What helped you with anxiety? - British Heart Fou...

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What helped you with anxiety?

RTCLP1 profile image
20 Replies

Hi Hearties, After finally making progress following my HA in December, I'm now finding that I'm getting anxiety. I did think it was something wrong with my heart but lots of tests and a meeting with the cardiologist shows that it's ok. Apart from the chest twinges, my legs feel like they have pins and needles and I feel generally nervous. It's tiring and I'm getting frustrated. My blood pressure has risen, albeit only a little so now I'm worrying about that, but I've been a little more active recently so that's probably why it's risen a bit.

So, what do you do help with your anxiety? My wife suggested CBT.

Many thanks.

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RTCLP1 profile image
RTCLP1
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20 Replies
stevetheadi profile image
stevetheadi

I have always been an anxious person but since my CABG I worry about my health (and other things) more and more. Usually without any good reason.

I found CBT very useful. Reframing thoughts etc does reduce anxiety.

I benefited even more though from regular meditation. I meditate every day using the free version of Calm:

calm.com

I enjoy the quiet minutes and feel much better afterwards.

RTCLP1 profile image
RTCLP1 in reply tostevetheadi

I did start to meditate (something I never imagined me doing) but it waned. I'll go back to it. Good to know about your experience with CBT. I'm seeing a counsellor at the moment (again, something I never thought I'd do) so I'll ask her about CBT as I know they do it and general 'talking' isn't really doing a lot for me, or at least I don't think it is.

stevetheadi profile image
stevetheadi in reply toRTCLP1

If you're having cardiac rehab the nurses should be able to suggest some strategies to help you and talk through your worries and reassure you if there is nothing to worry about. Mine were great!

whiteblackblue profile image
whiteblackblue in reply tostevetheadi

Blessings to you, as with myself anxiety, worrying thoughts and even depression at times. I definitely know those emotions, however now that I am taking Magnesium glycinate and GABA I am feeling much better with much better sleep. I know everyone is different however this works for me. I definitely as staying away from pharmacies drugs as much as possible. Researching the benefits of Magnesium glycinate and GABA will definitely gleam us beneficial information, again blessings to you.

BlueDouble007 profile image
BlueDouble007

Have you tried walking? It always said it is the most useful tool for reliefing stress and getting the easiest exercise.

RTCLP1 profile image
RTCLP1 in reply toBlueDouble007

Yes, I find getting put helps as it's a distraction but I think finding a coping mechanism would be good for those occasions where walking isn't possible.

Murderfan58 profile image
Murderfan58

Until I had my diagnosis of my hereditary neurological condition I thought I just got jittery at times. Didn't realise I had anxiety. I do get anxious over things but I find just doing my pre natal breathing helps plus my exercise routine. I do suffer from travel anxiety even on buses I take all the time and have to watch for every bus stop.to make sure I don't get off at the wrong on. I am the same on the train have to beable to see out of the window at all times and know which stations we stop at . But when going on holiday I have travel assistance which helps take the fear of getting on the wrong train and and any changes .

I read everyday which helps and I cross stitch . It's the only time my hands don't tremble when holding the hoop. It's a slow craft but I do counted cross stitch so I find it very relaxing and men do cross stitch as well. Plus member of a monthly craft group which is fun. Go to sit fit class on Monday and move it or lose it class on Tuesday. Which keeps your mind and body active as both classes we do exercises which tax your mind . Which causes much laughter. Last week in move it or lose it we had to do the box step and supposed to move out alternative hands from the elbows out but I couldn't do it. But I am determined to master it .

Do you find your anxiety has any triggers ? If you don't know see if you can pin point ,if anything triggers it that way you can learn ways to lesson counter it .

Hope this helps .

RTCLP1 profile image
RTCLP1 in reply toMurderfan58

I've started calligraphy a few days ago, plus a few other things recently.

Murderfan58 profile image
Murderfan58 in reply toRTCLP1

That's very clever and beautiful. I can't write very well due to trembling hands. Doing that must take a lot of concentration and I know there are different forms of it. I hope it relaxes you and takes you out of your mind. I know my cross stitch does that for me .

😊

Hilar profile image
Hilar

I have found that giving up caffeine has had a huge effect on more or less curing my anxiety. Don't know whether that will help anyone else but it's been life changing for me.

Hrty profile image
Hrty

I registered with Talking Therapies - it's free through the NHS but not, unfortunately, available everywhere. Through it I had access to online CBT and 1-1 sessions over the phone. My GP also referred me to MIND and I had a few sessions with them, in fact I still have a couple "banked" but haven't felt the need to go back. Talking through my anxiety and pin-pointing what I was actually afraid of helped a lot and I was also give coping strategies and targets to meet before each session.

Andyman profile image
Andyman

I had 8 counseling sessions where I talked it all out and took up mindfulness to cope with future episodes. Worked a treat.

Driver11 profile image
Driver11

Therapy is not a bad word and if you can give it a try. Any form of trauma causes all sorts of problems and they are trained to help . I've used them 3 times and the results are great. Good luck but remember you are not alone or unusual

greenba profile image
greenba

Meditation , Yoga and Walking are three great mind calmers. Even the Yoga breathing is a great help on its own. Good luck.

Oldgimmer66 profile image
Oldgimmer66

I didn’t get on with CBT, because it attempts to use logic to deal with what is essentially a feeling. Whilst I saw the logic, it didn’t actually relieve my anxiety. I found a good, qualified psychotherapist and counsellor whose techniques weren’t apparent, but who massively helped my anxiety.

PadThaiNoodles profile image
PadThaiNoodles

I got good results from CBT, but for me the game-changer was an SSRI. (I’m on escitalopram, but there are a bunch of them.)

readyabout profile image
readyabout

I have had anxiety off and on for some time. I find a number of things in combination work well; meditation using a guided meditation and some 'new age' music try New World Music & Medwyn Goodall's is very good', Dr Bach Flower Essences are a regular thing I take available from Holland & Barrett and many others read the leaflets I find Mimulus and Aspen for anxiety or just the Rescue Remedy, Reiki is very good for sorting you out I have a regular session every month, group activities such as Pilates or Yoga are great I have a Pilates session once a week, and do something that 'fires you up' mine is sailing and it is great! Good luck.

SchnauzerOtto profile image
SchnauzerOtto

As somebody suggested in the comments already, I can second Magnesium Glycinate! Works well for me!

Sanmo profile image
Sanmo

NHS Silvercloud programme is superb. I had terrible anxiety after my CA, ended up in A&E several times and given the all clear on each occasion, that reassured me but didn't last long until anxiety took over again. The Cardio rehab nurse put me onto the Silvercloud online programme, it worked a treat. It's free, no substances required.

Darkandlong profile image
Darkandlong

Hello, I’m sorry that you’re suffering with anxiety. I had a pm implant three weeks ago and my anxiety rocketed. Always let it get the better of me throughout my life, but needing a battery operated device in my body to regulate my heart, put my mortality in my face!

However, for 10 days I have been meditating before I go to sleep, it’s a led practice that concentrates on my breathing and a full body scan with an affirmation to close the meditation. I’m very happy to say that I have been able to go to sleep, and stay asleep without the aid of my best friends (Zopiclone and Kalms). My anxiety levels have dropped and are not so all consuming. Everything matters, but some things matter more than others.

I still have moments of anxiousness about the health of my heart and am trying to come to terms with the fact that it needs help. Meditation had given me some peace. I hope you find yours.

All the best to you.

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