Scared: Hi, I am scheduled for my... - Atrial Fibrillati...

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Scared

Myheart101 profile image
12 Replies

Hi, I am scheduled for my abulation Nov 4th. Not scared of the procedure but scared that I might not be here for them to do it. I have all the symptoms of 4th stage heart failure. Newest one is that I have no appetite. With the success rate I have been given I'm afraid. Just lost my sister due to waiting on a liver transplant , She was to sick and not even on a list.

Has anyone else ever have this feeling?

I am not trying to be on a pitty potty just scared.I sleep all the time, my skin is ice cold to the touch but I don't feel cold.

Maybe I am making something out of nothing, I know that I am not doing very good.

Is there any advice for me? I know I have been reading stuff all over the "Net" and should not do that. I don't mean the information on here, the information on this forum is great!

Help! Not ready to kick the bucket yet. Lol

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Myheart101
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12 Replies
Deb1838 profile image
Deb1838

I have that exact feeling at the moment I can go from A to Z and have myself in my box.

I think I might have heart failure too and my appointment with cardiologist is not till 27 nov and I am not sure I am going to make it either but I am aware that I need to get a grip. I am letting everything get on top of me.

I expect your lack of appetite is more to do with your anxiety.

You only have 6 days to go you will make it and look back on these days with dismay.

Myheart101 profile image
Myheart101 in reply to Deb1838

Hi, hope your right about the lack appetite! My older sister told me to just wait, do the thing and see what happens. I was diagnosed with heart failure but don't remember the details of how bad.

Hey Myheart, I’m going to say to you what I say to my wife when she is feeling low, and I know she really finds it really helpful. “Come on now, pull yourself together”!!

Unfortunately, with so much going on in your life, things are never that easy. I noticed you were scared a month ago when you first told us about your ablation so it’s not surprising that you feel worse as the date draws closer. Add to that the sad news about your sister and the increased symptoms you are experiencing, it’s not surprising you are fearful for the future. Unfortunately, we don’t have any magic wands, but let’s see if we can break your problems down into bite size chunks. Firstly, your sisters plight must have been hellishly difficult to witness, and you probably felt helpless because you could not do very much to help her overcome her illness. You sound like a caring person and I’m sure you did everything possible to help her in practical terms and as time passes, you will begin to come to terms with that.

I’m no expert on heart failure but I do know that if AF is treated, it also reduces the onset of heart failure. At the moment, you are clearly filled with anxiety as many of us were when we were faced with having an ablation. The only thing we can really do is to try and get things into proportion.

Hazard a guess as to how many ablations are performed in the U.K. alone. I have no idea, but it must run into thousands. Generally, forums are used by folk like you, and the rest of us, who are seeking help because of health issues. Using that logic, if ablations tended to be a major problem, you could bet your last £ that the forum would be inundated with posts from folks saying they wished they had never had an ablation. The facts show that rarely ever happens and you need to take some comfort from that. Like most things, improving one issue is often dependant on improving something else first, and maybe, getting your AF sorted will be the starting point for a better future.....let’s all hope so, best wishes for the 4th, which just happens to be my birthday.....👍

Myheart101 profile image
Myheart101 in reply to

Hi, thanks for your wishes and encouragement. I't sure has been hell for the past few weeks.

in reply to Myheart101

How are you feeling today?

Myheart101 profile image
Myheart101 in reply to

Hi, thanks for asking. Actually I'm feeling a lot better. I had a infusion with laxis. I can breathe better, move around better, have my appetite back. Heart not pounding off the wall. Nov. 4th is right around the corner! I'm wishing you a happy birthday 🎈 just in case I can't stop by here on the 4th.

CDreamer profile image
CDreamer

Have you been diagnosed as in heart failure as I wasn’t clear from your description?

AF in itself can make you feel pretty rubbish and is closely associated with feelings of doom - which is a lot more common than you think and I bet a lot of posters here will resonate with that feeling - which is why we have the forum to help each other at our time of need.

My husband was in heart failure in Feb, in persistent AF and aortic stenosis which did not respond to cardioversion so not a candidate for ablation and not at all well in Jan/Feb/Mar but he has responded to drug treatment and his EF is now back up to 55%, he is 86 just returned from his uphill daily constitutional and still volunteers for 3 charities.

Where there is signs of life there is hope.

Heart failure does not mean you are going to die or your heart is going to stop - it means that heart isn’t pumping blood around your body affectively so therefor you may have restricted quality of life but if the ablation works, the AF is returned to NSR - you can look forward to a greatly improved quality of life.

FJ remarked that your mood may also have some affect, grief takes it’s toll so please take this into account. As we age and see loved ones die it reminds us of our own mortality - which most of us do not like being reminded of - it’s called existential anxiety and completely normal, we all have it at one time or another.

Being scared is being human - I don’t know if you ever read it - the title says it all for me though - Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway - susanjeffers.com/home/5trut...

Hope all goes well for you and do let us know how you get on.

Myheart101 profile image
Myheart101 in reply to CDreamer

Hi, thank you for your support! Yeah, was diagnosed with CHF too. I really hope to feel better. This is crazy, I don't even feel like having a de cafe coffee, that's really crazy. Well, I hope my trip to the Dr. today makes me more comfortable. I will let everyone that replied how it works out.

Buffafly profile image
Buffafly

Have you seen your GP recently? They could tell pretty quickly if you are in heart failure at an advanced stage and wouldn't leave you to die! My father had severe heart failure so I do have a bit of experience. I have done the same as you sometimes and as others said it's usually when already feel doomed and am searching for a reason, which makes me feel worse. I spent a lot of the week before my ablation (luckily I had a cancellation) in the loo with nervous diarrhoea....... You say you are not afraid of the procedure so yes, I'd say you're grieving on top of being unwell and it's a dark cloud around you.

We can and do sympathise but only you can take action. Ask your doctor to help you through the days until your ablation.

Best wishes, keep posting 💜

Myheart101 profile image
Myheart101 in reply to Buffafly

Hi, I'm going in to the CHF Dr. this afternoon. Getting an infusion for the swelling in my legs and feet. Also going to have a talk with my Dr.

Myheart101 profile image
Myheart101 in reply to Myheart101

Hi, all went well yesterday! Very well!! Dr said that my Afib went away while they were doing the abulation. Heart rate is a little low but he's ok with that. Have to see him in four weeks.

Rostom profile image
Rostom

I had surgery yesterday on unrelated problem and understand the 'feeling of doom'! I was sure it would all go wrong but here I am, tapping away on my 'phone!

Listen to what the very sensible folk (or rather, read!) say here. It is probably your AF compounded by the grief for you sister's loss that is making you feel so low

Re-read Flapjack's post and try not to worry (easily written, I know!). As another poster said, you wouldn't be left just to die

Only a few more days to go.

Please update us after your procedure. Wishing you good luck (not that you'll need it!).

Back for another snooze for me - surgery has some advantages!

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