Advice please

[Hatten28]

Hello it’s me again, happy to say had no more episodes since the last three in four days, one of which was extremely bad, gasping for breath etc, soon after I began to feel very scared my stomach in constant fear, the Doc put me on Diazepam which is working but when I tried to do without it comes back with a vengeance, has anyone else had this and does it get better.

Another Doc put me on Ramipril which I seem ok with except for constantly running to the loo, at night it is worse.

Still absolutely no energy, no appetite feeling very down, do one job, sit down before doing another. Don’t feel as if it’s worth going on ar present.

I was never an anxious person, always on the go, helping others, feel as if I’ve morphed into a different person.

Still no appointment from hospital for echocardiogram?

Sorry for the rant .

[Padayn01]

Hi Hatten28, when you say come back with a vengeance you mean the Anxiety or the AF?

[Hatten28 in reply to Padayn01]

Thanks for replying, it’s the anxiety that’s come back, really frightened by how I feel

[Padayn01 in reply to Hatten28]

I know exactly how you feel, i was on Diazapam for my Anxiety before i got AF, and i got addicted to Diazapam i was only meant to be on 1 tablet a day i was popping 2 or 3 a day, my Anxiety now and AF go in hand in hand now any sudden move from the heart that feels different and my Anxiety shoots off, its so hard to control

[Hatten28 in reply to Padayn01]

Thank you again, I am taking a half a tablet twice a day, trying to keep the dose as low as possible as I realise it is addictive.

I am concerned that if I don’t feel better when I have used all the tablets, the Doc won’t prescribe me anymore, just cannot cope at present and I hate myself for being so weak, I was always looked upon as the strong one in the family, coped with all life through at me. But not now.

[Padayn01 in reply to Hatten28]

Exactly the same thing happened to me, i went back to my GP for more and they refused, so i had to try and ride the storm for a bit and try do it naturally like breathing exercises every morning using natural essential oils, and drinking chamomile tea, it has got better but it takes time the natural way

[Hatten28 in reply to Padayn01]

Thank you for your input, will persevere with the breathing exercises, I am so tired of feeling this way, especially waking up at approximately three am feeling panic struck most nights.

I had one night where I slept right through and was still asleep at seven am, marvellous.

[Padayn01 in reply to Hatten28]

Yeah that is horrible, at least you deserve a good night sleep when you are having a terrible day, i find if i don't sleep well than i'm in for it the following day

[Hatten28 in reply to Padayn01]

Thank you again, it’s helpful to know we are not alone.

I live in quite a rural area, no one to talk to at times, so glad you are all out there.

[Padayn01 in reply to Hatten28]

Anytime my friend we are all here for each other

[Buffafly]

Hi, I'm sorry you feel so anxious on top of your other symptoms, it is normal after a very bad episode, but can I remind you that you didn't call for help and the advice is that breathlessness is an emergency so hopefully another time you would do that. My advice is something I learned from a physiotherapist I saw when exercises weren't helping my osteoarthritis - he gave me steroid injection and told me to exercise in the window of opportunity when it wasn't causing severe pain. That was very helpful and so far I've improved. You don't want to take diazepam for too long so I suggest you practice the controlled breathing exercises frequently recommended here, better still if you could see a therapist to help cope with the anxiety. A horrible health experience can give you something like PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) for a while 😰

I know nothing about Ramipril but the loo effect doesn't seem right. I hope you are still drinking plenty as my carer daughter told me it is common for people with waterworks problems to drink less which actually exacerbates the problem.

I think that for a while you need to be as kind to yourself as you have been to others, which I realise is a hard adjustment to make but hopefully is only temporary. Best wishes 💜

[Hatten28 in reply to Buffafly]

Thank you for your reply, I realised how stupid I was not to get help, even the Doc said I should have, being stoic obviously did me no favours.

I do try the breathing techniques, but don’t get much relief.

I hope that with time I can lose this fear as it’s very debilitating.

[jeanjeannie50]

Hi Hatten, I used to feel extremely tired like you do and used to blame it on my AF. However I discovered that my thyroid was underactive - my GP had been telling me it was ok. Wasn't until a consultant I was seeing checked it and wrote to my surgery telling them I need to be on thyroid medication that I was given pills to correct it. Honestly the difference they have made to my energy levels is amazing!

If you haven't had your thyroid function checked then do so. If you have ring your GP's surgery and ask what the last result was and let me know.

Jean

[Hatten28 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thank you for your advice, I did have a partial thyroidectomy many years ago, however I am pretty certain it has been checked, perhaps in view of everything else going on another check would be a good idea.

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Hatten28]

Honestly the medication has made such a difference to my life. If you get it checked the ladies on the Thyroid UK website o Health Unlocked are a mine of knowledge. In fact if you posted on there I'm sure they would be able to give you immediate support and advice.

healthunlocked.com/thyroiduk