So angry with my GP at the moment

Alongside afib and ME, I also have a - as of right now - un-diagnosed breathing issue. So after contacting my GP surgery on Monday, desperate for some help as my breathing had become much worse, I got a call from him on Wednesday (only really important patients are getting face-to-face appointments at the minute!).

He said he'd spent some time looking over my notes and seen what I've been tried on, he said 'let's try something new'. It's was a shot in the dark but it just might help my breathing. He assured me it 'wouldn't trouble' my heart, unlike drugs like salbutamol, etc have in the past.

So I picked up my prescription last night, tried it this morning and a few hours later I have that 'impending doom' feeling my chest, my heart is being erratic and I feel very on edge. I specifically didn't read the side effects, or Google it ahead of time, as I know that doing that can be a self-fulfilling prophecy, some times.

The drug is tiotropium bromide, for people with severe COPD. The likelihood it would have helped is minimal anyway, as my suspicion is that my breathing issue is related to some kind of autonomic/sympathetic/parasympathetic nerve issues that preceded my ME. But I was willing to try anything, on the assumption he was right that my heart would be untroubled.

Has anybody else tried this drug and had similar issues/no issues at all? It feels like you're trying to push a mountain up a steep incline trying to get it through to doctors how bad these sorts of heart issues can be, even after ablation, whether they're 'life threatening' or not.

Always double check your MD's work. Many of them are idiots.

According to drugs.com, these are the most common side effects of Spiriva (tiotropium). Looks like you hit the trifecta.

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More common

Arm, back, or jaw pain
chest pain or discomfort
chest tightness or heaviness
fast or irregular heartbeat
nausea
sweating
trouble breathing

But I don't see why this makes your GP an idiot. It seems like a reasonable drug to try, and lack of success isn't anyone's fault. All you can do is move on and try something else. Maybe ask for a referral to a pulmonologist?

The part where I think he's been a bit of an idiot is that, as you noted below, common side effects are 'fast or irregular heartbeat'. Which is pretty undesirable for somebody who already suffers with irregular heartbeats and palpitations. I had a look too, and people with pre-existing heart conditions/arrythmias were excluded from early trial groups for that reason.

I would just like it if he hadn't chosen to prescribe me a pro-arrhythmic drug again, after reassuring me it wouldn't affect my heart.

It's just disappointing that I actually have to check up on what my doctor is prescribing me.

The only step now is to look for further referrals to specialists, as I believe the root cause of the issue is neurological.

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Carey
According to drugs.com, these are the most common side effects of Spiriva (tiotropium). Looks like you hit the trifecta.

More common

Arm, back, or jaw pain
chest pain or discomfort
chest tightness or heaviness
fast or irregular heartbeat
nausea
sweating
trouble breathing

But I don't see why this makes your GP an idiot. It seems like a reasonable drug to try, and lack of success isn't anyone's fault. All you can do is move on and try something else. Maybe ask for a referral to a pulmonologist?

I usually always do, but on this occasion, after he assured me it wouldn't give my heart any trouble, I chose not to preempt any bad reactions and just go in blind. Seems I was wrong.

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NotLyingAboutMyAfib
Always double check your MD's work. Many of them are idiots.