IAfib and mental health

[Rachelanx50]

Hiya all hope your all ok. I have a problem that some of you may relate, well before i was diagnosed with afib i was diagnosed with health anxiety agoraphobia ect from the age of 9 mental health has followed me throughout my life heart disease was and is a trigger for my panic attacks I'm in persistent AF since mid November taking myself twice to a&e with not much reassurance it's like a battle the more I panic the more the AF is evident the more the AF is evident the more I panic it's a battle and ball game it's like I'm consumed with pulse reading

[BobD Volunteer]

Whatever you do, do not buy any gismos to check pulse or AF like some watches or ecg reading machines then. I'm not that obsessive but rapidly became so when I did have one.

Repeat after me AF won't kill me. AF may be in my life but it is not all of my life.

[Tomred in reply to BobD]

good reminder Bobd

[Rachelanx50 in reply to BobD]

Thanks Bob great advice as always

[minchern in reply to BobD]

So Wise Bob and so True, don't let it dominate you but I have been there with health anxiety and several CBT sessions after

[Hidden]

Hi Rachelanx50, It would be crazy of me to imagine that I could turn this around for you in one short post. You have deep seated anxiety going on, and I'm sure you'll probably only be able to get to the bottom of this with some assistance from a professional therapist, but here's a thought for you, based on the philosophy of mindfulness which I follow in life and which has helped me to remain calm in most situations.The fact is, for most of us, that when something happens which we don't like and is out of our control, we start to fight it. We want it gone. "Let me be away from this. Let it be over. I don't like it. I'm going to fret and worry and be anxious about it because I hate it so much". Sound familiar at all?

But if you can somehow take a look at what happens to you when this all starts to buzz in your head and find a way to become more accepting of the fact that it's unpleasant but that you, nor probably anyone else can make it go away to order, miraculously makes it become less troublesome. Thoughts like, 'I hate this, but it's a hindrance in life, not my whole life". The fact is that although it feels so nasty, AF isn't a killer. Provided you aren't at any extra risk of having a stroke, it's mostly just an inconvenience. If you unfortunately lost a limb, you'd find methods to overcome its loss and manage to live as normally as possible. And it's possible to do that with AF too.

Some people find that meditation works to help calm those rushing thoughts which wind you up so much. It's not for everyone, but it might be worth a try. Whenever I have intrusive thoughts, my meditation teacher always says to greet them like an old acquaintance. Say to yourself when an AF bout begins... "oh it's you again. Hi. Well I see you're there, but if you don't mind I'm just going to get on with my day anyway and leave you to to it". It's not a perfect solution, but it might help. And the more you practice this, the more help it is. Best wishes.

[Threecats in reply to Hidden]

Beautifully explained, Callendersgal

[Rachelanx50 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Callendersgal very informative and much appreciated

[Hidden in reply to Rachelanx50]

You're most welcome Rachelanx50 and I'm glad if I've been just a little bit of help!

[Stb1968 in reply to Hidden]

This is such great advice. I'm rather new to a fib and it scares the heck out of me. My bpm averages between 140 and 165 when I'm in it! I will try your tips!

[Hidden in reply to Stb1968]

I really hope it will help a bit!

[FancyPants54 in reply to Stb1968]

And don't forget Bob's advice at the top. AF won't kill you. I find that a very good thing to tell myself if for some reason I've got wound up about it.

[Paulbounce]

Hi Rachel.

Right let's get started.

BobD wrote

'Repeat after me AF won't kill me. AF may be in my life but it is not all of my life'

+1

You wrote

'the more I panic the more the AF is evident the more the AF is evident the more I panic it's a battle and ball game it's like I'm consumed with pulse reading'

Stop that now - it is what it is. If you have any real problems call 111 and discuss it with a medic.

You also wrote

'is a trigger for my panic attacks I'm in persistent AF since mid November'

Panic attacks are no fun. I know this. They pass though. Sweetheart you can beat this. I too am in persistent afib also - who's going win - I am. You will too.

See it as a challenge one you'll beat. Get the self esteem rolling on this one and you'll beat everything that comes your way.

You will do this I just know you will. There are worse illness's to have - that's from someone who's in the same boat as you. I'm the same.

Who will win - me or afib. Me.

Who will win - you or afib. You.

Paul

[Rachelanx50 in reply to Paulbounce]

Thank you so much Paul you are so right

[Singwell]

Hello Rachelan, I'm glad you're asking for help. Like Callandargirl says there's no one stop fix but as you're prone to anxiety you knew that anyway. I started to experience anxiety when I developed AF and the pandemic hit. So I know what it feels like to wake up shaking and sweating in the night and to have a full on panic attack. The anxiety is the worst thing about the AF for me. Back in June last year I knew it was getting out of hand and posted here. Another forum member wuth long term anxiety posted about how they deal with it. See if you can find that post by clicking on my profile. But if not, you might like to get this book she recommended to me ina private message: Unwinding Anxiety by DrJudson Brewer. By getting to know the mental habits and patterns of anxiety, you can learn to deal with it faster and also turn it around. The book and that response to my post turned me around and even though my AF situation is pretty much the same, my outlook is much more positive and I'm enjoying my life. Try it. And good quality talk therapy - Mindfulness and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy- helps too of course. But some of the 'homework' has to be done by us. Sending good vibes

[Threecats in reply to Singwell]

I would certainly second the book recommendation, Singwell, I also found it very helpful

[Rachelanx50 in reply to Singwell]

Thank you so much singwell i will most certainly try it. I'm also due to start CBT soon so hopefully I will turn a corner soon

[Slidingdoors99]

I’m so sorry to hear how horrible things are for you. I can’t really advise you, but I can sympathise with you.When I was in AF I felt anxious all the time, even just having a cuppa and some cake with my best friend. I realised that it was because my heart was behaving in an anxious way and it was so hard to relax when I was aware of every beat and gap and shudder.

How are they treating your AFib?

Xx

[Rachelanx50 in reply to Slidingdoors99]

Hi slidingdoors99 thanks for the reply yes panic attacks are evil you more you want them gone the worse they are I'm currently taking mirtazapine 30mg for my nerves diltiazem 240mg and bisoprolol 5mg for the afib

[Slidingdoors99 in reply to Rachelanx50]

Hi! Thank you for your reply. I hope that you will soon be offered a cardioversion to get you back into the right rhythm dear Rachel. I was in continuous AFib for six months and so I really do understand (in part) how you are feeling. Xx

[Rachelanx50 in reply to Slidingdoors99]

Hiya sliddingdoors99. I'm feeling a little better today thanks to all the kind replies from yourself and the other members. I see my cardiologist on the 8th I'm going to ask about a cardioaversion because as of yet I've not been put on blood thinners as I dont score high enough on the stroke scale

[Slidingdoors99 in reply to Rachelanx50]

I 🙏 that all goes well on the 4th. I’ll be thinking of you… xx

[secondtry]

Yes anxiety and health can be a vicious circle. My suggestions would be professional therapist, reconnecting/engaging with Nature and spiritual beliefs. Well it worked for me. Best wishes.

[Sixtychick]

I think it’s been said, that AFib and anxiety go together. It does make you worry. What good, sensible replies you’ve had on here. When I get AFib, I’ve been told to go to A&E after an hour. My BP goes high, when I get an episode and they seem more worried about that, than the AF. it also it feels so awful, I couldn’t stay at home and sit it out for hours, like some people on here seem to do.

[Threecats]

Hi Rachelanx50, I’m so sorry to hear you’re having such a tough time. I’ve also suffered with anxiety lifelong that went into overdrive when my AF started. I can’t add much to the excellent advice you’ve already received here, other than to second Singwell’s book recommendation. The other thing I’ve found helpful is daily meditation. That was really tough to begin with as my mind was in overdrive telling me I was wasting my time and that it wouldn’t help at all but I kept at it by using guided meditations ( loads on YouTube) and focussing on what was being said and gradually things began to calm down. The other thing I would suggest is to try and find something to do that absorbs you, maybe a hobby that you’ve been meaning to take up, or getting absorbed in a good book. The key is finding something for your mind to focus on other than your heart. It’s not easy, I know but you can do this and the wonderfully supportive folk on this forum are right behind you! All the best to you, TC

[Rachelanx50 in reply to Threecats]

Thanks for your suggestions threecats it's much appreciated

[jimlad2]

A slightly different tack: if you're not already taking magnesium, it may help with both the anxiety and the AF. Also, if you haven't already, it's probably worth adding a moderate exercise routine of some kind; enough to tire you out, as exercise induced fatigue can also help keep anxiety at bay - and may also help your AF. AF is a blight on life for sure - one we'd all rather be without - but for most of us it isn't the end of life. There can still be many heartening, humourous and joyful things in life, and worthwhile challenges to take on.

[Rachelanx50 in reply to jimlad2]

Thanks jimlad2 I've brought some magnesium started to take it yesterday

[Auriculaire]

Sorry you are having such a bad time. Anxiety is horrible . I second jimlad's suggestion. Magnesium has not taken away my afib but since I have been supplementing it has become less symptomatic and more importantly I no longer get anxiety attacks . I would also look at your vit D level. Very low vit D can cause anxiety and depression.

[jimlad2 in reply to Auriculaire]

Yep . . D3 is a worthwhile addition imv. I take 4000ius daily. It seems to keep me clear of most infections, which is probably indirectly helpful, as I used to find that I was more prone to AF episodes when ill . . .

[Rachelanx50 in reply to Auriculaire]

Thanks Auriculaire i already take vitamin d as I was deficient

[Auriculaire in reply to Rachelanx50]

Then it is essential to take magnesium . Vit D uses up magnesium in being processed by the body. May I ask how much vit D you are taking? Do you know what your level was ?

[Rachelanx50 in reply to Auriculaire]

Hi yes i take 1000 iu twice daily these are on prescription by my gp i don't know what my levels were as it was years ago

[blulla1]

Hi RachelI have a couple questions for you: How old are you and do you have any silver amalgam dental fillings and if so, how many and for how long have you had them?

[Rachelanx50 in reply to blulla1]

Hi blulla1 I'm 54 and no i don't have any fillings most of my teeth are now of the plastic kind 😂😂

[blulla1 in reply to Rachelanx50]

I asked because mercury makes up 50% of those 'silver' amalgam fillings, and slowly but surely seeps into the body, the organs, brain, nervous system, etc. and wreaks havoc in manifold ways, both mental and physical. Anxiety, panic attacks, depression are quite common, so if you had a bunch of them put in as a child, this could be the cause, even if they were removed later, because the mercury never leaves, but it can be safely removed through a safe and effective chelation protocol.

You could also read this and see if it may be helpful in your case. carrafibdietinfo.com/

[Rachelanx50 in reply to blulla1]

Thanks blulla1 yes ive had many fillings during my life starting as a young teenager very interesting

[blulla1 in reply to Rachelanx50]

If you're interested in removing the mercury stored internally, in your organs, brain, etc., I would recommend only this chelation.

livingnetwork.co.za/chelati...

It is slow, but results are steady and it is safe and effective when done correctly. It just may help with the terrible things you've described -- anxiety, panic attacks, and perhaps your heart as well.

[Rachelanx50 in reply to blulla1]

Thanks blulla1 I'll look into it

[BlueINR]

Afib won't kill you; however, it can turn into a more serious arrhythmia, and should be treated, at least that's the thoughts of phyisicians in the US, though the UK seems to treat afib patients not as seriously, from what I gather reading here, as I'm only familiar with my experience of it here in the US.

I would strongly suggest psychotherapy for the anxiety and probably what would be be is CBT, cognitive behavioral therapy. Do try to find a therapist that practices this approach. It may change a lot of things for you.

[Rachelanx50 in reply to BlueINR]

Hiya BlueINR I'm due to start CBT soon but we have a waiting list of 3 months due to a shortage of psych nurses

[needlestone]

I too went through this scenario and had to leave a job I loved due to becoming fearful of all the travel that was involved with the job. At the time that this was at its worst, I also developed fibromyalgia and had a great doctor who believed in it and definitively diagnosed it. One thing leads to another unfortunately. Through extensively educating myself on both heart and fibro information I began to take several supplements giving my body necessary nutrients that I felt it needed based on research, changed my diet, found trigger foods (gluten, wheat, aspartame, sucralose) which got me back to optimal health. I did end up having an ablation in 2016 that did not fully work until I eliminated gluten/wheat from my diet. I also learned a mantra, more for fibro but can apply to other things like heart issues if needed. Fortunately I no longer need it but it worked for me “hurt doesn’t equal harm” when I would feel a pain or in your case palps, I would say this over and over until I was no longer afraid. Educating yourself and finding coping mechanisms will empower you and you will rise above. I no longer have problems with heart or fibro and I am 52.

[Rachelanx50 in reply to needlestone]

Thanks so much needlestone for your advice i do have sweetener in my coffee so that's something to look into

[captainKFF]

Hi, what is your heart rate while in persistent Afib?

[Rachelanx50 in reply to captainKFF]

Hi captainKFF it's between 80 and 135

[FancyPants54]

HiI'm in permanent AF. I prefer it to the unpredictable nature of it suddenly arriving out of the blue when it was at it's most violent. Most of the time I don't think about it and then I don't feel it. Occasionally I feel ill for other reasons and it makes me remember the AF and I might get stressed about it for a short while, but I go and do something to take my mind off it. If I'm in bed and can feel it more than normal and start focussing on it then I get up and go and read or watch some YT videos or colour. My saviour for my heath issues has been colouring with coloured pencils and markers. I love it. It really relaxes and focusses me.

I have horrible hypothyroidism that I just can't seem to fix. Doctor's haven't got a clue and neither do they care I'm afraid, so I'm on my own with it, trying everything I can and having to pay for tests and medication and private help with parts of it. The AF is just an annoying fly buzzing around the edges. Hypothyroidism has ruined my life. I'm therefore concentrating on fixing that. AF doesn't get much of a look-in. I'm not saying you should get a worse illness to focus on!!! But I am trying to show that AF can be ignored and just side-stepped to allow us to get on with everything else that life throws at us.

[Rachelanx50 in reply to FancyPants54]

Thanks for your reply it really means alot I'm concentrating on Bob's words and distracting myself it is helping also so sorry your suffering with your health hope you get some answers soon

[FancyPants54 in reply to Rachelanx50]

Distraction is the greatest help of all. That and knowing that you aren't about to keel over and die. Getting outside is a great help. Laughing is really good. Getting an involved and detailed conversation going with another person is great. And for me, art of some sort.

[Rachelanx50 in reply to FancyPants54]

I have to admit I'm too focused with what's going on in my body I'm definitely going to dust off the craft box and do some knitting tonight thanks so much

[FancyPants54 in reply to Rachelanx50]

Good call. Just going through your knitting bag and sorting things and remembering past projects will be a great help. Also audio books are good to listen too if you get too inwardly focussed.

[Pigleywigley]

Lifelong sufferer of anxiety here. What works for me:Education - the more I know about my condition, the better I feel. I did this here on this forum, Dr Gupta YouTube channel & John day books all of them

Psychotherapy, hypnotherapy, meditation, breath work & acupunture. All were/are beneficial to me.

Cut alcohol & sugar & other foods that spike the insulin & raise the heart rate.

I exercise - everyday!

Good luck

[Rachelanx50 in reply to Pigleywigley]

Hi Pigleywigley thanks for your kind response i have alot to work through to get my mindset where it needs to be but I'm sure I will get there with all the help iv recieved from all the wonderful members on here including yourself. Thanks a million times over each and everyone of you