anxiety

Has anybody ever suffered with out of the blue attacks which leave one feeling nervy, shaky, bad headaches and generally down?  They started two days after my operation and then began to fade after a couple of weeks, but have returned without warning and are getting worse. I was orginally admitted with stomach pains but it was found my heart beat was too low and needed a pacemaker. To say it was a shock is putting it mildly.   Any assistance will help me get my head around what’s going on.

5 Comments

Typo

by Sue H. - 2012-04-25 04:04:10

I meant best to you.
, LOL

Anxiety

by Blue - 2012-04-25 04:04:54


Shortly after my first pm I suffered anxiety attacks. I ended up in ER so many times. They were fantastic and checked me out. My confidence was totally shattered.

I found I had to talk my self out of my "attacks" it was a hard adjustment to a pm as I had always been so active and for about a year after my first implant I was totally demolished. I felt alone, useless and in a black hole.

Finding the PM Club helped and gradually my problems faded to the point I rarely think about my pm unless I am extremely tired. The support and friendship I gained from this site gave me courage and strength. I truly thank all my PMC Club friends. I live way out in the country so was totally alone and isloated.

Starting point for your problems: get yourself checked out and take each day as it comes. I will be thinking of you and holding you in my prayers.

Sincere wishes from Oz

Blue

Not uncommon

by Sue H. - 2012-04-25 04:04:55

The anxiety you are feeling is not uncommon. For some of us it was a shock to need a pacemaker. It was for me and it took a long time to quit taking my pulse all the time, worrying if pacer was doing its job and yes panic attacks.

The way to deal with anxiety is try and keep active. The more you worry about it, the worse it seems to get.

And in time it will get better. When you begin to understand that is the job of your pacemaker to watch your heart you'll realize you don't have to.

Enjoy your life and let that little computer in your chest do the worrying for you.

Nest to you,

Sue

You are normal

by ReneeV2.0 - 2012-04-26 05:04:08

Definitely normal!

I'm guessing that to get through the initial shock of needing one, and all the emotions that comes with it, you probably built up a pretty good wall.. well you got through the surgery and anything you pent up is gonna come out. Anxiety can affect you in weird ways too... so dont be suprised about random sadness, shakyness, and even silly physical symptoms.

When it happens, just remind yourself that you are just fine, and that you are not alone. Then find something distracting. Lots of people tell me "just don't think about it when you're anxious" but that doesnt work for me. If my mind is blank while nervouse, it just feels with fear. The key is distraction! Start a new project, watch a movie, or call that relative you've been meaning to call!

Good luck!

yes

by jessie - 2012-04-26 12:04:28

it is a big shock to a lot of people. it takes time and support to feel okay again. it is an odd feeling having a foreign object implanted to make your heart beat. i too had panic attacks. it took awhile but now i rarely think of it either. it is really important to keep functioning if you are felling strong enough. i was exhausted so took my time getting back to activities as i was in 3rd degree heart block. soon the anxiety and pain went away. i was on a antidepressant for awhile. hope this helps. keep reassuring yourself you are okay and can do what you like jessie things will get better. i was lucky as my husband let me cry if i needed to as he read up on it and knew it could be a big big shock.

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