julie: hi everyone, does anyone else... - British Heart Fou...

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julie

Legendsofthefall profile image
14 Replies

hi everyone, does anyone else suffer anxiety?? I had Heart attack 5 months ago- out of the blue, been told l have myocarditis, heart not healing yet! I’m 65 years old and so worried. Does anyone else out there feel like this ? Any tips???

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Legendsofthefall profile image
Legendsofthefall
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14 Replies
BeKind28- profile image
BeKind28-

Hello :-)

I have suffered with severe anxiety since a child and one was health anxiety and have struggled for years

Then having had 3 heart attacks and a triple Bypass and over two years after my Bypasses I struggle so much with my anxiety worse than before which I never thought was possible

I still worry every single day but this does not mean this is how it will be for you

It is a massive shock when we have a heart attack especially out the blue and so many are so anxious after which is understandable

Even though I struggle and cannot make myself stop worrying I do know from observing the Consultants how much they can do , how much they know and how brilliant they are along with the treatments they now have available so try and focus on that as much as you can rather than the negative thoughts you will be having

If you can get some Counselling or therapy I know in some places the waiting lists are so long and not sure if you are in a position to go private but this would really help also again I am not sure if you have thought of any medications to help with you anxiety you are feeling but both therapy and medications you can talk with your Doctor and hopefully they will be able to help

Try and distract yourself as much as you can , do some meditation there is so much on YouTube , take up a hobby if you do not already have one could be crafting anything lots of adults do coloring now but keeping the mind occupied as much as we can helps so much

You are not on your own and I am sure others with your condition will share their experiences with you and hopefully you will feel so kind of reassurance :-)

Let us know how you get on :-) x

Legendsofthefall profile image
Legendsofthefall in reply toBeKind28-

be kind thank you so much for your reply😀l too have suffered anxiety since l was 15. And like you, it is worse since my heart attack . My biggest worry is something awful happening?? So kind of you to reply . Already l know lm not on my own . I am waiting for a 48 hour ecg. Specialist says we’ll review everything after that. I’m just praying there will be an improvement in a few more months . You have made me feel better already 😀😀 someone knows and understands … thank you😀🙏

BeKind28- profile image
BeKind28- in reply toLegendsofthefall

Hello :-)

I can remember as far back as been maybe 5 when I felt anxious but did not know what it was and so yes I get how you are feeling now already suffering and now this and we both know anxiety waits for something else to cling onto so a event like this it has a field day and we have to try and be stronger than the anxiety even though I know it is not easy at all and unless you suffer you don't realise how hard and debilitating this is

I had 3 heart attacks my anxiety stopped me getting an angiogram after the first heart attack so anxiety is not a friend we want as if I had got an angiogram done chances are I would not have gone on to have another 2 heart attacks they would have seen after the first one I needed a triple Bypass

Try and be reassured though you are on medications now and if they thought something bad was about to happen they would not let you come home they would keep you in there

Take a day at a time try as hard as you can to stay in the day when your mind starts chasing with all the "What If's " pull those thoughts back to in the day saying for today I am ok :-)

Once you have had that 48 monitor things might not even be as bad as your anxiety is making them feel you just do not know we always jump to the worse scenario and so many times it never is :-)

You are not on your own and when you need to talk just come on and someone will be there to listen :-) x

Legendsofthefall profile image
Legendsofthefall in reply toBeKind28-

bless you😀

BeKind28- profile image
BeKind28- in reply toLegendsofthefall

:-) x

Hrty profile image
Hrty

My anxiety only really kicked in in my after a blip 6 months post HA. Been struggling since but am getting support from Rehab, went through phase 3 again, as well as iTalk and MIND. Cardiologist has move me to "patient-led support" which is basically I ring to arrange an appt with him if I feel I need one. It does take time and for some of us it takes a bit longer.

Legendsofthefall profile image
Legendsofthefall in reply toHrty

thank you Hrty😀 so nice of you to reply . These problems would be hard enough , and anxiety definitely does not help. Comforting that we’re not alone. Thank you😀

Landj profile image
Landj

Hi, yes I had HA 7 weeks ago, my anxiety is through the roof, not helped by the deaths of my husband and eldest son last year. I feel I'm like a zombie, the anxiety starts as soon as I'm awake, just feel life is never going to get better. I hope things soon turn around for you and the anxiety slowly starts to lift x

Legendsofthefall profile image
Legendsofthefall in reply toLandj

I’m so very sorry about your husband and son, l can understand your anxiety , bless you . After my heart attack my anxiety was off the planet , but lm finding out lm not alone with lovely people like yourself. Thank you so much for replying and good luck, take care!

Legendsofthefall profile image
Legendsofthefall in reply toLandj

Hello Landj been thinking of you! How are you coping? I’ve had a couple of really good days, but today not so good . I find trying to keep busy helps ! Also taken up colour by numbers and a few games on my phone. I was told to live in the moment, an take a day at a time. Do hope things are getting better for you . Stay strong- you’re not alone😀

Landj profile image
Landj in reply toLegendsofthefall

Hi, lovely to hear from you, I think keeping busy is a good idea, I find the same as you, can have good days then suddenly a bad day comes crashing in, I suppose its all part of the journey. Colour by numbers is a good idea, keeps the brain active and I imagine quite relaxing. I hope things soon get easier for you, like you say, one day at a time. Hopefully once the winter is over the sun and warmth may lift your soul. Please take care xxx

Noodlesalad profile image
Noodlesalad

I'm so sorry to hear your struggling with anxiety and there is lots of support available.I do crafting and online quizzes both these things are really helpful to me and my anxiety issues.

Be kind is right in what she says.

Don't ever be afraid to ask for help it is available, there's no quick fix but I'm certain you will manage/overcome this.

Legendsofthefall profile image
Legendsofthefall in reply toNoodlesalad

Thank you 😀 so grateful for your reply! Going to get a colouring book!!! Hope that will give the gremlins a rest. I read and l do a journal, it’s a constant fight. Changes your life doesn’t it? Take care!

Anxiety, it's a bitch and I've always had it always worrying about tomorrow, catastrophising, wasting quality moments because my thoughts are elsewhere.

Then BANG! had a heart attack, never expected it, never had any symptoms or signs in the months, weeks, days, hours, minutes, seconds leading up to it.

Then the things that caused my anxiety, things I thought were So Important, So critical got replaced by anxiety now about my heart, my future, any sensations, and weird pains in chest.

I had to learn to manage it, so I would sit alone and let the thoughts or physical symptoms do their thing, I wouldn't fight them or engage with them, I would let them fizzle themselves out as I wasn't providing them with the energy they needed to grow .

It seems to work, do I still get anxiety? I do but I try my best now to find a quiet spot and fizzle them away. It doesn't always work but that timeout does help in other ways .

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