Cycling UK Forum

aegisgfx wrote: ↑17 May 2023, 4:54pmI live in a place where they chalk up everything to 'anxiety' and move on, I will never get the help I need here.

That won't change just because you've had a diagnosis, I was sent home from A&E with untreated arrhthmia two years after I'd been diagnosed, medicated, and put on the waiting list for an ablation, because the doctors prejudice blinded them to the difference between arrhythmia and a panic attack.

When I complained they just dug in and denied it: So I sent all the ECGs to Professor Richard Schilling, one of the world's leading arrhythmia consultants, who confirmed it was indeed atrial flutter: NB: It was the paramedics ECGs at home that were unclear, but they were still happy to take me to hospital twice in under 24 hours on the strength of them. On the other hand, Schilling was crystal clear about the ECGs taken in A&E that were used to diagnose anxiety.

Nevertheless, the Trust were happy to dismiss his opinion, and smear me by implying that he's a shrink and not a cardiologist:

axel_knutt wrote: ↑30 May 2023, 5:34pmSo I sent all the ECGs to Professor Richard Schilling, one of the world's leading arrhythmia consultants, who confirmed it was indeed atrial flutter:

Im in Canada, would it cost a lot of money to get this guy to look at my results for a better opinion?

axel_knutt wrote: ↑16 May 2023, 6:24pmIs it worth going on something like Diltiazem just to see if it helps?

I've stopped taking diltiazem because it's damaged my feet, I wouldn't be taking it voluntarily knowing what I know now. When you were discharged after the tests weren't you given any advice on what to do if it keeps happening?

I guess a better question is, are drugs a good idea at all considering this **only** happens when I do high levels of exertion/exercise, which Im doing a lot less of now than I did in the past. So if I only go out and bike 3 times a month now, is it worth taking drugs all the time for that?

Incidentally I have a severe form of central sleep apnea (diagnosed by so far untreated), and I can say the problems are very much worse when my sleep quality is poor.

Diagnosis

Have any of the ECGs ever shown a fast rhythm?

What's the total duration of monitoring so far?

Have you discussed them monitoring for longer?

How do you feel about the suggestion of buying a monitoring device of some sort yourself?

Jonathan

Dealing with the healthcare professionals (in Canada)

What's the present state of play? Are you still communicating with them?

Do they know how unhappy you are with their management?

Do you think that you can get to a state of mutual trust? Would you like to see a different specialist?

Jonathan

Anxiety

This has been suggested and you've associated that with being inadequately investigated and your concerns being dismissed.

From what you've told us I can see why it's being considered as a possibility.

Have they offered any ongoing support for this possibility?

Jonathan

I have a personal monitoring device, I am scared to send the 'abnormal' results to my doctor since he already thinks this is all just in my head.

I have done 3 stress tests and 1 48hr holter test. And even though I had chest pains at least once on the holter and I marked them, they continue to say all they found on the tests were PVCs which they say are nothing.

None of the tests were long enough to trigger fast rhythm, they tests all lasted 15 minute or less. When I used to go cycling I would to training for up to 3 hours and during races I would have a 175-180HR for 50 to 80 minutes, then chest pain or fast rhythm after those races or training events, (but not always). So I have to do a very very high level of exertion to get these events to show up and Ive never had a fast rhythm during testing or monitoring.

Im reasonably certain AFIB is the answer to my chest pains and fast HR, but what Im more interested in is what if any solution is there? Is it really worth taking calcium blockers all the time for something that only happens when I do very high exertion, which I might do now a couple times a month or less? Ive stopped racing entirely because of this problem and I only trian hard now a few times a year because Im too scared to even push myself anymore.

aegisgfx wrote: ↑30 May 2023, 5:39pm

axel_knutt wrote: ↑30 May 2023, 5:34pmSo I sent all the ECGs to Professor Richard Schilling...

Im in Canada, would it cost a lot of money to get this guy to look at my results for a better opinion?

His contacts for private practice are here:
https://bartshealthprivatecare.com/richard-schilling
https://www.finder.bupa.co.uk/Consultan ... _schilling

NB Remember to tell them that you're in Canada. That affects the indemnity insurance and might affect the cost.

Jonathan

aegisgfx wrote: ↑30 May 2023, 6:17pm I have a personal monitoring device, I am scared to send the 'abnormal' results to my doctor since he already thinks this is all just in my head.
...

Please see the comments above about trust. If you don't trust your current healthcare professionals I strongly recommend consulting someone else.

Jonathan

Jdsk wrote: ↑30 May 2023, 6:11pm Dealing with the healthcare professionals (in Canada)

What's the present state of play? Are you still communicating with them?

Do they know how unhappy you are with their management?

Do you think that you can get to a state of mutual trust? Would you like to see a different specialist?

Jonathan

No I have not talked to my cardiologist or GP since last year, they simply dont believe Im having a problem.

I have some abnormal results from a personal heart monitor I bought from last year, I might submit those to them but I already know what they are going to say.

I feel Im somewhat fortunate that I dont have AFIB all the time as some others seem to, this only happens to me about 1 out o 5 times when I go cycling and only when I try to do sustained high heart rates for intervals etc.

Presumably you've come across this chap?

https://drsanjayguptacardiologist.com/

If not, it might be worth contacting him.

Yes I have seen his videos, but again I am in Canada and he is in UK so getting a consultation there might be impossible

aegisgfx wrote: ↑30 May 2023, 11:04pm Yes I have seen his videos, but again I am in Canada and he is in UK so getting a consultation there might be impossible

I would imagine you could get his opinion on your experiences, ECG readings etc. I'd be surprised if he needed to physically examine you.

PeterJ wrote: ↑30 May 2023, 11:02pm Presumably you've come across this chap?

https://drsanjayguptacardiologist.com/

If not, it might be worth contacting him.

He doesn't do electrophysiology, he does imaging - unlike Richard Schilling previously mentioned (I've worked with both).

There are many excellent Electrophysiologists in Canada you can be referred to.

Oh there probably are, but as I said my GP and cardio dont believe Im having this problem.. so its pretty hard to get any action here