Now 2 months after being diagnosed with AFIB (most of the time per my BP monitor) and I'm trying to deal with it. I guess the throat sensations are Ectopic Beats/PVC. As a caregiver to my adult son who has a brain injury, OCD and Epilepsy, I have anxiety for his future when I'm gone. This doesn't help my AFIB. That is why I'm on this Lorazepam. I stay away from sugars, coffee, and all stimulants.
Anyone else take an anxiety medication that they find helpful?
Thanks friends.
Hello Mrhermyl 
I know exactly what you mean about the horrible sensation in your throat which I get with episodes of P-AF , I think it is caused by the irregular heart beat being felt in the the carotid artery . I tried to explain it to a consultant once and said it was like being a child again and the catch in the throat when crying.
It must be very difficult for you having to look after someome else while coping with AF and I am not surprised you are anxious.
This is another thread posted today dealing with anxiety in AF...
healthunlocked.com/afassoci...
there are many more if you use the search box (top right of the page) .
Thank you doodle68. Yes, you are right. I do believe it is the carotids on both sides.
Appreciate your kind thoughts and your input. I think most of us have some anxiety about our condition. Thanks, I'll check them out.
I am on a drug called sertraline( zoloft). It is for depression/ anxiety. It has made a big difference in the quality of my life since a fib came to visit. The only downside to lorazepam is it is a benzodiazipine drug, can cause dependence over time. So you dont want to suddenly stop it, if and when you no longer need it, your doc can advise on weaning off it. I think we need to do what we need to do to co- habitate with a fib. It sounds like your plate is over flowing. Hang in there.
Yes Hoski, Benzos are a problem. But in my opinion I really don't like SSRIs . The truth is, they are all drugs we should avoid. If it works for you stick with it. Having worked in pharmaceuticals when I was younger I know the push was on for the SSRIs because of the bigger dollar profits and Benzos were put on the back burner even though they had a track record. Thank you for sharing your experience and may God Bless.
Yes I agree. Ive had a love/ hate relationship with antidepressants. The pros outweigh the cons for now anyway.
Hello Mrhermyl, although I personally am unable to offer help, your post will touch many here so I don’t think it will be long before you receive some helpful suggestions. I assume you have discussed this with your Doctor and any specialists that you may have been referred to. They are probably better placed to offer the help you need right now.....best wishes.
Another thought is to check out using Magnesium Taurate as a daily supplement. To find out more, view Dr Sanjay Gupta’s videos (2 or 3) on YouTube by searching Dr Sanjay Gupta, Magnesium Taurate. Many here take it and it seems to help reduce ectopics and palpations.
Thank you FlapJack. Yes of course it has been discussed with several doctors. But, there are no easy answers. lots of opinions but you can only try one at a time.
To have an ill adult child is the worst thing ever. To worry for his future is torture. All the pain you feel is in you chest heart throat head from constant sadness and stress and crying. No wonder you are on lorazepam. Totally get your emotions. Then Afib is the cherry on the cake.
I take sertraline and have been on diazepam but slowly came off. I tried many antidepressants that made it all worse. But sertraline has taken off the sharp corners. Maybe a chat to your Doctor as you need to be the best you can for your son. I hope you have help too with him. I’m sorry for what you are going through. Bless you. Xx
Jo Sotolol
Thank you Jo for your kind words and thoughts. Yes it is really a challenge to keep it all together. I have tries other drugs and this is working for me now. So, I will take it a day a time as it seems we are going from doctor to doctor to labs and tests.
Bless you too Jo.
I was treated with Sertraline and Lorazopan for my SVT and tachycardia over 20 years while living in South Africa and Portugal.
My QOL was normal as I always had them as PIP over and above my normal doses. Life was good.
Now that I am on Flecainide and only a very small dose of Lorazopan at 0,5mg my life has become hell with complex SVT and disabling AF episodes. Pretty much housebound other than hospital visits.
My doc refuses to give me more Lorazopan as it is addictive yet I was on 8 times more for 20 years.
She prescribed Sertraline but unfortunately I cannot take it due to interaction with Flecainide.
Hi Palpman. Oh dear that’s rotten. Especially as you been on it for years. I’d have a moan to the doctor a nice moan.
Sadly most doctors love to prescribe the SSRI drugs and ignore the Benzos. Both are problem drugs. But, SSRIs are more profitable and pushed by the pharmaceutical companies.
I agree about the pharmaceutical companies. They are all in it for money. When I researched trials for my son it was all about money.
Shame really but I suppose it will go on as the world seems to be driven by it.
I take amitriptyline in my mix of drugs my cardiologist knows about it and said it’s best to keep taking it as I’m not having the effects of the drugs that interact with each other. Damed if you do damed if you don’t. Life is certainly a challenge for some eh! Keep going keep your chin up. I have a stick to keep mine up. Jo
You are so right. It's hard to keep your chin up even with a stick at times.
Life is tough for so many people. We have to make the best of it and be thankful for what we have considering we are lucky enough to have a computer that can reach out to others half way around the world. Meanwhile 50% of people on earth are still walking barefoot.
Yes I it’s sad. So not fair. We have so much others have nothing. As you say, thankful we are getting treatment and it keeps us going. To be in contact with others is amazing. My parents wouldn’t believe it bless them. At least I’ve been allowed to get old so many don’t get that. I have a thankful heart even on the crap days. 😊
Yes our parents would never believe what we have. But, you know, back then they talked to neighbours , relatives all the time. Not today. Here in the Toronto area
(I live 15 miles from the city centre ) suburbs you hardly see a soul in this cold.
So, without these screens, TV and radio you are all alone. My wife passed away at 60 years old, God's gift to me, my son is off to a brain injury program and my other son and family live a short distance away. The neighbours all around me who have been here 30 years, you hardly see in winter. Even our mail goes to a community mail box 300 feet away.
Wow it is sad. Also true. One of my grandchildren has been given set times now as she is glued to her screen.
On the news here in Uk I just heard graduates are having to learn people skills. All this social media is a nightmare. Don’t get me wrong the internet is brilliant I love it. When it’s abused it’s all kinds of wrong.
I’m sorry to hear about your wife so hard to come to terms with. Also your son .
When my son died he was 36 just had a baby that was all lost as his condition was terminal. It was happy and so sad all at once.
After for a long while I didn’t go out.
My daughter who works told me she was getting a puppy. Why you work ?!
This is the best bit. You are taking him out and looking after him. 🙃
So now I really love it three years on but 9 since my son died. I make a point of saying good morning to everyone and some stop and talk some don’t even look, and have miserable faces. I’m the one that should be miserable. But I’m determined not be a grumpy old lady that lives on the corner.
When people say I have a headache I think is that all.
I think we know the real pain of seeing our sons not well and we can do nothing.
Shame about the mail box too.
The world has changed for the better and the not so better if that’s the right way to say it.
Goodness I’ve gone on sorry. I’ll drive everyone mad.
Sorry. 😑
I'm so sorry to hear about your great loss, your young son. Thank you for your kind words.
Life is not a bowl of cherries. But it is an adventure they say.
We have no choice but to go along for the ride.
Best wishes and may God bless.
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