Guest guest Posted May 21, 2006 Report Share Posted May 21, 2006 In a message dated 5/21/2006 9:19:52 A.M. Pacific Standard Time, phyllisk@... writes: think many/most of us would say we also have anxiety and depression over this condition that comes from nowhere and on no particular schedule I am glad you mentioned anxiety, Phyllis. This weekend we took a great drive out of the Coachella Valley (Palm Springs area) down toward Borrego Springs and up through n, which is a historical monument town in the mountains between San Diego and Anza Borrego, and the roads were windy/curvy. I had started out the day with allergies and plugged ears. The curves just made things worse, and my anxiety level began to rise. I have read several studies, some of them done at my alma mater UC Berkeley, about dizziness having a *strong* correlation with anxiety, and with me it is absolutely true. So there I was, feeling anxious, feeling dizzy, on a curvy road about an hour from our destination and had to ask my Scoobey-Doo to pull the car over so I could just sit there. I could really feel my heart, too, and was afraid I had flip flopped back over into afib. I was really uncomfortable both in my head and in my chest. With my ears beginning to quiet down, I felt slightly better. When I was able to kick back on my sofa and begin to relax I knew I was in NSR. But panic/anxiety/dizziness and discomfort had spoiled half my trip. My questions for anyone who is still reading this (and most of you have probably already zzzz'd out) are.. 1. how many on this line would categorize themselves as more anxious than average? 2. did you have this general anxiety *before* onset of afib? 3. how many of you have had bona fide panic attacks/panic disorder? 4. how many of you have middle ear imbalance or times of dizziness *not* caused by afib...but possibly by allergies or being off balance? Thanks for any responses - I think these things are all connected. Dizzy Lil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 21, 2006 Report Share Posted May 21, 2006 In a message dated 22/05/2006 04:13:23 GMT Standard Time, phyllisk@... writes: 1. how many on this line would categorize themselves as more anxious than > average? When I started with Afib yes, was going through high anxiety period of my life. > 2. did you have this general anxiety *before* onset of afib? Had been a person who 'lived on my adrenalin' a lot always but then this goes with Mitral Valve Prolapse which I also have > 3. how many of you have had bona fide panic attacks/panic disorder? I had panic attacks when I was a child through to late teens but had learned to overcome them. > 4. how many of you have middle ear imbalance or times of dizziness *not* > caused by afib...but possibly by allergies or being off balance? None not pre afib, no dizziness, but had allergies. > Thanks for any responses - I think these things are all connected. > Dizzy Lil Haze in UK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 21, 2006 Report Share Posted May 21, 2006 In a message dated 5/21/2006 8:13:01 P.M. Pacific Standard Time, phyllisk@... writes: Lil - sorry your trip was uncomfortable Phyllis, thanks for answers to the questions. I suspect a lot of us here have had anxiety issues for many years. My short trip got a lot better when I got off the curvy roads and put my feet up and just listened to the wind in the pines, nature's best tranquilizer. Not to mention 25 degrees cooler than in the desert! Lil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 21, 2006 Report Share Posted May 21, 2006 In a message dated 5/21/2006 8:20:37 P.M. Pacific Standard Time, whisper2Uxxxx@... writes: did you have this general anxiety *before* onset of afib? Had been a person who 'lived on my adrenalin' a lot always but then this goes with Mitral Valve Prolapse which I also have Hi Haze, Yes I have had MVP for many years, perhaps long before it was officially diagnosed in my thirties, and it definitely gives me rushes of adrenaline, very unpleasant. Thanks for your answers. Lil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 21, 2006 Report Share Posted May 21, 2006 Lil - sorry your trip was uncomfortable. At least you probably had good weather. i was raining like crazy here in northern California. My answers: 1. yes 2. probably not this much 3. no - I don't think so 4. no > 1. how many on this line would categorize themselves as more anxious than > average? > 2. did you have this general anxiety *before* onset of afib? > 3. how many of you have had bona fide panic attacks/panic disorder? > 4. how many of you have middle ear imbalance or times of dizziness *not* > caused by afib...but possibly by allergies or being off balance? > Thanks for any responses - I think these things are all connected. > Dizzy Lil > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 22, 2006 Report Share Posted May 22, 2006 Lil, definitely I have plenty of dizziness especially since my beta blocker dose has been doubled. Dizziness and ectopics are always associated with anxiety, and do get my attention. Also since my beta blocker was increased I tend to sweat more easily which makes me anxious when it occurs at a time in which others are around. For example, during a recent dog obedience training class I am walking and trotting my dog around, and all of the sudden sweat starts running down my brow. It looks like I'm having a panic attack and all the while I'm trying to keep my dignity, and this does make me anxious and of course I'm sweating more, and dizzy from going around in a circle. In the end it feels like the scene from Network News, if you saw that. AF is no piece of cake. cnetwork@... wrote: In a message dated 5/21/2006 9:19:52 A.M. Pacific Standard Time, phyllisk@... writes: think many/most of us would say we also have anxiety and depression over this condition that comes from nowhere and on no particular schedule I am glad you mentioned anxiety, Phyllis. This weekend we took a great drive out of the Coachella Valley (Palm Springs area) down toward Borrego Springs and up through n, which is a historical monument town in the mountains between San Diego and Anza Borrego, and the roads were windy/curvy. I had started out the day with allergies and plugged ears. The curves just made things worse, and my anxiety level began to rise. I have read several studies, some of them done at my alma mater UC Berkeley, about dizziness having a *strong* correlation with anxiety, and with me it is absolutely true. So there I was, feeling anxious, feeling dizzy, on a curvy road about an hour from our destination and had to ask my Scoobey-Doo to pull the car over so I could just sit there. I could really feel my heart, too, and was afraid I had flip flopped back over into afib. I was really uncomfortable both in my head and in my chest. With my ears beginning to quiet down, I felt slightly better. When I was able to kick back on my sofa and begin to relax I knew I was in NSR. But panic/anxiety/dizziness and discomfort had spoiled half my trip. My questions for anyone who is still reading this (and most of you have probably already zzzz'd out) are.. 1. how many on this line would categorize themselves as more anxious than average? 2. did you have this general anxiety *before* onset of afib? 3. how many of you have had bona fide panic attacks/panic disorder? 4. how many of you have middle ear imbalance or times of dizziness *not* caused by afib...but possibly by allergies or being off balance? Thanks for any responses - I think these things are all connected. Dizzy Lil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 22, 2006 Report Share Posted May 22, 2006 As far as my Afib is concerned, I'm convinced that this is not only the trigger but also the unlying cause. There are worries and anxieties and fears that all so different that I can clasify them clearly in my mind. I have also had to seek professional help for them on a number of occasions in my life. Starting at the back end, since the permanent afib, there is a low level general feeling of angst related to the incurable heart failure, that never goes away, probably to be expected, but depressing in it's own right. During " events " that cause stress like dealing with insurance companies, like financial worries, like frustration, anger, and fear there is dizzyness and a severe danger of falling down. Prior to the afib my life was a stressful one. Sent away to a boarding school that I hated, and at which I was bullied from the age of 8 for terms of up to 3 months. Punishment (often unjustified) was to stand up in front of the school at evening assembly and tell what we were accused of usually followed by a beating from the headmaster (27 year old) meant a whole day of angst. " Looking forward " to going bach to school at the end of the holidays - much the same. My working life was also stressful, running a Company for German owners, who were rather unforgiving. There are fears, like when you are suddenly in danger - and your body reacts. These are fine, natural and to be expected. For me, the problem one is the continuous low level angst. I can be lying in bed, in the middle of the night, or early morning and a thought will go through my head, and I get a " kick " of adrenaline, yet when I think of the full story behind the thought, I've probably already sorted it! A raised level of angst that is left too long, will run to depression. The unreasonable anxiety of what might happen, is far worse than reality of what does happen. When it does happen, we mostly cope just fine! So if that sounds familiar - you are not alone! wstephenp > > In a message dated 5/21/2006 9:19:52 A.M. Pacific Standard Time, > phyllisk@... writes: > > think many/most of us would say we > also have anxiety and depression over this condition that comes from nowhere and on no particular schedule Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 22, 2006 Report Share Posted May 22, 2006 Yes I remember Network News very well. In one of my life's incarnations I was a television news writer at KCBS in LA. This was long before afib, believe me, but I was already having panic attacks. There is no way to keep one's dignity in a dog obedience class, might as well just go with the flow. Have you read 'Marley and Me' yet? The author was expelled from dog obedience school. Wonderful book, btw. Lil In a message dated 5/21/2006 11:38:55 P.M. Pacific Standard Time, ceasargracie@... writes: For example, during a recent dog obedience training class I am walking and trotting my dog around, and all of the sudden sweat starts running down my brow. It looks like I'm having a panic attack and all the while I'm trying to keep my dignity, and this does make me anxious and of course I'm sweating more, and dizzy from going around in a circle. In the end it feels like the scene from Network News, if you saw that. AF is no piece of cake Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 22, 2006 Report Share Posted May 22, 2006 In a message dated 5/22/2006 6:21:42 A.M. Pacific Standard Time, garrett63376@... writes: You may be right, Lil. There is certainly a relationship between my anxiety and my a-fib. Before my ablation, when I was actually in NSR sometimes, I found the very best way to control my a-fib was by taking a 1mg dose of Xanax XR every 2 or 3 days. It wouldn't stop an a-fib episode but I'm convinced it reduced the frequency of them. Garrett, thanks for your responses. I am a big believer in cutting short an oncoming train wreck by taking a tranquilizer as one begins to feel the anxiety coming on. Sometimes breathing techniques and other coping mechanisms can help but I have had enough anxiety in my life to know when to cut my losses and take that pill. Lil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 22, 2006 Report Share Posted May 22, 2006 In a message dated 5/22/2006 2:38:10 A.M. Pacific Standard Time, wstephenp.clark@... writes: The unreasonable anxiety of what might happen, is far worse than reality of what does happen. When it does happen, we mostly cope just fine! So if that sounds familiar - you are not alone! Indeed it does, and it is good to know we are not alone. For us Soprano lovers, Carmela remarked last night upon all the anxious worrying we do in our lifetimes and for what? Our lives are just washed away by the centuries (she was visiting Paris and looking at ruins and old statues and getting melancholy). There was much foreshadowing in last night's show (did anyone pick up on the 4 different flights of pigeons, the lifting up and fluttering away? metaphorical of....?) Sorry, don't mean to get off topic. Lil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 22, 2006 Report Share Posted May 22, 2006 > 1. how many on this line would categorize themselves as more anxious than average? Most definitely. > 2. did you have this general anxiety *before* onset of afib? That's a darn good question. I've tried to figure that one out for years. Is my anxiety a result of a-fib or is it the a-fib that begot the anxiety? I'd like to think the latter but I suspect the former. > 3. how many of you have had bona fide panic attacks/panic disorder? The first time my GP took my anxiety seriously was after I ended up in the ER due to what was diagnosed as a panic attack. Whether it was a bona fide panic attack or a short bout of a-fib or a-flutter is uncertain but there was definitely some panic involved. > 4. how many of you have middle ear imbalance or times of dizziness *not* caused by afib...but possibly by allergies or being off balance? I've had episodes of mild vertigo in the past that were probably caused by sinus problems. I wouldn't call it a chronic problem, though, as it happens only rarely. > Thanks for any responses - I think these things are all connected. You may be right, Lil. There is certainly a relationship between my anxiety and my a-fib. Before my ablation, when I was actually in NSR sometimes, I found the very best way to control my a-fib was by taking a 1mg dose of Xanax XR every 2 or 3 days. It wouldn't stop an a-fib episode but I'm convinced it reduced the frequency of them. Garrett > 1. how many on this line would categorize themselves as more anxious than average? Most definately > 2. did you have this general anxiety *before* onset of afib? > 3. how many of you have had bona fide panic attacks/panic disorder? > 4. how many of you have middle ear imbalance or times of dizziness *not* > caused by afib...but possibly by allergies or being off balance? > Thanks for any responses - I think these things are all connected. > Dizzy Lil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 22, 2006 Report Share Posted May 22, 2006 I'd never heard that about beta-blockers. I tend to be a sweater anyway, so is my father, but I've had some episodes where sweat is poring off me for no particular reason. I always attributed this to anxiety but maybe it's another chicken egg question. Garrett > > Also since my beta blocker was increased I tend to sweat more easily which makes me anxious... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 22, 2006 Report Share Posted May 22, 2006 Lil, Just to ensure you are not mislead by only receiving confirming responses to your questions: > (snip) > > 1. how many on this line would categorize themselves as more anxious > than average? A: To the contrary, I am known as laid back. > 2. did you have this general anxiety *before* onset of afib? A: Did not have anxiety. > 3. how many of you have had bona fide panic attacks/panic disorder? A: zero > 4. how many of you have middle ear imbalance or times of dizziness > *not* caused by afib...but possibly by allergies or being off balance? A: Only dizziness is that experienced each time they have raised my flecainide dose. , Charlotte NC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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