antidepressant

[Rdiehl01]

my doctor wants to me try lexapro to help with my terrible anxiety which worsens my palpitations….anyone else on here taken lexapro or any other antidepressant that has helped them? If so what is your experience with them and recommendation?

[Iamfuzzyduck]

Are you taking a beta blocker? It is just that three of my close family members took Lexapro for anxiety, and then different SSRIs, SNRIs, benzos etc. Two of them now take propranolol instead which really helps their heart palpitations linked to anxiety. On a side note, if there is any history whatsoever of bipolar disorder in your family, proceed with caution with SSRis.

[secondtry]

In your shoes I would be doing every alternative to more pills that I can think of.

On initial AF diagnosis and with all the tests and a steep learning curve plus not least my tendencies, I was high anxiety borderline therapy. My cardiologist suggested a therapist - I attended 6 sessions.

I also did a lot of self help: reduced stress on all fronts, took up a new hobby always wanted to play basketball since school, also the drums, increased prayer, more and closer to Nature daily walks whilst breathing slower, reduced news programmes and no crime thrillers in the evening.

[LindaDaisy]

When my AF was paroxysmal, the hospital recommended I try a low dose anti depressant as they thought anxiety was one of my triggers. After research by a pharmacist friend she recommended Sertraline. I take 50mg and I think it helps. I have had counselling but finding the right counsellor is not easy.

[Garaidh]

Hello!I can empathise with you. Anxiety is unquestionably provocative for tachycardia... with me, it comes and goes - but I do have one med that is immensely helpful. It's called Loprazolam (triazulenone - think called Dormonoct in some places) and it's a very (notably) short acting drug that calms quickly, very effectively, and also has helpful muscle relaxant properties.

I know docs can be reluctant prescribe benzos, as almost a reflex action, but the formulations are quite different to each other, and as long as taken with care, this one has been a lifesaver.

I've had it on hand for perhaps 20 years.

I've never had to increase the dose.

It's prevented / recovered many a tachy / SVT attack / threatening situation, so much so that I very rarely have one.

I've still had Afib, and they are not an Afib preventative at all, but do calm if I get a breakthrough episode.

I take a low dose of Flecainide and Bisoprolol, both lower than I'd manage without Loprazolam. There's no contraindications.

Bisoprolol has a much more long lasting "drag" effect, although of course it can work well on heart rate, and Flecainide for me is a double edged sword! It helps at a low dose but at a higher dose I'm more likely to get SVT. So, anything that helps me keep these meds at a low dose is a real boon.

I accept that it would be ideal to get by without any drugs, and that in general all benzos get a bad reputation - but I am living, healthy proof that they can be hugely helpful and I've no side effects of which I'm aware.

My own Drs and EP have no probs with me being on it as they see how hard I work to keep my situation healthy - I don't drink, I exercise, eat healthily, and plan to keep on working for another decade. If I had nothing to help me with anxiety, I couldn't manage and it's that simple!

Best of luck 😊

[Auriculaire]

If you don't already take it I would try a magnesium supplement first. It can help to reduce palpitations and anxiety and has no potential for the nasty side effects you can get from SSRIs not least of which can be very bad withdrawal symptoms if you wish to come off.

[DKBX]

Anti-anxiety meds and practices are all good adjuncts for lowering stress triggers, IMHO. Good luck finding the right ones.

For me, it’s yoga, TaiChi, nature walks, Gabapentin, kava, and cannabis tea. The last two are legal in some states in the US (but not in the UK?).

[AustinElliot]

I have taken Xanax (alprazolam) on and off for years. I first took it shortly after my dad passed and I was suddenly a care giver for my relatively young mom.

I started taking 1/2 tabs when I got super anxious, and a second 1/2 tab if it did not get rid of the anxiety, normally it is super quick.

Originally I was scared of getting dependent and felt ashamed/worried about taking a drug for anxiety. I have managed it just like an aspirin, taking it only when I really needed it. I made one prescription last about 7 years.

With the AF diagnosis a year ago, I started taking it again. I asked my GP for a new refill instead of using the well expired one. I took it on and off for about 3 months until my anxiety relaxed. Now its back to 1/2 tab once every 3 or 4 months.

I do take a 1/2 tab when I have had an AF episode, and I feel it does wonders to take the edge off the episode.

I hope that helps some. Elliot

[Ppiman]

I think these SSRI drugs are now given in place of the benzodiazepine drugs that are out of favour. I reacted badly to them myself as did a friend, but, clarity they are popular.

I would most definitely try other treatments first, most especially, a “talking therapy” which has a similar success rate (armour 30-40% I believe). You can buy books on this so don’t need a therapist.

Anxiety is not an easy thing to cure, whatever way is tried and the overall success rates are, in my experience, rather poor - often little better than placebo.

I’m sorry that sounded a bit negative but it’s my experience over many years.

The friend who reacted badly is nite taking a drug called mertazapine, which I couldn’t get on with at all. It is helping his sleep a good deal. I’d say it has a better safety record than any SSRI. Also, if you have AF, be sure your doctor accounts for this whatever you end up taking.

I reiterate : non drug therapies can be just as successful and are inherently safe.

Steve

[BaileyC57]

I take zanax , just 0.25 mg and cut it in half , just when I need it! I tried lexapro but I felt terrible with taking it! It made me have the shakes , but I have a friend on it and she has been on it for years and likes it! We are all different!

[108cat]

This sounds unlikely but try deep slow breathing. The thing I found is if you practice this every day when not in Afib .. it can come to your aid when you are in Afib ...

If you're in Uk .. Dr Michael Moseley has a new podcast on BBC iplayer called 'deep calm' and the first episode is on breathing and explains the role of the vagus nerve, it's quite helpful. To calm Afib and calm anxiety I do much slower deeper breaths than he suggests in the programme but it's the same principle.

I think this approach and talking therapy is a good way to go - no side effects - and if I can control or minimise my anxiety it's a win win - it means I am in control not dependent on something outside myself.

sending my best wishes to you, I hope you find something that helps you ....