We all can get stressed when waiting for an appointment or results of a test, it is absolutely normal so know that you’re not alone in this.
I personally speak to my friends and family when I am anxious regarding any appointments or results. I find ways to distract myself such as throwing myself into work (not an option for everyone), meditating, breathing exercises, walking and also looking for the positives. I can see your positives so far are that your ECG and bloods were normal therefore, you should take some relief in that.
Humidity and the heat isn’t helping most of us hearties this year. Stay hydrated as much as you can and avoid going out when the sun or heat is at its peak. Early morning or late evening seems to be cooler.
You always have 111 if you do feel particularly concerned about any of your symptoms, or 999. So know that help is available should you need it.
Unfortunately, circumstances and events in my life have led me to be a glass half empty type person. I appreciate your words of encouragement and advice. I will keep you posted on the results of my appointment.
Anxiety can be good as it makes you self aware, but it also needs an outlet, ie self aware to do something.Like you I felt relatively fit and active for my age (70 at the time) compared with my peers, younger and older. I did have a severe stroke out of the blue and I was away from home.
I experienced brilliant acute care and made a good recovery following FAST thrombolysing treatment etc.
I was discharged to my local trust area.
Here is my anxiety story.
Because I had not been treated initially by them I couldn't gain any access to follow on stroke recovery community programmes without a local consultant referral.
Although follow up discharge investigations to look for the cause of the stroke were itemised the wait time even for a 24hr Holter ECG monitor was 3 months echocardiogram etc longer still. My GP mentioned, as they do, would you consider a 'private referral'.
I'm not proud of this but I couldn't imagine doing nothing for three months except monitoring my pulse too much, internet searching too much and generally feeling anxiety overload and above all worried about what I could or could not do.
I don't have private medical insurance and thought the fees would be astronomic. They weren't cheap (about £600 all together) but I've spent more getting a car repaired. I had expected a four figure fee. Annoyingly all the tests and the consultant time were provided in the local hospital within a week, the same people who couldn't see me for three months on the NHS. Of course I was treated well and had a 45 minute consultation with the heart specialist on my results, explaining clearly what the outcomes were, the benefits of my medication and how I could get on with my life.
This all enable me to get control back. My GP advised me to buy a Kardia6l personal ECG device, my family advised me to get a smart watch and activity tracking app with emergency fall and call facility.
I used to cycle but this felt risky. The stroke was so suddenly I didn't want to fall off downhill in the sticks! I found Couch to 5k NHS running app for beginners and support here for C25K on HU.
But since then a year ago, regular monitoring with my GP, checking out post code lottery on NHS I persevered with seeking all the eliminating tests including a 7day Holter. This persistence led to my local NHS Trust catching up with NICE guidance and offering to fit a LINQ implanted ECG monitoring device. Within three months it picked up atrial fibrillation and/or flutter leading to a change of medication to anticoagulants. It's taken 14 months to get to this position.
But I also took control of my health as pay back for that brilliant acute care I received. There was stuff I could do to get my cardiovascular system fitter. Today was the anniversary of my first 5km Parkrun. It was my 28th and a whole 8 minutes faster than my first (20% better).
I feel in control and anxiety is massively reduced.
It can't be the same for everyone, but try to find things that you can constructively pursue.
I would have borrowed money to pay for the private consultation and investigations.
Don't ever apologise for the way you feel, people who have not experienced what we go through will never understand as I’m sure they have anxiety of things that we don’t understanding. Stay strong my fried and keep communicating
you re not coming across as a weakling just a worried human being looking for reassurance your not alone, and you will find it here, take care and try not to worry 🤗
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