Traveling with problems?

[Carey01]

I feel like this forum is a great place to ask this question because there are so many people dealing with the same issue as me. :(  I have high blood pressure, SVT that goes relatively high but not too bad, PVC's and I have had an episode of A Fib.  All of that scares the life out of me -- literally.  BUT I have to learn to cope.  I am supposed to go on vacation in a few weeks ans Im scared of having one or more of these episodes while on vacation.  How does everyne deal with that?  Do you just not go???  I havent had a vacation in 8 years because of my fears.  I just have such a hard time suffereing through these things.  How does anyone else do it?  Thanks for listening.    

[Carey01]

Thanks for some of the positive comments.  I try to tell myself Im gonna be ok but its soooooooo miserable to deal with.  I dont want to ruin my, or anyone elses, vacation. :(

[Jannie411]

I used to have the same concerns as I had a severe SVT episode while on vacation in upstate NY one year while climbing some very steep stairs at an tourist attraction and had to be carried the rest of the way up since I wasn't able to get up off the ground.  Couldn't go down, couldn't go up, and I was blocking the stairs with other visitors behind me.  What a nightmare that was.  

For years afterward, prior to every vacation, I would research where the best medical facilities were in the area where we would be vacationing, just in case anything happened.  The anxiety was still there, but it gave me a little peace of mind to know where help could be found quickly, if necessary.

I'm happy to say that since my successful ablation in April 2011, this is no longer a concern for me.  But I remember all too well how it used to feel to get all worked up prior to every vacation.  Hope this helps.

[DeltaDawn23]

I can relate to your fears.  I had 2 episodes last year and went on a anti-arhythmic drug -- no sustained episodes since, just a few irregular beats here and there.  Today I ate lunch and my heart was irregular for a half hour or so.  It  is very uncomfortable.  I took 1/2 a Xanax, continued shopping and then went and got my hair cut.  I, too, have been staying home and haven't been on a trip in 2 years.  We are planning one later this year.  I will be visiting relatives, so I know they will direct me to medical help if I need it.  Maybe you could check out hospitals or clinics wherever you are going and that will put your mind at ease.  I am very tired of living in fear of this disease.  The symptoms come and go, but it takes a lot out of you, wondering when they might strike again and if you should make plans.  I did learn some coping methods from a physchiatrist and it has helped.  Good luck to you -- hope you can take your trip -- you deserve it.

[Jerry_NJ]

I have over 1 million miles with United Airlines (and lesser amounts on other airlines - some no longer in business) and AFib has never affected my travel, which was worldwide...retired now.

I think besides asking your doctor you have to consider how much the symptoms affect you.  In my case my AFib was under control for much of my past travel, but I have been in permanent AFib since mid 2007 and have travel a few times a year since  then, with no problems related to my AFib.  My symptoms are mostly energy related, my age doesn't help there either.

[achillea]

If your doc has told you it is safe to travel, then it probably is.

However, if your fear of these events ("I havent had a vacation in 8 years because of my fears.") is getting in the way of ordinary pleasure, then by all means make an appointment with a psychiatrist--a person with a medical education first of all--to discuss how to deal with the fear.

We go to specialists for a reason:  For cardiac problems, it's a cardiologist; for fear, it's a psychiatrist.

The person you see will give you some tools for mastering your fears and being able to enjoy your life once again.  Why waste the time given to us?

[elko26]

I have had PVCs since i was 9 or maybe that's when i become aware of them. I was never scared until I started hearing about all these young people dropping dead in the news. then i went to see a cardio who told me my heart was fine. i still worry about it and that has a big impact on everything i do. i am affraid to stay alone and wont travel to places where i know the medical help might be too far. it helps to know that some people in these forum have lived with these kind of heart troubles for decades. that kinda gives me hope that i can have a productive life as long as i take good care of my body. there are many places one can go to have an awesome vacation with help near by, so dont let your heart issues ruin your life :)

[ireneo]

LIke Michelle, I've never been all that afraid of my atrial tachy times or my premature beats. They've been happening all my life, I'm almost 60 and still chugging along. The way I see it, my heart will flip out whether I'm sitting in my chair at home or roaming around in Vancouver, BC or taking a plane to visit our son in Texas. Either way, my heart will be a brat for a few minutes and settle down again. I'd rather be having fun when it "dances".

[MichelleP_3811]

To be honest I personally was never afraid of my heart issues.  I didn't have afib but rather avnrt but I guess having them ever since I can remember  caused my brain just see it as normal and since they always stopped on their own I never worried that I was in any sort of trouble.  I never got any sense that I was in any sort of physical danger.  I guess that makes me either naive or lucky.  So I cleared up the svt and then wound up with or aware of more pvcs than before the ablation.  And again, I don''t sense that I was ever afraid of dieing from them though when I was in a storm of them I was worried I would feel sick the rest of my life but again I didn't really fear dieing from them and everything I read about them just confirmed that.  I guess I would say try to tell yourself that no matter where you are there are medical people and hospitals so if anything happened and you got an episode you couldn't stop you just go to the ER to get some help getting it to stop.  And after that is done they will send you on your way.  The bottom line being the less you focus on your fears about your issues the less impact they will have on ruining your fun not to mention the less severe any episodes would be.  Well hope I helped.  I really do hope you take your vacation.  You deserve to have a little fun and relaxation.  Take care and go whoop it up,