Manage the Anxiety; Get Living

[DKBX]

So I’ve been in atypical flutter for three weeks. Scheduled for DCCV in two days. My visit with the EP nurse yesterday was encouraging. Prior to her visit, I saw my GP for a routine visit and got on gabapentin to manage the anxiety exacerbated by the flutter. The EP nurse approved and said what we already know here: even if the DCCV doesn’t hold NSR, go live your life. For me that means off to Norway for two weeks to see the northern lights. She then added that our next steps if/when the beast returns, but after the once-in-a-lifetime-trip, will be another ablation (my fifth), or a switch from metoprolol to  Sotolol, or consider pace&ablate … in that order. OR just continue living with it, but stay anticoagulated, eat healthy, keep hydrated, go tea-total, relax, breathe.

I think the real lesson here is to manage anxiety and get on living (provided stroke risk is minimized with anticoagulants).

Here’s the big question: Why don’t the medics prescribe anxiolytics more often to help manage afib symptoms?

[Ppiman]

You make a very good point. I suppose the answer is that national guidelines have forced doctors to be cautious of prescribing benzodiazepine anxiolytics because about 1 in 3 who take them (I recall reading ...) risk becoming dependent on them and find stopping them very difficult. Also, they can cause "rebound" anxiety, which is deeply unpleasant, and in some, it seems, an need increasing dose is needed to maintain a useful effect.

That still leaves 2 in 3 who might find them very useful - but which 2 in 3, I suppose? They certainly can - uniquely it seems - relieve anxiety, and heart issues can be awful for anxious people, as I know myself.

Gabapentin, which is a very different kind of drug, can cause severe daytime drowsiness in some people, as my wife found when given it for back pain.

I do so wish there were better answers for anxious folk!

Steve

[wilsond]

Have a wonderful trip! On my list ,too.It depends on circumstances and cost,as to whether drugs are considered. If for example,non drug management has not worked and person is overwhelmed, anxiety medication has its place to be sure.

[SCCDL]

That sounds a lot like the advice that the PA gave me, which was to trust the Eliquis.

[riffjack846]

Sotolol did nothing for me. 1 ablation and amiodarone for 2 months and I'm feeling like new. However, I will take anticoagulant for the rest of my life.

[DKBX]

Well, the DCCV was successful … so far. Last one held for nine months. With anxiety treated, we’ll see how long this one lasts. Yea for Dr Frankenstein! “He’s alive!”