New to AFib and having Anxiety and Depression

[Vinoandpasta]

First I want to say, I have posted only one other time here....but this place has been great for reading others posts and responses! Also, I have always had issues with anxiety and depression, but not on any meds for it other than an Ativan every now and again.

After finally being diagnosed with AFib last month, I am currently on Diltiazem 1xday 180mg, Eliquis 2xday 5mg, and Flecainide 2xday 50mg. I have to say that after reading about Flecainide on this site and how it helped, I mentioned it to my cardio doc and he prescribed it for me! It has done wonders! I was having major episodes daily that lasted for at least 4 hours...now I have been taking it for 12 days and I have only had 2 episodes in that time. With that being said, just like everyone on here, it takes a while to find out what works best for you.

I still worry every day about this condition...if I feel any little twinge in my chest, or have a dull headache, weird sensations in my arms, ...I'm thinking I am having a heart attack or a stroke. But my CD affirmed with me today to quit worrying about it and get on with my life, and the meds that I am on will prevent any of that happening.

Do any of you suffer from this anxiety and constant stress? I think I am more afraid because I am 57 and live alone...except for my sweet cats!

[LordGabriel]

Ooh yes when I was first diagnosed I was living in a hotel.... every night I thought I’d die in my sleep and only be noticed when they tried to clean my room!!

Every twinge was a heart attack! I thought about it all the time.

Gradually though, when I didn’t die or have a heart attack, I stopped thinking about it.... it just takes time. One day you realise you’ve done a whole day without thinking about it.

You gotta live your life, it will calm down!

Your cats can help you, cuddle up to them and listen to them purr! Beautiful ❤️❤️❤️

[Japaholic]

I hear you.

I am sure that my anxiety and depression made my condition worse.

For 2 years, prior to my ablation, I had accupuncture weekly. It really did help me chill out.

Might not work for you but worth a shot. After my ablation, I got my quality of life back and no longer feel so anxious.

In the last 12 months I have had a few bouts of PACs but no actual AF.

So much so, I have mis-placed my kardia, which was once my constant companion.

[BobD Volunteer]

All sounds quite normal to me. Been at it 16 years since diagnosis ten before that and still worry.

[Buffafly]

That spotty thing on my profile is my new cat Romeo 😍

The fear never goes, it’s like grief, you learn to live with it. The difference is that after 20 years I swear rather than panic 🤬

[Singwell]

YES I went through all of this! You are not alone - every twinge, every tingle, ever effing change and you worry. I'm a bit older than you but was equally shocked by my diagnosis. My poor husband had health updates from.me throughout the day until my friends told me to seek outside help. Which I did. Had some cognitive behavioural therapy and somatic work with a good psychotherapist, whom I knew through work as it happens. It helped, also helped a lot to understand the links between our flight and fight system and the counterbalancing rest and digest system. I've also gone the dietary route. Breath work also helps. Even though I've spent most of my life teaching people to breathe (as a singer!), I found that breath work to tap into our rest and digest system really helped to calm my own anxiety. You're in the US. Find a good Integrative Medical Practitioner who understands the complexity of AF and how it impacts our lives.

[Trilby8]

Hi Vinoandpasta - yes I was on Diltiazem 60mg daily at the start of my AF journey 7 years ago - I also tried Flecanide and Diltiazem as PIP but not together. I’m not good with medication often the side effects were worse than the AF.

Subsequently I had a Cryoablation almost 4 years ago which didn’t cure but ‘tamed’ my AF to a tolerable level - along with 1.25mg Nebivolol and 60mg Edoxaban daily.

Sorry don’t think I’ve helped much - but remember ‘ knowledge is power’

Regards Cathy

[Redmakesmehappy]

I understand how you feel, I have only been on the drugs six months and I have all the same thought as you. Hoping they will get better the longer I take medication. My biggest fear is bleeding . I am also very fatigued, maybe it’s the depression???