Recently diagnosed AF a few weeks after surgery and depression

[Magicmog12]

Hi there im new to this area on the heart site. I had a successful surgery some 8 weeks ago for valve replacement, repair and patching up a hole in the heart that's been there since a child.. 2 weeks ago I was found to have AF so on Amaridione which has so far been ok but experiencing swelling in legs and ankles. Because im having a high pulse rate and [90-100] and low blood pressure the nurse at our practice asked me to wait until next week when I see my consultant re the use of further diuretics. Im itching to try and get out walking again as I was quite fit before all this started. Ive been pottering round the house doing bits of stuff; Am I expecting too much too early? Prior to this and at the moment Ive started to feel extremely low and even touching on the suicidal and can bust into tears at a moments notice. My gp said this is quiet common as I had been "through the mill" [Id been suffering with some strange infection/virus also last year also] I just want to get back to some kind of normality and return to work later this year but keep thinking im not going to make it- my husband hasn't coped with how I feel and Ive decided not to say too much to him as it can end up in an argument which of course doesn't help my condition. Added to that weve all got the lockdown to contend with which doesn't help.

[BobD Volunteer]

I'm so sorry to read how bad you feel but stay strong as it will get better. It takes months, up to a year to fully recover from any kind of heart surgery and you will get low times as we all have. I was in hospital a few years ago for a cardioversion and in a million to one case my heart stoppped needing several minutes of CPR and attendant broken ribs before I came back from the brink. Even with my stoic approach it was getting on for six months before I started to feel "normal" and probably a year before I was fully recovered.

AF is a comon side affect of valve surgery , in fact any heart surgery but in time the doctors will sort out a suitable treatment plan and you will learn what is your new normal. There is a lot of living to do yet and we will return to some semblance of normality on time.

[Hidden]

Hello Magicmog, so sorry to hear about your difficult experiences and although it will not help much, what you are experiencing is not uncommon to folk recently diagnosed with AF. In my case, 6 years ago I was climbing the walls, scared that I would die far too early, the list goes on. However, as you find out more about the condition, the anxiety begins to ease and the best thing you could do right now is take a look at the first Pinned Post to the right of this page headed “useful links for Newbies and Oldies”. From there it is easy to navigate through the AF Association webpages which will help you to come to terms with the condition and learn about the treatment options which will help you to manage the symptoms. The important thing to remember is that AF is not life threatening once symptoms are controlled and most patients go on to lead relatively normal lives but there will be highs and lows on the journey. Others here will have suggestions on what you can do to help you get through but please do not despair, there is light at the end of the tunnel........

[CDreamer]

Hi & welcome.

Whilst your husband may not be the best person to speak to about how you are feeling, I do think it very important to talk to someone who is able to empathise and help you find coping strategies. Have you told your GP just how bad you feel?

Many people minimise just how bad they feel so do keep going back to your GP and look at finding an online counsellor or someone with training to help with the depression. This is not something to cope with alone!

Most people will have suicidal thoughts at some time in their lives but that is exactly the time to take action, before things worsen. Suicidal thoughts are a plea to escape to another reality when we feel we have no options, but we always do have other options but cannot see them, which is why talking to another as it helps to process what has happened and gain another perspective.

Many people find anxiety rises after the sorts of procedure you have been through and certainly the body needs a long time to ‘reset’. At least 12 months & you will find you can continue to improve up to 2 years after.

We live in a world when our culture expects us to bounce back quickly - but our bodies often say something else entirely. Listen to your body & don’t push yourself or allow others to push you into things you aren’t ready to do.

In this, I find lockdown a blessing as everyone has had to slow down.

Best wishes CD

[Hatten28]

Hello magic oh, so sorry to hear how you are feeling after successful surgery, and say that things will get better, perhaps the odd relapse but it will pass.

I had a bad bout of bronchitis/ pneumonia late last year, then really bad attacks of A/F causing me to feel really bad, still waiting to see a cardiologist to confirm heart failure and replacement pacemaker, all this combined caused me to have depression, like you crying for no reason.

The doctor prescribed Diazepam for a short while, I was not happy as they can be addictive, needless to say they were a life saver, kept the dose as low as possible, unless symptoms returned,it was lovely to feel light hearted again as I never been depressed before ever.

Since then I have had more misfortune with broken bones causing an occasional relapse of utter misery but on the whole considering what some people have endured lately, I feel quite lucky.

Good luck with your recovery.

[Paulbounce]

Really sorry to read how you are feeling Magicmog.

I can't add much more to the other comments really. The people on here are very friendly and helpful. Post away if you feel down and I'm sure you'll get useful answers to your questions.

FlapJack wrote

"please do not despair, there is light at the end of the tunnel"

There IS for sure. You'll get there - I feel confident of that. Just reading your post shows me you are a strong person - I wouldn't be as strong as you are with what you have been though.

Well done - reading threads like yours really inspires me.

You wrote

"I just want to get back to some kind of normality and return to work later this year"

I fully understand - you will return to work I'm sure . You'll see I totally understand your frustration with this.

Hatten wrote

"The doctor prescribed Diazepam for a short while, I was not happy as they can be addictive, needless to say they were a life saver, kept the dose as low as possible, unless symptoms returned,it was lovely to feel light hearted again as I never been depressed before ever"

Maybe it's worth talking to your doctor about it. Benzodiazepine's can be / are very addictive - be very cafeful about embarking on this route. Maybe (just maybe) it's worth mentioning to your GP as you feel really down.

However I think you sound like you'll coping extremely well (with what's happened to you) and you sound like a very strong person to me.

Look forward to catching up on the forum soon

Loads of best,

Paul

[djmnet]

Diazepam addiction is grossly overstated. A small dose that improves your outlook is nothing to be concerned about. Your mental health is as important as your overall health, and you're very unlikely to become addicted as long as you don't seek increasing dosages.

[irene75359]

I am sorry you are so low to the point of feeling suicidal; please go back to your doctor as a matter of urgency and tell him exactly how you feel. Severe depression needs treatment just as your heart did and I would be very surprised if your doctor isn't more proactive when he knows how serious it is. Given your history there could be a multitude of reasons why you are depressed but even if there are, that doesn't mean your depression isn't worth treating. Please do something and I will be waiting to hear how you get on. Best wishes x

[cbsrbpm]

You have certainly been through the mill and I totally understand how you are feeling. It’s a hard struggle especially if you have no one to talk to about it. I am suffering severe depression myself at the moment and find getting help very difficult due to the current situation as getting out and about with friends and family is a big help when feeling like this. Please speak to your GP again and you can also self refer to a talking therapy group. Please do not be afraid to take Diazepam, I know it is addictive but we have to weigh up our options and as they are limited at the moment a small dose will not harm you. I have been prescribed them by my GP along with an antidepressant and find taking just half the dose he gave me a help on getting over the worst part of the day. It is up to you to only take it when you feel you really can’t cope. Get out in the sunshine if you can.

It is still early days with regards to your surgery and I am sure that will improve as time goes on. You will get there in the end just take one day at a time. I wish you all the best on your recovery. There is lots of help on this forum, keep looking👀

[Hatten28 in reply to cbsrbpm]

I have just read your response to the person with severe depression and it gave me some hope as I also had depression, came from nowhere, it’s so debilitating.

I was prescribed diazapam which made a lot of difference to me, kept the dose to two halves a day then reduced it down until my brain forgot about the depression and felt good again, in fact did not use a complete months supply.

Sadly recently began to feel the symptoms again , tried to ignore it as I firmly believe mind over matter, last Sunday I went into complete meltdown, could not stop crying, sleep was impossible .

Fortunately I had some tablets left which I have started taking again with good results. It seems I have to take them until my brain forgets the depression, so am hoping that this time I don’t get a repeat again.

Have noticed that if something in my life interest me the depression disappears, keeping busy is not easy with a broken hip as I am limited in what I can do, must try to be active, it’s a awkward balance to keep.

Good luck an d thank you

[cbsrbpm in reply to Hatten28]

I hope this works for you this time but if not do get some help from your GP. I am still struggling this time but the current Covid situation is not helping at all. I hope your hip heals soon, that can’t be helpful at all.