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Thread: Another health Anxiety Thread.

  1. #1
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    Another health Anxiety Thread.

    A lot of people who have varying forms of anxiety and depression come here to discuss their problems or are seeking help from others who have had a similar experience.

    My question is what do you do when in my case and I know of at least two other cases on NMP you have had a heart attack and at the same time continue with all the same issues of mental health that one had before.

    Age does come into it apart from being able to remain positive.

    To be honest I find it very difficult .I was told that nearly 50% of people who have a heart attack go into a depression and the other 50% go straight into gentle exercise and build up from there.

    One has to take a shed load of pills as well and being very sensitive to medication that plays on my mind and I get side effects such as bloating and statins are known to give problems.

    There is a rehab programme but the NHS is so financially stretched that the nearest place to go for 8 to 10 sessions is about 50 minutes from where I live,and that would mean my wife would have to take me on a weekly basis and even now some five months later,there is a waiting list, so I do a little exercise which isn't too stretching at home, and suffering from GAD and being agrophobic doesn't help the cause.

    I know many anxious people don't want to read this sort of post but we just like anyone else need support in these, what are for me, very difficult times, as I also have ongoing appointments on other health problems and the waiting list is three to six months to see a consultant.

  2. #2
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    Re: Another health Anxiety Thread.

    Hi ricardo,

    First of all really sorry to hear what you've been through. Just wondered which category you fell in to -are you depressed or are you starting to do gentle exercise?

    I can't relate completely; I'm 34, female and never had a heart problem. But I do have real health issues. Sometimes I've had to take medication that's really scared me, sometimes having to inject them. I have medication anxiety - partly because like you I am very sensitive to them and often get weird side effects.

    It's a case of knowing I have to take this medication but being really scared to. When I first take a new medication I will try it in a "safe" place such as a hospital or public place as I feel like I'm closer to help if something goes wrong. But having agoraphobia must make it so much harder. My gp put me on a mindfulness course, I found it really relaxing and helpful, there were men there too and you don't have to speak to anyone... Have you got that in your area?

    Best wishes

    Space xxx
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  3. #3
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    Re: Another health Anxiety Thread.

    Ricardo, I can sort of relate to this.

    I had a mini stroke 12 years ago.
    I woke up one morning and just couldn't move!
    My right hand side had completely gone numb and I couldn't even get out of bed.
    We had our own business at the time and I worked 7 days a week.
    I knew what had happened and told my Partner that I though I had suffered a stroke.
    He phoned the Docs and after examination, confirmed that I had.
    In those days, I was much stronger and carefree and it didn't really sink in.
    I was still trying to drag my body round the house dragging my leg as I went. My mouth had dropped and I looked terrible. I went through many tests and they founf that one of my valves was not performing as it should and that I also had a whole in the heart. Shock, Horror. Too much for the brain to take in all at once.
    They wanted to put me on statins, but I had the option of taking an Asprin once a day.
    I opted for the Asprin as I have a phobia with Medication.
    My problem was my blood flow was taking too long to circulate and I was abusing myself with long hours of work, not eating proper meals at regular times and lifting things that were too heavy for me.
    It took about 3 months to feel almost normal again and I obviously lived in Fear of this happening again.
    Like I said, it was 12 YEARS AGO!
    You can not think this way. Look after your body, eat good food at regular times, get gentle exercise, don't push your body when you are tired and get plenty of rest.

  4. #4
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    Re: Another health Anxiety Thread.

    As a 2x heart attack and cancer survivor I can share my experience. While I didn't suffer with any issues prior, I definitely developed some afterwards. Depression after the 1st heart attack and some depression and "scanxiety" after the 2nd heart attack and cancer.

    That being said, the experience in the big picture forced me to re-focus my priorities and I came to realize what truly is important in life. For all intents and purposes I was dead for a short period of time as I went into AFIB and was gone for a few moments. I don't remember a thing. It was "Hmmm.... that doesn't feel right.... this can't be good". Next thing I remember was waking up.

    Nonetheless, I had some depression and anxiety. I went to therapy and was on Zoloft for about 6 months after the 1st heart attack. I also sought therapy and studied CBT after the 2nd heart attack and cancer. I'm not affected at this point. If I feel a little too much stress, I have a non SSRI chill pill I can take as needed which helps. No longer do I fear death or worry too much about anything else tbh. It's all in my signature and I read that every day to remind myself of what's important.

    Positive thoughts
    __________________
    "Eat. Drink. Enjoy the work you do. Be thankful for the blessings God gives you in this life. Live, love and seek out the things that bring your heart joy. The rest is meaningless... Like chasing the wind." King Solomon

    The best help is the help you give yourself! http://cbt4panic.org/

  5. #5
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    Re: Another health Anxiety Thread.

    Thank you for the replies. It seems a bit of a taboo subject to many.

    spacebunnyx. I would say I am far more anxious and depressed and not easy to live with as I can't see myself getting better. I mentioned other health problems and they are urinary related. I have had all the tests available, seen a specialist, and everything is clear but the urge to urinate every half an hour is driving me mad, yet I can go 5/7 hours at night without that feeling,but as soon as I wake up it starts again.It is all anxiety related.

    Thank you as well Carnation and it's interesting to note that perhaps we can handle these setbacks a lit more easier when we are younger.

    Fishmanpa, I knew your response before you wrote it. You have the key to it all,being positive despite adversity.Not all of us find that so simple, I really wish I could be but I have so many things going on in my life,frankly I just can't cope.

    There was a Panorama programme on TV last night about the NHS in a particular hospital in Liverpool.

    An ageing population is a real financial strain on the system. It costs £500.00 a day to keep someone in hospital and they are trying every way possible to reduce the time people have to stay, but it isn't easy. In a way us older folk are a nuisance to the NHS and the increase in dementia is alarming .

  6. #6
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    Re: Another health Anxiety Thread.

    Ricardo, you have a lot to contend with and the agoraphobia must massively complicate matters. I don't think doctors have much interest in people with entrenched mental health issues as they are not cost-effective but surely you must have access to cardiac clinics who could provide support at home for you? Also someone who could help you with the inevitable depression so common after heart attacks who could travel to you as opposed to expecting you to be able to attend a heart rehab unit miles away from your house?

    Your situation is a complex one but nevertheless you deserve the best possible medical/mental health care available.

  7. #7
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    Re: Another health Anxiety Thread.

    pulisa

    The only support offered to me at home was a DVD tape to do exercises, and that is St.georges Hospital which is renouned to be one of the best cardiac hospitals in the world.

    I can't fault the cardiologist nor the nursing staff when I was in hospital, the consultant saved my life. 8000 people work there but they are stretched to the limit in all departments and even if I didn't have anxiety problems there is a huge waiting list for rehab and they are now hiring outside centres such as gyms for rehab, which doesn't appeal to me as the facilities aren't directly available f one should suddenly feel unwell.
    There is a new service in our borough for complex anxiety cases who have already assessed me three times via different departments, all by phone, then when it was decided that I was a suitable case for treatment thy sent two therapists to my home for a further 90 minute session.

    Their conclusion was that they wouldn't take me on until the result of all my tests for bowels and urinary complications were completed, and as neither is in the consultants eyes anything sinister (never mind the discomfort) I am just put on the never ending waiting list.

    Even then it would be impossible for them to come to my home, the guide lines don't allow it, but to me again it's that the NHS is stretched to the limit and grossly underfunded.This service is 50 minutes away by car.

    I just wish it was less complicated.

  8. #8
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    Re: Another health Anxiety Thread.

    You know my mum had an enlarged heart that should have killed her many many years before it did. It was caused by a virus. Her heart was so enlarged that even the specialists were amazed at how big it was. And yet she went about her life as though nothing was wrong with her. She was incredibly active even in her seventies. She spent hours in her garden and socialised weekly with her friends. She was on Warfrin, BP meds, fluid meds and a variety of other meds. I can still picture her sitting at her dining room table each night with all her meds lined up in front of her and taking them one by one. One day, about 10 years after she was supposed to die I asked her doctor how much longer he thought she had and he replied "I wouldn't even try to guess. Your mum keeps going because she does all the right things, takes her meds as they are prescribed, stays active and doesn't sit around too scared to do anything". Mum didn't have Health Anxiety and so I don't know if her life would have been made shorter if she did. If we keep believing we are going to die of something then are we going to bring something on? I don't know but it is a worry.

  9. #9
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    Re: Another health Anxiety Thread.

    Swajj, your Mum sounds an amazing woman but she didn't have health anxiety and this makes such a huge difference when faced with complex health conditions. I greatly admire people who can live a full life with major health complications but others through no fault of their own just can't.

    It's so hard when you don't fall into the right "category" when attempting to access NHS support. I don't suppose that there's anything remotely suitable in the private sector which is not outrageously expensive, Ricardo? I'm sure you've already explored this option though?

  10. #10
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    Re: Another health Anxiety Thread.

    Quote Originally Posted by ricardo View Post
    Fishmanpa, I knew your response before you wrote it. You have the key to it all,being positive despite adversity.Not all of us find that so simple, I really wish I could be but I have so many things going on in my life,frankly I just can't cope.
    What it really comes down to is acceptance. Knowing I cannot control things is difficult, yes, but it is one of the key aspects of treating and recovering from anxiety and depression.

    Believe me, I work on this every single day! My life is far from ideal and I face adversity and situations that affect my mental state as well as physical well being.

    There was a guy I worked with many years ago who said something that resonates to this day. We were talking about a similar subject and how life sometimes just seems overwhelming. I asked him how he dealt with it and he said "I just don't give a F%$@" ~lol~ He was serious. He said essentially what I'm saying. In situations beyond our control, what's the use in worrying? It won't change a thing. Ultimately, it's making the best of the situation you're in and accepting the reality that nothing we do, say or think will change it.

    You're correct, it is difficult. It's hard to cope. The truth is, the only choice we have is to find a way to do so because the alternative is not an option.

    Positive thoughts
    __________________
    "Eat. Drink. Enjoy the work you do. Be thankful for the blessings God gives you in this life. Live, love and seek out the things that bring your heart joy. The rest is meaningless... Like chasing the wind." King Solomon

    The best help is the help you give yourself! http://cbt4panic.org/

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