heart condition... please read... opinion needed.

[andym]

Hi, as the name suggests my name is Andy. I've had a couple of drinks tonight and figured I would waffle on here for a few minutes.

Apparently everyone has a story.... here's mine.

In April 2010 I was driving my bus as usual and about 10pm got this stabbing pain in my chest, I thought nothing of it and carried on driving. When my duty finished at 11:30 that night I still had the stabbing chest pains, so I called my wife and told her what was happening and that I might pop along to A&E to be told it was indigestion and be given some indigestion medicine and sent on my way.

Unfortunately they called me in almost immediately (great feeling going into A&E to see a crowded room and being called within 5 minutes). Anyway they done an ECG and the nurse buggered off with the results and said that I was being admitted there and then.

5 days later I had an angiogram (look it up on google), and somewhere during this routine procedure the surgeon managed to 'disect' (tear) an artery in my heart, which resulted in lots of pain (of the heart attack kind), lots of alarms in the background and lots of drugs being administered (that and 5 stents to repair the damage). After being given the all clear and discharged from the hospital I was rushed back in 2 days later with severe chest pains... I was told it was probably pericarditis (basically an inflamation of the heart lining), take some pain killers blah blah blah...

18 months down the line and I'm still suffering.... I've been off work for the last 3 months because the DVLA don't want me in charge of a vehicle capable of carrying 85+ passengers. My employer is pissed off that I'm off work and should be back driving 'OR ELSE'. I went for a hospital appointment a couple of days ago (after having another angiogram) and was told that one of the stents has heavily scarred and is the cause of the constant chest pains. I was told that I would possibly have to have another stent fitted to remove the scar tissue... during my recent hospital appointment I was told that another stent isn't really a viable option and it is looking likely that I will have to have bypass surgery, but the consultant needs to discuss it at a meeting.

Anyway, the whole point of this post is an opinion from the people that bother to read it.... should I try suing the first hospital that tore the artery in the first place.... before all this I was more active than the kids... now I can't even walk to the front door some days.... has my life been ruined (I'm coming up for 38 years old), or will I get my old life back with the bypass?

Any help/suggestions/advice greatly appreciated

[Ariel Badger]

They have saved your life and you want to sue them?
FFS
____________________
Bikers make great organ donors, get 115 on your licence today.

[plugger147]

Yes sue the arse of them it'll make all your health problems go away overnight, ignore the fact your employer put undue stress on you by making you go back to work to early and you were to stupid to tell them they have a duty of care to look after you...
____________________
Tristan the wrote: just whipped off my trousers to find a big bruise on my arse, caused by matt rear ending me...

[Rogerborg]

In context, you're been nobbled by a bungled procedure. Ignore the peanut gallery, they're not the ones having to live with the consequences. Do what's right for you and your family.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

Surely it depends if the surgeon told you that the operation could result in a tear if he cocked up.

If he did then I don't see how you can have much legal comeback....
____________________
My Flickr

[JonB]

To be honest you haven't really told us much in that first post. Are you overweight, do you smoke?

If yes to any of the above you have nobody to blame but yourself.

By the way, by suing the hospital you are not only suing them, but you are suing me and everybody else who pays their taxes.

Like someone else said suing them because they saved you FFS.
____________________
Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it?s worth.

[Im-a-Ridah]

Check with the DVLA on whether you'd be allowed to drive a bus again? I'm guessing probably not tbh...

[GhostRider]

Hmmm bit tough, on the one hand that level of damage shouldn't have occurred on what was a routine procedure, but then again some of the renal doctors I work with tell me that during the investigation of chronic kidney disease, a biopsy is required, during which some 1 in 15 will expect to need a blood transfusion due to the excessive bleeding that will occur, and some 1 in 45 will die because of it. I was really surprised the figures were that bad. But then the alternative is a slow and agonising death from kidney failure..

We have to accept there are inherent risks in any surgical procedure, hell there are risks just putting you under anaethetic before the surgeon makes a single cut, I dont recall the figures but it's not rare for people to die due to the anaesthetic alone.

From reading your OP, I wouldn't quite go as far as saying they saved your life - they did an ECG and saw reason to investigate further and so performed an angiogram, which iirc is to look for blocked arteries and so they were looking for the cause of the abnormal ECG. It seems then that all subsequent operations were to fix the damage they had caused during the Procedure rather than the root cause of the chest pain itself, assuming of course you've told us the full story.

Not sure what I'd do in your shoes to be honest, the moral side of me would say leave it, they were trying to help you, the cynical side of me would say fuck it, get what you can, MP's are allowed to slice 80k out of the taxpayers pot and get away with it, why shouldn't I get my slice of the pie, fuck 'em all.

GhostRider
____________________
I have all the characteristics of a human being: blood, flesh, skin, hair; but not a single, clear, identifiable emotion, except for greed and disgust. Something horrible is happening inside of me and I don't know why. My nightly bloodlust has overflown into my days. I feel lethal, on the verge of frenzy. I think my mask of sanity is about to slip.

[Im-a-Ridah]

[angryjonny]

The NHS do a superb job on a a limited and decreasing budget. I couldn't, in good conscience, sue them just because something went wrong. Sometimes things do go wrong. If a doctor had been grossly negligent or reckless I might fight for them personally to be struck off to save others in the future, but I couldn't take money out of the system because somewhere, at the back of my mind, would be the thought that someone hadn't got the care they needed as a result.

<sarcasm>Shame though. I don't think we have enough litigation in this country yet - we could do to see more people getting sued for any old reason. It's the constant threat of ending up in court for offending or inconveniencing someone that makes life worth living. </sarcasm>

[G]

First of, as Ghostrider mentioned, I'm not sure where people are getting that thy 'saved his life' - it seems they just had a look inside and messed up.

While suing the national health service means we all pay, if he's on benefits for the rest of his life, we're also paying.

I think a good start would b what warnings you were given.

Th NHS often do far from a superb job, but so far, overall I'm happy enough with the 'service received', despite various issues I have had.

[andym]

Some very interesting points there... the idea of suing the hospital was originally one of my managers suggestions since I have been off work for over 6 months in the last 18, and the way things are going I won't be back till after Christmas.

Anyway... the original problem that I went to the hospital was a stabbing pain that would last for a few seconds then go away for a minute or so then come back.... I carried on driving expecting it to go away, after an hour and a half it was still going on and although it didn't affect my driving it did bloody well hurt at times.

After I finished work I called my wife and let her know that I was going to go to the hospital and get it checked, expecting them to give me some indigestion medicine, a damn good slap and told to stop my whinging. It was a bit of a shock when I found I was being admitted.

I've always been a very active person with active jobs, On the down side I do smoke, but I'm the correct weight for my height (if anything I'm about 2lbs overweight). One thing they noticed at the hospital while they were running all their tests was that my potassium was low.

Anyway, I was told about some of the problems that can arise during the procedure (reactions to the dye etc), I was told that the procedure would last for about 20 minutes unless they find a problem in which case they would need to fit stents which would mean it would take just over an hour, then I was asked for a signature to say I understood the risks... at no point was I told that there is a chance they could tear an artery.

In the operating room I was watching the monitors amazed at this wire going round my body and into my heart. As soon as they sprayed the dye my heart lit up and all hell broke loose. The only way to explain it is it felt like the consultant jumped on my chest then over the next half hour my arm went numb, my jaw ached, I felt sick, I started sweating, my heart was racing, my chest felt like a mosh pit floor, my mouth tasted like it was burning, my breathing was very rapid etc. All that kept going through my head was if I could just move about an inch to one side the pain would stop. While all this was going on I ended up with 2 different alarms going off, when the second alarm started the consultant read out this list of drugs that I was given immediately. While all this was going on the consultant carried on with what he was doing and he said that everything looked fine on one side then he moved the wire round to the other side and sprayed a bit more dye. It was only when he was finishing and the shit was kicking off he noticed that there was blood spraying from one of the arteries. 5 stents later I was taken to the recovery room then back to the ward. When they got me back to the ward the porter had to push me back down onto the bed I was in so much of a hurry to get away from them.

As I said previously they believe the problem was pericarditis that caused the chest pains in the first place.... they have admitted they messed up, the only reason I haven't sued is because I disagree with the whole suing culture with all the bullshitters out there. I agree that they fixed the problem, that technically wasn't there in the first place, but now I'm suffering for it. I had an active lifestyle before all this, and now there are times when I get chest pains walking to the front door.

I know that the NHS is struggling, but if they made a mistake and I'm suffering then why shouldn't I sue them, but some retard that forgot how to open a door properly and broke a nail or something can sue for thousands (slight exaggeration I know).... but you get the idea.

[The999Kid]

[Hetzer]

If your ability to work has been permanently trashed you'll need compo money so you can live at a level above poverty (standard benefits level). It's not about apportioning blame, it's a simple financial calculation. And the treatment wasn't "free", it's paid through the nose for via NI contributions (health-care tax). And as a paying customer for said treatment a certain standard is due, which doesn't include lacerating an artery and being put out of work for the forseeable. If a paid mechanic did serious damage to your car nobody would expect you to go "Oh well" and write it off to just 'one of those things'.

Sue and cover your financial ass is my advice.
____________________
"There's the horizon! Ride hard, ride fast and cut down all who stand in your way!"

[The Shaggy D.A.]

[Nexus Icon]

I'm not big on the blame and claim culture but this doesn't sound like an unfortunate slip during an emergency procedure.

Pericarditis doesn't require surgical intervention, it requires a course of steroids and the possible use of immune system suppressants, so we're talking misdiagnosis followed by an unnecessary and botched invasive procedure which could, quite possibly, have detrimental effects on your quality of life forever.

I'd talk to a solicitor specialising in medical claims if I were you.
____________________
Greetings from Shitsville!

[Whosthedaddy]

I cant be arsed to write a long reply other than its a complication of the procedure and no you can't sue as you have signed a consent form stating that you understand the risks and complications.

Shit happens I'm afraid.

Still getting pains then see the GP or contact the Cardiac Rehab that you would have seen after for getting back the license.

(10 years in Cardiac Care )
____________________
Current : MSX 125 Past : CBR 900RR Monkeybike : c50 LAC : ZXR750 H2 : FZR600 : ZX7R P3 : YW100 : TRX850: Trophy 900 T309 : GSXR 600 L0: Monkeybike : XJ6S Whosthedaddy

[Whosthedaddy]

[Whosthedaddy]

[Whosthedaddy]

[Whosthedaddy]

[The Shaggy D.A.]

So if it's a rare occurrence, and you are lucky fucker number 100,001, wouldn't you like to know if the bod who did it has an above average hit rate or not?
____________________
Chances are quite high you are not in my Monkeysphere, and I don't care about you. Don't take it personally.
Currently : Royal Enfield 350 Meteor
Previously : CB100N > CB250RS > XJ900F > GT550 > GPZ750R/1000RX > AJS M16 > R100RT > Bullet 500 > CB500 > LS650P > Bullet Electra X & YBR125 > Bullet 350 "Superstar" & YBR125 Custom > Royal Enfield Classic 500 Despatch Limited Edition (28 of 200) & CB Two-Fifty Nighthawk > ER5

[Walloper]

Speak to a medical person. Your own GP would be a good start. He/she is your first port of call. He will advise or refer to hospital for further info treatment.
You may not need to sue anyone if you can get a second 'medical' opinion.
If you are not helped by consultation with your local NHS then seek advice from one of those who specialize in medical compensation claims.
Hope it goes well.

You possibly had an emergency procedure where there are risks but you are still due the same level care as a 'scheduled' patient and risks must be avoided or mitigated.
This is not a clear cut area and depends on many varied factors on each individual case.
____________________
W-ireless A-rtificial L-ifeform L-imited to O-bservation P-eacekeeping and E-fficient R-epair

[waffles]

Out of curiosity, did they give you a diagnosis when you went in to A&E originally? It must have been something fairly serious for you to jump to the front of the queue and be admitted straight away. The reason I ask is because if this had gone unchecked would your quality of life be worse than it is now?

And by sue do you mean "take them for every penny!" or seek appropriate compensation for loss of earnings?

Shame on your employer though for piling on the pressure to return, nice to see they have some empathy for what you are going through at the moment
____________________
Theory test - 19/8/09, CBT - 11/10/09, MOD 1 - 16/8/10, MOD 2 - 27/10/10
Past rides Yamaha XT125X, Triumph TT600, Honda XR250
Current rides Suzuki GSXR 600, Honda MSX125

[colin1]

Not sure why everyone thinks surgeons should get away with fucking up.

I work for a heating company that installs domestic boilers. I've no idea what our failure rates are, but if we flood someones house, I dont think they will chalk it up to experience and accept they are just the unlucky 1 in 45. They'll demand we fix it, and try to get compensation if they can. I don't really blame them. They've paid for something good to happen not something bad.

I know surgeons will never get a perfect record, but I think we are a bit too reverential to the medical profession.

People dont accept bad service at mcdonalds, but with the NHS its just sort of accepted as something you have to live with.

Obviously most customers of mcdonalds and the nhs have good service.
____________________
colin1 is officially faster than god