Guest guest Posted July 7, 2004 Report Share Posted July 7, 2004 > I had Atrial flutter which was taken care of via RF ablation back in > February of this year. Have not had a palpitation since and it's > been great. Recently I had a previously scheduled follow up with my > EP (July 1st) which he only set up back in January in case I decided > not to have the ablation and we could reassess at that time. So, I > cancelled the apt on July 1st. Since that date however I've had > strange feelings like the shortness of breath and feeling of " oh my > God the AF is going to happen again. " But my resting heart rate is > 55 to 60 and I've worked out at the gym many many times with no > problems at all. I'm just wondering if because the July 1st date > came and I cancelled the apt I am having these feelings or panic > symptoms because I knew I was going to see the EP on that date. Once > again keep in mind I've had no palpitations at all. But I've once > again become hyper aware of my heart rate since July 1st - am I going > crazy? I don't even know what I'd tell a doctor if I went in to see > him/her. > > Reading up on anxiety/panic attacks I've seen many of hte same > symptoms I've had if only for very brief spells - slight fatigue, > headache, a hot flash, etc. This sounds like a panic attack to me. You're sure you're not in afib - you checked your pulse during these? Having said that, I can tell you that when I am having a panic attack, the very act of taking my pulse can cause me to skip a beat :-) which makes me even more anxious, so I usually wait until I have calmed down. If I were you, I'd make an appointment with the doc - just having an appointment coming up may calm you down. If it doesn't, you can discuss this with him. If it does, you can move the appointment out a month or two :-) I have actually done this myself. Be sure to give them enough advance warning when you cancel, though. A panic attack can be very brief, prolonged, or it can be a kind of background higher anxiety level. You have been through a lot, so it is not a surprise if you might be having these. If they don't go away by themselves, try relaxation breathing, calming walks, or (I have never had much luck with this) a shrink. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 7, 2004 Report Share Posted July 7, 2004 > I had Atrial flutter which was taken care of via RF ablation Ralph, another good way to deal with a panic attack is to distract yourself. Go do something that absorbs your concentration. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 7, 2004 Report Share Posted July 7, 2004 You know what is funny Trudy - I feel best when I am eating lunch and reading the paper, exercising, playing with the kids, etc. Which is why I think I'm doing it to myself. The times when I start feeling panicky is when I'm at work sitting in front of the damn computer and it's very quiet and the thoughts start creeping into my head or when I'm just laying there in bed. It's awful. I'll get over it - the further I get away from the cancelled apt date the better I'll be. I really appreciate your comments. > > I had Atrial flutter which was taken care of via RF ablation > > Ralph, another good way to deal with a panic attack is to distract > yourself. Go do something that absorbs your concentration. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 7, 2004 Report Share Posted July 7, 2004 You know what is funny Trudy - I feel best when I am eating lunch and reading the paper, exercising, playing with the kids, etc. Which is why I think I'm doing it to myself. The times when I start feeling panicky is when I'm at work sitting in front of the damn computer and it's very quiet and the thoughts start creeping into my head or when I'm just laying there in bed. It's awful. I'll get over it - the further I get away from the cancelled apt date the better I'll be. I really appreciate your comments. > > I had Atrial flutter which was taken care of via RF ablation > > Ralph, another good way to deal with a panic attack is to distract > yourself. Go do something that absorbs your concentration. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 7, 2004 Report Share Posted July 7, 2004 You know what is funny Trudy - I feel best when I am eating lunch and reading the paper, exercising, playing with the kids, etc. Which is why I think I'm doing it to myself. The times when I start feeling panicky is when I'm at work sitting in front of the damn computer and it's very quiet and the thoughts start creeping into my head or when I'm just laying there in bed. It's awful. I'll get over it - the further I get away from the cancelled apt date the better I'll be. I really appreciate your comments. > > I had Atrial flutter which was taken care of via RF ablation > > Ralph, another good way to deal with a panic attack is to distract > yourself. Go do something that absorbs your concentration. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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