AFIB Support

Hi All, I am 31 years old and I recently had a cardiac abaltion to correct Atrial Tachycardia, unfortunately the procedure was unsuccessful as the Arrythmia was coming from deep within my heart and is too close to my phrenic nerve which could paralyze me. After my surgery my cardiologist put me on flecanide (which i thought was for AFIB) This has really affected my mental health I can't be on my own after the surgery. Although I have had less Arrythmias since being on the flecanide the side effects really get me down, i can feel well mentally and physically but as soon as I have an Arrythmia it puts me right back in to a bad head space. Had anybody got any tips for how they cope mentally with their Arrythmia?

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Georgia Bostock
Newton Abbot
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Original Message:
Sent: 1/6/2021 2:17:00 PM
From: Georgia Bostock
Subject: Atrial Tachycardia

Hi All, I am 31 years old and I recently had a cardiac abaltion to correct Atrial Tachycardia, unfortunately the procedure was unsuccessful as the Arrythmia was coming from deep within my heart and is too close to my phrenic nerve which could paralyze me. After my surgery my cardiologist put me on flecanide (which i thought was for AFIB) This has really affected my mental health I can't be on my own after the surgery. Although I have had less Arrythmias since being on the flecanide the side effects really get me down, i can feel well mentally and physically but as soon as I have an Arrythmia it puts me right back in to a bad head space. Had anybody got any tips for how they cope mentally with their Arrythmia?

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Georgia Bostock
Newton Abbot
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Georgia, welcome. Sorry you had to join us under these circumstances. 

I cannot fathom why Cardiologists rarely if ever address the emotional aspects of heart disease. It's established fact that depression and anxiety go hand in hand with heart disease. I firmly that old adage should be revised to "whatever doesn't kill us makes us crazy" well that's true in my case anyway. 

Look, I'm an old hand at a rampaging heart and have dealt with virtually every arrhythmia known since my adventure started Jan 9, 2007. I truly wish I had some magic words to help you. My experience is that we are individuals and each has their own coping mechanisms to handle these situations. I try to maintain a positive attitude and look at the humorus aspects of my journey. I've found that educating myself on my condition and realizing that most of my irregular heart beats are just God's way of reminding me I'm alive.

Recognize that most of what you are dealing with is fear of dying. I dunno, perhaps I've lost my fear of death after 14 years of doctors telling me I'm on death's portal. Hey it used to be door step but I'm trying to keep up with the tecnology age, vis a vis the term portal. At any rate, find a way to overcome your fear and put it in it's place. I have a philosophy that you really aren't living if all you do us worry about dying. 

That said, don't hesitate to seek professional help and get anti-anxiety medication if needed. There's no stigma in that.if you need it use it! Good luck to you and hang in, we know it's tough, thats why Mended Hearts exist.

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Warren
TucsonAZ
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Original Message:
Sent: 01-06-2021 14:17
From: Georgia Bostock
Subject: Atrial Tachycardia

Hi All, I am 31 years old and I recently had a cardiac abaltion to correct Atrial Tachycardia, unfortunately the procedure was unsuccessful as the Arrythmia was coming from deep within my heart and is too close to my phrenic nerve which could paralyze me. After my surgery my cardiologist put me on flecanide (which i thought was for AFIB) This has really affected my mental health I can't be on my own after the surgery. Although I have had less Arrythmias since being on the flecanide the side effects really get me down, i can feel well mentally and physically but as soon as I have an Arrythmia it puts me right back in to a bad head space. Had anybody got any tips for how they cope mentally with their Arrythmia?

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Georgia Bostock
Newton Abbot
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Hi Ralph, Thank you so much for your wise words, they make a lot of sense. My cardiologist has been very blase about my Arrythmia which in one sense makes me feel I don't have anything to worry about but in another sense it has led me to turn to Google for answers which has only exacerbated my anxiety. I am trying to stay away from any medication for anxiety at the moment because I've heard most of these directly affect the heart so I feel in turn it could make my anxiety worse. You're right I just have to find my own way of dealing with things and not worry about might happen. I'm sorry that you have experienced a lot of Arrythmia problems but I'm glad you have come to terms and found a way to deal with them, hopefully I will soon.

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Georgia Bostock
Newton Abbot
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Original Message:
Sent: 01-11-2021 05:26
From: Ralph Warren
Subject: Atrial Tachycardia

Georgia, welcome. Sorry you had to join us under these circumstances.

I cannot fathom why Cardiologists rarely if ever address the emotional aspects of heart disease. It's established fact that depression and anxiety go hand in hand with heart disease. I firmly that old adage should be revised to "whatever doesn't kill us makes us crazy" well that's true in my case anyway.

Look, I'm an old hand at a rampaging heart and have dealt with virtually every arrhythmia known since my adventure started Jan 9, 2007. I truly wish I had some magic words to help you. My experience is that we are individuals and each has their own coping mechanisms to handle these situations. I try to maintain a positive attitude and look at the humorus aspects of my journey. I've found that educating myself on my condition and realizing that most of my irregular heart beats are just God's way of reminding me I'm alive.

Recognize that most of what you are dealing with is fear of dying. I dunno, perhaps I've lost my fear of death after 14 years of doctors telling me I'm on death's portal. Hey it used to be door step but I'm trying to keep up with the tecnology age, vis a vis the term portal. At any rate, find a way to overcome your fear and put it in it's place. I have a philosophy that you really aren't living if all you do us worry about dying.

That said, don't hesitate to seek professional help and get anti-anxiety medication if needed. There's no stigma in that.if you need it use it! Good luck to you and hang in, we know it's tough, thats why Mended Hearts exist.

------------------------------
Warren
TucsonAZ

Original Message:
Sent: 01-06-2021 14:17
From: Georgia Bostock
Subject: Atrial Tachycardia

Hi All, I am 31 years old and I recently had a cardiac abaltion to correct Atrial Tachycardia, unfortunately the procedure was unsuccessful as the Arrythmia was coming from deep within my heart and is too close to my phrenic nerve which could paralyze me. After my surgery my cardiologist put me on flecanide (which i thought was for AFIB) This has really affected my mental health I can't be on my own after the surgery. Although I have had less Arrythmias since being on the flecanide the side effects really get me down, i can feel well mentally and physically but as soon as I have an Arrythmia it puts me right back in to a bad head space. Had anybody got any tips for how they cope mentally with their Arrythmia?

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Georgia Bostock
Newton Abbot
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