councilling advice

[Missing_Bacon24]

hi all, I’m 46 and have been diagnosed with AF and heart failiure, I’m having cardioversion done next month. It’s all a bit much and I’m desperate for a professional to speak to so I can get rid of some anxiety. Local services are backed up and I’m struggling to find an actual service on here. Can anyone point me in the right direction to get support please?

[10gingercats]

Try the B.Heart Assoc. nurses for support and advice. They are very understanding and helpful.

[RF260]

Hi, unable to offer councilling advice (I haven't had any) but apart from our age difference (I'm 64) I too am expecting cardioversion in the next month or so (got pre admission appointment next week). The A fib has truly stripped me of energy and confidence , the physical and mental toll feels overwhelming. As well as the actual "ordeal" of the CV itself I now worry about will it work, will I feel back to old self, how long will it hold for, will I then go onto a long waiting list for ablation, how will my family cope with me being so lethargic and of not much use for many more months etc etc.All those thoughts are driving the anxiety, I think you will find lots of uplifting posts on here, we just have to try and convince ourselves that we will be helped to get back to our previous normal but there will be some bumps in the road along the way.

Good luck to us ..

[Missing_Bacon24 in reply to RF260]

thank you, all the best with yours, I’ve got my fingers crossed for you. I appreciate you sharing your experience and I relate to what you’re saying

[Murderfan58]

Best people to talk to is people here who have had it done . I would much rather speak to someone going through the same thing as they tell you their own experience. The only counselling experience I have had was bereavement but only went because my children thought it would help. Waste of time at least it was free . The woman who ran the group had done a 12 week course and was married plus others in the group where 20-40 years older than me . I stuck it out for 2 years until both the children left home and I could stop going. But it was no help . I was 45 when widowed and grief was never talked about they talked about hobbies and family .

Unless you experience the same thing you don't know what it feels like . At least here people with give you the truth about what you are to face and the does and don'ts and how long it takes to recover. So best to talk here and you will get help as some have already responded to you .

Wishing you all the best and have the best Christmas you can and look forward to a new you in 2025. You have years ahead of you .

[beardy_chris in reply to Murderfan58]

I disagree that you need to go through something to know what it feels like. All they know is how it felt for them. A good counsellor can help you to describe how it feels for you. The two are almost certainly different. One of the techniques I used to deal with grief was playing computer games - which wouldn't suit everyone - but it helped me to stop fixating on my loss until I was ready to deal with it myself.

I have had counselling a couple of times for very different reasons. It is sometimes difficult to identify the benefits. There is no magic solution (bing!) but my experience is that it helps you to get your thoughts organised and more quickly 'heal'. Your mileage may, of course, vary.

[Murderfan58 in reply to beardy_chris]

We all have different opinions. I only talk about things I have personally experienced and no counselling would have helped me . I have a friend who is a counsellor with nearly 30 years experience. She can't help herself with the grief she feels over her husband dieing 2 years ago . And she said there is no way she would go to counselling.

But each to his own . That's the good thing about this forum we can view things from different ways then it's up to others to choose which way they want to follow . Hope you have a good Christmas and 2025 is a good year for you .

[daisy2311]

Hi There,I am a Counsellor myself so hopefully can point you in the right direction. As you said local NHS have extremely long waiting lists, so your best bet would be a private Counsellor. You can find a private Counsellor locally by searching on the following websites:

counselling-directory.org.uk

bacp.co.uk

I have had counselling myself over the years and it genuinely was one of the best decisions I ever made.

Wishing you well.

[Suebedoo]

I am also a trained therapist and agree that the above two sites are a good place to look for a counsellor. You can also try babcp.com and cosca.org.uk. The therapists on these sites are all qualified and will continue to undertake a certain amount of training each year to increase their expertise. If you decide to go down the counselling route, find a counsellor that fits. No trained counsellor will be offended if you decide that they don't fit or you feel that you would benefit with a change. I too had counselling over the years and don't regret it for one moment. If cost is an issue, you could also contact somewhere that trains counsellors and you can usually get counselling for a reduced fee with one of the trainees.

[Driver11]

HiCardioversion is normally done for af

The procedure is very simple and takes less than 15minutes, although with all the prep and anaesthetic you'll be in most of the day. You'll be a bit sore on the chest, like sunburn , put on some lotion

Good luck

[SaxmanAD]

Hi & merry Christmas, can I suggest that you take a look at pumping marvellous foundation website as there is lots of interesting things on the site including podcasts ect that you will be able to relate to. I found this useful to accept my HF ect. I also found meditating useful for my mental health . Most of all don't forget to be kind to yourself & take rests ect when needed. Good luck with it & if you need any advice please shout up.

[ReturnOfTheMag]

hiya, I’m also 46 and suffered a heart attack, cardiac arrest and had stent fitted 2 months ago. My anxiety went through the roof and was suffering regular panic attacks for the first time in my life. Three weeks ago I ditched my Apple Watch as i was constantly checking my bpm and ecg. I also started seeing a hypnotherapist to help with the anxiety and smoking. I can honestly say, I haven’t had a single episode since! The mind is a funny thing so anything that gets you out of the headspace and projecting the catastrophy of our future is worth doing. Good luck

[Lesley_O]

I have been feeling exactly the same after the diagnosis of type 2 myocardial infarction 3 weeks ago. My GP said my local cardiology team would be in touch but probably after Christmas now.

[Missing_Bacon24 in reply to Lesley_O]

Sorry to hear that, I hope they get back to you soon

[MertleTurtle]

I had the same diagnosis at 45 too, 50 now and still waiting for an ablation (long story). Like others, I am no counsellor but from experience I would take each day as it comes, read up as much as you can, be persistent with your healthcare providers and understand things are going to be slightly different but not radically.

[iansHealth1]

I had a Cardioversion three Fridays ago? Maybe two, can’t remember, recently.

I’m not going to go into it here, but all my ailments are listed on my bio and I was a pretty sickly pup.

Anyway, the dccv;

The actual process is a non-event as you’re proper sedated and the last thing you’ll remember is talking to the knock-out guy and then you’re waking up feeling 100% better immediately.

My heart rate went from a constant 130 to mid-60’s where - touch wood - it has stayed.

I’m on the list for an (a) ICD.

Of course, this was my experience, but I was on a ward where several patients had the procedure and went home the same day. I was kept for a day just to make sure it was effective.

I would say don’t fret about it, you will, but try to keep it to a minimum.

[Billett]

After my heart attack i struggled and went private only had 1 session and it worked then had heart failure and had to have a by pass but ive had a cardio version and its not as bad as it it sounds in fact it was a walk in the park but just talking to someone in the cardio team or other people at the clinic can alleviate alot of stress and anxiety good luck

[Clad1745]

This time last year, my husband was also diagnosed with Afib and heart failure. I completely understand your anxiety. I just want to reassure you that cardioversion is nothing to worry about. it's very fast and painless.. The first one worked on the day but very soon stopped working, ut the second one he got has now been working for months and has made a great difference. His EF has really iimproved, andalthough he is still on mmeds, heis much healthier and active. For aanxiety, Ifind listening to meditations for sleep or relaxation is very helpful, especially if you have trouble getting to sleep or wake during the night. Hope all goes well.

[Alfie33]

Look at your local hospice. Mine does hubs for people with life limiting conditions, there great you get loads of support and talk to people different conditions

[Anon2023]

hi. I had atrial flutter after ohs and had a cardioversion. It was absolutely fine and put me back into sinus rhythm. I understand your anxiety though and what you are experiencing is completely normal and most of us would say that we have gone through it. Mine was done under general anaesthetic which meant that I knew nothing about it really until I woke up. With regards to counselling, I've had therapy through the NHS although I've come to the conclusion that talking therapies don't really work for me for various reasons. They might work for you though. I was referred by the cardiac nurses to psychology at my local hospital specifically for people with physical health problems, perhaps you could ask your cardiac nurse (if you have one) if that service is available where you are. I've also had counselling through MIND which I found to be better than the rest. Perhaps you could try them. The key is finding a therapist which you feel comfortable and confident in although given the lack of nhs services it's often a case that you are stuck with whoever they allocate you to. Going private might be an option but do your research. Give MIND a try too. Good luck. Let us know how you get on x

[Warm-heart]

Hi, I totally understand. I would look on the online Counselling Directory counselling-directory.org.uk/ and search for an EMDR therapist as a keyword. Or just google EMDR. I find this the quickest and most effective therapy for many things, and good for anxiety with an upcoming situation. Very best wishes for finding some help.

[Englishsetter]

Had a Cardioversion 10 weeks ago. I, like you, was very anxious about it. I needn’t have been. The procedure was over in 10 minutes…. Went to sleep with my AF and woke a few minutes later with my heart peacefully beating normally. I wouldn’t hesitate about going through the procedure again. Hope this helps in some way.

[ROBBO36]

Hi there,

I don’t know your work situation but are you able to tap into anything through your employer? Sometimes employees are unaware they can. We’re pretty similar ages and I got some counselling in January this year. After suffering a heart attack then a TIA I was struggling a bit. Didn’t ever think in my life I’d get counselling. You are right though, there’s a huge backlog on the NHS but I was lucky to get support via my employer. Was sessions over a 10 week period. Was it the be all and end all for me, no it wasn’t. Did it “cure” my anxiety issues at the time, no it didn’t. Was it a worthwhile, absolutely 100% it was. I hope you can get the support you need and best wishes on your journey.

[Toffodog]

Hi there, I am currently going through a total melt down after being diagnosed with Triple Vessel Disease which can only be treated with medication and I was informed by my GP that there is a counselling service offered via the NHS called Psychological Treatment Services ( PTS) which help people with various anxiety issues. I completed a self referral form last week and have not got my first therapy session in early January. I’m not sure how the system works but I’m grateful for an appointment so it may be beneficial to you if you contact your GP if you think this sort of service would help Best wishes

[Missing_Bacon24 in reply to Toffodog]

Thanks so much for this. Hope everything goes well for you