Feeling scared? Anyone else?

[OurCoach]

This is day 8 post ablation and I am having a wild ride in my chest. My heart seems to be thumping away and I can't ignore the feeling. It is making me anxious. I've had three AF's since the procedure and I feel it must be time for the chest pain and crazy heart to calm down. I'm feeling uncomfortable and nervous. I know this is not a life threatening issue having AF, but it is playing havoc on my nervous system. I can't relax. Anyone have or had this same experience? I keep saying be patient and give it time, but are all these feelings part of the normal healing? And I can't even have a glass of wine to relax (said smiling).

[RiderontheStorm]

We all been there. I am in good shape and it took me 9 months to regain a normal heartbeat. That was 3 years ago. I felt like I was always in 3rd gear all the time even sitting down. Exercising was barely doable when I was already in high gear doing nothing. I should not have been shoveling snow either after having a pulmonary embolism about 10 days after the ablation, but there was no one else to do it. We all heal at different speeds. This too shall pass. Be patient. Stress does not help you heal or stay well with AF.

[OurCoach in reply to RiderontheStorm]

Thank you. I know I need to be patient with the pain healing and I am caught by surprise by the emotions and sense of anxiety. It is hard to feel anything close to normal and simply relax. It’s a new day as I write this and I will make it a day devoted to consciousness. Maybe it is mind over matter.

[pip_pip]

Hi coach. I think if it's that uncomfortable and if you are in pain it might be worth getting it all checked out.

Phil

[jeanjeannie50]

Go to see your GP and then perhaps you'll be able to have an ECG at the surgery to see just what your heart is doing. Don't put up with what you're experiencing and suffer in silence.

Jean

[BobD Volunteer]

Ablaataion is seldom the walk in the park which people are led to believe I'm afraid and recovery can be long and unpleasant but I'm sure that what you are experiencing is quiet normal at this very early stage. I'm sure you will have read the fact sheet and noted that we do say that if you experience pain then speak to your arrhythmia nurse or EP but are you sure that it is heart related pain and not oesphageal as suggested? The two can be very similar.

Again whilst I'm sure that you are fine, for your own peace of mind do make contact with your medical team.

[OurCoach in reply to BobD]

Bob, you are right. Somewhere I got the impression that this was a walk in the park. Busy health care people don’t have the kind of time we need to really “get” was is happening here. This group has taught me a LOT. The handout is excellent and I re-read it every day as something new registers with me. Thank you.

[Gowers in reply to OurCoach]

I felt exactly the same as you & agree with everything Bob & others have said. The recovery been far more difficult than I ever imagined but - knowing others have/are experiencing similar problems really helps

[CDreamer]

Physical symptoms cause anxiety and anxiety can also cause physical symptoms and certainly exacerbate existing symptoms so finding a way to relax by actively doing something about your anxiety is essential and all relaxation techniques have one thing in common - breathing.

Firstly check with your medical team that everything is OK, sometimes we need that reassurance from professionals.

Providing you have the reassurance - Secondly - use breathing techniques - focus on your breathing, slow down and if you can deepen your breathing and practice frequently.

Thirdly - use self talk to reassure yourself - that you are ok - you will heal and get better and you will be ok but it may take a while.

Fourthly think - So how can I use this imposed rest to my advantage? Research project? Listening to music? Catching up on reading? DO anything that you enjoy which can be accomplished whilst resting that will distract you from your symptoms.

When you start catastrophising by thinking of all that can go wrong your anxiety will go through the ceiling and then you start breathing very shallow - that in turn puts your system into alarm mode and so the whole spiral of self inflicted anxiety and symptoms escalates.

As others have said - what you are experiencing can be a normal part of the recovery for many people - my oesophageal pain took about 6 months to go completely- symptoms were feeling that my oesophagus was scratched - indeed it had been as I found out much later the TOE had got stuck as my oesophagus went into spasms, irritating cough, pain, problems swallowing and quite a lot of pain and acid reflux.

HR took 9 months to gradually return to normal resting levels.

When outcomes don’t meet expectations on recovery it is natural to believe something is wrong so I would question - what were your expectations of recovery and how do they differ from your reality? You can change your expectations but it’s a tad more difficult to change your reality.

Very best wishes for your recovery.

[OurCoach]

Thank you for taking the time to respond to me so thoughtfully. It is a new day as I read your note and you are filling me with good ideas to create a good day for me. I have just started listening to a mindfulness App and it’s all about breathing. I appreciate more and more that I can easily feed my anxiety. A new person seems to have shown up with this AF — I have never been anxious, scared or a worrier. Now I see that creeping into my life. I want my old me back. Your long note has helped. One day I will pass this favour along to another member of this community.

It means a lot to have this feedback.

[OurCoach]

Make that four AFs in nine days. Sheesh. Testing my positive gene for sure.

[Ianp66]

Echoing what others have said, I started feeling settled and the benefit of my operation after roughly 6 months and now 9 months later given the all clear after Cryo Ablation last April, anxiety is awful and a trigger for most , being reassured by a quick medical check may make you feel less isolated and anxious which helps to settle it down , deep breathing helps or maybe ask for something short term to help feel more relaxed.

[OurCoach]

I hope I too can write one day that I have started to feel settled and enjoying the benefits of the ablation. I'm feeling a tad impatient to get there. I am at day 10 so I get that I need more time. I was not prepared for how hard the recovery is from this procedure.

[OurCoach]

Update everyone who has responded to my earlier post. I couldn’t bring myself to taking anxiety meds after the pharmacist explained everything I needed to know. So I took myself off to the health store and bought some essential oils to rub on my temples when I get a headache and another to inhale when I feel anxious. Plus I started a daily mindfulness practice listening to an App. All are working. I still have had AF events - 5 in 12 days. Today is day 15 post Ablation. I mostly feel better, but at times I can tell AF is circling around trying to start up again. I know I have to be patient and let time heal me. I walk every day and do not drink any caffeine or alcohol. right now I just want to set myself up for success and am trying to do the right thing. Fingers crossed I can have these AF events behind me. Thanks for all the encouragement, keep it coming, it really helps.