Struggling!!!!!

[Chanelle83]

I haven't been on in awhile. I had a heartattack in june. My depression and anxiety has really gotten very bad. I have drs and counselors but i don't feel like myself and wonder if i ever will. I am 55 and have several illnesses,asthma,rheumatoid arthritis, tachycardia, depression,panic and ptsd and slight agoraphobia. I am afraid to be alone or go anywhere alone. I am so ashamed to admit that. I use to to work parttime,raised 4 kids, took care of my elderly parents and my sister who was schophrenic and had cancer. I am married to wonderful man for 38 years. I am blessed in that way. I just feel all alone. sounds crazy i quess but since my parents died and both of my sisters,nothing feels normal to me. I have a older brother and hes had 3 heart attacks and hes burdened down in so many ways that i dont want to add to his stress. I have to take so many meds and the side effects are horrible. I was diagnosed with diviticulitis and a sinus infection and put on 2 different antibiotics on thursday. I feel like a walking pharmacy with all the heart meds and antidrepressants,phenegran. I am trying to keep pushing ahead but somedays all i can do is put one foot in front of the other. Everything is so stessful and it feels likea up hill battle all the time. Has anyone got any advice? Are these feelings normal after a heart attack? It was caused by my blood pressure being so high and i was seeing my dr and on meds then. Please pray for me. I am under a lot of stress,my husband lost his job due to covid and we lost our health coverage too, I just feel so overwhelmed.

[Hidden]

That’s a lot to deal with. Sorry I don’t have much experience/ advice on your health difficulties to share with you but of course, 🙏 prayers! 🙂

[Agora1]

Hi Chanelle, it is very normal to feel the emotions you are having after a heart attack.

It takes time to come to terms. The American Heart Association sponsors support groups

as well as Cardio Rehab sessions and I believe that HealthUnlocked also has a cardiac support site .

Right now you need both physical healing as well as mental healing. It's time to work on

relaxation methods in helping you with your anxiety and depression. In 55 short years you

have been a caregiver to many and now it's your time to take care of you.

I'm glad you came back on this site. It's important Chanelle that you don't feel alone at this time. We truly care and are here to listen and to understand. xx

[Kamp2020]

I'm so sorry. My husband had a heart attack at Xmas and is having carotid surgery on the 8th of October. I too have lots of health issues and he just doesn't understand why I'm so down. I take lots of meds myself and feel like a walking pharmacy. My therapist has helped lots by having me journal. I've also taken up dot art which for me is very relaxing. I also make a short to do list each evening for the next day. Hang in there and I will pray for you as well

[Vickyjean]

I have a fear of being alone as well. You are welcome to message me. Are you able to exercise to help the stress reduce? There is on YouTube called The Anxiety guy you can check out.

[zonarosso]

As a heart attack (and 5 bypasses) survivor, my experience was that the emotional healing is harder that the physical healing. Both of these experiences were so powerful that it took me awhile to understand how I had changed forever-in a good way. Before my heart attack (at 30 years old) I was a type A, do everything, fix everything, crazy person. I lived by pushing myself to prove I was worthy. In short, I was killing myself with our American 'protestant work ethic'. I came pretty close to succeeding! A near death experience has a way of changing one's priorities and how you look at yourself and the world. On the way home from my bypass surgery (at 40 years old) I completely broke down at how beautiful it was to just be alive. To JUST be alive. To notice the wonder of the things around me that previously I hadn't. T o look at my wife and be totally grateful for the universe's gift of her. It was I had put different glasses on. I was, maybe for the first time in my life, grateful. I believe that I was given another chance to love me instead of relying on others love and praise. I could be content without ANY external sources. I'm 63 now and still living life with gratitude as the most important thing in my life. I've learned to accept help! A man! Accepting help! LOL. I've learned to shed the deeply ingrained behaviours from my childhood and past. I take time for me and concentrate on doings things that make me happy. I keep my head straight and have eliminating anyone or anything that causes me 'grief'. My heart problems were a gift. A gift to me. The experiences changed me from a selfish person to a person who always leads with love, and accepts love unconditionally. The fear from the heart attack will subside over time. Appreciated every day your eyes open. God has given you another chance. Get your anti-depression meds dialed in. Put your health first. Ask for and accept help without guilt. Whatever your faith, realize the that power is there for you to rely on for help. I often go out at night and talk to God/The Universe. The great power of every living and passed thing that are all connected together. Use that power to help you. Say out loud what you need at that moment. And don't forget to say thank you when good things happen. I wish you the best health and happiness. Hope is a powerful thing. Search for tiny bits of it and start building the new 'you'. Love and Peace. Jim from Wisconsin