Cardiologist Number 2

Well, it's been fun, fun, fun these past 4-5 months, going from pillar to post from the rheumatologist to the cardiologist (number one) to the wrist surgeon to the oncologist to the lung man (first one, then another with a bike) and possibly to various other people who just didn't leave enough impression on me or my diary to make it onto this sorry list.

And today – was a big day – as I FINALLY got to go see the micro vascular expert at St George's – although was almost scuppered by clocking this on arrival:

You could;t make it up – everyone evacuated from the wing I needed to get into, for a fire alarm. Which turned out to be a lamp that had exploded in a research lab – and made me 45 mins late for my appointment.

But did get to see Prof Kaski and in a nutshell the story is:

• Yes, he agrees it is micro vascular dysfunction
  – This is exacerbated by the arthritis/inflammatory condition and my dubious medical history
  – He has prescribed a much higher level of the same drug Diltiazem than the first cardiologist did – suggests we hit it harder
  – Plus has given me some jolly good sounding body patches to apply on 'busy' days when need I need my heart to work harder and also a mouth spray for attacks
  – Two more tests to come – both sound fine – and then see him again in Jan.
• So – a relief to have seen an expert and to have some stuff coming my way that will hopefully treat this damn thing so I can get back to a more normal life again. Always with the caveat that 'this is only one of several treatments that we can try / it won't work overnight, it may be months / you have to be patient / don't try and do too much as you won;t be able to etc etc'.
• Still feel better to have had a good conversation and to add a pile more crap to my ever-growing mountain of tablets. 
• Weekly pill box now ordered from Amazon – feel like a right granny x