medication to help with anxiety

[Lennybean]

Hi

I’ve recently found out I have an irregular pulse, and have an appt in March to have further investigation , and a 24 hour monitor .

In the meantime I’m trying to live more healthily , and will look at cbt therapy , but I feel anxious and worried .

I have had been prescribed citalopram in the past , but am wary of the possible side effects , mainly arrhythmia .

does anyone recommend a safer alternative , or natural remedy ?

Thanks in advance , Steve

[BeKind28-]

Hello

Sorry to hear about your anxiety I suffer with it to

With all anxiety medications comes side effects which for the first few months quite a lot get but then they settle down and start working and what suites one does not always suite another but if that is something you want to try you have to stick with them

I know one that a lot of heart Consultants as well as Doctors recommend is Sertraline and have said it has helped patients they have seen

I hope you find the right medication that will suite you x

[Lennybean in reply to BeKind28-]

thanks for your message . I’m hoping to have less anxiety once I get diagnosis snd treatment underway , I’ll check out sertraline as an alternative

[BeKind28- in reply to Lennybean]

x

[Ewloe]

I have a bit of PAF, NSVT, and SVT. After a heart attack I was left with these and generalised anxiety. The electrophysiologist said sertraline was the safest ( nothing is 100% risk free in life), which I’m now taking at a low dose. He said anxiety doesn’t cause the arrhythmia’s but can aggravate them. Your not alone.

[Zed1063]

I too suffer with terrible anxiety and have been recommended to go on low dose Sertraline, after some research this is said to be the safest one for heart conditions, but saying that no drug is 100% safe for us we just have to weight up the positives! ANXIETY SUCKS!

[Choccie55]

I have always suffered with anxiety which ramped up when I was diagnosed with SVT. I did an NHS Talking Therapies course on mindfulness which has helped. I’m also on Bisoprolol which is a beta blocker for my arrhythmia but it is also prescribed for anxiety so that helps too.

[Mummyoffive]

Hello

I sympathise as I too have anxiety especially when it comes to my health and taking new meds.

I'm due to start bisoprolol 5mg today for ct angiogram on Friday and I'm scared!

Regarding meds for anxiety I take escitalopram. The tiniest dose, I cut a 5mg tablet in half with no side effects.

I can manage on this.

I think my anxiety is high at the moment due to tests I have to have and an upcoming op (unrelated to my heart)

Maybe you could speak to your GP about escitalopram?