I need to learn to relax and stop panicking at every twinge

[Hrty]

Got myself in another tizz last night and started to convince myself I was having another HA. Wife took me into A&E to get checked out (again ). Staff were lovely and thoroughly checked me over. Told me not to fret about "wasting their time", my words not theirs, and if I'm ever in doubt not to hesitate as it's better to be safe than sorry. Can't wait to start rehab, telephone appt tomorrow, as I want my life back and to stop being so scared. The emotionsl side of this is really hard, thank heavens fir my wife who has been an absolute brick. I actually cried a few times last night.Thanks for listening.

[Czech_Mate]

Yes, listening attentively. Totally with you on the feeling of being scared. Having had such an active life makes it come hard. I'm struggling to change my view on life. Some days are better than others so it's hard to plan. Some of my feelings come from the tablets I'm on, I'm sure of that, but without them it could be worse. Felt totally crap this morning after a restless night, but forced myself to go for a walk with the dog. A nippy north wind here, I think it's part of the cold weather system heading for the UK. It did me good but I need a rest now. That getting out to do at least something is important. I have U3A this afternoon. Again it will be a struggle to go but I'll be glad if I do, there are some positive people there.Sorry to go on (and thanks for listening)

😏

All the best and best of luck with the rehab.

[E16Pat]

best of luck mate, I know we get all kinds of pains and fear the worse, I don’t think there is a day gone by when I don’t have a little cry

Best wishes

Pat

[10gingercats]

I find a few minutes meditation a couple of times a day with The Honest Guys on You Tube very helpful is calming me down when I am aggitated. Never thought it would work for me but it does if you do every day .

[Hrty in reply to 10gingercats]

I need to look into something like that. My wife and I were talking about finding something like that. I'll have a look. Thank you.

[Blackcatsooty]

dear Hrty

The tears are a reasonable response by your body. Emotionality. It will pass. If you can help it pass then that will help. Get yourself in to a daily routine, get out of bed, do whatever chores you can. I have a little list on the bedroom wall.

I have kept a diary throughout.

A daily walk is very helpful. I do six walks a week. Ideally chat whilst you walk.

Do some relaxation techniques.

I hope you are sleeping consistently and fully.

I bought a tinnitus relaxer (about £35). It got me to sleep and during the day it helped with relaxation.

Regrettably no rehab due to covid. If you are getting some rehab then that’s excellent. Not least, you will be with fellow hearties.

Best wishes

Sooty

[Yumz199725]

Trust me your not the only one who panics like that I always feel its better to be safe then sorry when ever I end up in A&E when I worry myself sick literally. You did the right thing going don't feel bad could of easily been something serious.

[Familyk]

I can totally relate to you. I'm newly diagnosed and I'm constantly worried that every pain is going to lead to something nasty. I'm waiting to see the heart failure team for the first time and really hoping they can put my mind at rest.I'm so lucky to have an amazing hubby who has really stepped up and is fussing over me. Without him I would be so scared.

Sending you positive vibes, you have support around you.

Take care xx

[Hrty]

Thanks everyone. Had a telephone appt with my rehab nurse earlier today. It's been a massive help and she reinforced how common the emotional problems are. She likened them to PTSD and reiterated that if I'm ever worried I should go and get checked out. Far better to be safe than sorry, the last thing they'd want is for anyone to ignore things and have a serious episode.She's booked me in for my first session next week, looking forward to it. I also have her direct number should I need it.

[MarmiteB in reply to Hrty]

Glad to hear that the nurse helped you out xx It's so hard - getting used to having a dodgy ticker is a battle but you will get there. I would fall of my seat if there is ANYONE Post HA or post any heart surgery that was mentally fine with it all. In fact I would be concerned. I totally agree with the nurses your not wasting anyone's time. Ever.

I know it's different but before I had my cabg I basically had to ask my cardiologist if I was being a hypercondriat because I was worried I was "making a fuss out of nothing" and he said, "Rosie, you need this operation. Even if you had no pain whatsoever, you would still be an emergency case!"...but I had to hear it from someone because I was so worried I was wasting people's time. Madness, but there we are!! 😁😂

[Swalecliffe88]

Hrty you are not alone. If there is anyone who has had a HA says they never get concerned is lying. 8 years on. I live on my own and still on the odd occasion have to send my daughter a text in the middle of the night to ask her to check on me in the morning. There is an in build self preservation inside anyone having gone through a heart event or who suffers any kind of heart condition which makes us sit up and take notice of any unusual or odd twinge that we would never have considered before. Don’t beat yourself up this will be part of your ongoing life. But like grief you will learn to live with it and notice much less as time goes by. But never not take these events seriously always get it checked if it worries you. The nurses are right they’d rather a false alarm, than a blue light admission. Rehab are great and will help with your anxiety though too.

[MummaSoap]

Hi Hrty

I just wanted to say that you’re definitely not alone in the struggle with trying to take the right steps and “not waste people’s time”.

Earlier this week I ended up going to A&E twice due to chest pains that I was having which thankfully turned out not to be serious once the scan results came back. What the dr said to me (which did really help me feel better) was that they couldn’t rule out completely that I hadn’t had a blood clot when the pain first started but that they could say with confidence that I definitely didn’t have one on their day of the scan.

You most definitely aren’t alone, I do hope that things start to get easier for you and you give yourself a break 🙂

Best wishes,

Soap 💛