I had an ablation about 7 weeks ago and think it went really well. I am off all medication now but for Xarelto. 3 weeks ago I went off a PPI that was perscribed for 1 month post ablation. After going off the PPI, I have been experiencing severe depression and anxiety to the point that it is hard to get out of bed and function. The only medication I am still on is xarelto and a small dose of Paxil.
Has anyone had a similar experience? Will I feel better after stopping xarelto in a few weeks? Or is depression and anxiety common after an ablation?
Thank you!
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Beama_
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Not generally and not a common side effect of xerelto either from my understanding. Depression is not something we had reported when we produced out fact sheet on recovery (heartrhythmalliance.org/res... Sorry you are having problems. What does your doctor say?
"is depression and anxiety common after an ablation"
Of course it is - you would have to superman for that not be the case, Now let's get your mind set right. Of couse your have anxiety after an ablation - understandable. As for the depression boot it now. Just think of the positive effects this could have on your life - get rid of that right now - this minute. You have got though the worse of it and may find it works wonders - maybe you might need a 'touch up' and maybe not. I can't tell you that. I can tell you this though - there is nothing to be scared of. Kick that anxiety and depression out of the door.
Clinical Depression with Anxiety has absolutely nothing to do with mindset Paul - please see my post below. There is a big difference between AF induced anxiety and Clinical Depression with chemical imbalance when someone cannot get out of bed. I have worked with clinical depression, it stops you functioning at all and makes even the smallest task seem insurmountable.
I concur, being bummed, or having a bad day or week, being unhappy or feeling down because of a single or series of events is not depression.Depression is a medical condition that requires treatment by specialists.
Fair point CD and taken on board - I guess I was trying to put a positive spin on things for the OP. I know your knowledge on this matter will be much more than mine and completely accept your opinion.
Hi, so sorry you are feeling like this. Anxiety and Depression tend to go hand in hand but just be careful with the Paxil, if it’s not helping after a few weeks then please do go back to your doctor.
The clue is here :- 3 weeks ago I went off a PPI that was perscribed for 1 month post ablation. After going off the PPI, I have been experiencing severe depression and anxiety to the point that it is hard to get out of bed and function.
There is a known link between PPI’s causing depression, if it’s chemical it’s absolutely nothing to do with your mind set.
The research coming through on gut/brain axis is quite startling and moved up quite a bit since this article was produced so if you can look at diet and how to improve your gut microbes, it could help. Perhaps see a Nutritionist but certainly talk to your doctor more and ask him if he knows about this link, many don’t.
Thank you CDreamer! Yes, prior to stopping the PPI I felt so great that I started going back to the gym to walk on the treadmill. After stopping the PPI I did not have the energy to get out of bed. I too was wondering if it had anything to do with my gut microbes? I thought I would be feeling better after 1 week at the least? When talking about it at my 1 month post ablation follow up I was told that they had never heard of such a thing. I also asked if Xarelto would cause any sun sensitivity. I was told they had never heard of that either. Ironically it is listed as 1 of the main side effects on the Xarelto website if I read it correctly.
My GP prescribed the Paxil. I have been cutting a 10 mg pill in half and taking 5 mg for about 4 months now. I went on the Paxil right after being hospitalized for the Afib. I tried to increase to 10 mg in hopes of helping with depression and anxiety, but did not have good results. I was wondering if Paxil and Xarelto don't pair well together.
In the meantime, I am definitely looking into how to restore my gut microbes right now!
I really appreciate your reply! Thank you again!!!
I was told to stop taking the PPI without tapering off. I would love to talk to a specialist about it, but when speaking to my healthcare team about by symptoms they look at me like I am crazy.
You are not crazy, just not well informed by your medical team. Many others have had similar. It makes me rather cross that you have to suffer needlessly. PPIs are well known to be difficult to come off for various reasons, even after only a few weeks of taking. I do hope you get some answers, I can supply further links to studies which have identified PPIs and Depression and Anxiety as a problem
I wonder whether your anxiety hasn't led to the depression. The mind can get so utterly exhausted by the constant anxiety and the "what if" ruminations that never stop at times. Are you sleeping well? If not, there's another factor.
I haven't read that Xarelto can cause depression, and it sounds unlikely looking at the way it works. It might be (much as I hate SSRI drugs, myself as I once reacted very badly to them) that increasing your dose of Paxil might help.
There are some excellent self-help guides to "CBT" talking-type therapies" which you do yourself at home. I'd definitely give one of these a go.
All that said - you have my utter sympathy. Life must feel like a miniature version of hell at times these days. It will get better, though. It genuinely will. It always does, One day in the future, feeling much brighter and better, you'll look back at this period from a very different perspective.
Thank you, too. You sound like you have a warm heart, and warm-hearted people easily feel hurt by life. But picking ourselves up, dusting ourselves off and striding forward is the best way, hard as it is until the dark cloud lifts. It’s the only way, really.
Dear Beama, I know how it feels to suffer from depression and anxiety as I have been suffering this for two years. I have had a lot of help from my local NHS Mental Health Team and now feeling so much better. Have you sought help from your GP as there is a lot of help and support available. I doubt it has anything to do with your medication ( not medically trained) but more to do with stress and anxiety over your ablation, also the last two years have not been good for anyone. I hope you get the help you need and feel better soon.Regards Brenda
Thank you for your kind words and thoughts Brenda. My GP did suggest that I speak with a phycologist. I am wondering if my AFIB would not have been as bad had I dealt with my anxiety and depression sooner. I am sure it has taken a toll on my body. Thank you again for your encouragement!
Anxiety is a bid issue when you have AF and it is not well supported. I did eventually get help from Psychology, after a 3 year wait and did a 6 week CBT/Mindulness Course which the local department ran.
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