I just wondered if anyone had experienced any psychological problms after a HA and if so when and did it go away. I the past few days I have experience some really odd and scary things going on my head. It is very hard to expain but a little light madness, where I can shift thoughts.
I blame stress as the main cause of my heart attack and some of that has to do with the news of today that is all bad, 100%. All the music I listern to is from now dead artists, comdey and films all dead guys and depression quickly sets in. I watched a documentary on the Travelling Wilburys last night..... There is also a lot of bad news that I read on this forum and I write some of it.
This has becoame like a downward spiral and coupled with my recent regular chest pains, it is rather disturbing.
If anyone has any answers out there I would be very grateful.
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Khonkaen
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Unfortunately I can't help you with your questions but thought you might like to know that there is an anxiety & depression forum on HU that may be help to you.
The other side of your thoughts maybe should concentrate on the positives like Sir Paul McCartney is still with us (Good/ Bad you decide ) There are 1000s of people living with serious Heart Conditions well into their 70s/80s OK some die younger some are becoming much much older than used to be the case so that's positive.
I tend to work on the basis of every day that I wake up is a Good Day because I don't consider the Alternative to be a Viable Option !!
I may be a little flippant but I do understand that people do have Serious Psychological Issues living with Heart Related Problems. There are Psychologists who specialise in Coronary related issues who can be accessed through the NHS.
I suppose at the end of the day it's how you feel Physically that drives the Psychological thought process I wish you well in sorting it out !!
Also, can I make one small suggestion? If you're reading a lot of bad news on the forum which you're writing down, it's obviously affecting you so maybe take a break from the forum for a few days?
I often think that emotional maturity helps when living with chronic illness(es).
EM does not automatically "occur" only because we got older.
You gain it. You certainly have cultivated it successfully.
Very inspiring posts. I, of course knew there was a woman behind you pushing you on, us woman do that 😂 love your reference to Kalamazoo, my dad used to sing that a lot & now it's stuck in my head, along with the yellow rose of texas, it was a very musical (🤔) household!
My wife (Si) has been a brick through all this and she feels everything I feel, which actually saddens me. I read most of the posts on this forum and realise there are many much worse off than me and that makes me feel guilty.
I need to get out there among the sick and needy, which I hope to do when I get back to Thailand later this week. The Thais don't seem to complain much compared with us westerners (like me), I know some groups out there all with cancer and/or diabetes, many greatly weakened from it, who need my help. Even if it is just talking to them, they like the attention from foreigners out there and I get the benefit of their huge smiles. They have no bloody idea what I am talking about.......
One of the Buddhist "truths" is helping others and how theraputic it is, both at the time and the resultant memories.
I have a pickup truck out there which holds quite a few (27 one time ha ha), so rides will get them out of their village surroundings, maybe to a big Buddhist temple and some to the local hospital.
I will post some pictures on this forum, anyway thanks for your replies, it is nice to know I have some friends out there to cheer me up.
It is getting on for 7 months since my HA and haven't had panicattacks for like 5 months, but yesterday felt really strange, panic attack maybe, just something odd and very scarey?
Looked into meditation and couldn't figure it out, I think my mind it too erratic "erratic" a word that appeared on every single school report. Nothing changes I guess.
Keeping busy, is a must, but it hasn't been happening lately and I am so dog-gone tired, I need a pickmeup, "a quick burst on me banjo" as Ked Dodd put it.
I am going for a blood test tomorrow see if I have a deficiency of some kind.
Totally know what you're saying. I had a few months where my head was fuzzy and remembering things was hard. I've also had to contend with an inner monologue (that I've now beaten off) that was telling me I was going to die everytime I did certain things or wore certain clothes. It's not pleasant. There is help out there and talking about it helps too. You've been through a massive shock so it's no surprise that more than one of your major organs was affected. But you will be OK 😊
Ouch! That tough, a voice telling your are going to die. Mine was just a feeling of madness, but my daughter, who did a degree in psychology says that if you think you are mad you can't be. Anyway that came and went and like "Cool Hand Luke" I am trying to get my mind right.
I try to watch good movies every night, like "Shirley Valantine" and "A Good Year" instead of the rest of the violent stuff I have on my two hard drives. I watch Brexit as little as possible and just look at the sport on BBC.
I sllep a little better then, which apart from stress, is the other reason for my HA, My wife often sooths me to sleep with "Sort mut asahn" a buddist chant. I am beginning to learn the words, so much for my Thai after 10 years.
Since I had my HA in May I too suffered from anxiety, mostly it was because of the unknown, and what happens next etc. but my forum name suggests I am lucky to still be alive and I have a great team looking after me, and a brilliant family spurring me on. I hope you soon feel better and can look forward to a great future.
I think most people go through a negative patch after HA. However each day is a bonus after the initial event. The cardiac rehab programme seems to recognise this and looks at mental attitude before and after. Interaction with professionals and other people in the same boat does help and education about the condition helps understanding and I strongly recommend that programme. It helped put evetthing into context. Hope everything goes well.
The best solution is to see a psychologist. They can offer professional strategies to cope with the emotional impact of heart events and surgeries. I saw one and she saved me from falling into depression. Good luck with your recovery.
I think your current position relates more to clinical depression than heart attack problems - however our own mortality has clearly knocked at our door and can make one morbid and forget to keep in touch with reality, wallowing in our own self pity and fear for the future.
Part of this depression and mortality relates to how short we have on this beautiful planet. It also covers (for me) a total feeling of amazement when looking at a film of WW 1, that everyone in the film is dead - and now, a large percentage of those that served in WW2 are passing away. All those thoughts, good people, families etc. In reality, I guess many people have had these thoughts but they pass as natural progression and as we all move towards our three score years and ten allotted limit (thankfully out of date info) we think of our own lives and weigh up whether we have had a good fruitful life.
All of these issues is, I believe quite normal - as long as we do not dwell in the past and look forward to the future. If these symptoms you discuss are overwhelming, then you must talk to your doctor since that is not a healthy place to be and clearly need some support.
Have no fears about the future, you are now into a system that does not like to let go of patients if they are not getting better and will look after you, of that you have no concerns - HOWEVER you have a responsibility to make the most of your new found health and will have to follow guidelines spoken about by your cardiac team who are/were looking after you, which you must follow and part of that promise is to keep positive.
So bottom line, go to your doctor and be as honest as you have been here and they are bound to help and make you feel better. We all die, its inevitable and unimportant - its how we live that will be remembered. You will be fine, just go to your doctor and knock off the film watching for a bit - it triggers your morbid thoughts - believe me I know!
First of all don't mention four score years and ten, that gives me less than two years...ha ha!
Didn't have a team and zero aftercare, apart from Youtube and that is full of contradictions which require careful analysis to arrive at where I am, which is??? BuggadifIknow.
I have no TV so cant watch trivia even if I wanted to, so my only evening entertainment are my 300 videos, but have been looking at the happy ones which does help, especially with sleep.
On this rollercoaster I just have to look forward to the up slopes.
Yes. I have suffered psychological problems. Mainly to do with hallucinations while on ventilator for 8 days post valve replacement. They have lessened but it is now nearly two years. I did have some counselling (waste of time). Also antidepressants. GP diagnosed PTSD which I decided was an insult to soldiers. Basically walking my dog, good friends and acceptance. I am still having panic attacks at every twinge but I can now recognise the panic attacks and my husband can talk me down.
It just takes time. I don't sleep well but can calm down in the night with music and books.
Also (this will not work for everyone) I have a small, fluffy dog who now sleeps in my bedroom and doesn't mind me calming myself by stroking him even at four in the morning. We have been known to go out and look at the sky at various times of night.
Take any support you can get because you don't know what will work for you.
Excellent reply. On two occasions many years ago when I was under a lot of pressure, I had tunnel vision for a couple of hours. The first time it was weird/scary and then I looked it up, so the second time it was, well interesting.
We live half the year in Portugal and half in Thailand, but we are going to get a dog in Portugal next year, perhap a rescue mut. For stroking, talking and walking. We have a friend here who has two other dogs and he will keep him/her when we are not there.
Maybe in the future we will spend more time in Portugal, going to Thailand just for the winter. But I should make plans that far ahead, it always jumps up and bites me in the ass.
Make plans. I do. Have booked two holidays for next year. Also have planned a large celebration for our 50 years of marriage. Booked it a year ago and now it is six weeks away.
Plan for the future.
I never expected to have a dog in my seventies but he has opened a whole new way of life for me.
Personally I have never had a dog, we had dogs and cats when I was a kid and my parents always had one or often both. I have often looked after other people's dogs and they are great company, plus we have a campervan we tour Europe in, so the dog can come with us.
I used to plan a lot and enjoyed doing it, but am holding off until my one year is up, which will coincide with us being back here in Portugal.....damn I said I don't plan!!!
The fact that you've recognised you have an issue, and chosen to open up to complete strangers about it is a huge step in the right direction.
There's nothing insignificant about having an MI/HA - it's a life-changing event. The four I had over 3 days at the age of 38 have changed a lot about me physically AND mentally. I now have PTSD and anxiety attacks so severe I end up in A&E because I literally think I'm having another MI and am going to die - the PHYSICAL symptoms are that real - only to be discharged several hours later, with my heart still in tact.
Prior to my MI's I thought of myself as mentally and emotionally tough - but ever since I've never felt so weak at times. I suffered with clinical depression in my teens and mid-20's, but never had anxiety (that I was aware of). But being "so young" (that's what everyone always says when they find out I've had MI's) with the prospect of not seeing my 40th birthday has become very sobering - and terrifying.
But, all the tests keep showing my recovery was mostly successful (went through cardiac rehab, given all clear by cardiologist, echo a year later and bloods are all good) - I mean, my heart almost died 4 times, it's never going to be 100% ever again, right? Owing to that, I've sought help for my new mental issues, and have been assessed and referred for CBT - I really hope they can sort me out so I can get on with my life. I'm "so young", and still have a lot to live for and achieve, after all.
4 MIs that's tough, but age is on you side in terms of recovery, do you have a lot to occupy your mind, this is one of my problems. I dreaded the idea of retirement and thought I could be a kid forever, ride motorcycles, adventure trips, not burning the candle at both ends in bars, but living a fun filled life.
I want to get back to that and will try so hard to do so, I will eat with relish anything that will improve my chances and would love to cut down on my meds when I am told I can.
There is a woman who lives next to me in Thailand who has had major cancer since I met her 12 years ago, she has a huge amount of willpower and faith in self cure and so far there has been no deteriation in her condition.
I greatly improved my osteoarthritis with a digestive enzyme suppliment and eating tropical fruits that contained high levels of DE, like guarva, mango, papaya and pineapple core.
Like me you have to take comfort in the good results you are getting.
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Echocardiogram shows left ventricular systolic dysfunction, 19 year old female
No pain 
Stent at 35 another one due 3yrs later, anyone else have experiences of Heart disease at young age that medication/lifestyle haven’t stopped
Wow! Major psychological barrier smashed.
Beta blockers causing problems?
