Exhausted and scared

[Peppa08]

How can I get rid of this heart anxiety, I’m so scared and exhausted

[CDreamer]

Hi Peppa and welcome. I note that you have posted on the BHF site but this is your first post here.

First anxiety goes with the territory as far as AF is concerned and yes it is scary in the beginning and most of us will resonate with how you are feeling but if you read a lot of the threads you will see that we get used to it, difficult although it may seem for you to imagine right now. I was first diagnosed in 2007, have had numerous treatments some of which have helped whilst others not. The first thing to grasp is that there is no one treatment which helps everyone - we are all oh so different. But there is a lot of information, help and support waiting for you here so no such thing a silly question and nearly always someone who can empathise, inform and support.

The antidote to fear is firstly information - information = potential power so go to the AFA website and look at the information for Patients - you’ll find this link helpful heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...

AF is not an emergency or acute condition but it can be chronic so although I can’t say you won’t die of AF - it is MOST unlikely.

Worrying about AF is just about the worst thing you can do but it’s also normal until you know a little bit more so where are you on your AF journey?

Have you been diagnosed and if so who by? GP, Cardiologist or EP?

Do you know if your AF is paroxysmal ie: comes and goes or persistent - there all the time?

Are you taking any medications?

Has anyone talked to you about anticoagulation and why it’s an important part of a prophylactic treatment for people with AF?

A little history, if you are prepared to share, will help us reply.

So much to learn, so much to take in at first so give yourself time, go step by step and know we will support.

Best wishes CD

[Hidden in reply to CDreamer]

Hi CD

I’m not sure that Peppa08 said that she had AFib (on the BHF forum). I think she was worried that constant severe anxiety which has caused persistent tachycardia will damage her heart and cause AFib.

It seems that her GP has prescribed Citalopram.

[CDreamer in reply to Hidden]

As the post was on the AF forum it was an assumption. Ass U Me.

[Omniscient1]

Hi Peppa, the only two things I would add to CDreamers advice is that the beta blockers are renowned for causing a feeling of being washed out or fatigued so maybe get the dosage checked or get on to some others (in other words it may be the bisoprolol making you feel awful not your heart).

The other is that AF is a very common ailment, more common than you think, though I hadn't heard of it until I was diagnosed, for sure all the best people have it

Take care,

Gary

[Ppiman]

There is a way out of this. You have been here before and what you feared then was the same as you fear now. You were wrong then and you are wrong now.

So, interrupt the stuck and fearful thoughts with a new one. Tell yourself that you've been here before, and that tomorrow will surely come just as it always has; and you will be here to tell the tale.

But make it a new tale and one worth telling! Go out into a park or woodland and see if you can hear a song thrush singing. It's one of nature's delights. Or listen to house sparrows chirping. They sound so cheerful. Maybe see a robin on a fence post with its bright eyes and even brighter red breast. Let it fill your heart with delight.

My oldest friend, Philip, is 87. He has had persistent atrial fibrillation for too many years to count, but he is well and enjoying life. He tells me that I shouldn't let myself worry. I tell him he is lucky to be able not to worry. But I look at him and realise that I must try to follow his advice, and doing what I've written above works best.

Steve

[Nigel2000 in reply to Ppiman]

Anxiety isn’t correct or incorrect, right or wrong. Anxious people don’t need to be told that —- on top of everything else —- they are wrong for feeling anxious.

[Ppiman in reply to Nigel2000]

I’m sorry you took offence at my post. I think you might have mis-read it though (well, I hope that’s the issue).

By “wrong”, I meant about the person thinking that a heart attack or death was around the corner, not a general comment about them or anxiety itself. How could they - or their anxiety - be “wrong”?

I’ve fought this thing for half a lifetime and the ideas I wrote off have helped a number of people over the years, when CBT and tablets have failed.

Steve

[secondtry]

One thing you can control is Lifestyle choices, so divert your attention to focussing on improving all your choices not just one area.

[Paulbounce]

Hiya Peppa.

I can understand your anxiety sweetheart - that's part of having afib. For me personally it's not been half as bad as I thought it would be - honest. We are lucky as we know we have it - many don't. There are treatments to help and control it.

When you feel stressed try breathing technics and grounding - they can really help. A quick consult on Google will explain better than I.

Easy to say I know - try to relax as much as you can. For me a slow walk helps and many use yoga to help them relax.

Yes it is worrying when you are told but it won't be as bad as you think. I'm a good few years in now and count my blessings to be honest. I don't want it but there are worse conditions to have. As we get older we have to be lucky for something not to kick in.

Defo check out breathing technic's - they can really help reduce your HR when you panic.

Enjoy your weekend and welcome to the forum.

Paul

[LindaDaisy]

It took me a long time to learn to cope but I hadn’t found this site then. You will get there. x

[Hidden]

Have you any reason to think there is anything wrong with your heart? Isn’t it more likely this is severe anxiety?

Perhaps your GP could prescribe medication for this.

[Peppa08 in reply to Hidden]

I think it is anxiety as I’ve had a 24 hr ecg come back as sinus tracardi, but I’m still not convinced

[Hidden in reply to Peppa08]

Why aren’t you convinced?

[Peppa08 in reply to Hidden]

Because my heart rate has been being strange for a while, shooting up when I just stand up and goes to 150 when just moving around the house, I do lead a really sedentary life so could it just be that?

[Hidden in reply to Peppa08]

We can’t make a diagnosis here, but can suggest things you might want to discuss with your doctor.We have a member on the forum who is very knowledgeable on a condition called postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), which might be worth reading about.

[CDreamer in reply to Peppa08]

Hi again Peppa - if your heart rate goes up when you stand up and your BP goes down this is may indicate PoTS. The Arrythmia Alliance has a page which may help - link below

heartrhythmalliance.org/sta...

If you go to the Virtual Patient Day there is a educational section on PoTS - you have to sign up and is £10 but there are also information leaflets to download.

PoTS is something that tends to happen in young women more. It is cardiac related but also linked to something called Dsyautonimia = a dysfunction of the Autonomic System which is the part of the nervous system which runs the organs of our body such as digestion, heart-rate, etc. PoTS is diagnosed through something called a Tilt Table Test and there is a cardiologist on the AA team who specialises in this. There is a video some where there with this guy speaking. I developed PoTS (but didn’t know that’s what it was called) as a teenager and wasn’t diagnosed until my mid-forties. Quite a few cardiology departments now can perform Tilt Table Tests.

Most cardiologist, never mind GPs, are not familiar with the condition and have no idea how to treat it but there are things that you can do to help yourself. Ensure you drink a lot of water and take salt with your food - about 6g/daily. Pace yourself but try not to spend too much time lying down - it’s easy to do as you are always more comfortable prone - and if you do then semi-reclined rather than flat. When sitting keep your feet raised - if possible higher than your heart.

It’s horrible to live with but it’s not life threatening and once you find help and other people who suffer with similar you will gain confidence and hopefully your anxiety will start to diminish.

This is another organisation which can also be helpful potsuk.org/download_pots_le...

PoTS rarely goes away and it’s more about managing the condition. There are sometimes associated syndromes which can complicate things such as EDS - often the 2 go together, Autoimmune diseases, Hypermobility - where the joints are quite loose and bendy and can be quite easy to dislocate.

Hope that may help and signpost you to some understanding and support. And pleas do come back with any questions.

Very best wishes CD.

[CDreamer in reply to Peppa08]

Here’s the link to the Patient Day heartrhythmalliance.org/sta...

[bassets]

Anxiety can feel exactly the same as AF as I've found out. I know it's a horrible feeling but you can get over your anxiety. I spent most of a year in a panic but when I managed to calm down, my AF got a bit better. I use Headspace very day to keep calm which has helped a lot, and this forum has helped immensely too. We are all in the same boat and have all felt what you're going through at one time or another. Please try not to worry and find a way to keep as calm as you can - deep breathing, meditation, walking, anything - as others have said. Good luck and keep your chin up!

[Sixtychick]

I know how you feel. Anxiety is horrible. I have been suffering from it since this Covid started, I’m terrified of catching it and it causing my AF,. It was very hard for me to get my vaccination, as all our Drs do them at our local leisure centre and when I went there was a big queue,, luckily one of the volunteers took me to the front of the queue after I explained I was suffering from anxiety and didn’t think I could stand in the queue. I’m hoping I will be a bit better when the next one is due, as I will have had more Hypnotherapy. by then. I had the Pfizer one, so had to wait afterwards, whereas my husband had the Oxford one and went in and out in a few mins.I have had 3 episodes of AF now since 2014. I’ve also had episodes of SVT since I was 22. The medication helps both. This is the 4th timeI’ve had a spell of anxiety, since my mid twenties, I’m now nearly 70. This time it started December 2020, when I had the 3rd episode of AF and I had to go to A and E and the Dr wanted me to go on anti- coagulants, I was scared of taking them, but I realise they were nothing to worry about and I was ok, I was getting over it, when this Covid started and so it started it off again. I find I get it when circumstances are way out of my control, as now. I find doing relaxation, once or twice a day helps and I am having Hypnotherapy. I find that helps more than CBT, which I’ve also had. You can get relaxation audios from the internet and you can access CBT through your Dr or refer yourself, you can get information on the internet and Hypnotherapy is private, but you can get information on that on the internet as well. Hope you find a way of getting through it. It helps to be on this forum, as you see you are not the only one suffering.