Anxiety

Hi

67 years old had a heart attack 10 months ago, on the regular heart medication my constant problems are mental issues so been put on Sertraline antidepressant,starting with half a tablet for 10 days then tomorrow the full tablet been tired after coming home from only a 2mile walk always feel rubbish when I get home this seems so unormal take it at night so wouldn't think it would be a problem any suggestions welcome

[DCIHarry]

Sorry to hear this.

This is more common than you might imagine, but like many brits we don't openly talk about it.

In my personal experience, my biggest challenge post heart attack and surgery (9 months ago) has been mental - primarily health anxiety.

Following my episode, my brain (and ultimately my body) became hyper sensitive to any form of pain and automatically lept to the conclusion that I was about to have another heart episode. Panic naturally followed. I wasn't and I was fine, but it scared the hell out of me, to the point where I wouldn't go outside or exercise, which is a vital part of any heart patients recovery.

My GP also wanted me to take Setraline, but I refused. I am not anti-medications, but I quite simply didn't want to add yet another drug to the existing "cocktail" of heart related medications, that are causing several side effects I can do without.

I instead managed to get onto a course of counseling sessions which have helped me recovery tremendously. They taught me how to recognise the symptoms/problems and gave me some tips and tricks to help overcome them.

Will I ever be 100% well again - only time will tell, but what it has done is given me the confidence and ability to take up exercise again, and the two together have resulted in me feeling so much better.

So from my personal experience a combination of talking to trained professionals (and trusted friends), using coping mechanisms like CBT, exercise and taking the time to heal are what have helped me.

I hope sharing my experience with you helps.

[Hidden in reply to DCIHarry]

Hi

Thanks for your support i haven't had any support from the cardiac support that was supposed to happen Covid saw to that but I do have a check up this month at my hospital ecg etc with the cardiac team my chance to talk with them I hope also now told that I have a exercise assessment for early November so let's see how that all goes cbt yes thanks will look at

Take care

[DCIHarry in reply to Hidden]

Glad to be of help.

What should have happened at discharge was that you should have been assigned to a cardiac rehab program/team, probably based in your local community - but as you said, COVID got in the way.

As a tip, I think you should ask about that and get one one. Even if you can't physically get to one, the local cardiac nurses (who in my experience are fantastic and better than any GP, because they are specialists in this field) can help guide you to recovery over the phone.

Good luck with your appointments

[Hidden in reply to DCIHarry]

Thanks

[AdamAdamant]

Hi there. I have been on setraline on and off for several years. It is widely reported, and is my experience, that for two weeks you feel worse than before you started and then things start to get better. Coupling them with beta-blockers recently the downside for me has been wanting to sleep far too much - will be discussing with GP next week.

[Hidden in reply to AdamAdamant]

Thanks would agree always tired been taking half a tablet now 10 days tonight onwards a whole tablet hope things do start to improve

Take care