Completely panicking now - just had follow-up appt on phone

[Nosejobnelly]

I posted in Dec about my epic faceplant episode where I lost consciousness temporarily and smashed my face in.
I had a couple of cardiac tests recently following the episode and just had my telephone appointment for results - which were normal. This is not a cardiologist I’m speaking to btw as was a referral from A&E so it’s a general medical consultant.
He then goes on to say it’s probably Stokes-Adams syndrome and that it’ll probably never happen again. Great, I think. Then after the call I google it and it’s a dangerous cardiology condition which can result in death. What the fuck!!! Why was the Dr so blasé about it? Apparently people have normal cardiac results afterwards as the issue is only shown when having an attack (I had a 24 hour holter and echo). I’ve seen a few cardiologists over the years as I’ve had palpitations for as long as i remember but they all poo-poo it (most are patronising too) and tests are always normal. 24-hour leads never catch the arrhythmia.
No onward referral now so I feel completely left in the dark.
I’ve got a routine appointment with my neurologist in a couple of weeks as I have epilepsy but he didn’t think it was a seizure as it’s not my normal pattern (although v much matches an atonic seizure). I’m def going to mention this stokes-adams potential diagnosis to him and maybe he can refer me on (different hospital but he’s very nice and could probably help).
I am crying now - luckily am at home but can’t concentrate on work. DH is gonna call me back as I tried him and he was in a meeting.

So sorry, OP, I think that must have been very difficult and frightening 🫣

A pacemaker might help, apparently according to Google. Maybe something to ask your GP about, if you don't have the follow up appointment with the other doctor. 💕

Possibly, he meant a Stokes-Adam’s attack, an outdated term sometimes used to describe a vasovagal syncope (a fainting episode). Are you able to contact the medical team via the consultant’s secretary for clarification?

He definitely said attack as I wrote it down. Maybe I shouldn’t have written syndrome - but what is the difference? I’ve read a few articles and it says à pacemaker is usually required.

This article in The Lancet explains it: Harbison J, Newton JL, Seifer C, Kenny RA. Stokes Adams attacks and cardiovascular syncope. Lancet. 2002 Jan 12;359(9301):158-60. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(02)07376-2. PMID: 11809277.
I have attached screenshots of the relevant bits below. The syndrome is a specific condition, whereas SA attack has been used to describe a set of symptoms during a collapse but with a variety of causes. It would definitely be worth you contacting them, or your GP, for a proper explanation of what the consultant meant

Thanks @HippyChickMama- I’m definitely going to follow this up and it makes sense that it could have a vary of causes, all cardiac in nature though.

I doubt that your consultant is able to directly refer you to another specialist op. I think it’s probably your GP you need to request this from. It might greatly help encourage them to do so though if you get your consultant to recommend such a referral in their clinic letter after they see you. It’s generally all about the funding🙄😔

So slight update now.

Once I saw the follow-up appt letter in the app I emailed the clinic’s admin team very politely to say I was concerned and could a cardiology appointment be arranged?

The Dr then emailed me back to say he’s arranging an appointment with electrophysiology for an implantable loop recorder to be fitted. Now why didn’t he say that in the appointment or letter?

I think he only did that after he saw my email.

So I’m still concerned but at least there’s a plan now.