Intrusive thoughts

[Bluecat223]

Hey all I had a HA and OOHCA 12 weeks ago now stent fitted to RCA anybody else had a chest pain and automatically think oh god it's happening again I know I am OK and it's just muscle pain but then the anxiety and panic attack starts and it takes a few hours to calm down just wanted to share and to see if anyone else has the same thoughts or is it just me 😪

[Teztickles]

I'm 4 weeks post HA and feel exactly the same.. I've had one trip to A&E because of it - I was in significantly more pain than during the actual HA but it was 'non cardiac chest pain'... I'm dealing with it slightly better at the moment but it's very very up and down - the mental side of a HA is far worse than the HA itself. Be kind to yourself always - you got this 🫶🏻💪🏻❤️‍🩹🫶🏻💪🏻❤️‍🩹

[Bluecat223 in reply to Teztickles]

Same here a week after my HA I was back in A&E turns out I was having a panic attack they were really good I arrested 5 times with mine 😅 any slight pain in my throat and jaw I have a complete melt down which turns into a massive panic attack i had one tonight the last one I had was weeks ago I have my therapy tomorrow so hopefully that will start to help x

[Teztickles in reply to Bluecat223]

I had very limited symptoms - the real pain was in my wrists and elbows but spread to my teeth - didn't really know what to do with myself and hubby thought I looked 'off' so called ambulance - it's now a real battle not to go into panic mode at the slightest twinge and I'm so overly chesty aware 24/7..

Wishing you an uneventful and speedy recovery 🙏🏻😍

[Bluecat223 in reply to Teztickles]

Thank God your hubby was with you and called an ambulance It is a massive battle not to get too stressed with the slightest twinge hopefully with time it will get better for us good luck with your recovery 🥰🥰x

[Redapples123]

hi when I had heart attack was so unexpected none of the symptoms even go baffled so every time I got a pain I was back at the hospital I was scared to do anything or go out and kept going to have checkups until one day I thought I can’t change what happened but they live happier healthy instead of worrying constantly it is hard at first but you’ll get thru it

[Bluecat223 in reply to Redapples123]

Thank you I know it's early days and it will get better it's nice to speak to people who have been through the same thing and are doing well 😊 x

[Redapples123 in reply to Bluecat223]

Wishing you the best try not to worry even thou you will at first I think anyone who has had heart attacks and heart failure all panic in case happens again that’s I like this forum everyone can share their experiences we don’t feel alone😊

[Teztickles in reply to Redapples123]

How long did it take you to get to the can't change it stage??

[Redapples123 in reply to Teztickles]

It is almost four years since diagnosed with heart failure

[DarrenRafferty]

Have you been offered any therapy from the Cardio Rehab team. I was offered and have just finished a 12 week programme and it really helped😊

[Bluecat223 in reply to DarrenRafferty]

I am having cbt at the mo I don't know if it's helping I am only on session 3 today so will see how it goes x

[pasigal]

yes, after having stents and later cardiac arrest AFTER the stents with no real confirmation of why, I had horrible anxiety for years. I still get it once and a while. Therapy helps somewhat. But know you are not alone!

[wjb2]

your not alone it’s just turned a week three years ago when i had my Massive HA @ and in a few days to go to my OHS triple by pass. Later that year i also had a ruptured gallbladder. So 1st year was ok with pains in the chest and gallbladder area i was able to rationalise these with the surgical trauma and healing.

Now three years in the least bit twinge and i’m mentally at deaths door, never mind an ambulance i’m ready to organise my funeral.

I no there’s no rational to these thoughts and i have to really work hard to break the thought cycle. How my darling wife puts up with me i will never understand.

I do find venting on here helps so much as you soon realise you’re not alone with these post HA and surgery worries.

[jackiesj in reply to wjb2]

sending a hug

[TAVIshock]

I think that all of us share your intrusive anxieties, and deeply sympathise. Do try meditative breathing for surprisingly fast relief. Good luck, Tavishock

[AngedeLac]

I’m approaching my 12 month anniversary of my STEMI and sudden cardiac arrest. I remember in the first few months getting really worried about the smallest pain in my chest, especially when I was in that limbo period when you have left hospital but not started the cardiac rehab…I felt so alone. I also had cracked ribs from the CPR which many people get, so that caused chest pain. I remember asking the nurse when I finally started the cardiac rehab about the occasional pain in my sternum and she said I should use my GTN spray when I felt any chest pain…as that way if the pain doesn’t go you know to call an ambulance. I’ve only had to use it a few times since and it’s been a relief when the pain has gone. I found that once I started the cardiac rehab classes and started to go out of the house more it meant that I wasn’t sat in my chair worrying about every little niggle. This group is a great forum for asking questions…but did you know there’s also a group called Sudden Cardiac Arrest UK suddencardiacarrestuk.org/ who provide peer to peer support for survivors of cardiac arrests and also their family members? I have found this group really helpful, especially when I had a mental wobble recently and realised that I hadn’t mentally processed my cardiac arrest.

[Bluecat223 in reply to AngedeLac]

Hey yes I am in the group on face book its a fantastic group x

[Reggaesaint]

Good morning Bluecat223,

I empathise greatly with how you are feeling because I had a similar experience in November when I had an OHCA, followed by three more in hospital over the next three days. It is defined as an electrical storm.

The psychological impact is enormous and it is a constant struggle. This forum is amazing and I think that it could be further enhanced if we could set up online or regional face to face meetings to chat with one another. Thus far, nearly four months on, I have still not met with any other survivors.

Are you planning to attend the annual Sudden Cardiac Arrest conference in Hinckley on 17th May? Even though it is quite a trek from Dorset we are going. I doubt that the DVLA will process my driving licence in time as I surrendered it after I had an ICD fitted so we are travelling by train.

Thanks to my wonderful wife she promptly administered CPR without any prior training until the ambulance arrived. Very fortunately the ambulance arrived within ten minutes.

I don’t think that anything prepares you properly for the enormity of the psychological impact that sudden cardiac arrests have on you.

Happy to chat further and I wish you all the very best for a strong recovery.

Best wishes

Reggaesaint

[Bluecat223 in reply to Reggaesaint]

I was thinking about going to hinckley its not far from me I am in the west Midlands solihull way I was thinking about setting something up locally I might look in to it x

[Pickerj]

absolutely everyone ! It never goes away either, you just get better at dealing with it in time. I’m 2 years post out if the blue heart attack. The mental side was far harder to deal with than the physical. Progressive muscle relaxation worked well for me. You’ll find what works for you in time. Best wishes 👍

[Digger0]

Not having been there, but I can quite understand the fear and anxiety that follows HA's. Good luck with your rehab.

[Twosumsmum]

it takes many months to forgive your heart for the fear it’s given you ..

[Cruiser25]

Hi Bluecat223,

Sorry to see another member of the club, but welcome.

I'm 3 yrs on from a big old Stemi, luckily I didn't arrest, I was really lucky that day. Anyway after they put 7 stents into 2 arteries I was home and left to contemplate what the heck had happened.

So, 3 yrs on and I still become emotional at times, strangely when I'm exercising, I think it's just the realisation that it could just as easily turned out differently. My point is, when this happens I can then turn it around (in my head) and accept the wonder of being able to do what I do, it isn't easy and takes effort, but it can be done.

Rehab is absolutely key, meeting others who are in the same boat, no-one judges and a good place to compare notes, so to speak, if you feel able to. Rehab provides a safe space to explore what you can and feel able to try, lots of little wins, the proverbial one step at a time.

Good luck with your recovery, just by posting on here is an enormous step forward and a great launch pad for the future you.

[Bluecat223 in reply to Cruiser25]

Thank you I am nearly at the end of my rehab journey 2 weeks left to go in love going there they are a great bunch of people it's really helped x

[Caballocubano]

I agree with all these comments...we just panic after our experiences... but that does settle! We all experienced a traumatic event whatever the details...to a degree given we all tend to be on some form of meds we're probably safer than before 😅 ... keep talking and stay positive. 👍🏽

[Weemonkey1]

Hi - I had OHS two years ago, totally overwhelmed with emotions. Constantly worrying about any of the symptoms I had returning. Speak to BHF nurses or ask your GP for counselling- both have helped me greatly x

[DefLep74]

Hi I was in a very similar situation two and a half years ago after having a HA and x2 Cardiac Arrests one day at 47. I had x2 huge panic attacks, ending up in A&E both times in the first few months.

I work as a community mental health crisis clinician and know health anxiety is very real to that person and is very common.

My experience is it does get easier and less frequent as each month passes. It takes us all an adjustment period to get used to the fact our lives had had a very sudden change.

Personally after lying on a hospital trolly for 12 hours on my second panic attack trip to hospital it very suddenly dawned on me, after getting my normal blood results back, that it was mind that was unwell and not my heart.

As I suffer from syncope and still get chest pain, and have been back to A&E a few times to be on the safe side. Although it’s still frightening at the time I’ve learnt to go with the flow and there’s no point worrying until there’s something to worry about. By all means don’t ignore your symptoms but try and focus your mind on something else if you think it’s a panic attack.

Life goes on and post HA I embrace and enjoy every day and the small things in life. Hopefully you’ll get that point too 😊

[nilmonisikdar40]

Hi there, Sorry to ask this question . What does the abbreviation OOHCA stand for? Regards.

[Bluecat223 in reply to nilmonisikdar40]

It stands for out of hospital cardiac arrest x

[Goldiocks]

Hi Yes, I was exactly the same. I was having to go to A&E several times before my son thought it was panic attacks as each time Docs said there was no problems but my heart rate was up together with BPs. I was shaking for a long time after these events. I discovered REIKI treatment. It is not massage and is considered safe for heart patients. I had three sessions at £55 each and I am feeling really good. The longest I have gone without treatment is nearly 3 months and so far I have not had another panic attack.. Hope this is useful for you. Best of Luck

[Bluecat223 in reply to Goldiocks]

Thank you someone I know suggested reiki I will give it a go x

[Whatjusthapened]

hi

I’m 2yrs down the line from my HA. I was the same as you for quite a while. Back to A&E 4 times. The medication messes with your digestion giving you feelings and pains you didn’t have before.

Learning how to rationalise and control the panic attacks is the best thing I did.

Speak to the rehab nurses.

[Bluecat223 in reply to Whatjusthapened]

Thank you i will tomorrow at cardio rehab x

[JLMW in reply to Whatjusthapened]

I’m only 4 weeks on from HA. The digestion issues are awful. Managing to rationalise most of the time but sometimes struggle in the night!

[jackiesj]

I am sooo thankful for the share. Bluecat223....not alone.