AFib and Herbal Anxiety Meds (I’m new to all this!)

[Pingu778]

Hello! This is all still relatively new to me and this week my anxiety has been awful! I am on bisoprolol and wondered if it was ok to take Kalms whilst on these beta blockers? I don’t know if I can cope with the anxiety and horrible panicky feelings anymore and need something to help me. I feel so down and I need something to help me. Thanks x

[Desanthony]

The best person to ask is your pharmacist as they will know more about interactions than anyone.

[Paulbounce]

Hiya Pingu.

I know were you are coming from. Bis will claim you down a little - may allow a few days for this happen.

You wrote

"This is all still relatively new to me and this week my anxiety has been awful"

Anxiety and afib go hand in hand. Made for each other.

However justs go postive. Bis is likely to being you down. It should help to contol your HR which is great news. I think everyone on the forum had anxiety when first told.

This will pass although I know it doesn't feel like it right now.

Hold tight and it won't half as bad as you think - I promise.

Loads of luck coming your way Pingu.

Paul

[Cos56 in reply to Paulbounce]

I am starting to be afraid to go to bed. That’s when the episodes happen. I will be talking to my doc about taking a Xanax if it happens again. It’s truly terrifying until it finally stops. It’s so irrational and irregular as if my heart doesn’t know what to do.

[Paulbounce in reply to Cos56]

Sorry to hear that Cos. I think a chat your doc is a good idea. It sounds like it's worry that are starting it off and are a trigger for you.

Paul

[pusillanimous in reply to Cos56]

I have suffered from anxiety all my life and familial PAF was diagnosed 4 years ago and I currently take 1.25 biso and Xeralto. I have been taking Alzam (the generic name it has here in South Africa) for 15 years, no GP or Cardiologist I have seen has tried to stop me from taking it because it makes me feel so much better - I am 78 and all have agreed that at my age addiction is not a problem - I usually take two 0.5mg a day, but am prescribed 3 if I need them. I don't smoke or drink alcohol or caffeinated tea or coffee . It might carry a stigma, but that does not worry me!

[Threecats]

Hi Pingu, I’m so sorry to hear you’re struggling with anxiety. I can sympathise, as I have been too, having been diagnosed in June this year, I’m also on Bisoprolol now but it doesn’t do much for the anxiety. My practical side tells me AF isn’t going to kill me but it’s tough to remember that sometimes when your heart is trying to tango it’s way out of your chest in the small hours of the morning, isn’t it! I can’t advise you on the herbal remedies, I’m afraid. As Desanthony says, your pharmacist might be able to help with that but have you considered homeopathic remedies or Bach Flower Remedies instead? I’ve just started started taking a combination homeopathic remedy and noticed I wasn’t quite so stressed during my most recent episode, so wonder if it might be worth thinking about, as there wouldn’t be a concern about interactions with conventional medicine, of course.This forum is incredibly supportive and helpful, too, so make good use of it, I have! Good luck to you on your journey, it will get easier x

[Pingu778 in reply to Threecats]

I’ll look into this x

[CDreamer]

Unfortunately very few people know enough about interactions to say either way. What affects one, has nil affect on another. At the very least I doubt they will help.

Personally I found meditation, relaxation and breathing methods and a walk in green nature far more efficacious and cost nothing but I would also suggest Bach Flower Remedies - Rescue Remedy for intense stress is brilliant but won’t stop your AF but neither will it harm as it is a Homeopathic remedy. I was recommended Australian Flower Remedies as more appropriate in the modern world by my Naturopath and I like them.

bachremedies.com/en-gb/abou...

australian-bushflowers.com/...

I looked toward the Lifestyle Doctors such as Dr Chatterjee - link to one of his podcasts on daily habits to reduce anxiety and stress

drchatterjee.com/powerful-d...

HeadSpace and Calm Apps are really good.

CBT for worry thoughts

OTC Herbal teas are fine and good for the digestion but if you are going to take any herbal remedies - go see a qualified Herbalist.

[Pingu778 in reply to CDreamer]

Thank you for your advice. I have suffered from depression and anxiety for many years before my Afib diagnosis and feel so low at the moment. I’m going to talk to a GP as non of the things I have been using (calm app, meditation breathing etc) is helping at the moment and I think I need to go back on some form or medication as my stress and low mod may effect my Afib. I can’t stop crying and shaking and feel so low. Will give the Bach stuff a go though thank you iu x

[CDreamer in reply to Pingu778]

Hope you get some relief.

[Racquet]

I asked my GP for some diazepam. No interaction at all with Bisoprolol said the chemist who dispensed them. 2mg works great. Calms me enough to go to nod off and sleep through a few hours of the episode.

[Pingu778 in reply to Racquet]

I’ll see what the dr says I feel I need a little help my my depression and anxiety at the moment regardless of Afib. X

[secondtry]

Everyone deals with the anxiety that accompanies AF in different ways, so it is difficult to help more than you can help yourself by trying different things. For me it helps to have all the information I read on this Forum and I have tried all sorts of suggestions and settled with the ones I feel most comfortable with. Sorry this is not the quick fix answer but it can work.

[Pingu778 in reply to secondtry]

I agree I need to find something that works for me x

[Auriculaire]

I have found magnesium supplementation has helped a lot with my anxiety ( which I had before the afib struck anyway). I don't know what is in the Kalms but if magnesium is an ingredient it might help. But it might also be a more expensive way of taking magnesium. Holland & Barrett do a very reasonably priced magnesium citrate.

[Pingu778 in reply to Auriculaire]

Yes I too have suffered with depression and anxiety for a few years. Will look up magnesium although I do take a daily vitamin which I believe contains magnesium anyway x

[Domino49]

Hi Pingu. I am on bisoprolol too. As a supplement I also take Magnesium Taurate which is said to help with anxiety and is good for the heart (the one recommended byDr Sanjay Gupta). Cardiologist and Pharmacist said no problem taking it. It’s a great aid to sleep and calming and I know without a doubt it greatly helps with my Afib. It’s easier said than done but try not to get over anxious... Afib breeds off anxiety. Good luck and best wishes.

[Pingu778 in reply to Domino49]

I’ll look into this as well thanks x

[seasicksurf]

Sorry to hear about your state Pingu. For checking any drug interactions, I've used the site drugs.com (yes really). It is a very professional site that allows you to input all the drugs you may be considering or even currently taking--and check for interactions.I put in bisoprolol and Kalmz and it indicates no drug interactions. Good luck.

[seasicksurf in reply to seasicksurf]

Note however that I stopped any Valerian root containing tea or supplements because of their potential for other effects

[brit1 in reply to seasicksurf]

what other effects? I use valerian at night to help with sleep

[seasicksurf in reply to brit1]

It’s cited in the literature as a cause of irregular heart beats—especially when used for extended periods. I’d get a professional opinion on continuing use. For your anxiety, I agree with those that suggest meditation and practiced breathing. I use the methods often for mine. The best to you brit!

[brit1 in reply to seasicksurf]

that has not been the case for me, have been taking it at night for sleep for many years with no connection to any AF episodes.

[MydogBrandy]

Aww sorry to hear that. I am sorry I didn’t try these I would definitely check with your doctor before trying. I have had my ablation so I have been taken off bisoprolol now but try to relax and chill enjoying a hobby to try and take your mind off your anxiety. I suffer from this and it is no joke it makes you feel terrible . Good luck x

[doodle68]

Hi Pigu I use relaxation and breathing techniques to cope AF with anxiety , it works well for me. Meditation is another useful aid there is lots of information about these things on the internet...