New to site.

[Redkegs]

Hi, this is my first post so I'll introduce myself.Im 49 and had two stents fitted two years ago with on going medication. I'm struggling with my weight and sometimes anxiety about my condition. How do you find it best to cope with anxiety or panic attacks regarding your problems?

[Hidden]

Hello & Welcome

I am glad everything went well with your stents

I am also struggling with my weight but then I look and half the medication I take says can put you weight on which then makes me wonder

One medication that really puts you weight on that was not for my heart I can now start weaning of so hoping that might make a difference

Other than diet and exercise as long as you are doing that then I cannot really think of anything else you can do other than ask your Doctor maybe if they feel you are on any medications that could be preventing you losing weight

A diertrican could be something else to consider and again I think your Doctor can refer you to one

As for the anxiety well I was born anxious and then to go on and have 3 heart attacks and Bypasses which is nearly a year ago my anxiety is through the roof

I think it is quite common when we have had such a life changing event , it affects us emotionally and for some we lose confidence

Physically we have most of the answers what we need to do but mentally how it affects us there is a lack of support and I hope that is something that might change in time

You could look at Counselling , your Doctor could refer you or you could go private if you can afford it

Meditation , anxiety apps lot's of which are on youtube if you look can all help to a certain extent even though not a quick fix

I think sometimes knowing it is not only you even though you do not wish anyone else to feel this way can help and you are certainly not alone but ask for help let your loved ones Doctors all know how you are feeling the more support you can get the better

Of course you have found this Community now and have people that relate to you where you can come and talk x

[Redkegs in reply to Hidden]

Hi thanks for your reply. Yes I wonder about some of the meds and weight, also fatigue. I find now just feel permanently tired, my weight will have lot to do with it but I think its a factor. I also have had 6 months of recovering from a broken back after a car accident which has set my diet and fitness goals right back. Hopefully coming out the other side now though

[Hidden in reply to Redkegs]

Hello

I am sorry you have been through so much you must have felt pretty down at times because that is another thing that can make us eat a bit to much but obviously with you accident and back your mobility must have been poor even though you sound like you are getting back on your feet now

Set yourself a plan when it comes to food we know what is healthy and can even snack on healthy things and then slowly build up your exercise you will get there

If you lose a pound a week that is great but if at this moment you do not but anymore on that is what I would be focusing on as it is not easy to lose it but really easy to gain it

Still look into what support your Doctor can offer to help

Good Luck x

[Blackcatsooty]

Hello Redkegs

I use relaxation techniques. There are free monthly sessions at my local church and I go along every month.. they really do work. Maybe only a little, but that’s the start you need.

I have also paid for group sessions. That was the village hall. The instructor was just brilliant.

I bought myself a tinnitus relaxer. About £30. Mainly to get me off to sleep.

I have also edged my diet. Nothing dramatic, just to ensure my weight does not expand.

Exercise is important. Thatwasunexpected has outlined a good full on regime.

I started with a 15 minute walk six times a week.

The most important thing is to recognise what you need………….and you have already done that by joining this forum

Good luck on your journey

Sooty

[Redkegs in reply to Blackcatsooty]

Thanks Sooty for the advice. I'm starting to lean on other people for advice and support more do now. In the past I was the stiff upper lip kind and just get on with things. Realise now how silly that mindset is. Your walking is something that gave me a positive, again in my head I used to think I had to be running miles etc to make it count. Your 15 min daily walks sound about right to start with.

[Blackcatsooty in reply to Redkegs]

Well done Redkegs

It is essential to start exercise etc at some level, however little. It is so easy to put it off and then find one is in serious trouble.

I have always been fit, eg could walk six miles with ease, but with illness and age it can all suddenly go.

Good luck

Sooty

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Hello Redkegs,

I have to work hard to manage my stress as it one of the triggers of my angina.

I find breathing and relaxation techniques helpful.

Mindfulness Meditation, yoga and Tai Chi. Listening to music and podcasts.

Maybe try yoga nigra ? It's a

relaxation technique.

Takes about 20 minutes.

Exercise, I walk my dog between 3 and 4 miles a day.

I really want to go swimming again, but I am waiting to have a stress echocardiogram.

My garden, I have a fine crop of tomatoes and courgettes.

I found this free app helpful.

insighttimer.com/en-gb

Some people find singing in a choir, doing art or some other creative activity in which you can lose yourself in, helpful.

I hope you find a way to bring calm in your life soon.

[Redkegs]

Thanks your welcome and reply. I was a bit nervous about posting on here. I've been looking at couch to 5k and hopefully be allowed ot after I speak to my cardiac nurse in a few weeks. Impossible to get a gp appointment now. I used to be quite fit but 13 years of working shifts have took their toll! I will keep trying thank you

[Puffin1963 in reply to Redkegs]

I enjoy exercise and find it helps mentally enormously - as has already been said I've found the body is very much willing but the mind has taken some convincing that nothing untowards is going to happen ! As time goes on now I conquer these fears and now feel happy to try most things and push myself to go a bit further. If you are overweight and not very fit you have to start somewhere ....set yourself a little target and just keep pushing. I liken it to the early days of heart bypass recovery ....first target was getting to first lamppoost on my street, then to next and so on ...then round the block, then further..then up a slope and not avoiding inclines , then out on my own etc etc I think I am fitter now 5 months later than I have been for a long time. Again , I'll say start where you are, you can do this and I do believe you'll feel a lot better.

[Anon2023]

Hi. Welcome to the forum. I’m sorry that you are feeling so anxious and I can completely relate to what you are going through. I suffer from anxiety and depression, this is exacerbated by my health problems. I was referred to counselling by the cardiac team and perhaps you might find this helpful. The waiting list was about 2 months long but it depends on where you live. You should also be able to self refer to talking therapies and your gp surgery should be able to provide the number. Charities such as Mind may also offer counselling.

I’m terms of your weight, it can be a vicious cycle. I walk each day and I’m nearly finished cardiac rehab but when I’m anxious I crave sugary foods. I’ve cut down a lot but I don’t deprive myself of everything. I don’t drink or smoke or eat takeaways but I do have the occasional chocolate bar.

I find that it really helps to talk to others and people on this site have been very kind and informative. Although I wouldn’t wish heart problems upon anybody, it does help to know that you are not alone. Take care.

[Redkegs in reply to Anon2023]

Thanks for the advice, not meaning this in a bad way buy its comforting to know I'm not alone with these issues. In terms of gp help I have slim to no chance if seeing one these days, even by email but I will use all the platforms available to me to get back on an even keel.

[Anon2023 in reply to Redkegs]

Its terrible that you can’t contact your gp although I’m not surprised. I haven’t seen my own gp for 2 years despite 2 open heart surgeries. Follow up care for heart patients isn’t great and I’ve waited months to see the heart failure team. It’s not their fault it’s just the backlog from covid and the sheer volume of patients. You’ve had a hell of a time and you will get back on your feet but it’ll take time. Give yourself a break and just post on here if you need help. 😊

[HomerJSimpson]

Hi, welcome to this amazing forum. I had my attack in May last year and 2 stents made I to 1 long one. I found I was anxious a lot of the time. What made my anxiety worse after was that my HA was exceptionally mild, I had no pain whatsoever with it, just a couple of sensations, so whenever I got a slight twinge I kept thinking I was having another. I went back to A&E a couple of times but it was all good. I feel my anxiety all but went when I was actually able to get back to work properly. I work for the ambulance service and initially I was just on alternate duties on station but even that created its own anxiety as I knew I had to go back on the road at some point. Anyway, once I got back on the road (normality, if you will), the anxiety slowly slipped away. My point behind it all is that the quicker you can get yourself to a sense of normality, maybe the quicker your anxiety will start to subside. I wish you well in your journey and don't be afraid to come back on here to chat as it's an amazing group of people ❤️

[Redkegs in reply to HomerJSimpson]

Thanks for your advice. I know what you mean about getting back to normality. I've had a rough couple of years with health, bereavement and a bad car accident which left me sidelined for 6 months but hopefully I can get back on the right track now. I will defo be coming on here more often!been overwhelmed with everyone's kindness and support. Really has made a difference.

[Redkegs]

You were not the only one to love lockdown, same here for health reasons anyway. In 20 weeks I lost 3 and half stone. I was furloughed from work and my condition was picked up just as we were going into the first lockdown. I could concentrate on my diet and had a daily walk. Felt great then back to work and the tiredness set in again as did the weight.