which would be close to twice as fast as mine. She also gets palpitations.
 
s'nic said:
I did have another thought ... a lot of doctors see faster hear rates, slower heart rates, and a lot see palpitations.
So while ensuring the doctor knows you have the palpitations and what your heart rate / bp have been, it would be good to focus on the actual symptoms you get.
Eg my doctor will not really bother about my low blood pressure unless I get symptoms (eg passing out).

And don't worry excessively over a faster heart rate at a specific point during the day if it's not producing symptoms - unless of course it's hugely faster than normal.
I've had weeks where my average resting BPM was 41, and weeks where my average high has been 111. Recognising normal variations will help focus only on abnormal highs or lows.
A friend came over yesterday (ex nurse who decided to downgrade to some form of care assistant, works in a hospital), we got talking of health and she mentioned her heart ran about 90 BPM which would be close to twice as fast as mine. She also gets palpitations.
Click to expand...
My GP us having me tested for hypoglycemia. Rare in non diabetics apparently and could be a sign of hormone, liver, pancreas, or kidney problems - all of which encounter the problems I've been having. I've to go for a sugar fast test tomorrow morning.
 
Wmay1965 said:
My GP us having me tested for hypoglycemia. Rare in non diabetics apparently and could be a sign of hormone, liver, pancreas, or kidney problems - all of which encounter the problems I've been having. I've to go for a sugar fast test tomorrow morning.
Click to expand...
P s. I'm not diabetic. Results came back well within the normal range.
 
Hi @Wmay1965 . Sorry to hear you are having such a rough time and that it is affecting your confidence and independence. A bit of a curve ball, but your symptoms sound very similar to paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. An episode can last anything from a few minutes to several hours. It normally shows on an ECG during the event but once it stops everything looks normal on an ECG. Might be worth raising with your HCP.
 
silver minion said:
Hi @Wmay1965 . Sorry to hear you are having such a rough time and that it is affecting your confidence and independence. A bit of a curve ball, but your symptoms sound very similar to paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. An episode can last anything from a few minutes to several hours. It normally shows on an ECG during the event but once it stops everything looks normal on an ECG. Might be worth raising with your HCP.
Click to expand...
That's the problem. Any time they do an ecg, it shows okay. I actually bought a portable ecg and sent my GP 4 readings that showed as possible VPB Run T and possible VPB runs of 3. Don't know how I can have both??? Not sure about these things or how accurate these machines are but it sounded with every heartbeat and I felt my heartbeats in tune with what was on the the screen.
 
Wmay1965 said:
That's the problem. Any time they do an ecg, it shows okay. I actually bought a portable ecg and sent my GP 4 readings that showed as possible VPB Run T and possible VPB runs of 3. Don't know how I can have both??? Not sure about these things or how accurate these machines are but it sounded with every heartbeat and I felt my heartbeats in tune with what was on the the screen.
Click to expand...
Was it a Holter monitor you bought? If not ask your GP about one. You wear it for 48 hours and it will measure heart rate and BP throughout the period. It's designed to pick up arrhythmia including AF. You don't get any readings while you are wearing it so no anxiety causing info. Your HCP will get the results after you return it. Worth considering. I am no expert but my husband has lived with paroxysmal AF for several years. Although he has undergone a variety of tests they still don't know what is causing it. His heart just goes a bit erratic when it wants to. It's very uncomfortable and tiring for him.
 
No not a halter. My GP surgery don't have a 24 hr halter monitor. They did but it's broken and they refuse to pay for one themselves as the NHS doesn't provide one...only to hospitals. I was told I should buy a watch monitor which I did but it's no use for such. I bought a portable Ecg as well. It's far easier to use and I can email the print outs. I empathize totally with your husband. I've been having these episodes for over 5 years. Mind I was maybe having them once every 6-7 months. The past 6-8 weeks, it's been almost every day (although the past two weeks it seems like it's happening every 3rd day). I have no control over them happening and they strike out of the blue. There is no rhyme or reason. I was given my first glucose fasting test today. I've to go back next week (twice). I feel like I haven't a clue what's happening to my body at the moment. It's so unsettling. Is it to do with my blood glucose levels going low (I notice I feel awful whenever my glucose levels drop to 4.5 - 4.7'ish which happens a lot recently between meals)? I don't skip meals and sometimes have a snack in-between. My GP says 4.5, 4.7'ish is low. I was under the understanding that 4.0 - 7.0 was okay between meals but I don't feel great when it drops under 5. Like I mentioned, my GP says this is low. I also wonder, is it my heart, or both these things (I e. Glucose and heart)? So many questions that I have no answers for at the moment. I feel for your hubby who likewise is left with the unknown. I hope he gets an answer. Me too!
 
Last edited:
Hi, you mentioned earlier that your doctor has said you are not diabetic. Your readings are low for an average person but this is a medical average. Nobody is average and your BG levels maybe too low for your body to function as it should. Good that they are doing more tests. It could be caused by other medical conditions but as a lay person I don't have any other suggestions. My experience after sudden extreme weight loss is that they tested for a broad range of possible causes and ruled out specific illnesses or medical conditions if the the results were in the normal range. Anything outside normal range was flagged for further investigation and hence the diabetes diagnosis. Also a few minor issues which need monitoring periodically. As I am 64 and have managed to get this far without any hospital admissions or operations I count myself very lucky. I hope the HCPs can find out why you are feeling so unwell and provide appropriate treatment
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top