Morbidities

[drlaim]

Hi all. New here. Having a tough time with Sleep Apnea, AF and mental health issues. Sleep Apnea and AF cause me anxiety and the anxiety causes depression. When depression is bad, I turn to alcohol, binge drinking to be precise. The whole cause and effect scenario spins round, where upon the alcohol impacts on my sleep regime, but really does damage to my heart. Apologies, I know it's not a question as such and I know the answer is obvious, don't drink. My heart consultant let me read a white paper on morbidities, specifically for AF and Mental Health, and stated that Mental Health patients with AF were more likely to drink alcohol despite the life threatening consequences. I suppose I just want to chat to a similar soul. Been to drinking counselling, but it really is my responsibility.

[Ros1019]

I don't want to sound like a full . I have av heart block 1 degree . The chances that I might get AFiB in the future are high. But recently I felt like nothing like berely feel

My heart beating but then I feel a thump I don't know if that normal sometimes if is just me . I had a holter monitor for three weeks I have this condition but no irregular heart beats at all but sometimes it feels like that is could be anxiety.???!! Help !!!

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Ros1019]

Hi Ros1019, you have typed your message in the middle of someone elses post. What you need to do now is copy the text you have written i.e. highlight it all and then do Ctrl + X, go to the top of this page and on the right you will see a green box saying 'Write a post'. Click on that and then create your own post, by clicking in the text box and then pressing Ctrl + V. I hope this is clear for you.

Jean

[Finvola]

Hello drlaim and welcome to the forum.

Sleep apnea is a cause of AF, so have you had treatment for it? Or if it isn't successful, do talk to your physician again to remove one of the causes of your AF. I think that there is no one with AF who doesn't suffer from some anxiety but with many of us, the right treatment of the issues does help immensely.

Is your consultant an electrophysiologist? (cardiologist specialising in heart rhythms). An EP is the best where AF is concerned, but you are quite right - alcohol is a known trigger for heart rhythm disturbances, but especially binge drinking.

I agree that you have responsibility for taking care of yourself, but there are times in life when we just need the extra bit of help from others. Perhaps a start would be to discuss with your GP the impact that sleep apnea is having on your life, as that is probably the place to start in clearing the problems which it may be triggering - the AF and the anxiety.

Best wishes and keep posting - someone always has an answer to the problem.

[dedeottie]

Hi there drlaim,

I do completely sympathise and empathize with you. You have written a really honest post and that is a good start to changing your life style. I know how miserable AF can make a person even without other problems and I certainly know easy it can seem to turn to whatever blurs the edges of reality for a while.

I suppose I burried my head in the sand when I first developed AF. Initially I didnt even go to my doctor because I knew what he would say, and I didnt want to improve my lifestyle. I liked it! In my case, I was leading a hectic stressfull worklife, combined with a physically demanding all consuming hobby and then ending each day with a half bottle (at least ) of red wine just about a couple of hours before going to bed at around 11.30 and then up at 5.30 to feed my horses before starting work at 8.

Of course, now I can see how stupid this was but then, I couldnt see the wood for the trees. I would never have said I had a drinking problem but I was extremely grumpy if I couldnt have my daily fix for some reason.

What changed to make me give up all this madness?

Well, my AF got a lot worse, drink made it even worse.I did then go to the doctor but they could never catch my irregular rhythm on ecg so I continued to bury my head in the sand, perhaps it was the menopause! Then during a time of extreme stress I had 3 TIAs ( mini strokes) my AF was diagnosed as a result by the stroke consultant and I went into total panic mode. However, when the dust settled, my survival instinct kicked in and I set about changing my life.

It would take too long to explain all these changes but giving up the alcohol became easier because I felt so ill if I drank and I was very scared I would have a full blown stroke.

I wont say it is easy. Whenever I have a meal I could kill for a glass of wine but these days I dont drink at all.

I tell you all this to show you are not on your own. You are right it is only ourselves that can bring about changebut it often helps to have a moan with others that understand and dont judge you.

Good luck with the counselling sessions. Keep us updated.

By the way, I do feel much better for my improved lifestyle. X

[azriverrat]

Get sleep apnea treated. Then do whatever works for you to stop bugging drinking. Sleep apnea and binge drinking are huge triggers. Deal with sleep apnea then find what works for you on binge drinking.

[secondtry]

Clear the decks for a comprehensive lifestyle changes, you can have no greater priority. In the early days of AF (particularly if you have been healthy) is a huge shock, with anxieties and sleep issues.

I had all of that bordering on depression and threw everything at it 1st the medical tests/advice 2nd Alternative Practioners 3rd Personal action - new diet, new hobbies, more Vitamin N (exposure to Nature), less work and personal stress.

Incidentally, on sleep I got tested for sleep apnea (result: No), then used more pillows to help stop AF but still struggled with sleep. TIP just picked up (in this Forum I think) place a couple of pillows the other way under the mattress and use not three but two pillows above, result: a great improvement as airways not as kinked giving me more oxygen and a much better sleep.

Hope something there helps, good luck.

[drlaim]

Many thanks to everyone that took the time to reply, much appreciated.

Just to let everyone know where I am regarding my health..

- AF confirmed. 18 months ago, giving Bisoprolal to control it

- Underwent cardioversion, unsuccessful and anaesthetic left me with some unpleasant side effects

- Sleep Apnea diagnosed 3 years ago, have actually got CPAP equipment

- Recently discharged from mental health, programme, unfortunately my depression is a recurring ailment

- Currently receiving counselling for alcohol problem

Once again, thank you.

[Ianc2 in reply to drlaim]

A few suggestions :

try distraction

feeling depressed - do something physical- eg a quick daily mile, two miles, etc

Join a gym - my local one is full of over 70's - fight your way in.

Join a choir and sing your heart out.

Become a volunteer - help out with people who have had strokes - an eye opening experience

The Danes reckon you need to join 3 clubs - especially in the winter.

remember that unlike life, there are no mistakes in Tango