Emotional

[Vonnieruth]

How many people found they become emotional at times since they have been diagnosed That includes you men out there Plus how do you deal with work with AF

[doodle68]

Vi Vonnie I think it is quite normal to have an emotional response when diagnosed with any kind of long-term condition which has the potential to have serious or life-changing consequences. It is a kind of a 'bereavement', a loss of the old you.

When you have had time to fully take in your new circumstances it shouldn't feel so bad .

I guess I am one of the lucky ones having retired some years ago so I don't have to think about work and can be ill in peace.

Do you have a HR person at work or maybe an Occupational Nurse in whom you can confide?

[Vonnieruth in reply to doodle68]

What is HR please

[doodle68 in reply to Vonnieruth]

'Human Resources '

[BobD Volunteer]

AF and anxiety are common bedfellows. After all the soul resides in your heart according to ancient custom.

Can't help you about work as I gave that up when I was first ill before diagnosis but I still do lots in my role as a motor sport engineer. Just in my own time.

[Vonnieruth in reply to BobD]

I would pack in now but I don't have a private pension and I bring in the money at home

[Finvola]

Vonnie - I would think that most of us suffer emotional reactions to AF and its impact on our lives. During my six months after diagnosis, I could barely function for fear, worry and wishing I could ‘get my life back’. All very negative as I could see nothing but misery from debilitating episodes of arrhythmias.

Several things helped me - getting to see an electrophysiologist (EP) who was able to prescribe the right drug combination to control the AF, finding this forum and not feeling so alone, realising others had the same problems to cope with and making what lifestyle changes I could.

Fortunately, I was retired and didn’t have that worry to deal with.

Things do get better as time passes but the psychological side of living with AF is not widely considered by many health professionals. That’s why support groups and this forum are so helpful.

[Vonnieruth in reply to Finvola]

Hi thanks for message I just feel lost My girls are use to me being strong and independent I worked my way back into a senior position at work after years of not working My middle girl has schizophrenia also Husband ex alcoholic well still drinks every night till bed time .I had just starmed going on trains and days out again after years of anxiety Hurt my arm in work and then found high BP then FA.Total shock

[Finvola in reply to Vonnieruth]

I’m sorry you have so much to deal with, Vonnie. High BP is one of the causes of AF, so hopefully, treating the BP will help with your overall health. xx

[pottypete1]

I think I am emotional by nature anyway.

As soon as my heart reminds me that it is still not prepared to behave I certainly then get even more emotional. I feel the stress every time, yet I am the first to advise others to not allow this to happen.

For example:

My heart has been behaving better in the past 9 months than it has for many years. Yet this evening I went into panic mode when out if the blue my heart went into a bout of fast rhythm for what seemed an age yet was in fact only a few minutes.

The only good feeling was about half an hour later after things had settled down, the relief my brain demonstrated was palpable.

I think that once we have experienced the total uncertainty of not knowing what will happen next, sadly for many of us this will never go away completely.

No amount of reassurance of the superficially benign nature of AF will make it totally right for me.

Having said all that once ‘normality’ returns my logical brain accepts that things are not as bad as they may seem and that I should relax more which in itself will help enormously to make things more stable.

I now work for myself from home so I can stop whenever necessary without asking permission.

When for 20 Years I had a proper job it depended on my employers. Some good some definitely not so good.

Pete

[Vonnieruth in reply to pottypete1]

Thanks Peter. I work with dementia as Senior on 28 bedded unit Stressful yes and staff don't help along with the management

[Edm174]

Hi vonnie I too get those why me days !!! But in the end I am grateful that af is all I have when you think of all the awful things we could get ! I too work as I was only 60 last month so 6 years before I receive my pension !! But my son got engaged yesterday and that was the best news 😄 cheered me up no end ! Keep well Eileen

[juliek47]

I had a complete mental breakdown in reception on the way out . I didnt recover for about a month .

[secondtry]

Emotional yes but with the right action you do stabilise. Re work, yes definitely cut down the stress or change jobs. The good news is that you can change your lifestyle, change occupation, earn a lot less money and still be just as happy or in my case happier! Good luck.

[Pam296]

Hi Vonnie. My first feeling was that of relief as I finally knew what was wrong with me. I then became angry with myself for allowing it to happen as I was overweight with high blood pressure. Being told I had a heart malfunction really floored me as I had never had a serious illness in my life. Seeing a wonderful, understanding EP was the turning point for me as he was so positive. Work has been hard at times as I never know when my heart will start racing. My colleagues are great as they know the situation but I feel very vulnerable if it happens in a meeting with strangers.

I think it is only human to shed a few tears. I hope you feel better soon.

[lindat15]

I'd always been a rational relaxed sort if person but since AF diagnosis feel like I've been on an emotional rollercoaster. Have found it hard to deal with having a long term condition and I'd get really angry whenever something happened that could be linked to AF! It does get easier though. Yoga/ Pilates and Reikki are things which have worked for me but I no longer work so easier to find the time.

[Vonnieruth]

I think me working full time may end but I don't know how I will manage on benefit with 2 more adults and bills to pay

[lindat15 in reply to Vonnieruth]

It's hard as the impact of AF affects everybody in a different way. Hopefully your employer will support you until you are in a better place to make a decision. Take care of yourself.

[KMRobbo]

Angry - why me?

[Vonnieruth in reply to KMRobbo]

Same feelings to me

[Maagaa]

Hi Vonnie I truly understand your depression as it sounds like you’re a good Dad and trying to support and protect your family. I was blown away when diagnosed after abdominal surgery and it took quite some time to find the right EP who did a conversion that has worked for a year. Now fighting a bout with bladder cancer. I will pray for you and hope you can get past this hurdle and come out on the other side with a bright future ahead. Good Luck

[sdalen]

It is VERY normal! ;depression after a heart issue is a well known response. I had breast cancer twice and that is sort of a shell-shock response so I am a little better taking the heart issue in stride. I think. Once in treatment, learning just about everything, it gets better and you start to trust your body again. It sucks to have to say the "new normal" because we would all like back the "old normal". Mindful meditation is wonderful to learn in these instances and highly recommend it. As children,, we lived in the moment and we have to learn how to do that again. Be well.

[lars369]

I’m sorry you’re feeling so emotional. That seems to be common, but you’ve got other stresses in your life that can make these feelings worse. You describe yourself as strong and you are, but sometimes reaching out like you just have can help.

After my Ablation I went to my cardiologist for the post op check up. I was so convinced my heart was in terrible shape due to normal post-ablation skipped or added beats, that I started to cry (unusual for me in public) and the alarmed doctor admitted me into the hospital. I was fine.

My point is, emotions can run wild! Post often on this forum to get the nurturing YOU need.

[Vonnieruth in reply to lars369]

Thank you for reply. So many friendly people

[12cupcakes]

I struggle with anxiety and worrying that I will have more PAF but with time my anxiety level is decreasing. When I over exert myself My heart rate goes up and I become short of breath etc. I try to relax and slow deep breathing helps relieve the symptoms. I do get a little depressed since I can’t do the things I use to do like cleaning and mopping my whole house in one day. I just work at a slower pace now and I definitely listen to my body. All good advice I learned from this forum.

[Vandalbragg]

I’m 33 years old, work full time, and have 4 kids. I’m 30 years away from retirement. My heart bothers me every day. Consider yourself lucky! I wish this thing would have waited until I was 60 before popping up.

[Vonnieruth in reply to Vandalbragg]

We are all lucky in a way It could be worse I know that .Please don't say think myself lucky in a sarcastic way .Least that's the way it read sorry if wrong You don't know my private life and what goes on in it Nor do you know the demand or stress I may or may not have Older I may be but it doesn't mean my day is not as demanding as yours Good luck and I know it must be hard for you with young children and a job

[Vonnieruth]

I am 61 lol still don't want it though

[lee49uk]

lol i'm emotional just trying to get a formal diagnosis but quite honestly that will be a blessed relief and not a sad day. I already know i have it just want a positive outlook from a cardiologist and some kind of treatment plan to keep it at bay as much as possible.

I would be in tears with that but tears of joy

[Vonnieruth in reply to lee49uk]

Me to I don't know myself which AF I have Been waiting nearly a month for clinic appointment hospital blaming new system