I had a bad experience last year and ended up in hospital for three days following a bad few days of Arrythmia.
But now I’ve come to terms with the fact that am scared each day will be my last one. No amount of going to the pub or family support helps - I go to bed each night frightened.
Is there any support out there does anyone know for this fear/anxiety?
I’m increasingly isolated as have Rheumatoid Arthritis and my left knee needs replacement ( but not yet - as per tbe NHS) and in pain ; life is hard.
Paul
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Have you considered therapy or counselling? There’s a self-referral service available on the NHS called Talking Therapies where you can sign up/add yourself to the waiting list to be seen. A counsellor or therapist is provided depending on what you need help with. They also provide a service to deal with long term chronic health conditions which might be an option for you.
I hope others can come by with suggestions/ideas on how you can cope with the anxiety.
If it helps, I also walk, meditate & do yoga from time to time to reduce my anxiety levels. There are plenty of videos available on YouTube if this is of interest to you.
In fairness i got by through walks but my knee deteriorated and really hit me. Now I seem to sit in the house all day - but I ll try the meditation- a friend just called who goes to a Buddhist centre in London and wants to take me there.
It sounds like your going through quite alot at the moment.
I'm sorry to hear about your recent loss, and your health problems with rheumatoid arthritis.
I empathise with your anxiety and fear around your health, it can feel isolating and ultimatley like theres nothing that puts your mind at ease. Fears around our health and dying are perfectly normal and understandable, especially after as you mentioned yourself experiencing loss, however if it is having a major effect on your day to day life, it is something to address, as worry, anxiety will just make everything worse and more difficult for you.
Fear of dying is known as thanatophobia, It's not technically a clinical condition in the sense theres not a test for it, as is common with other mental health conditions like anxiety or depression. It's something that does however based on limited research occur more commonly in those who are suffering health problems or experiencing grief. As with any phobia you can possibly experience physical symptoms such as panic attacks, dizziness, nausea and of course emotional symptoms such as worry, sadness and loss of interest in things you once enjoyed. However I'm not a proffesional so please don't feel I'm trying to tell you this is whats going on.
I agree with user Tos92, perhaps seeking some therapy would be beneficial. There's multiple options when thinking about this, there's listening services like Samaritans, Text based such as Shout! or Therapy/Counselling via the NHS or private.
I'm unsure were you live so I'm not sure what your local NHS mental health service is, however a quick search for your local services will show you whats on offer, and as Tos92 says, you can often self-refer to these, or speak to your GP about it.
There's also Apps such as Headspace, which can offer anxiety and stress managment through excercises such as Mindfulness, Breathing and Meditation.
I'll link you a few resources below for you to look at;
Good luck with everything Paul, always feel free to reach out on here if you need anything. Things can get better, it's far easier to say than do, but you've already taken a huge step by reaching out, It's not easy to talk about how we feel.
hi. I’m so sorry that you are feeling this way and I can completely relate to what you are saying. I’ve got ptsd as a result of numerous traumas, not least nearly dying 2 years ago. I’ve been terrified each day since. I’ve had talking therapies and they help to some extent alongside medication. They are certainly worth a try. I am not a religious person but I think going to the Buddhist Center might be a great idea. Although you say that no amount of family support helps, please do not isolate yourself from them. Please keep talking, we will listen. Xxx
Hi Paul. Ive a lot of health issues but I made an emergency call to out of hours because I couldn't go on. Im disabled and totally alone. My husband and daughter left after my decline in health got worse. I just found out today that my GP was supposed to refer me for heart diagnostics in Feb 2023. - but didnt. I believe that Im in late stage heart failure. I dont even know how I could make it to tests Im so ill. so yes Im scared too. I cannot leave my house because of spine degeneration but the worst thing? is being totally alone! Please understand having family or ANY support is massive! I wish I had just one,
It is natural to feel scared when you have such a problem. The case I keep in mind is James Lovelock. Heart attack in his 50s, died on his 103rd birthday. If you take care of yourself, wrt diet, exercise etc, you give yourself the best possible chance.
I’m in NI, and my NHS care has been first class, I could never have asked for better treatment. Have had treatment at the Royal Victoria, Lagan Valley and Mater hospitals and they’ve been excellent. My heart nurse is a gem, and my cardiologist superb. I hate to read derogatory statements about NHS care, it is so insulting to the overworked and caring staff. Sure, there may be the occasional blip, but that’s true of every service and doesn’t warrant the exaggerated and over the top emphasis on what are usually minor incidents. Some complainers must lead perfect lives, they never make a mistake or depart from their high standards. They should go for treatment in the Yemen or Sudan, they would find out where they’re well off. Be thankful for what we have.
I can so sympathise with you I am completely alone after my daughter walked out a couple days before Xmas, I have cardiac problems and arthritis depression and anxiety and detest living alone, but have met so many kind people on these sites who will always listen and help it would be so lovely if those living in the same area could occasionally get together and form a support group. Luckily I can still get out as I drive but hate going anywhere alone, I don’t even have a neighbour to pop in for a chat and a cuppa you can always pop on here for company x 🤗
I'm not religious but have been to the Buddhist Centre for poetry readings and they had a brief meditation session first. The whole experience was very relaxing. Good luck in finding something which helps.
I'm so sorry you feel so scared but it's perfectly understandable. If you feel up to it do take up the offer to attend the Buddhist Centre. I think it would be a calming and supportive experience for you, even if only for an hour or so it could give you some respite from your feelings. I'm a yoga devotee, unable to do it at the level I used to but the calming techniques are invaluable. I do hope you are able to find a way that suits you. Good Luck x
Hi Paul I feel you need some counselling and maybe help.yourself while waiting with sone sort of relaxation therapy even its on zoom Its a vicious circle the less you can physically do the more you have time to brood I hope you get the the help you need
There’s always someone worse off. No matter how bad the situation, it could always be worse - but it isn’t. There’s a bright side, it just has to be looked for.
2 years ago I was discharged from hospital with heart failure, EF of 20%, chronic kidney disease, a kidney stone, arthritis and am on the list for a knee replacement. Side effects from the meds have not been pleasant but have to be endured.
Add to this, I’m an unpaid carer 24/7. All the housework is down to me, cooking, cleaning, shopping, washing, ironing, it all has to be done. As I’m mid 70’s, it isn’t easy.
On the bright side, I may be slow but everything gets done. I’m not paralysed, not wheelchair bound, not deaf, or blind, haven’t got cancer, hey, I’m in pretty good shape!
If today is my last in this life, so be it. No point worrying, might as well waste the day worrying about what would have been if I’d never been born.
Get up, get out and make the most of the time on earth.
I know from my own experience that it’s often not helpful when people tell you that it could be worse and to look for the bright side. If only it was that easy to shake off anxiety and get on with our lives. I’m pleased that it works for you though.
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