Cardiophobia

[dolphin8808]

Anyone else find they have developed cardiophobia from the skips? Or even become OCD with the heart? My EP calls it extreme cardiac awareness. I sure seem to have it. One bad skips days, I am bad for a few days after with it. Then I mellow out then another bad day will bring it around again.

Have you noticed it can make your skips worse?It doesn't seem to effect mine as I don't seem to have triggers, mine just come and go as they please.

[jaysonrl]

I'm not sure why you posted in here achillea.  If you've looked at my other posts you'd know that I know I have anxiety, particularly a phobia of heart failure.  Anxiety and especially cardiophobia/cardioneurosis/etc. is particularly frustrating for us because it's a vicious circle.  It's not simply, "suck it up and get over it."  That's like saying to you, get over your heart rhythm disorder, or saying to a person, suck it up and get over depression.  It doesn't work like that.  You need to change the way you think and that alone is a process.  That is why I asked the community, any things they found beneficial to help overcome the ****anxiety**** which this whole thread is about, anxiety of the heart.

[achillea]

Based on decades--decades, my friends--of dealing with funny rhythms, I would strongly advise sucking it up and considering the possibility that anxiety (rather than cardiac disease) might be worth considering.

You see a cardiologist for heart disorders, but if repeated tests show that your heart is OK, which approach is more rational?

More cardiac tests

or

Treatment of the *fear* of heart disorders

[jaysonrl]

I'm a couple years late to this posting party, but thought I'd jump in anyway.  

You are so right is_something_wrong.  The fear of dying is anxiety.  I'd like to see how everyone is doing now.  Any tips or advice?  I hope a message gets through to someone on this thread.  I have a constant fear of my heart having CHF or some other problem.

Hope all are well!

[dolphin8808]

I take Zoloft for the panic and anxiety and I have xanax as needed as well. My doc has offered to tried Bystolic but I have declined as of now.

I also have chest pain, have had it for 2 years, its atypical and not what they would consider cardiac related. I do have mild asthma as well and have gone through so many tests. Not only all the heart tests but thorasic MRI, Chest CT Scan, xrays etc. With nothing to pinpoint the pains. Its a dull ache on the left, right and sometimes center chest. Comes and goes as it pleases and has to schedule. I always put it back to being my heart even though the docs say no. SO FRUSTRATING!!!!! My foot will hurt and I think its my heart LOL

[Mom2four85]

I've taken Propranolol (Inderal)since my ablation; not only does it work on my arrhythmia's it;s supposed to help with hypertension, anxiety and panic etc..

I've tried Lexapro for GAD (generalized anxiety disorder) it didnt work for me but Lamictal worked great and when I get my new insurance I'm going to try it again...

I was dx with GAD, PTSD Agoraphobia and Bi Polar after my ablation and ICD implant.

[RickyRBBB]

I can relate to virtually all of these postings. . . and all of the emotions and issues -- the fear, the dysfunction, the depression, etc. . .

Re your panic disorder, can you tell us what is the medication you take?  An anti-anxiety? Like Ativan or Xanax? Or something in the anti-depression arsenal, like Effexor?   My doc wants me to move away from the first two and get started on the latter because he wants me to work at the root level of my anxiety and find ways to stay functional.

Dear Dolphin8808, can you also tell us if you are taking any meds like this? And, if so, are they worth it for you?

From a Cardiophobic in California