Groups

[overmars]

Does anyone shy away from groups or noisy gatherings now ..?

I found this to be the way while on Ramipril before the AF .

Now I can getvpanic attacks while out in groups ..certain ones ...and so avoid public situations a lot .

[gwyn53]

I had my AF in July.

We had booked some away weekends, using vouchers from our daughters but I've become really worried about going on them and so cancelled them and given to friends.

Hubby has become really cross with me.

So becomes a vicious circle.

I go to work, I feel OK there safe!

But out in the big world alone.. Still scary.

Is this what you mean?

Will I get over it?

[jennydog]

Is it an age thing?

I have started to hate going out at night. It's safer and less bother to stay at home.

I went to a wedding some months ago and the awful noise ( music?) left me severely traumatised for ages..I know that this sounds over dramatic but conversation was impossible and I could hardly hear myself think. What made it worse was that everyone else seemed to think that it was both acceptable and normal. I left at 10pm because I couldn't take any more.

[heartmatters1]

Whilst on holiday abroad my husband & I came across one evening a very large gathering of young people with very loud base music, I had to make a fast retreat, as it was seriously affecting my anxiety levels & heart rate - at one time you couldn't have stopped me joining in. So yes I think situations like that can affect us AFers. Loud noise is probably the trigger especially loud base music.

[overmars in reply to heartmatters1]

Very helpful

[Mike11]

I had to go outside at a corporate evening event this summer when the entertainment act started using deep bass background music. I certainly would have been ok before my heart bypass but now my heart is banged around by the sound

[overmars in reply to Mike11]

Very helpful

[Hidden]

I think many including myself, in at least the first stages after AF diagnosis, are hypersensitive including social occasions.....I think this is entirely normal and the good news I found was that this gradually passes as you hopefully get stabilised.

It may help to pursue more often the things you find relaxing and add a few new things you didn't do before AF but have always wanted to do.

Hope this helps a bit.

[overmars in reply to Hidden]

I started doing art at at home. It doeabt heko living nearca violent area where fights break our even UB the shipping centre

[jeanjeannie50]

I too think it must be an age thing. I can't stand loud noise and if at a meeting or social occasion where everyone is talking I can't hear a thing being said, even if the person is sat near me. Loud noise really offends me, it's like torture! By the way where was the photo taken? Wales?

Jean

[10gingercats]

There are two possibilities here. 1. Yes. it may be that older ears are becoming more sensitive. 2. you should check out hyperacusis. try Soundsensitivity on the internet. I have had this since I was about 20 and it has got worse recently...older age? not sure/ get back to me if you want more info.

[lingooz]

When first diagnosed I became very agoraphobic, I did not go to my nephews wedding 😢 was on antidepressants for year (fine now 😋) x

[overmars in reply to lingooz]

It has thrown up a lot of sad childhood stuff creating imbalance . a need to rectify .a way to forgive as justice is unlikely as Police say .Therefore I prefer the company of trees and unlike Ts Eliot measure my life in them instead of coffee .

[Eliza1 in reply to lingooz]

Which antidepressant? I have become depressed, anxious, unable to sleep since my afib started. I feel like a different person.....scared and very very discouraged. My anxiety and sleeplessness taking over.

[lingooz in reply to Eliza1]

Hi well my Gp put me on sertraline (took 5 weeks to work) but we're great help, weaned myself off slowly after a year (that is important!! Went 1 every other day then every 3Rd day then half tablet) !! Know how you, feel!!! Feel free to private message me if you need a chat, But there is a light at the end of the tunnel, sending hugs x

[shirlygirly]

I think it is probably an age thing, but ......in our day music was never as

loud as is permissable now, even certain shops have horrendously loud

music. It all started off innocently enough just background music, easy

listening, now its really uncomfortably loud. Ive been with my husband

to buy say a carpet or something and hes said turn that noise down or

Im going, must admit Im embarrassed, but hes right.

[frenchgoose]

When I was first diagnosed with AF, ten years ago, I was afraid of going anywhere that was not far away from an A&E department. I think this is common and quite normal as we come to terms dealing with this beast. After both ablations I was wary of walking too far from home and on my own...that was because before my ablations I had been out walking on my own when AF had suddenly struck so my confidence was lost...but improving now. Living on your own is an added anxiety believe me!

Noisy gatherings.......I had an episode of AF on leaving a Richard Hawley gig, and i put that down to the strong base amplification, and now my heart feels it when I hear deep and loud base.

And I do think as we get older, we find some things just more irritating. But am thankful to be alive after all my cardiology issues so can tolerate almost any irritants!!!

Finding lots to keep the mind occupied is my therapy, as well as complementary therapies.

Ann

[overmars in reply to frenchgoose]

A very helpful reokt. Thank you .

[PALady]

I echo much of what has been said already about age, noise, distracting yourself with activities you enjoy. I would add that if you were to.be taken I'll at a gathering, I am sure people would come to your assistance - something you can't guarantee if you are home alone. My suggestion would be to keep up the socialising that is only just outside your comfort zone. It is only too easy to become so withdrawn that it's hard to go out at all.

[overmars in reply to PALady]

A worthy reply .

I find reading WB Yeats a solace for life .

[Finvola]

With me it is mostly an ageing thing although when I was first diagnosed I was afraid to go out alone for a few months. That passed as I got proper treatment and gained confidence in coping with the condition. Large crowds in enclosed spaces have always made me uneasy so I would tend to avoid that from experiences here in the past. I loathe having what passes for music blasted at me and always ask the manager of the offending place to turn it off - that nearly always works to some degree. If not, I vote with my feet.

I'm privileged to live in an AONB and countryside protected area where we have buzzards and ravens calling as well as other soothing mountain sounds with breathtaking vistas. Can you imagine coming to such a place for a picnic and leaving your car doors open wide so that your wonderful (c)rap music fills the void?

Much of our reaction to unwanted intrusions seems to involve raising the adrenaline levels and I suppose that is what we are feeling in these situations. It can be countered with calming activities - I paint, walk on the mountain, photograph the wildlife and enjoy peace and quiet whilst I can.

[overmars]

Yes my kind of companions.Nature .

[Hidden]

Has anyone tried to go to the cinema these days!! The sound is unbelievably high and what with everyone texting on their phones and eating huge amounts of popcorn it is just not worth the effort how ever good the film is!! The base sounds of the music made my AF terrible so that is one place to avoid!

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Yes, just went to see the new Bond film, wow it was sooooo loud. I don't know whether I liked the film or not to be honest, it was so off-putting. I made ear-plugs from a paper towel but it was still far too loud 😖

[Hidden]

Thank goodness I'm not the only one but love your ear plug idea!!

[constabule]

Yup me too

I have felt very uncomfortable at noisy venues - always put it down to ear and hearing issues. . More often than not I had to go outside for releif at noisy venues.

May ahve have been coincidence but had my first bad AF attack 3 months ago and am sure it was in part triggered by a rather noisy Karaoke night at the local. Even if most people thinking I am a miserable duffer I do not stya at any place if its too noisy , it is though disconcerting when most others seem not be bothered by it.

[overmars]

U empathasise .