Advice needed again 😒: Good morning... - British Heart Fou...

British Heart Foundation

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Advice needed again 😒

Stevie335 profile image
13 Replies

Good morning everyone

Still awaiting to hear from surgeon with regards to bypass and moving forward. The thing is my mental health is crashing more day by day from not knowing, or the fear of not waking up in the mornings. Tension is rising with my wife and to be honest she has said some pretty hurtful things recently, i.e to stop using my heart disease as an excuse for my low moods ? I try to live a normal life and be positive but Im scared stiff 90% of the day and am really steuggling to cope. I feel like an old record at home and my wife is fed up of hearing about my ailments which i think is unfair, its been only 4 months. I just havent got it in me to argue, stress physically hurts my chest so i try my best to avoid it. Ive decided to keep my mouth shut at home and try to be as normal as possible, I dont want this condition to define me but i really do need to talk to someome, friends have all slowly tapered away and with my best friend (wife) basically having enough also, I dont know where to turn. Ive thought about the samaritans but rather talk to someone who knows what its like. Is anyone aware of any support groups, like face to face where we can go please ?

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Stevie335 profile image
Stevie335
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13 Replies
10gingercats profile image
10gingercats

Marriage guidence counselling may help. You do not both need to go although that is more beneficial. Worth exploring.They do offer face to face...Well they used to.Find your local branch on line and call them. Samaritans will also have the tel. number.

lettingoffsteam profile image
lettingoffsteam

I'm wondering whether you've considered counselling with someone who has experience of working with health anxiety.Check out sites such as Counselling Directory,Psychology Today or BACP.You may also be able to access CBT help via your GP.

Kristin1812 profile image
Kristin1812Heart Star in reply tolettingoffsteam

Or the British Psychological Society.

lettingoffsteam profile image
lettingoffsteam in reply toKristin1812

Indeed

Milkfairy profile image
MilkfairyHeart Star

Hello,

You have had some good advice already.

Another suggestion is to contact the charity MIND, they may be able to help you further.

mind.org.uk/donate/?gclid=C...

Stevie335 profile image
Stevie335

Again, thank you Bekind, always thought i was a bit of a mans man until the diagnosis. Never experienced fear or anxiety like this before. My work have offered some counselling so im going in now to accept that offer and see how it goes. Xx

Heyjude31 profile image
Heyjude31 in reply toStevie335

Hi Stevie335, I’m do hope your counselling starts very soon. Please don’t be hard on yourself. It is traumatic to experience what you are going through. I had cabg x 4 nearly 2 years ago and I still get some difficult days although less than I did. It is normal to experience what you are feeling. Please take care and let us know how you get on, Judi

Hello to you, stop trying to do this yourself it is almost impossible without help, your anxiety is building and it has to have a release some where and this some where could be detrimental to your health.

You are not alone, many of us face exactly the same situation, some keep quite, some scream and shout while others like yourself attempt to find away across this mental maze.

Its a massive part of being ill and thank goodness it is becoming recognised and as long as the right people know then help is available.

It is great that your work place has a concerning manner over your mental health but your Dr also needs to know just what this is doing to you.

You will hear of long waiting lists for help, but it will be even longer if you are not on it.

Please contact your Dr now and get the ball rolling.

I am sorry that your wife may not seem to be giving you the support you need at the moment but please remember that she is also going though this and it can be a horrible worry for our partners as they become aware of our problems.

Good luck with it all, yes I have, and still am suffering from a mental shock of my treatments and diagnosis, but now its managed with counselling I am feeling a lot better about my prognosis .

Take care and please keep us informed.

Stevie335 profile image
Stevie335 in reply to

Thank you 😊 I think all this time on my hands is adding to it all. I drive coaches for a living so cant work atm which was great for 2 weeks now I feel like a prisoner at home 😂 in all honesty the anxiety side of this has been much worse than any physical symptoms ive had. Ive just spoken to the hospital and my appointment should be sent out this week so ill update once i know more. Thank you

Honeybee1961 profile image
Honeybee1961

Hi Stevie335, I’ve found that the impact of having heart problems on mental health is very often overlooked, the anxiety for the person themselves and their family can be overwhelming. The offer of counselling from your employer sounds like a very good option, grab the opportunity with both hands! Fingers crossed you get the appointment letter very soon.

Time on our hands is one of Mental healths biggest companions I'm afraid, but hopefully soon you will be on the road, no pun intended, to recovery, you have already started by posting here and airing your thoughts and concerns.

You will get there, but slowly, one step at a time and please remember that if we can help, just ask.

Lemon31 profile image
Lemon31

I can really understand where you are coming from my mental health is suffering too. I have found this group helps me a lot. Just writing your feelings down has helped me. Hope you get your surgery soon. All the best.

Deejay62 profile image
Deejay62

Hi Stevie I’m sorry about what you’re going through. So many on here have mentioned everything I’ve been thinking when I read your post. I don’t think there’s anyone on this site who isn’t struggling with mental health because of their heart condition. It’s a daily battle for us all.

I’m so glad your work as offered you counselling. Someone on here recommended couples counselling, which will be a good thing for you both. You’re never alone, this group will always be here to support you.

I hope that appointment comes through soon. Please let us know when it arrives. All the best.

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