AF

[Russ1961]

AF episodes on beta blockers and anticoagulant meds, keep thinking about my ticker all the time causing me stress. Need to find coping skills.

[Nanne]

Yup really hard to to become obsessed with listening /watching heart beat. Is it a recent diagnosis? I find it worse in bed at night when I can 'hear' my heartbeat through the mattress and have to turn on my back. Best thing I find is to keep busy and focussed on something else which I know is really hard when the heart's got other ideas. Talk to your heart nurse/cardiologist and see what they suggest. May be your doses need titrating

[Russ1961 in reply to Nanne]

Hi Nanne, yes only diagnosed probably last week. Feeling very raw, getting panic attacks as well. I'm hoping visit to cardiologist next week will shed more light. But it is great hear people's views and experience, helps to ease my mind . Thank you.

[netie54 in reply to Nanne]

My husband had exactly the same. He became very anxious with it. He eventually saw a cardiac CBT nurse who helped enormously. It took quite some time to get used to it though.

[Russ1961 in reply to netie54]

Thank you Netie54, what great help his forum is, just the few replies that have had today have all really helped settle my anxiety down thank you.

[HarryBell]

I had an AF episode some 2 years ago, beta blocker and blood thinners- I cut out alcohol completely and all caffeine, kept exercising while monitoring my heart rate (keeping it below 100 bpm) and eating the best diet possible. No more episodes, also it is good to take up meditation for a few minutes a day. Do you have frequent episodes?

[Russ1961 in reply to HarryBell]

Hi Harry, very rare on and off over a number of years, but not clinically classed as AF now had two long episodes 4 weeks apart. I need to work out a coping strategy. Thank you for the advice.

[netie54 in reply to Russ1961]

Yes mediation is very effective if you can do it. There are lots of sites you can down load on your phone. You need to relax which isn't easy when your constantly thinking about your heart. Keep busy and do thing and go places if you can get.your mind thinking of other things

I

Good luck

[Russ1961 in reply to netie54]

Thank you so much

[jimmyq]

You could have a look around for local support groups. Talking about it with fellow sufferers can be a big help.

[Russ1961 in reply to jimmyq]

Thanks Jimmyq, good idea. Just been my GP good guy really helped put my mind at ease.

[jimmyq in reply to Russ1961]

Good! Worrying is not a good thing to do when you have heart disease.

[Nanne in reply to jimmyq]

Takes time to come to terms with a new diagnosis. The worry does reduce over time

[Russ1961 in reply to Nanne]

Yes each day I seem better , and when i relax more and worry the palpitations stop as well. I'm very lucky that my GP will spend time explaining that I'm still fit and healthy. I will say it again this forum in a only a couple days has really helped me.