Spiralling with panic

[kaspadalle]

Is it possible to live a long full life with Cardiomyopathy. I feel so anxious and ill. I have no symptoms and before I was told I felt awesome since taking ramipril to bring down rediculously high blood pressure.

I googled everything like everyone does and it wad all lights out before Christmas but when I speak to the Doctors they are very enthusiastic that It can be managed as I am 33, symptomless and only feel bad when I start to panic. I asked if it was failure and the Dr said it was more a heart anomoly

I dont know where to start but want to see my neice grow up and have kids of my own but all of this seems unlikely now. Im not greedy another 40 years will do me.

[stevejb1810]

Hi. Have a look at the two links attached. Hopefully they will at least ease your spiralling panic.

bhf.org.uk/heart-health/con...

cardiomyopathy.org/

[SarahNeale]

Hi

I am 34 and was diagnosed with Dilated cardiomyopathy in 2004. My consultant at the time gave me the stats of 50% survive 5 years and then only a further 25% survive a further 5!

I was terrified at the beginning and then I decided to beat those odds! To be honest I have since been told that those stats are totally wrong anyway!

If you are symptomless and coping well at the moment apart from the panic then I would imagine you have plenty of time ahead of you to do wonderful things in life.

In terms of the panic I found it helped to talk about it with someone. Maybe some CBT therapy can help you retrain your brain to stay calm when you are feeling anxious?

I really hope that you can start to feel calmer soon as anxiety and panic are not nice feelings. I’m here if you ever want to talk.

Sarah xxx

[Helen_BHF]

Hi kaspadalle , how are you doing? If you'd like to speak to someone about this please do give the BHF heart helpline a call: bhf.org.uk/heart-health/how... Our cardiac nurses will be happy to listen.

Really hope you feel better soon

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

I have been critical of Dr Google a number of times. Remember much of the information is out of date or incorrect. Treatments are changing the whole time and outcomes improving. Nobody knows how long anyone will live exactly (unless they are an executioner). One prime example is Stephen Hawking. At 21 he was given two years. However, he went on to become one of the greatest minds ever and, despite problems along the way, is now 76.

Listen to your medical team and be positive! It is probably worth a chat with the BHF nurses.

[laura_dropstitch Heart Star]

Just wanted to reiterate my comments on your other post, in case anyone else is reading this looking for advice/reassurance.

Google paints a very grim picture and most of what it tells you DOES NOT APPLY. Get all your information from your own medical professional if possible. They will give you more accurate information (saves you worrying about things you don't need to) and they have never told me anything as scary as Google. The reason Google is so inaccurate is that there are many factors affecting your prognosis (geographical location, ethnic background, lifestyle, age, your specific heart problem...) and because information becomes quickly out-of-date due to amazing research and resulting advances in treatment.

Please, please, please ask your doctor any questions you have, or phone the BHF Heart Helpline and talk to them. Fearing the worst is not going to help you come to terms with your diagnosis at all and, while worrying is a natural response to this sort of news, it's not helpful to worry about things that may not even apply. Hope you get some answers and feel better about it all soon x

[clarehealsworldwide]

Yes, my mother lived to be 80 with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. I've inherited the same from her & i'll be 71 next week....taking a few pills daily but managed to walk over 4 miles in the impacted snow yesterday with my marvellous snowboots & a sturdy walking stick.

Maybe you will find doing some relaxation or meditation exercises can help you feel better about your situation. They have helped me for many years & ive been teaching them for many years to help other people too.

[Leeyax58]

Hello kaspa, I had the same for over 25 years but finally had heart transplant, I would say for all them years it varied over different times but I would was say about 90% what I was before it happened in 1993

Lee