heart related anxiety/panic

I have dilated cardiomyopathy low ef and have been diagnosed since 2006. I have a crtd implanted and a icd before that. In august I attended a local hospital for a download of my crtd at the request of my normal hospital. I thought it literally would be a download instead they changed settings to their criteria which caused me so many issues I had to return to have them put back to what they were before. I was so upset as I had been so well up until that date. Since then I have been having increasing anxiety and panic attacks many times a day and getting worse. Every time I feel my heart so to speak I go into a panic and I don’t understand why as I’ve had dcm etc for so long snd I felt pretty comfortable about it. Now I seem to feel everything and it’s becoming very hard. I’ve got another download planned in dec at normal hospital and cardiologist appointment so hopefully that will reassure me. Just wanted to ask if anyone else had gone through these problems and what they did that helped them. My brain tells me that’s it your time is up every time I have palpitations. Any hints to settle myself down. Sorry this has been a bit longwinded x

[Tos92]

I’m sorry to hear about the anxiety you are experiencing around your heart condition. Many hearties can relate to this so please know you’re not alone in this. Despite saying that, you do need to try and create a balance between positive and negative thoughts which I know is hard. Has something happened to trigger your anxiety as you say you were comfortable at one point knowing that you had a heart condition?

If you’re in the U.K., there is something called Talking Therapies which you can either self-refer yourself to or ask your GP about where they can address things like health anxiety, depression, and other types of mental health problems which you might benefit from.

nhs.uk/mental-health/talkin...

I find that walking really helps my anxiety and calm the thoughts in my head, followed by meditation and breathing exercises. There are also mobile apps like mindfulness and calm for example that can help. I wouldn’t say that any of those things have completely eliminated my anxiety however, they can give me a break from my thoughts and any physical symptoms that I have from my anxiety temporarily.

I hope others come by with some suggestions and I would also add that if your symptoms are getting worse, to make contact with your GP to rule out anything more sinister which might also put your mind at ease.

All the best.

Tos

[Hidden in reply to Tos92]

Thank you so much for your reply. The trigger I think was going to a different hospital for my download of crtd they changed the settings that I’d happily been living with since 2018 and I’ve no idea why the needed to do that. It was supposed to be a simple download. I came out feeling very panicky and unable to breathe properly with absolutely hundreds of palpitations. They had changed the amount of power into the leads. They put them back to how they were snd said oh your heart doesn’t respond well to any changes! I thought you don’t say 😂 it was fine before. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it. Anyway since then I’ve had snxiety and panic and it’s getting worse. I can’t even go in a shop without panicking and I wake up in the night panicking and it’s affecting my life big time etc etc. I went to GP they gave me 9 diazepam to take when it got extremely bad and I self referred to ‘let’s talk’ but it’s 18 week waiting list. I do try and meditate and I will download the calm app. Thankyou so much for replying. Although I wouldn’t wish anything in anybody I’m so glad I’m not the only one with the anxiety. X

[Deejay62]

I had the settings changed on mine a few times by different EPs and felt so ill I had to phone them and they arranged for me to go back and have it returned to the normal settings. Both times I actually got home and realised I felt like my heart was doing all kinds of madness. I called them and went back the same day. It takes 1 hr or more to get there. The 2nd time I went back the next day. Sometimes people do like to interfere with the settings I don’t understand why. My situation is the same as you only I was diagnosed in 2003.

Like TOS said I think you need counselling too. I’ve accepted my lot and I thank God for each day I’m still alive. I’m more fed up with arthritis pain than my flip flopping heart.

All the best.

[Hidden in reply to Deejay62]

Thank you for replying. Am sorry you had to go through this too with settings, I wish they’d just leave things alone if you feel ok unless it’s absolutely necessary to change things. You seem to have a positive mindset I think I’ve just gone into a less positive phase. So sorry about the arthritis pain you have x

[Deejay62 in reply to Hidden]

I did go up and down for a long time but now I seem to stop struggling and just accept it is what it is. But I do understand people who are struggling it’s normal. I’m actually beginning to feel abnormal by not really caring anymore.

[Hidden in reply to Deejay62]

I think you’ve got a healthy attitude to be honest. We Cant change what we’re dealt with we just have to do the best we can, diet, weight, exercise, meds etc and keeping cardiology appointments and just living the best life. My mind unfortunately at the moment doesn’t seem to agree with me 😂😂 x

[Deejay62 in reply to Hidden]

Something happened and that thing reminded you of the illness you have. That’s normal. Yes you just have to do what’s right physically and keep fighting on.

[Hidden]

you’re probably right and I’m focusing on it too much now x