Feeling a lot better….. getting rid of stress.

[Mejulie69]

We all have different triggers, but the one we all share, surely, is stress. My own experience is quite stark. As described in earlier posts, my last 2 weeks were extraordinarily stressful to the point that I was getting physical symptoms in my body. Consequently, my heart was in and out of AF so regularly that I gave up documenting my “AF timeline”. As of last Wednesday, I started taking Paroxetine. It’s not something I ever expected to need in my life, but needs must. By Thursday I could feel the effect despite being told that it could take 4-6 weeks to work (at times, I can feel unnatural surges of serotonin in my brain). On Friday, I came out of AF and have not returned, despite going on a bike ride and walking up and down hills all day yesterday. Still getting the odd thump of a PAC, so I do not believe that my AF has gone away for good….. but here’s hoping…. Perhaps this small study was onto something ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/167...

[momist]

So glad you are starting to feel better. And yes, stress comes in many forms, many of them are not mental, many of them are. Look after yourself, and I hope things improve in the end. (((HUG)))

[songbird74]

Thanks for this - I am stressed at the moment and certainly the AF is coming more frequently - if it continues I shall know where to go!

[Hidden]

Interesting to read the study. Good to hear that you are feeling better and hope it continues.

Sandra

[Peddling]

Thanks for posting...very interesting and good to hear your feeling better.

[Hidden]

Hi Julie

I have read your posts about anxiety with interest.

Can I ask what you decided after your 3 day trial of diazepam? I got the impression that you weren't feeling anxious then but you wondered whether your physical symptoms were psychosomatic.

Second have you continued on paroxetine ?

I have been discussing adrenaline and cortisol in the stress response with tachp and BobD today. I am still struggling with the idea that I should be able to learn how to manage something so immediate as the adrenaline rush associated with sudden panic, better. I'm not convinced that non pharmalogical intervention is effective in predisposed people, in this situation. Chronic elevation of cortisol levels in anxiety seem more likely to be responsive to behavioural and relaxation techniques, if necessary supplemented with an SSRI as an anxiolytic.

[Mejulie69]

Diazepam relieved me of stress almost instantaneously, but the withdrawal was far worse than the original problem. It sent me to the deepest and darkest depression I can describe. Others may fair better but I will never touch the stuff again.

Paroxetine was a lot better I am glad to report. The doctor said it would take 4-6 weeks to work. It took 36 hours for me - I could feel serotonin rushes in my brain (definitely not placebo affect). Within a month I felt completely normal and weaned myself off it in another 2 weeks . Virtually no withdrawal symptoms and any negative after effects. I’ve been off it for 2 months now. I can honestly say it rescued me from a very unpleasant place. I went from being incredibly stressed and paranoid to feeling relaxed and able to function again.

Sadly, the paroxetine did not help my PAF itself but it has enabled me to deal with it mentally.

[unblocktheplane in reply to Mejulie69]

Before I was diagnosed with subclinical Hashimoto's, I was given Xanax for sleep. Took it for a year, then didn't sleep for four months! Worst times I've ever had.

I do think the benzos have a place for occasional use. For example, before I have to give a presentation, I might take Xanax to hammer me to sleep. Similarly, sublingual Ativan when I get really anxious almost to panic. Trouble is, the damned stuff works so well. The withdrawal really isn't worth it.

Thinking of adding paroxetine for my current mix of mirtazapine & trazodone which have seemed to become entirely ineffective. You're saying it can be taken as an intervention, not long-term?

What is PAF??? Thank you!

[Hidden in reply to unblocktheplane]

Hi unblocktheplane

PAF is paroxysmal atrial fibrillation

[unblocktheplane in reply to Hidden]

Thanks, oyster.

[Hidden]

Thanks Julie, that has been helpful.