Heart skipping beats.

[renaeden]

It hasn't happened since I went to the doctor. So I am not calling the cardiologist unless it happens again all day or something. This is frustrating... make an appointment to see the doctor then get better just before the appointment...

[goddessoflubbock]

Renaeden - if you've never taken a whit of my advice in the past and never do again in the future - please do so this ONE time. Make the appt with the cardiologist.

I know how frustrating it is to feel fine when you finally get your appt, but the cardiologist can see if there are any underlying problems that could make this ectopic beat a problem. It can be very benign, but it can be deadly.

The great thing is a simple pill a day can protect you if it is a problem.

I know what happens when you let things go because they aren't a problem today. Don't do that, please

[Sophist]

Renaeden - if you've never taken a whit of my advice in the past and never do again in the future - please do so this ONE time. Make the appt with the cardiologist.

I know how frustrating it is to feel fine when you finally get your appt, but the cardiologist can see if there are any underlying problems that could make this ectopic beat a problem. It can be very benign, but it can be deadly.

The great thing is a simple pill a day can protect you if it is a problem.

I know what happens when you let things go because they aren't a problem today. Don't do that, please

I agree with goddes, renaeden. Make an appointment asap with the cardiologist whether it happens again or not. Okay?

[Aspen]

I agree with Goddess too, Renaeden.

If the cardiologist finds nothing wrong, then you will feel better for knowing you're OK, but if something is wrong and you don't find out because you don't go, then it could be terrible.

The cardiologist can hear things in your heartbeat from just listening with a stethoscope that GPs could not and they could also do ECGs and echocardiograms if they are needed.

[renaeden]

I didn't expect this response! Thank you and I will take your advice. I just hope it won't cost much.

I will call on Monday.

[ruth]

I'm glad you have decided to see the cardiologist, Renaeden.

[Sophist]

Me too. I hope you're able to get an appointment very soon.

[Aspen]

I didn't expect this response! Thank you and I will take your advice. I just hope it won't cost much.

I will call on Monday.

How much do you usually have to pay for seeing a doctor?

[renaeden]

I didn't call on Monday, I couldn't work up the courage. I did call today, though, and I had to make a total of four calls. Just to get the right number because the number on the referral letter was wrong. I nearly gave up on this.

So I have made the appointment and it is on the 21st of this month. $179 but I get most of it back because I am on a disability pension. The GP I go to is free because I am on the pension and the medical centre does bulk billing through Medicare. Australia's health system is a good one.

So my appointment is booked. Phew.

[ruth]

Good. I'm glad you are following up on this and keeping us posted.

[Sophist]

I didn't call on Monday, I couldn't work up the courage. I did call today, though, and I had to make a total of four calls. Just to get the right number because the number on the referral letter was wrong. I nearly gave up on this.

So I have made the appointment and it is on the 21st of this month. $179 but I get most of it back because I am on a disability pension. The GP I go to is free because I am on the pension and the medical centre does bulk billing through Medicare. Australia's health system is a good one.

So my appointment is booked. Phew.

Good, glad that's getting taken care of. Did you tell them why you were coming to see the doctor? Was thinking, with a possible heart issue (whatever the cause), they'd want to get you in sooner than the 21st.

[renaeden]

I guess to get seen sooner I would have to go to the ED. I think the 23rd (I wrote 21st but it isn't) is pretty soon given it's a specialist I am going to.

The irregular heart beats are happening again so now I feel I have good reason to go.

[Sophist]

I guess to get seen sooner I would have to go to the ED. I think the 23rd (I wrote 21st but it isn't) is pretty soon given it's a specialist I am going to.

The irregular heart beats are happening again so now I feel I have good reason to go.

I think you should take yourself to the ED, renaeden. Heart irregularities are definitely not something to play around with. 16 days is a long ways away for a potential emergency. At the very least, please call that specialist's office, tell them the situation, and ask them what they would recommend. If you don't feel like you can say what you need to say, I suggest you write it down and just read it to them, or see if GA could advocate on your behalf.

[goddessoflubbock]

Can you asked to be "squeezed in"? Or put on a list so that if someone cancels you can be put in there place? It may mean you have to be ready to show up quickly, but it is very important this be investigated fully.

[renaeden]

That one was the soonest I could get and the lady on the phone said she would ring me if any cancellations were made. The cardiologist's office is at a hospital right next to where I will go to uni. I am going to uni all next week.

To be honest, I feel odd about going to the ED. The skipped heartbeats usually happen in batches - 3 times in one go and maybe that will happen twice a day. So the chances are they won't catch it. The last time I went to the ED I had an ECG and I had to take off my top and bra and everything. It was humiliating and I think they did that on purpose because I had taken an overdose. The nurses were really rude to me and messed up putting an IV in - collapsing a vein and being rough with it.

.....so I don't want to go to the ED.