Light bulb moment today. Just not sure what to do now
I've been working extra and also had extra personal stress over the last few weeks
Felt the two things combined has caused this
But other things are in my head
I've been vague, forgetful. Missed my healthy heart at gp in June, rescheduled twice and forgotten twice more
I've told them to forget it for now as I'm not well thinking flu of bugs coming on
My body aches, I've had extra ectopic beats chest feels raw, like I've ran
Regards the appointments, I was to take BP and pulse etc for few days leading up. I actually did that the first time, everything good and in the right ranges
Haven't done since till last night.
BP 67/130
Plus 52
Now, thinking back after, my only afib episode and on betablocker my hr went down to 42 gp said I could stop as the feelings then are similar,
BUT I'm not on them
Feel foolish for cancelling appts
My life is hectic with some issues with family and caring for mum
Sat her wondering if I should call 111 or a&e
Earlier my hr was 60 but when I eat or drink its sets off the raw feeling and ectopic
Truthfully, I need a kick up the rear end so feel free.
I'm too exhausted to think straight loosing my thread when talking to people I just want to sleep, then sleep more
Did that all of last weekend but didn't help
Have also read this and not even sure it's making sense, I've even been spelling words backwards 🤔
Help. 😒😴
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Diamonddaisy
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I don't have the same meds etc as you do and my BP is OK, but I do have AFIB and totally sympathise with the utter exhaustion part. As I said in another post (No work = no afib) I was so exhausted trying to cope with work plus afib episodes and their aftermath that, for the first time in years and years I took a week (self-certified) off work just to recoup some energy. I know it's not always easy to take time off work, but I know I couldn't have continued any longer. The proof of the pudding will be what happens when I start work again on Monday.
I slept all of weekend then Monday afternoon. Felt no better.
Due to my husband up and leaving me with the kids 4yrs ago I've had to up my hours though only part time and have also restarted my own cleaning business which I'd wound down due to my daughter being disabled and looking after my mum. It has picked up and I'm getting on top of finances again but a long way to being OK. Not had a holiday for 7yrs now. Just days off for appts.
Grossly unfair I should of retired last year but missed it by a couple of months thanks the the age change, so still five years to go
Do you think I should go and see anyone.
I've missed appts twice now as I'm forgetting stuff
DiamondDaisy - you have so many commitments which would difficult enough to deal with without having AFIB also. Seems your quandary is whether to go back to the doc. In theory I would say yes so that they can look at your AFIB and see what is best to do to help you manage it. In practice it depends on your GP - there should be someone in the practice I'm sure you are used to and feel would help. It also depends on whether you felt able to follow their advice. Good GPs in my experience are good listeners and woukd be able to look at and help you with the overall picture of your health and what is affecting it.
PS I know sleeping/resting for 3 days seems a lot, especially when we are used to cramming a lot into a day, but you may need more time to regain energy etc.
I actually cancelled some appointments just this week after missing a blood test that needs doing first so there was no point was stressed at the time of the call and said I'd leave it till next year in my frustration, with myself as I am ocd and normally so organised but things feel like I have a gremlin tripping me every step right now.
I have two excellent GPS who know me extremely well and one in particular was my rock through my husbands multiple affair and subsequent divorce
I shall get my act together and accept the egg on my face over this
Good for you, DiamondDaisy. I'm glad you have such good GPs. In fact 'a gremlin tripping you every step' is quite a good description of AFIB! It seems to.like to play hide and seek with our heart rhythm.
Hope you find health and life treating you more kindly very soon.
They already know but will attempt another appt and try not to forget as this has been the issue lately
Check the side effects of all of your meds. I just discovered that Levothyroxene for thyroid was causing a lot of my frightening symptoms. I still have half a thyroid so expect no dramas from cutting out the Levothyroxene. But I feel heaps better this week. In fact better than I have in 6 months.
Many of the symptoms I had were on the list of side effects for Levothyroxene.
Your situation may be different from mine but check your meds anyway.
I absolutely know how you feel as I have been through this. Mine was and sometimes still is caused by stress and depression which is the result of my mum moving in with me three years ago. It has affected my mental and physical health badly and my AF has got worse. I had to leave my job because of her so am now retired which helps but not old enough to get my state pension. I have had to have counselling too as she has affected me so badly with her negativity and behaviour. I am currently having a week break from her and have taken myself away on my own. It's wonderful but I dread going back. Please consider some counselling and research the side effects of stress and depression as the things affecting you are classic symptoms. You need some help and you need a break and your brain needs a rest!! It's nothing to be ashamed of. Then you will hopefully see an improvement in your symptoms and general health. Take care. X
Have had digestive issues since a baby and was dx with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome after my daughter was, it is linked with mast cell activation disorder and there a multitude of food allergies that cause issues for me.
I do know if I eat wrong things it can trigger ectopics but I'm very very careful with foods and labels
Was also a victim of abuse as a child so guess ptsd could be a factor
Thanks for reminding me of these apps and will start them again x
I can sometimes be really tired, and sometimes I lack focus as well. I have forgotten loads as well. So I write down any appointments in a diary so I don't forget. Else I'd forget. I botched up an interview the other day and I've done this before, where they ask two questions at a time or even three (hate that anyway), and I forget the second and third question and have to ask them to repeat. Don't be too hard on yourself. And I am not the type of person to kick someone up the **** unless they mess with me first so afraid I can't help you there sorry x
I can relate but sadly even setting alarms on my phone doesn't work, have appts on a calender in the hall plus a whiteboard right next to the front door and still forget to look, I've no idea what else to do
Even my 88yr old mum can remember better than me on occasions.
Your BP....do you mean 130 over 67 or as actually you wrote it 67 over 130. If it is the latter I do think you should see your GP as that is wrong. However if it is 130/67 that is fine. Hope you feel better soon.
I can relate to most of what you’ve just written and am delighted you’ve written it for my own sanity tbh🙂
With reference to missing your health appointments though, it’s insane ! Come on, you know it’s paramount you make those consultations for peace of mind too coupled with the facts if you don’t look after yourself your not going to be able to look after your Mam! That’s stressful mentally and emotionally in itself.
I like you, thought my personal stresses brought my AF on, but that I’ll never know.
Good luck
I would definitely make a GP appointment and discuss the forgetfulness and tiredness which could be a side-effect of medication. You mentioned the possibility of flu- you should ask for a flu jab (which those with heart conditions are entitled to). In the meanwhile use to-do lists. These are boring but will help you ensure that he essentials get done.
You have too much going on which is why you are missing things. Make a list and write everything down and use reminders. For example if I need to go out and take something I tie a scarf to my handbag to remind me etc etc.
I would be exhausted if I had to do all that you are coping with.
Seems like you are stressed anxious and depressed. Need GP check over, blood tests and you need to eat regularly and judiciously and make time for yourself.
So sorry to hear you’re having such a rough time. After discussions with my GP, I’ve been doing a lot of research on autonomic nervous system dysregulation. I think that many of us with afib have this kind of dysregulation in our systems. The way it was explained to me, it is related to the way PTSD messes with brains and bodies. In my case, because I only discovered my afib because I had a stroke first, the brain injury of the stroke (in conjunction with other factors) actually produced PTSD symptoms, so I’m in treatment for those. Forgetfulness, depression, anxiety, etc are all symptoms of one’s autonomic nervous system being messed with. I have found it very important to meditate, and there are many phone apps, such as Insight Timer and Calm, that offer simple recorded meditations one can follow, some as brief as five minutes long. This can help increase Heart Rate Variability (HRV) which we now know is an important indication of physical and emotional health. If you have any access to counseling, I highly recommend it. Wishing you all the best.
I have had emotional traumas throughout my life and had counselling a number of times and done mindfulness apps. I'm so busy I often feel like I'm meeting myself coming back.
I have noticed that this history of trauma is not uncommon in many of us with AFib. I don't think the medical community understands the relationship between trauma and heart issues, in general. But I certainly understand that feeling of "how can I add one more thing to my crammed schedule!" Well-meaning people are always telling me one more thing I should fit into my schedule that they think will help, but it seems we all need to just try what we can and let the rest go. I've been a meditator for 4 decades, so obviously it's no cure, but I do find it helpful, even if only for a few minutes. But do let me know if you find that magic wand!
I'm thinking a key thing is that I'm none stop from 6:30 am till after 11pm and my shifts are spread out and in between I'm doing thi gs for my two youngest with special needs and cooking for everyone then sitting with mum before my last shift of the day making sure she eats and settling her down for the night
I have no support. Its tough on my own. Had hoped to retire last Yr but unfortunately the goal post was shifted and now can't retire till 66. My job is contract cleaning and heavy going, more so since getting arthritis on my hands and feet
No question that all of that stress and lack of support is undermining any attempts you might make to feel better. Arthritis is compounded by stress, as well. I’m on my own, as well, and I know that taking care of my parents in their last years, compounded by a difficult divorce and a very demanding job were major triggers for my stroke and AFib. I’ve always eaten well, drank very little, good cholesterol, etc., so I know that the overwork and stress were at the heart of it, pardon the pun. If only our healthcare systems acknowledged the relationship between stress and illness, it wouldn’t really take a magic wand, just more financial support for taking time to heal and a deeper understanding of what really supports healing!
There is not much you can do about the stress of your family. But. Working extra is probably a bad idea. Your body is telling you something. If you constantly ignore it then it will make you listen. Don't wait for that day to come. A week of sick leave will allow you to form a plan. Be kind to yourself.
Oh dear. It sounds like you need a bit of help. Im assuming you are in the UK. You could enlist the help of a medical social worker. Should be linked to your hospital or community clinic. Perhaps someone on here knows who to contact in your country.
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