Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Support Group

Ooops, sorry: "Has anyone ... ."

No. But it is a thought.

I haven't taken anxiety drugs, however I do know some people that do take them when they go into an a-fib attack. They claim it does help keep them calm. My EP had offered to give me a prescription but I declined. I felt I didn't need to take any extra meds. Meditation helped me get thru my epsiodes of a-fib.

Not a bad idea. Since anxiety and afib are both nerve related conditions, treating one might have beneficial effects for the other. I certainly am going to explore that. THe only problem is that antianxiety drugs can be addictive.

Thanks everyone for the feedback!

Anti anxiety drugs are a blessing when used properly. Unfortunately, if used routinely, the anxiety they seem to combat seems to be increased over time.

I have taken 1 mg of Xanax at night in order to sleep through the night. In the morning I take 1/4mg. because it combats panic attacks. I've done this for the past 7 years. I am not addicted but I no longer have terrible insomnia and I rarely get panic attacks anymore. That's just my two cents for what its worth.
hidss

xanax seems to stop the attack quickly if it is not too severe

Is there a way you could do double duty on this with a high beta blocker dose? If you react well, it might work - some stage performers take old standby metoprolol before performing!

Hey there im a new member & i just wrote my first post under the "length of a-fib" topic. Anyway, i have been taking Xanax 3 times daily to help me cope through this whole "a-fib" experience. I felt something needed to be done cause i would get so fixated on my heart & work myself up into fears of stroke & things like that. I do feel like its been helping me stay more calm throughout the day. It does make me drowsy at times but not too bad. I have also seeked counseling to try & help with the obsessive-unwanted thoughts about my heart. And have scheduled a hypnosis session as well.

The goal is to ween off the Xanax once i get the ablation, assuming all goes well & the anxieties go away.

Good luck to you. & hope i helped in some way!!