Hi all,
I'm very stressed about my upcoming ablation on the 22nd and Covid, but .more calm thanks to everyone's great advice😚
My doc has given me some Diazepam , 2mg x 3 daily, just wanted to double check it will have no effect on my ticker if anyone knows ?
Also, I want to protect myself the best I can, is it worth buying a better quality mask and hand gel, I've looked online and the cost a fortune but will pay if they are worth it.
Thanks
Sara xox
Hi booboo, I’m waiting for a date to go in for breast surgery & I too am very fearful about the whole thing so I know exactly how you are feeling 😰
Hi x To be honest the more I read about peoples experiences the better I feel, I got my admission forms today and there are lots of rules which is comforting. I desperately need this procedure so with just have to get on with it. Good luck with your surgery too xxx
I think you should do whatever makes you feel safer...over react rather than under react...its your life!!!!!If you feel unsafe at any point tell them
Don t forget Lavender oil...a couple of drops around you promotes calm
Hi xx I've ordered some Citronella too!! Thanks Buddji xxxc
I've been in for 2 operations during this covid time and honestly had no worries about catching it while I was in, there are so many precautions being taken I think it's more risky going shopping than going to hospital ! Good luck.
Good luck with your upcoming abalation really hope this does the trick for you how you been up to this point ok?
Hi x ive been rubbish for the last 6 months, i have all kinds of strangeness going on. Just waiting for holter results, the were with the secretary last Friday and she promised the surgeon would ring that afternoon, he didn't. Heard nothing so emailed nurse Monday and nothing. Left messages with arrythmia nurse again this morning and nothing again, I'm going crazy waiting, even carrying the phone when I'm hoovering. Just very concerned with the ablation so rushed what's going on. Getting paranoid something is really bad🤕 hope you are doing ok x o x o
Yeah not to bad you can never ever fully settle and be at peace with yourself with this condition it’s like looking over your shoulder all the time cause your on the run that’s how I feel all the time. Please let us know about your results xxxxxx
Don't worry about it being 'rushed'. I received a txt message on a Tuesday reminding me of my appointment on the Thursday, I knew nothing about it. I assumed it was just a normal routine update, but it turned out to be the ablation pre-admission checks and I was booked to go in on the Monday. Apparently there are many people having to cancel their admissions as they have been in contact with someone who has turned out to have a positive covid test, or they can't get childcare with the kids having to stay at home. One nurse said that they were preferring to do the procedure on the younger patients at present due to the older people being more susceptible to the virus and other illnesses during the winter - more older people die from the flu than younger people. So there could be a variety of reasons it appears that you are being 'rushed' rather than it being an emergency. I do hope all goes well and that you feel the benefit of it afterwards. x
That's a relatively low dose but will be enough to relax you for the op, can take up to 20mg a day in some cases.Try some CBD oil, can't recommend it enough, works as good as any medication, and it's doesn't make you more likely to listen to Bob Marley, so all good and natural 😉
Hi x I have some, I may try. I used to have the odd smoke before my diagnosis and it helped my anxiety so much but too scared to now with my low heart rate. Dr said I can increase the diazepam if needed. Just taken my first one now hoping I will be floating on a cloud very soon ! Xx thanks Ian x
Yea I had diazepam after op, was great for short term thing, the oils are fantastic, and no side effects, def worth a shot, works for me. X
No thc like proper wacky, doesn't change my HR Booboo, so should be OK for you, hah, we sound like a chill out room conversation in the 90s 😀
I know if only! I was once in AF for 11 days solid in the early days and tried everything I was desperate and anxious, we were boating at the time on holiday so I had a smoke and believe it or not I went to sinus in 10 minutes. I thought I had found the cure for me. So next time AF started I happily puffed away, oblivious to how much I had and had a full blown whitie... not touched it since haha ! Xxxx
Don’t worry about hospital they are taking great care of hygiene and lots of precautions,I’ve been. In twice once for loop device in chest and more recently pacemaker ,they could not be any more helpful and have my upmost respect for all they do ,,,,
Thank you, that's great to know, everyone's reassurance is helping me xxxx
Hi, I take diazepam when I get too stressed as the stress really effects my ticker. Some people have suggested CBD oil. Just be careful of CBD oil with diazepam. I would check that for interactions before taking. Good luck.
thanks i will do, although I slept last night with the valium ... so it's definatily doing it's job! Xx
Health101
Hi I use 5mg Diazepam (Valium) for muscle spasms with no effect on my AF, that is over a couple of years. Hope that helps. Stay safe and good luck
Hiya. Well I had ablation surgery almost 2 years ago. Before my op I took diazepam. And also still do when stress gets too much. For me it was safe. And I still carry a couple tabs in my wallet just in case.Diazepam knocks me down several levels so I can think straight without being influenced by stressful situations. I understand your anxiety. But believe in the medical crew. They got you covered!!
Xx
thanks...yes I'm much more confident since posting on here although I can't understand still why they don't give you the vaccine if your having a procedure in hospital! But yes I am feeling much calmer xxx
In the 60's and 70's Diazepam (Valium) used to be the housewives friend and tended to be popped like sweeties but be careful of its addictive possibilities. My sister got caught.
Yes i have read about this. I have a long history of metal health issues and I'm very wary now about taking tablets so I'm keeping check and will come off them asap xxx
No harm in investing in one of the higher-protection masks - Ffp2 or Ffp3. They do cost a bit more, but they tend to protect both ways (the breath you exhale and inhale). There are plenty of good hand sanitizers used in hospitals but always good to have one about your person - make sure it's 70%, or above in alcohol content.I'm sure you'll be fine but I always take the belts and braces approach!
All the very best with your ablation ❤️
Hi there, if you wish to receive any further advice or information regarding your upcoming procedure, then please do not hesitate to contact us on info@afa.org.uk. Many thanks Tracy
Thank you Tracy don't tempt me i will drive you crazy will all my questions!! Xxx
I am fairly sure that no drugs reduce anxiety levels better than the benzodiazepines, the family from which diazepam comes. Sadly, however, anxiety is such a primordial human emotion that defeating it with any drug to create calmness is not, in my experience, possible. Diazepam will help, however.
Sadly, it seems about a third of people are at risk of developing dependency on benzodiazepines and becoming reliant on them. For those, the drugs are a danger. And for that reason, doctors are very reluctant to prescribe them - which is a shame, as there's nothing anywhere near as effective.
Steve
I totally agree. Before my ticker kicked off I had issues my mental health and became dependent on several things, I have a very addictive personality. My doc persuaded me to try diazepam starting in a small dose and will stop as soon as I can. Xx Thanks xx
I read somewhere that it’s likely a genetic subset of people who can come to depend on benzodiazepines because of the way they metabolise them. There’s a similar issue with SSRI drugs, too, which I was given once and, well - never again! I reacted really very badly to them.
Steve
They first put me on anti anxiety when I was 16, tried all of them and every dose. I honestly think they didn't help at all. When I was diagnosed with Af I came off the all and stopped drinking and although my physical health is dodgy at the moment mentally I'm much better without long term. Xx
I doubt anything can help except in the short term, myself. That’s where Valium has a place, albeit a worrying one for some.
Anxiety is a very deep and complex part of a person. I actually have little time for “fixes”, especially things like re-training the mind or “neural programming” and the like. I tend to believe that they were all invented by people who don’t suffer! 😉
Steve
Personally I wouldn't go to the expense of buying a different mask. I have been in hospital twice since Christmas and they like you to wear the ones they give out. You have to remember that although you are anxious about catching Covid in hospital, they are equally worried about it being brought in on patients' personal property.
I have to go for a covid test and I'm completely self isolating now, I would never forgive myself if I brought something into the hospital x I'm sure I will be fine, I'm much more confident now xxxc
I've had 2 operations and a week long stay during the past year of lockdowns and felt ver safe in hospital. You will have a pre-op Covid test and have to self isolate for up to 10/14 days before going in. Also, you will likely be operated on in a Green zone, which is "clean" of Covid and under the strictest regulations. You will be absolutely fine!!! x
Hi, I had an ablation 2 years ago and it’s the best thing I did after 16 years of tachycardia . I then stopped smoking really cos I was scared I would ruin what the operation had done for me.With regards to masks I bought one of the more expensive ones that you put a filter in. Yesterday I was talking to someone outside , a person who had come to view my house as it’s for sale. I went really strange and nearly collapsed. My husband says it’s the CO2 that you breath out and then breath back in again. Has anyone else felt this dizzy feeling. I find I can’t breath properly with a mask on and talk at the same time. Yet I don’t normally have breathing problems
I dont x you will probably be better posting this as a new post and it may get lost in these messages xxx
Hello Sara.
If the AF is making you feel terrible and an ablation has been recommended then it will almost certainly not make you feel any worse. The most likely outcome is that you will be back in sinus rhythm and feeling like “super woman”. The diazepam is not going to have an affect on your “ticker”. If anything it will help by relaxing you, but be careful as it is addictive and people need higher and higher doses to get the same calming effects. Maybe just take it at night-time to help you sleep. Remember the heart is a robust organ and you will be fine in the long-run. I have been in permanent AF for over 10 years. I’m still living a near normal life and grateful to be working, albeit part-time. DO NOT overthink or dwell on the negative. As Bob Marley said...”don’t worry about a thing, ‘cos every little thing’s gonna be all right”. Best wishes. Cliff
Oh... and standard face marks and hand gel will be fine. Studies have shown that masks do help but only a little.....
Does Valium lower the heart rate? CBD oil ? Both sound lovely.
I have had brain tumour surgery and so have to have 6 monthly now yearly checkups which means going for 50 minutes to an hour in the MRI scanner. I didn't know until the first time that I was claustrophobic...... My GP prescribed diazepam and I take one before I start out to St Georges and another when I've filled in the form and waiting and it has never messed up my meds/heart. It was worse before when I would thump unevenly and make me feel faint lying flat and nerves (although to be honest an MRI is not a worry).
Also the hospitals are so careful with their red covid areas and green clean areas and the staff do not mix/match and extremely tight on hygiene.
Good luck and don't worry about the ablation, it's fine.
Don't worry Sara, you are perfectly safe.My heart attack was induced by a medication called clozapine, which is highly cardio-toxic, so I had to come off it immediately. This was difficult after 20-years use, so the doctor prescribed 15-20mg diazepam daily to help me sleep. I took that for 3-months with no ill effects. I stopped after that as diazepam becomes ineffective and you develop dependency.
I recently had a fast AF requiring A&E admission. On discharge the doctors introduced rivaroxaban, and I continue to take bisolrolol, ramipril, and atrovastatin.
But I have always taken diazepam when required, and wanted to continue. I consulted a pharmacist. She said that sleep was of great importance, and any risk of drug interaction were very minor and she could find none listed; there are no conrtaindications with the meds I'm on and diazepam.
So I take 4mg diazepam, perhaps a couple of nights a week, and it allows me the restful sleep that I need.
Don't worry: diazepam is a well-proven, safe medication; it just got a bad reputation in the 'valium' days when iot was handed out like sweeties. Just avoid using it everyday for more than 4 weeks or it will become ineffective, so you need to take a break from it before resuming. There are similar meds, such as zopiclone, which your GP could try you on, but I find diazepam very effective and have never had any side effects. I was even given diazepam prior to my stent insertion!
JK
I went for eye injections at Moorfields (St Georges) yesterday and there was a notice on the door to the theatre/ward section saying do not enter without a negative test! I had to have a negative test before surgery in August. I think the danger has been for unplanned admissions where someone on the ward had covid With elective procedures you should be fine. Most staff have been vaccinated so transmission should be low and they will have proper PPE to protect you. You should wear a mask but they will probably make you have one of their masks when you arrive so that you are not bringing outside infection into the unit. Good luck with the procedure!
I use diazepam judiciously when needed and often get good results with as little as 1.25 mg ( I cut a 5mg in quarters) which lasts 12 hours. Diazepam is a wonderful drug but can become highly addictive if overused. 2mg 3x/day sounds like a reasonable starter dose and while like some have inferred,you might need more. You also might need less.
Jim
Fortunately you know already that Diazepam can be addictive if you take too much of it for too long. But if the ablation is 22 February and you stop then or shortly after, that is very unlikely to happen to you.
Best of luck with your ablation.
I have had one today, the staff are fantastic you wear a mask everywhere except you bed. The staff are fully input and rever cleaning and washing their hands. I have felt completely safe. I am staying overnight as I have had Tracchedia, flutter and Fibulation after a 5 hour. Totally professional.
Hi . Had an eye op in January. Like you worried about Covid. All went well and im still here Covid free.
No worries...I was on Valium for 6 months...no afib problems at all. Ablations are not that risky, you will be good to go!
Recently diagnosed with Persistent AF
Feeling absolutely wretched, anyone else take anti depressants to help with AF?
Positive Update - ablation 
has anyone had an ablation that worked well without problems in the blanking period.
Care AF patient pack : thank you.
