holiday concerns

[Botolph]

I’m in New Zealand at the moment and am having some PAF episodes which are lasting a lot longer than they do in the UK. When this happens I begin to panic and I wonder if this is part of the problem. Any advice welcome.

[meadfoot]

Everything seems much worse when away from home. I find a plan of action in case a medical intervention is needed when away gives me comfort and tends to ease any anxiety and in turn the episode.

Would like to bet any feelings of panic would lesson and help you feel safer. You are in an English speaking country with top medics. Find your closest hospital in case its needed and it may well give you some comfort, reduce any panic and ease tension. A helpful plan may well get you back into NSR more quickly alongside your regular meds. Good luck. Thinking of you.

[Botolph in reply to meadfoot]

thank you for your reassurance. I think it’s because I’m quite a way from doctors and hospitals but my husband has been out and bought a blood pressure monitor and it’s helped me relax.

[mjames1]

You got to keep telling yourself that you've been here before and you got through things ok. Keep telling yourself that. At the same time, as "Meadfoot" says, come up with a plan of action in case you need outside help. I think stress can trigger episodes, but not make them last longer.

Jim

[Botolph in reply to mjames1]

That’s what my husband keeps saying but I’m glad to hear it from someone who’s the same condition as me. And yes, I must keep that good advice up front.

[Paulbounce]

Hi Botolph.

It's not uncommon for people to feel anxious or panicky when travelling abroad. You will be out of your comfort zone being away from home. There are some things you can do to help manage your symptoms and reduce your anxiety.

First, try to stay calm and relaxed during an episode. Take slow, deep breaths and focus on your breathing to help reduce your anxiety. If possible, sit down and rest until the episode passes.

I have had episodes when travelling. I think it's because I'm not at home and can't just nip off to A&E if I wanted to - it's just that thought that triggers the stress. It will pass and you need to focus on that thought. Every time you feel panic coming on or bad thoughts use the 'click your fingers' trick. It sounds silly I know but just click your fingers and say to yourself the panic's gone. Do it every time it happens and watch that panic dissolve. We all have it when travelling so don't be alarmed - you are not alone.

Enjoy your holiday.

Paul

[Botolph in reply to Paulbounce]

Thank you Paul for that advice. I must say I haven’t heard of the clicking fingers approach but I’ll try it. At the moment the episode has passed and I start thinking I must deal with it better next time but, as you know, it’s not that easy when my head’s in another dimension, or I’m feeling a bit dizzy, and certainly not my usual self. But I’ll give it a try next time. I’m grateful for all suggestions.

[LaceyLady in reply to Botolph]

feeling dizzy can be anxiety and not breathing rhythmically.

Breathing Exercise for P/AF

Find a comfortable chair, place feet on the ground, close your eyes, breathe normally.

Start by scrunching your toes, and let go.

Tense your calves, let go

Tense your bottom, let go

Tense your arms, let go

Then your hands and fingers, let go.

By doing this you can see and feel what tension and relaxation feels like.

Next, breathe in through your nose to expand your belly for the count of

6, hold the breath, breathe out of your mouth like you’re blowing through a straw for the count of 8.

Keep doing the breathing for as long as you wish to help relaxation.

You need to concentrate on the process which can stop you from thinking about

Your P/AF

©️Angela Rawlins

[Botolph in reply to LaceyLady]

will certainly try this next time. Thank you

[OzJames]

hi maybe if your not sure call into one of the major hospitals in NZ the medical system may crossover with UK and Australia being part of The Commonwealth. The medical set up like Australia is of a high standard

[Botolph in reply to OzJames]

I’m not really near any major hospitals being two hours away from Auckland. Although to be honest I have considered it but I’m not sure they would be able to tell me much except to see it through. But thank you for the suggestion.

[OzJames in reply to Botolph]

I highly recommend the book Breath by James Nestor it’s helped me be in control of my breathing which in turn has helped me relax

[Ppiman]

Panic increases the heart rate, so will worsen the subjective feelings the AF creates. If you get any chest discomfort with your arrhythmia, as I can, then that increases anxiety. Also, how you feel overall will likely depend not only on the heart rate but also how efficient it is (both at rest and at the higher rate). The heart is often inefficient when racing with no physical demand but this varies by individual. Less efficient means your body will not get quite the oxygen it needs and so tiredness, chest discomfort or feelings of mild breathlessness (and increased anxiety - a vicious circle...) can be the result.

Steve

[Botolph in reply to Ppiman]

thank you for explaining this. It won’t help me now but perhaps when I get home I ought to enquire about relaxation classes.

[Ppiman in reply to Botolph]

And maybe see if things that might "pull" at your heart might be setting things off - kneeling, stretching, climbing stairs, eating, sitting and such like.

Controlling cardiac anxiety is very difficult indeed as I was told that it is almost a natural reaction to any disturbance in the rate and rhythm, set off by racing or palpitations. My doctor even suggested that the several so-called panic attacks I’ve had in my life were more likely anxiety attacks

I think the best way to reduce anxiety is to get medical reassurance from a cardiologist or GP that the problem is not ever going to lead to anything worse - which it wont!

Steve

[Botolph in reply to Ppiman]

Thanks Steve. Sometimes I feel it’s when I’m on a long car journey, which I have been as a passenger here, so I might need more stops and a bit of exercise every now and then. But why that happens sometimes and not more often is another question altogether.

[Ppiman in reply to Botolph]

I think sometimes a certain feeling takes hold of the mind and grows nigh on uncontrollably to bring us to feel as if we’re about to die or something (the so called feeling of “impending doom”).

Steve

[Botolph in reply to Ppiman]

Are you trying to cheer me up? It’s not so much impending doom but a feeling of disorientation as if I’m developing something like dementia (which might be even worse). But it’s panic really and all the replies here have certainly helped me find a way to limit that response.

[Ppiman in reply to Botolph]

😳 It’s traditionally called that:

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sen...

Steve

[Botolph in reply to Ppiman]

I shall think on these replies when it next happens, so thank you.🙃

[LaceyLady]

Hi, I’ve just been to Grenada, first time so far in 3-4 years - Covid etc but also diagnosed in this period with PAF, occasional Atrial flutter AND T2 diabetes 😭 and recently Haemochromatosis!! The flights about 8 hrs and when we arrived we’d been up about 20 hours. I woke after couple hrs with heart going fast. So, hubs gets me 2 soft drinks bottles from the fridge and I put one under each armpit. I’ve found this to help via the vagus nerve that runs up each side and then quieten my mind by breathing slowly in through nose , hold, then slowly through pursed lips as blowing a candle out.

Eventually I went to sleep and rhythm went back. I feel it was because I was well over tired.

[Botolph in reply to LaceyLady]

I must say I haven’t heard of the bottles from the fridge under the armpit but anything’s worth trying. And I definitely must try and continue with the breathing techniques which a few here have recommended. Thank you.

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

Hi

If you are near Northland go and see Dr Brandon Wong who practises privately. Take your full history. He will look after you.

I was referred to him after DHB specialist fell in service. Control is at the top of your list. I know others he treated correctly and controllinf their circumstances.

cheers JOY. (NZ)

Let me know if you shud want his phone number.

[Botolph in reply to JOY2THEWORLD49]

I’m hoping I won’t need a doctor but it’s worth knowing who’s available with the necessary knowledge. Thank you.

[TopsyJones]

This also happened to me when I was in New Zealand at the beginning of a 2 month stay. I’m glad to say that with taking the same extra medication as when at home, the symptoms stopped after 3 hours. I had no more symptoms after this. I put it down to being over tired with the jet lag. I’m sure you’ll be fine , as I was.

[TonyB1972]

Hi, just remember it's still your mind and body just in a different location. It doesn't matter where you are physically YOU are in control of your body. Don't let fear ruin your holiday.

[Botolph in reply to TonyB1972]

yes I must try and remember everyone’s good advice.