Still dealing with anxiety

Almost four years since my pacemaker has been implanted for a complete AV block. I work in a cardiac specialized hospital (yes I know, very lucky) and my cardiac arrest happened while I was working in a very traumatic way.

After that episod, I dealt with anxiety, panic attacks and hypervigilence. Four years later, I rationaly know that my heart is fine, even better, but I am still dealing with anxiety and fears concerning my health, especially my heart. I’m still afraid of doing high exercice and feeling my heart « beat fast » and I still sometimes verifie my pulse when I feel tired just to « make sure » my heart is still beating and that I won’t faint or check if I’m pale. I feel ridiculous when I do so because I know I’m fine. I’m 28 years old and am soon thinking of becoming a mom, cardiologist says no problem, but I am so afraid of carrying my baby in me and feeling those dizzy spells that sometimes happen during pregnancy, and I also fear labor.

I don’t know how to reassure myself anymore and how to truly believe that I am now fine and be happy that I’m alive. Just needed advice on how to finally move on from this trauma that is still heavy on my shoulders.

Thank you


2 Comments

Get some help

by Silverangel - 2018-11-17 04:32:49

Yes do get some professional help as the others have said. Anxiety tends not to go away on its own. Additionally have you tried meditation? If you dont have anywhere to go locally there are some excellent apps. And dont think you need to dedicate lots of time, we are all busy, some have 3 minute meditations and we can all find 3 minutes in a day. Try it. 

Hope you get things sorted and go on to have a beautiful baby.

Meds for anxiety

by Cardiac kid - 2018-11-28 14:44:32

My doctor prescribed Prozac for anxiety and Trazadone to help me sleep. Cardiac rehab did wonders on confidence in the exercising field. I had lost all muscles when I went down with cardiac arrest 7 months ago. Completed 36 sessions of cardiac rehab to rebuild body. I feel that I’m in better shape now than I was before the arrest. God is good.

You know you're wired when...

You name your daughter “Synchronicity”.

Member Quotes

In fact after the final "tweaks" of my pacemaker programming at the one year check up it is working so well that I forget I have it.