Many people with afib take Xanax. I have in the past (while in afib). I took it because my wife yelled at me, not because of the afib.

Words of wisdom: "If you are afraid of taking a Xanax because you are nervous about taking it, just take a Xanax and that should lessen your anxiety about taking it. Stop after the first pill." See! There is a solution for everything!

petey

BTW, I broke the pill in half. I want to save the full dose if she kicks me out of the house. Seriously, half dose is all you need. I take one rarely. Some years none.

I don't have any expertise with this, but, I'll tell you what I know. I asked for a few Xanax after a stressful neighborhood event that involved kids and the police. I went into afib from the stress.

So, one evening, I tripped and fell, hurting myself a lot. I was so shaken up, I was literally shaking. I don't recall if I took a quarter or a half pill. Probably half, and soon, I stopped shaking. I was grateful for it.

When I had an MRI for Rotator Cuff tear, I was told to take Xanax so they could get a good pic...I was breathing to deeply for the first try. I took half pill, and I should have taken the whole thing. They wanted me to sleep.

I am sensitive to meds, so I usually take half dose of most.

I LOVE deep breathing exercises to help relax me. Not quite as potent as a pill, but still effective, and you can do it anytime.
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Hi there ..
I am anxiety ridden constantly .. I have been all my life .. I have taken anti-depressants over the years, but don't like the way they make me feel .. So those don't work for me .. Xanax has been a life saver .. I take 1/2 of a .5MG pill a few times a day .. I've done this since my first AFib event on 05/06/2013 .. Makes my life better .. I know it's an addictive drug, but I am very careful .. If I don't need it - I don't take it .. If I am having lots of PAC's/PVC's I take one and I feel more relaxed and I have less extra beats .. For me this works

Charlene
05/06/2013 1st recorded AFib event (converted via Cardizem drip 14 hours while hospitalized)
04/06/2014 2nd AFib event (converted at home 12 hours)
SO FAR NO MORE AFIB yet!!!!!!!

I take 1/2 of a .25 mg pill every once in a while when I'm nuts. I really helps. Take it, you will feel better. You may find that if you take 1/2 pill twice a day for a few days, the anxiety passes completely. Anxiety tends to feed on itself. Sometimes you need a little help stopping the cycle.

I haven't taken xanax but do have ativan to take for anxiety. I take it if I start to have lots of PACs/PVCs, usually take 1/2 tablet and it seems to calm things right down. I have also used it at the start of an afib episode and I swear it shortens the episode.
Warning: Xanax and ativan are addictive so try to only take occasionally. The withdrawl can be really bad and even dangerous.
So...that being said, try 1/2 dose and try to relax. It is likely to help you and possibly shorten the episode.

when my heart guy said he would allow me to have a script for .25mg Xanax I was happy to have it and afraid to use it , I stared at through a few episodes just like I stared at the Flecainide before I decided I would take it ( and everyone knows I am a HUGE fan of my Flecainide) after my husband and BFF telling me more times than I can count TAKE THE XANAX I did......it was perfect for me . , the effect was calming and nothing harsh or scary about it....if I have an episode I for sure take it and if I have runs of PACS that are distressing me I take it....so not too often, definitely not enough to be dependent just enough to keep on keepin on . jan

I understand your fear of taking the xanax,my anxiety was so bad I feared taking it too! Once I did I thought oh my gosh why did I not so this before? I took a half of the 0.25 and was fine while in afib and it really does help especially in the beginning of this dilemma. Now I very rarely take one, if I do it is just so I can sleep. Just knowing I have it is enough for me these days if the deep breathing does not work for me for some reason, Hang in there you will get thur this. Take only as needed as it can become a problem if you get carried away.

I'm scheduled for an ablation on the 18th. going into afib sends my anxiety sky high--and I've never had problems with anxiety before. it does become a cycle for me--even out of afib I'm anxious about recurrences and will get near panic attacks. Sometimes it's hard to tell whether my high heart rate is from afib or panic! so I'm going to ask for some kind of pill in the pocket anxiety medication for after my ablation, since I'm expecting a rough patch during the blanking period. Good to hear that others have had success with medications. I'm not sure what my dr.s will prescribe,

Xanax (Valium, Klonipin, Ativan) are OK as short-acting anxiety relief. They have a "short-half life" which means the effect only lasts a few hours. Some people can get addicted because as soons as it wears off (or even before it wears off), they want to take anotherr one to prevent more anxiety. Xanax, etc. works in a safer way if you take it only once-in-a-while (not more than once a week or less).

Some MD's prescribe a low dose of an SSRI antidepresant because it lasts a long time and doesn't much create addiction. But you have to stay on it on a regular basis, not just once in a while. Also ask your MD about beta-blockers which are cardiac drugs that aso reduce anxiety.

Many people use things like deep breathing, meditation, yoga, "mindfulmess" to manage anxiety.

I also suggest seeing a health psychologist, behavioral medicine psychologist, cardiac psychologist (there are a few) or cognitive-behaviral therapist to learn practical ways to manage anxiety and stress withot medication.

DB,
Also, don't know if you are currently taking Metoprolol for your afib....when I went "crazy" (a full blown anxiety attack, which I hope I NEVER experience again!) Dr. C just doubled my dose of Met, and that kept the anxiety at bay as well. Once the anxiety passed he reduced the dosage.

Bill

I had GAD with panic attacks long before afib, I always joke I had to go to therapy to quit being afraid of meds. I can't take antidepressants so it is xanax and I still hate admitting I take it.

Fear of addiction is dealt with by weaning off on a regular basis, drives my doctor crazy but she has learned I need it. I do biofeedback, cognitive behavior, relaxtion and therapy in combination. The only thing good about meroprolol was it was great for anxiety, couldn't keep me NSR.

Just remember if you have an addictive personality stay away from all benzodiazepenes.

laurab

Thank you all so much! Your words of experience and encouragement really helped me a lot!

I"ve been in a-fib for 2 days. I worked in A-fib for the first time today. It was a tough day. I came home, took a half of a Xanax (first time ever), laid on the couch, and converted to NSR within 30 minutes!!! Oh my gosh.....I feel like a new person!

It would be wonderful to know if it was the pill or just it's "time", but I guess it doesn't really matter. I am so glad I tried the Xanax!

Thanks!

Glad to hear you are in NSR, hard to say what did it but anxiety begets afib and afib begets anxiety. It takes time but you will figure out what works for you and how to handle the anxiety, Deep breathing also helps get the heart rate down which can also help with the anxiety and may help to convert you. You will be fine once you learn what works for you, try to be patient.......

I have had a lot of anxiety and resisted doing anything about it as I am already on lots of meds to treat my afib and did not want to take anything that would interfere with my heart meds. I finally talked to my cardiologist about my anxiety and depression, especially my racing mind at night when trying to sleep.. she told me anxiety and depression was very common for people with heart disease. I went to see a mental health doc who put me on a very low dose of xanex after I tried zoloft and it did not help). I have been on the same dosage for almost a year now and it really helps. I take it before bed and am actually able to sleep well. Before I started taking the xanax, I checked with my cardiologist and she said it would be fine and not interfere with my other meds or adversely affect my heart. Check with your cardiologist.. if it is ok with them.. I highly recommend it.