Thanks for advice

[bugswhiskers]

Thanks for all the advice about insomnia. I've always had horrible episodes of anxiety, but now it's not so much about AF as the fact that my partner has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, and much as I know it's just life that we all get sick and die, I can't think sensibly about it and dread the future. I really hate life at the moment, and myself for not having more courage and being taken over by pointless anxiety. So far the Diazepam at night doesn't seem to have made any difference, I still wake up in the early morning and stay awake trying to calm myself down.

I think it probably would be a good idea to take Flecainide regularly again - it was stopped after a second ablation - and will contact my arrhythmia nurse to see what she says.

Thanks again for your replies

[Paulbounce]

Sorry to hear all this sweetheart. You really are going though it.

I think it's a good idea to contact your arrhythmia nurse as you suggest. Stress doesn't help with afib so have a natter with him / her and see what is suggested.

You wrote

"I really hate life at the moment, and myself for not having more courage and being taken over by pointless anxiety"

You have courage and can't help anxiety. Judging by your posts you have far more courage than I.

Would it be worth speaking to a councillor maybe ? You sound very strong to me but it wouldn't hurt to chat to a professional. Sometimes it's good to talk to someone who will just listen.

Post here as well - there's lot's of support if you are on a 'downer'.

Let me know how it goes with your nurse. I'll follow the post.

All best,

Paul

[bugswhiskers in reply to Paulbounce]

Thanks for your kind reply Paulbounce. I do have a telephone consultation with an NHS psychotherapist booked for next week, because I don't have anyone to talk to about the way things are. The trouble is I'm afraid of the anxiety itself. I really like Dr. Claire Weekes approach to coping with it by accepting and more or less ignoring it, but it's so hard to do that at night when there are no distractions!

[Wightbaby]

It's natural that you feel overwhelmed.........I had a diagnosis of something out of the blue during lockdown, and I truly think I went into shock. It does settle believe it or not. But it doesn't go away. I am also an anxious person. Waking thoughts were terrible......I don't really want to say anymore on here.

Is it possible you can get some counselling?

Sorry not much help.....

[bugswhiskers in reply to Wightbaby]

Thanks Wightbaby, your reply was helpful, and I do hope you're all right and coping with your problem. I really do wish you all the best for the future.

[bugswhiskers in reply to Wightbaby]

Hallo Wightbaby and thank you for your reply. I do hope you're all right and coping with your diagnosis; you reminded me that so many people are in the same position as me. I send you my very best wishes for the future.

[Tryfan]

So sorry you feel this way. Lots of advice and support around you. Whilst I will refrain from commenting on drugs. When I wake in the small hours and the worries fill my head. I do the following. Block breathe there are many web sites and sites here that explain how to do it. Key for me is slow your breathing down, in and out through your nose. Feel your breath filling your abdomen, not just your upper chest. For me the next bit is key. Using the tips of your fingers gently massage from your sternum up towards your neck. As far as your fingers stretch. Gently massage in Chinese medicine area above the sternum is called sea of tranquility. I find I gently slowly relax. Best wishes.

[bugswhiskers in reply to Tryfan]

Thanks Tryfan. I've tried so many things to calm myself down, including progressive muscle relaxation and even rocking, but nothing seems to work, not even deep breathing. I will try the massage though.

[cuore]

I find that when I wake up in the middle of the night and cannot fall back asleep I go to the computer. Then my mind is totally preoccupied with what I am reading and not on how to fall asleep. Once I become tired, then falling asleep becomes much easier. It doesn't work all the time, but it does work a lot of the times. It really depends on how tired I get on the computer.

[bugswhiskers in reply to cuore]

Thanks cuore, I might try that.