One For Sqad I Think ?

[Dee Sa]

went this week to see the cardiology consultant and as u know I am terrified of hospitals . My BP was norm but ECG shows irregular heart beat, next step [ no appt yet] to go and have a cannula put in my hand for tests and consultant said they might want to do as second test as well.
What for and why ? got to go back to consultant in three months, already I am scared stiff.

[Eve]

By way of more general advice, could you phone the consultant's secretary (just ring hospital reception and ask for them) and explain how terrified you are and ask if they could arrange for you to see or speak to, say any specialist nurses they have, who can explain things to you and maybe suggest ways for them to help you with the fear.

Alternatively, PALS may be able to point you in the right direction of someone who could help. They are based in the hospital, though I'd have thought you could ring them. Could you go in to a hospital to speak to someone without anything medical being done, it is a fear of the building itself, medical staff (in person, not online :)), medical treatment or a mixture?

If they can help with that kind of thin, they may have dealt with people who are scared of hospitals. I doubt anyone likes the place but for those who have an actual fear. Does the fear extend to your GP? They can also probably find out information for you (just a consideration for the future).

I know what it's like not getting all the information you feel you need from a consultation, very common I imagine, or not thinking or having the opportunity to ask while you are in there.

[Sqad]

Dee Sa.....don't panic.......it is routine and "bread and butter" stuff today.

ECG was indicating that there might....or might not be....insufficient blood flowing through the arteries that supply the heart and is this "starvation" that may be causing the irregular heart beats.
It is called Coronary Angiograms.

No big deal.

This investigation done under local anaesthetic is routine and often done, if not always in a Cardiac Unit, probably as a day case.

If....if....there is a blockage or insufficient blood flow, then a stent may be inserted or perhaps offer you an bypass.....all routine stuff.

Don't be scared.......or rather ...try not to be.....;-)

[Dee Sa]

firstly thank you both ,eve got no faith in Pals whatsoever, hubby was reg blind and got attacked by another patient obviously with mental problems, the ward sister have not even offered to move him ! not until I got there then she did, hubby said being unable to see he did not know if footsteps approaching him meant another attack or a nurse, when we did complained to Pals they did not want to know.
Sqad I hear what you are saying but I know this test is very painful, I will try but cant bear the thought of being an in patient that would scare the *** out of me ! think I would do a runner !

[Sqad]

\\\\Sqad I hear what you are saying but I know this test is very painful, \\\

Like any invasive investigation, the level of pain/discomfort is proportional to the skill of the doctor and i must say that i have had coronary angiograms and apart from "some" discomfort, they were painless.

I am so scared of pain that i need to anaesthetic to have my teeth checked.

Really Dee........don't worry.