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Finding The Right Doctor A Patients Experience Peter 1 My Atrial - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Finding The Right Doctor A Patients Experience Peter 1 My Atrial - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Finding The Right Doctor A Patients Experience Peter 1 My Atrial Fibrillation Journey Started in January 2004 2 3 After May 2008 Before May 2008 4 Still taking Medications Pre May 2008 Post May 2008 Digoxin Digoxin
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After May 2008 Before May 2008
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Still taking Medications
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Pre May 2008
Digoxin Bisoprolol Ramipril Bumetanide Amiloride Warfarin
Post May 2008
Digoxin Verapamil Ramipril Bumetanide Amiloride Warfarin
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March 2008 Saw Respiratory Consultant She suggested I may be intolerant to Betablockers When did you experience the breathlessness?
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May 2008
Because of the Respiratory Consultant’s observations my Cardiologist Agreed to take me off Bisoprolol Tells me it will make no difference Refers me to a specialist to discuss an Ablation procedure
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On 2nd Day of Stopping Bisoprolol Breathlessness so improved My Wife & I did a ½ mile walk
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Now doing 2 to 3 mile walks
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June 2008
Saw Consultant at Harefield Hospital about Ablation Procedure Absolutely Fantastic Consultation
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June 2008
After Seeing OH Doctor Twice Started Phased Return to Work Now I’m back at school full time
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Who were the right Doctors for me? My GP The OH Doctor The Consultant at Harefield The Respiratory Consultant
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What have I learnt?
My Symptoms – breathlessness, fatigue, bloatedness and fluid retention are what Doctors expect from someone with Atrial Fibrillation Symptoms mainly same as side effects of Betablockers Consultants aim to choose the medication which is best for our heart. However, in my case, and I suspect others as well, I had to wait too long for the one which was best for my body. At a time when we have a real need there are a lot of Doctors out there who are willing to understand where we are coming from and help us.
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One tablet ruined my life for 4 years Caused me to have 9 months off work. Felt as if I was living under a shell with no future. Without tablet got life back and a future
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Thanks to the Right Doctors I now know that there is life after a diagnosis of Atrial Fibrillation
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