Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Support Group
Atrial fibrillation (AF or afib) is an abnormal heart rhythm (cardiac arrhythmia) which involves the two small, upper heart chambers (the atria). Heart beats in a normal heart begin after electricity generated in the atria by the sinoatrial node spread through the heart and cause contraction of the heart muscle and pumping of blood.
Good Morning,
I have suffered from Anxiety on and off since about 1997. When I first started having symptoms, I had a feeling of being light headed and somewhat spaced out, not able to concentrate very well. After 10 months of diagnostic test, my doctors all pointed me towards stress and anxiety. After I allowed myself to believe they were not missing anything, I started taking Paxil 37.5mg daily. I have been free from that original symptom for 15 years! :)
The issue is that about a year ago, I became aware of something new... my heart rate seemed to be racing at times. I went to the doctor and he found Lone AFIB. I went to an EP and he did testing including a stress echo and concurred... Lone AFIB. He said my heart is otherwise healthy and this condition, at my age, was not life threatening. He has had me try a couple of medications, Metoprolol (50mg twice a day) and when that had no benifit he added Flecainide also twice daily. I can honestly tell you, I think this medication actually is making my AFIB worse.
I am under incredible stress in my life running a small company with about 20 employees and its has gotten worse recently with cashflow struggles, unions strong arming me filing lawsuit after lawsuit just to wear me out financially, etc...
It seems to me that the only thing that can help at all is when I get home from a tough day, I take a small xanax .25mg. I think by this helping me to relax, my afib lessens. It doesnt work all the time, but I think it helps.
I am very scared about this condition even though my doctor assured me I will be ok. I think my anxiety and my afib have me caught in a loop. I am stressed, I go into afib, I worry about the afib, my stress increases, my afib increases, I worry more, you get the picture.
Down the road, I would look to ablation but I figure the longer I can hold off, the better they will get at the proceedure and the results will get better as well. For now, I exercise, eat better, trying to drink water instead of Sprite, and hopefully slow down....
Any advice would be great as I feel alone sometimes even though I know I am not.
As a side note, my AFIB does come and go. Its is strange because it will bother me several times a day for longer durations for a month or two and then it seems to leave me alone most of the time... again for maybe a month or so... I can't seem to find a trigger except maybe the stress.
Thanks for listening...
Jim
I have suffered from Anxiety on and off since about 1997. When I first started having symptoms, I had a feeling of being light headed and somewhat spaced out, not able to concentrate very well. After 10 months of diagnostic test, my doctors all pointed me towards stress and anxiety. After I allowed myself to believe they were not missing anything, I started taking Paxil 37.5mg daily. I have been free from that original symptom for 15 years! :)
The issue is that about a year ago, I became aware of something new... my heart rate seemed to be racing at times. I went to the doctor and he found Lone AFIB. I went to an EP and he did testing including a stress echo and concurred... Lone AFIB. He said my heart is otherwise healthy and this condition, at my age, was not life threatening. He has had me try a couple of medications, Metoprolol (50mg twice a day) and when that had no benifit he added Flecainide also twice daily. I can honestly tell you, I think this medication actually is making my AFIB worse.
I am under incredible stress in my life running a small company with about 20 employees and its has gotten worse recently with cashflow struggles, unions strong arming me filing lawsuit after lawsuit just to wear me out financially, etc...
It seems to me that the only thing that can help at all is when I get home from a tough day, I take a small xanax .25mg. I think by this helping me to relax, my afib lessens. It doesnt work all the time, but I think it helps.
I am very scared about this condition even though my doctor assured me I will be ok. I think my anxiety and my afib have me caught in a loop. I am stressed, I go into afib, I worry about the afib, my stress increases, my afib increases, I worry more, you get the picture.
Down the road, I would look to ablation but I figure the longer I can hold off, the better they will get at the proceedure and the results will get better as well. For now, I exercise, eat better, trying to drink water instead of Sprite, and hopefully slow down....
Any advice would be great as I feel alone sometimes even though I know I am not.
As a side note, my AFIB does come and go. Its is strange because it will bother me several times a day for longer durations for a month or two and then it seems to leave me alone most of the time... again for maybe a month or so... I can't seem to find a trigger except maybe the stress.
Thanks for listening...
Jim
In NYC there are "cardiac psychologists" to help with anxiety, stress and heart conditions (including afib).
There are also more general therapist who let you "talk out" what's ever on your mind. Also some psychologists serve as a sort of business coach which can help small business owners.
The key is to find someone really qualified in that area, and to feel good rapport with him/her.
There are better results with these approaches than Xanax (btw, Xanax can become addictive)
Jim,
You are so lucky having age on your side. It is easy for me to say don't worry but I am one of the worst for worrying but when I got a hold of afib and realized it was not going to kill me I was a lot better. I have to say that Petey has helped me understand afib a lot.I wish you all the very best for the future.
Moy...
I need to better control my stress but I need to do this while I have age on my side...
Its pretty scary though.... Is there a lot of pain during the proceedure? I am a big baby! :)
Jim