Anxiety

[Jantech]

Since my diagnosis of moderate Aortic regurgitation I have completely lost my hold on life.

I also had a blockage in my carotid, now surgically removed.

I cannot function normally because of my intense fear of my imminent death.

I am taking meds for anxiety but only a little help. Can anyone offer me hope. I am 69, female.

[Rhinos67]

I totally get the anxiety, I felt exactly the same after my diagnosis. I did the worst thing I could do, googled it and them felt even worse and had a massive panic attack resulting in me ringing 111 thinking it was my heart... obviously it wasnt.Nearly 2 and a half years later I'm still here, happy and healthy and with a replacement Aortic Valve and a pacemaker.

I had counselling and also Clinical Psychology appointments as I have a fear of hospitals.

I also reached out to this group and then joined UK Aortic and Heart Defects Pre and Post surgery Facebook group. I remember one of the ladies in that group saying to me, it's OK, we've got you now, because everyone in the group could empathise with me. Up until then friends and family would say you'll be fine, and I wanted to punch them! If you aren't experiencing it yourself you really have no idea of how it feels.

Joining that group helped me so much up to and after surgery.

You WILL be OK, but if the anxiety is so bad then please look into getting some counselling.

Joanne

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[Jantech in reply to Rhinos67]

Joanne,

Thank you so much for being there.

You are literally a lifeline tonight.

I am receiving counselling and on a waiting list for a more ‘existential’

based practitioner.

Just to hear some hope….

Thanks

Jan

[devonian186 in reply to Jantech]

So sorry to hear of your trubles. I think the mental side of such conditions is not appreciated by most Doctors. You go from feeling you are immortal to wondering how long you may have left.

Of course the answer is more expectation than many people as our conditions have been identified whereas many people are blithely going around not realising their condition until it is too late.

I think you will find that the very long dismal winter is not helping. If you have a garden look forward by starting to plant things. You might also consider planning for a trip somewhere so you have something to look forward to

[Jantech in reply to devonian186]

Dear Devonian186

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply.

I agree that the mental impact of the diagnosis is totally ignored. I am struggling.

[Rhinos67 in reply to Jantech]

You are very welcome. Please reach out to me if you are having a wobble or think about joining the Facebook group. We "get" each other through surgery and beyond Joanne

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[Mumthree]

Honestly - your reactions are similar to many many people on here . I was diagnosed with MVR in November at age 57, very fit and healthy and was convinced life was over . Gradually I am coming to terms with it - helped hugely by this forum .

A wonderful cardiologist sat me down recently and explained in detail the risks and implications and what I could do to help ;

1. See being diagnosed as a positive as I was now being monitored 2. Maintain exercise in the right way to keep my heart strong 3. Eat healthily ( no caffeine or processed food and avoid alcohol ) 4. Keep cholesterol low . 5. De stress and keep blood pressure down .

Giving me these actions also helped - it returns some control.

Learn as much as you can and talk to the BHF , get counselling and be kind to yourself - feeling fear is normal and it’s ok !

The forum is fantastic .

[Jantech in reply to Mumthree]

Already I have found your reply a comfort. I really do need more reliable information. The future looks bleak and like you I had a real lust for life, now certainly gone.

Thank you so much.

Jan

[Cliff_G]

Jantech, maybe lso try the Anxiety module at the well-respected Australian CCI website : cci.health.wa.gov.au/Resour...

One other thing is to learn more about the condition so you can separate the real risks from the fear and the Google results. Only use reliable web sites such as the NHS, Mayo Clinic and such.

[Jantech in reply to Cliff_G]

Thank you, I am very confused and afraid. I certainly need more information. You are so kind to send the link which I am checking out now.

Best

Jan

[Choccie55]

Get in touch with your local NHS Talking Therapies - you can self refer online. I did this and was recommended an eight week Mindfulness CBT course which has really helped me deal with my heart arrhythmia and the anxiety of not knowing when the next episode will be.

[Jantech in reply to Choccie55]

Thank you, I will try…. I might be too old at 68 as I am with the mental health team and no offer of this.

I will try anything!

Best

Jan

[Hrty in reply to Jantech]

I'm 64 and have been getting help with anxiety both from MIND, referred by GP, and Talking Therapies, via iTalk. The latter was mentioned at my original cardiac rehab sessions. I fid a self-referral and was given access to online CBT as well as telephone consulations qnd have been given help on breaking the fear cycle and overcoming the situations that generate anxiety through exposure and habituation strategies. There can be a wait for both iTalk and MIND but both have been a massive help as my confidence was hit badly when I suffered a blip with my recovery.

[Jantech in reply to Hrty]

Dear Hrty

Thanks so much, I must persist as I am certainly not being told about all this help, if available in Dorset!

Best

Jan

[Hrty in reply to Jantech]

Good luck, it's worth persisting. I'm not a million miles away in (North) Hampshire.

[Jantech in reply to Hrty]

Predictably my gp surgery doesn’t show on the drop down!

I will indeed keep at it!

[Hrty in reply to Jantech]

That's a shame. It's frustrating to see the differences across the country. It's the same with availability and consistency of rehab care. I've been really lucky that both the GPs and Cardio dept have recognised that it's as vital to look after the head as well as the body and that the reactions I have had are quite "normal", especially following a blip. At least now you know you aren't alone in feeling like you do as many of us have found after coming on here. All the best.

[Jantech in reply to Hrty]

You are right, I feel less of a freak for being afraid.

Many thanks

J

[cappachina]

Get help but join the Facebook page They are a amazing support You will get through this and that group has many people onvsho have had their ops and are living a normal life again It was the best thing I did joining it

[Jantech in reply to cappachina]

Thank you, I will certainly find it.

I certainly need all the help I can get.

[Jantech in reply to Jantech]

Is it the BHF page?

[jim7]

Hi Anxiety is normal. had heart failure two years ago and told I wouldn't last the week. diagnosed with AFand last told i have to consider having my heart stopped and using a pacemaker. I know its not the same as your condition but when it happens it is stunning. Family were all in tears but here I am at the end of two years still plodding on. it seem like the end and all the things people have told you help but try to be as positive as you can. It helps. have small goals to get to. Easter Birthday anything . it helps pass time and you become more relaxed about living with your diagnosis. good Luck

[Jantech in reply to jim7]

Dear jim7

I will try… desolation seems the way I go today…. every quiet moment is filled with gloom. I can see I am painfully slowly becoming more confident but my old self has vanished. Here’s hoping I can follow your lead. An inspiration.

Thank you

[jim7 in reply to Jantech]

Brilliant, keep trying there is life after Heart failure. I send best wishes and a hug and remember never give up. you will improve.

[Jantech in reply to jim7]

Doing my best….

Many thanks.