Constant anxiety and insomnia with AFib. Help needed.

[DizzyD]

It's a vicious cycle of more health issues being diagnosed, on top of prexisting ones, such as hypothyroidism, adrenal insufficiency, mitral valve disease and most recently new diagnosis of AFib.

Hypothyroidism causes insomnia, as does high cortisol levels at night which I have, hence increased anxiety. Now AFib also causes anxiety which is a medical fact.

Bloody heck, apart from adrenal insufficiency which is not being treated, all other diagnosed conditions are being treated but the insomnia and anxiety is totally being ignored.

The insomnia and anxiety is detrimental to all of my existing health conditions so I am sinking further into Dante's Inferno.

Does anyone on this site have any suggestions as to what I could do about the anxiety and insomnia from a medical perspective?

Really would appreciate some feedback.

Have a rewarding day.

[jon22]

Hi. Sorry to hear what you are going through. Insomnia and anxiety affects every aspect of what you do and I know as if I get 5 or 6 hours sleep at night I think I have done well. I have tried many things from apps to CBT. Each thing has helped to some extent but the underlying insomnia remains. After my 6 months of CBT I said I was getting better just to bring things to a conclusion as I felt for my therapist !

I have now decided to retire from a stressful job and I am hoping this coupled with exercise , grandchild on the way and the end of Covid will do the trick.

So I suggest the app ‘calm’ is useful as is routine of going to bed and getting up at the same time plus the usual no laptops / phone use before bed , soothing bath etc. All helps a little.

I also try not to worry too much about not sleeping but recognise this is a worry in itself. !

I did learn that many others do suffer but n the same way so we are not alone !

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

[DizzyD in reply to jon22]

Hi jon22, sincere thank you for your most welcome reply. Like yourself I have done most of the things you suggested to alleviate stress, including not taking my hyper active dog out anymore. Causes me too much stress cos I have not got the energy I used to have and AFib symptoms flare up.

As for the CBD oil, a recent investigation which involved testing the oil revealed that there was no therapeutic gains at all. Programme concluded people were caught up in the hype and were wasting there money. Having said that the real medicinal CBD which cannot be purchased in UK would help without doubt. Cost about £140 for small bottle. This was also researched on the same programme. The con with inferior oil is based on true success of real quality medicinal oil.

Despite doing all the correct practical things for reducing stress the erratic heart beats in bed, along with discomfort in chest keeps me awake. Same for high cortisol stress hormone which I have no control over due to adrenal insufficiency.

Thing is too live in the solution not the problem but I can't fix the adrenal problem until the heart problems have been sorted. I plan to request surgery for mitral valve disease and AFib which I am prepared to pay for. Hope this is possible!

Yeah I do worry specifically about the detrimental effect anxiety and insomnia is having on my already damaged body. I would kill for 5 to 6 hours sleep. But hey, I might try some real cannabis. Just a thought. Could put it to my GP and see what he says?????

Yeah this site is brilliant. So many suffering and caring people, like yourself, who freely give help and support.

Thanks a million. So sorry you had to give up you job but end of day health must come first.

Will keep you posted.

Many thanks

[Pearipile-55 in reply to DizzyD]

incearca melatonina, nu are efect secundar, nu dezvolta toleranta.Efectul se vede treptat trebuie putina rabdare.Sper sa iti fie de folos.

[Gillymaccy]

Same here