Anxiety

[Petrified]

Been having vivid dreams a couple of times in the last few weeks and waking with my heart 'flipping'. I probably wouldn't have thought about it pre AF to be honest. I'm usually trying to escape in the dreams!!!!!!! Not usual AF feeling. Quite scary. It's made me feel very anxious and apprehensive. I've found previously that the anxiety seems to be under control and almost like the AF it returns. I never had any problems with anxiety prior to the AF. I'm on the waiting list for ablation.

[Hidden]

Perhaps the clue is in your nickname. I believe your ablation was due in November so I expect it's going to happen any time now. I know nothing about the world of dreams but perhaps your recent experiences are related to your anxiety about the ablation. It will be interesting to hear what others might say, but hopefully your situation will ease once the ablation is complete. I'm sure there is no direct connection, but my blood pressure was certainly lower once I had had my ablation.

[Petrified in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for replying. I think you're quite right!!! I'm not consciously thinking about the ablation coming up but we've got the nicest postman who's always up for a chat. When I see him coming now I think 'sod off', in case he's about to deliver 'ablation date letter'. I was.Petrified when I first discovered this site and I have found it so informative, helpful and reassuring. I've found out so much more on here than anywhere else which is concerning as I've always worked in the NHS!!!!!! I was feeling quite relaxed and this popped up. So pleased that your ablation has gone well.

[BobD Volunteer]

I do wonxder if this is the mind finding reasons for the heart to be racing. Thieother thing to consider is that many drugs given can mess with your head to some extent and as I have recently re-discovered sleep deprivation does very strange things.

[SpritzerAce in reply to BobD]

Hi Bob! How is you doing? Glad to see that you have been ‘responding’ again to our queries and I hope you are feeling great again too.

[radagast58 in reply to BobD]

Good to see you back in circulation (pun definitely intended!)

[Petrified in reply to BobD]

You're such an inspiration Bob and I was so sorry you had a bit of a set back. Hope you're feeling better. I was feeling pretty good and wondered if I should postpone the ablation (once I get a date!!!). Possibly thinking about it more than I was aware of. My husband and family are great but I don't want to be whittering on about how I'm feeling!!!! I.had years.of listening to my.late and.lovely mother in law, who spent many happy hours boring me with.her hhealth and bowel movements!! She lived to be 94!! I'm.fortunate that I've enjoyed good health and I think it's hard to accept there's a problem but shoulders back and carry on. Thanks for replying and for all the very informative and sensible advice you give. Keep well

[Tapanac]

Please don't worry. After my ablation I went through a couple of months of weird dreams. I woke up with my heart pounding etc and thinking oh no not again, but thankfully they have settled down. It had got to the stage when every morning I would try to explain the dreams to my husband and also my grandchildren, but in the telling they weren't scary at all !!!!! It will settle. I blamed it on the anti-coagulants and bisoprolol and losartan, etc etc, but I think it was just me. Chin up you will be fine and everyone is so helpful on here

[Petrified in reply to Tapanac]

Thank you

[radagast58]

What medications are you taking?

[Petrified in reply to radagast58]

The dreaded Bisoprolol 5mgm at night - I was on 7.5mgm but was a zombie. Flecainide 100mgm morning and night - also as a PIP if needed, and Apixaban morning and night. Been on the same regime for a good few months now. B

[radagast58 in reply to Petrified]

I'm sure you are already aware that bisoprolol has been reported to cause nightmares and sleep disorders in some individuals. I say this with the caveat that it is easy to attribute all symptoms and adverse events to medication

In line with wise words from Bob as always, nightmares and disturbing dreams will inevitably have physiological effects including accelerated heart rate!

As I've posted before I think the complex psychological effects of a diagnosis of PAF can be devastating and tend to be underestimated and poorly understood by some healthcare professionals and sometimes by family members and friends.

You are waiting for an ablation and anxiety and apprehension is a normal and possibly necessary response. I've had two ablations and the experience was less traumatic than I anticipated. Have you discussed any anxieties or concerns with a cardiologist or specialist as they need to be aware of these prior to the procedure.

I wish you all the very best for the future.

David

[Petrified in reply to radagast58]

Thank you for your reply. I'm actually feeling more relaxed having aired my concerns. I do think that the medics underestimate the anxiety caused by the AF diagnosis. More information and support found here. I'm not due to see the EP until I have the ablation and then the post ablation review is in July!!!!! Cardiology review is in February!!!! I think I'm considered as straightforward and sensible!!!! If only. I've opted for a GA as I've also got flutter and EP doing a 2 for 1. My choice. He did offer to do either the PAF or flutter and then see how successful procedure was, or do both. He said that it makes no difference to him. At times I feel like pouring a couple of extremely large G&Ts, but alas no can do. Thank you once more

[radagast58 in reply to Petrified]

I'd be tempted too!!

[RichMert]

It would be pointless telling you not to worry about the ablation, we all did. All I will say is that afterwards you will wonder why you were so worried. You, won't hear, see or feel anything during and not even afterwards other than a pain in the groin for a few days. The secret is to not stress over feeling stressed, it just is.

[Petrified in reply to RichMert]

Thank you for such a reassuring post. Great to hear from people who have had positive experiences.

[moods]

Hi

I truly believe that BobD has hit the nail on the head when he surmises that drugs do produce dreams... Some are good some bad but it is a fact and due to the intensity of the dream does set off the heart to race or slow down. The dreams seem real therefore the body reacts accordingly and in several ways as we men find out.......

Hope this helps some.............Ron.

[bennie06]

I used to enjoy an occasional dream and then i came across Bisoporol and my dreams turned into vivid nightmares. Thankfully their intensity lessened with time and now,nearly a year down the line, they are comparitively rare and sometimes would not pass censorship! Every cloud.....

[Sereza6 in reply to bennie06]

I’ve taken Bisoprolol 5mg for three years now and haven’t experienced bad dreams, although in the last three months I started have many more pvcs and have had triuble sleeping. I requested a holter monitor which showed I had a run of vt and now my cardio has ordered a new stress test. I was diagnosed with coronary artery disease three years ago and the pvcs have been my only symptom. I’ve had palpitations since a child, and my mother and all six of my children have them too. My mother eventually was diagnosed with AFib.