Afib And Anxiety

[MissTerious]

Just wondering if any of you have a problem like mine. I have afib and anxiety which brings on my afib, so it's a chicken and egg situation. So along with bisprolol I have to take blood thinners to protect me from strokes, but they can also cause bleeds on the brain. Yet another chicken and egg situation. Had an afib attack this evening and feeling sorry for myself and too anxious to go to sleep. Fed up!

[MissTerious]

My usual methods of taking my heartrate down are now working because I am not panicking.

[Patsy33]

Awful feeling like that, M.T. I feel for you, as I've suffered terrible anxiety attacks in the past, causing palpitations, panic attacks. I've been on beta blockers for years, as I have a very fast heart rate, which don't help. Plus antidepressants for panic attacks. So I understand how it can make you feel. So sorry you are in pain with the osteoarthritis and back pain, which must be hard to cope with. I hope pain management can come up with something to help you.

[gness]

So sorry to read how bad you are, MissT. Can't suggest anything that might help you. Do hope something can be done for the pain very soon.
Keep chatting....x

[MissTerious]

Patsy. Pain management referred me to psychotherapy who referred me to wellbeing and coping strategies. They couldn't do much because I am Red flagged for all the strong painkillers. X

[MissTerious]

You'll never stop me chatting Gness. I drive my husband mad. He's so quiet!!

[gness]

:-))...x

[Patsy33]

Not easy for you then, M.T. Do you find any of the painkillers help?

[FreyaBee]

Hello MissTerious I have been reading your health problem and feel I must try and help you, as I had the same high anxiety, coupled with agrophobia and panic attacks several years ago.
It all started as I was under severe stress through what was then happening with family life.
I am now a much much calmer person, having taking a few simple steps and really hope that some of these may help you. None of them will do any harm and if at least one of them helps I will be happy for you :).
Firstly you have to learn how to relax. Sit quietly in a comfy chair, feet on the floor. Close your eyes, drop your shoulders while breathing out. Breathe in, count to 7 then slowly breathe out counting to 8. Repeat several times.
Place your right hand on your left shoulder and slowly stroke your hand down your arm while thinking of walking on a beach in the warm sun. Then place left hand on right shoulder and do the same.
Repeat several times, remembering to do the deep slow breathing.
I aso do Tai Chi while sitting down, just with my arm movements.
A cube of crystalized stem ginger slowly sucked calms my nerves.
Keep hydrated with water (I like chilled water which slows the pulse rate and helps me)
My diet helps too as I am type 2 diabetic and limit certain foods.
I am on low dose of warfarin, enalapril for BP and statin in the evening.
I really hope some of this will help you to relax. x

[MissTerious]

I'm not allowed to take anything except paracetamol Patsy except a low dose of nepofam and I have diazapam for when things get really rough. My doctor let's me have it but checks out I'm not taking too much!! I usually cope

[MissTerious]

That's very kind of you Freya. I need to get back into mindfulness again. I must say I drink a lot of really cold water and always have a flask of it by my bed. In fact water and decaf black tea are the only drinks I do drink apart from the occasional mint tea. I am gluten free. I'll look through your post carefully again. I think I will chose a field rather than a beach though. I'm not a lover of lying on beaches. We are surrounded by fields in our very rural home. I prefer countryside to beaches. So I'll let my imagination take over and pretend I am mobile again! Xx

Thanks a lot. Chronic anxiety is so difficult to deal with especially with all my physical problems! But I've made it to 75, so ì will struggle on. Xx

[MissTerious]

I'll keep you in touch x

[MissTerious]

And I love ginger! I will get some. Am ì allowed it covered in dark chocolate? ;0))

[FreyaBee]

I am confident my little steps will help you. They helped me where i am now. I am almot 81 and was a total mess a few years ago.
Oh a field is lovely. Imagine walking slowly in the warm sunshine, perhaps a skylark above. I love walking in nature, but barefoot in the sand my favourite. If you ever feel your shoulders are almost under your ears, drop them and relax.
Take care and I will await a good result xx

[Patsy33]

Oh, I didn't realise you could only take paracetamol. With the others you mentioned, hope they make a small difference. That's excellent stuff that Freya posted. :-)

[MissTerious]

Tai chi arm movements. Where do ì find these and will onecshouldervreplament and the other arthritic one cope?

[FreyaBee]

I don't eat ginger covered in dark chocolate, but I like the sound of that :-O). I am allowed the odd square of dark chocolate.
I buy the jar of stem ginger in Tesco .

[MissTerious]

And nice to meet you Freya. X

[FreyaBee]

I found the Tai Chi movements online during lockdown. I can't remember where though. If your shoulder joints are painful, don't continue with those.

[FreyaBee]

Very nice to meet you too :) I don't normally chat on AB but only ask if I need help, or if I can help others. I avoid looking at all the arguments ! x

[MissTerious]

I have two squares of dark chocolate every night after Dinner. Its essential!,

Thanks all of you lovely people for your help.
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