I have been a member of this group for a few years but don’t very often post. I feel I should apologise for being a “bad penny” only turning up when I need to.
My anxiety is currently off the scale, I can usually put it all into perspective but the darn thing is overtaking me.
In early October I had a bad Covid like (tested negative) cold /cough, I coughed solidly for two weeks until I really hurt myself. I think I must have damaged my chest and stomach muscles and as I have Osteoporosis broken yet another vertabrae. Currently awainig ex ray results to confirm. I have been in a lot of pain since then. Couple of weeks ago GP gave me pain patches, helped enormously at first but two days into the second week I had an unpleasant reaction. Whilst I was sat reading I had a real fainting episode and my heart rate ramped up to 130. My alive core told me I was in Tachycardia. It only lasted for about ten minutes but was still scary. It was on the Saturday before Christmas. We rang 111 twice only to be disconnected after about 29 mins wait each time. I decide to take off the patch. As I was feeling better we decided to wait and see. Got through Christmas and spoke to GP on Wednesday, he agreed it sounded like intolerance to patches. I’ve been in a state of high anxiety since though and I know this does not help Afib I’ve tried to do lots of self hypnosis and controlled breathing it help up to a point.
in May if this year I was also diagnosed with a leaky valve and Pulmonary Hypertension, consultant recommended a wait and see approach and said I would get a call back in 6 months for another echo and consultation. This of course never happened. I intend to contact consultant secretary after Christmas. This morning I got up fine and for the first time since October almost pain free, had my breakfast and suddenly went into Afib again.
To be honest I now don’t know if I’m anxious or angry or may just be getting depressed
I’m so sorry for this but I can’t talk to my husband he is so worried about me I can’t give him any more
I have only just seen this and I’m very concerned that you appear to have left the forum so it’s unlikely that you will see this reply. If you can, please try contacting the AF Patient Services team on 01789 867 502 or failing that, try talking to the Samaritans. Just having the opportunity to get things off your chest can help to see the wood from the trees. Maybe you have a family member or friend who can help you to find a way forward. I’m just sorry that we haven’t picked up your post quicker.
Please try and find a way to get back in touch………..
Hello, Hidden, I am so sorry for the "parade of horribles" you've been experiencing, and no need to apologize for not posting frequently--we all wax and wane, and we drop in more when things get desperate! I can imagine that terrible cough; while in Canada, I got infected by the wildfires & coughed for 6 weeks, and it triggered afib a couple of times. About the tachycardia, though it's extremely scary, it does seem as if that was a one-off, owing to the meds in the pain patch, and likely won't repeat.
One thing we do know: anxiety is a universal trigger for atrial fib episodes. I have FINALLY come to accept that I'll occasionally get episodes. As soon as I made my peace with that fact, I felt so much of the anxiety lift off of me. Now if AF starts, I just take 150 mg of flecainide and wait 1-3 hrs., while reading or working online.
How often do you have AF episodes, and do you have flecainide or anything else to stop it? If the fear of having an AF episode is a big part of your anxiety, having a med like flec in reserve can relieve a lot of anxiety.
Please post again and let us know what your consultant says about your leaky valve (very common) and pulmonary hypertension, and let him or her know about your other issues, esp. the AF and the anxiety. Give yourself permission to be at peace, and to know that there are many effective treatments today for everything you have described. Take one bite of the apple at a time! Prayers and best wishes, Diane
I am in AF all the time and I have anxiety all my life and this does not help AF but I cannot help it! I take Xanax a low dose but it helps! I have a leaky value also but said it was not life threating! I know how you feel!
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