Does anyone else worry?

If their pm will just stop working or if it has stopped working if it seemingly does not respond right away? Does anyone else have overwhelming anxiety and does it go away? I've only had my Micra TPS since Monday, maybe that has something to do with it? Thanks!

3 Comments

Very normal

by Theknotguy - 2014-11-13 09:11:39

Your worrying is normal for someone who has just received a PM. Not sure how many months I went around wondering if every little bump or hiccup was the eminent "Big One" on its way. Gradually that feeling goes away as the amazing piece of machinery called a pacemaker goes quietly about its duties.

As soon as I could I saw a psychologist. She specialized in heart problems and trauma and was a great help.

Another source of help was this forum. Reading the activities of other people with PM's and seeing I could go about my life as I chose was very comforting.

Hopefully you'll be able to get over your anxiety. It sounds peculiar but drinking water helps. Going about your normal daily routine - with a little extra because you feel better - helps. Talking or corresponding with other PM people helps.

Try not to fixate on imminent doom. There's nothing you can do about it anyway. There's a lot of living to do. Go out and enjoy your life!

It will get better

by Grateful Heart - 2014-11-14 09:11:37


It's only a few days for you, it takes a little time. I didn't know about this site when I got my AICD, almost 6 years ago. I remember worrying about twisting in a chair or rising too fast in the beginning. I didn't want my defib to go off. I didn't know.

Read and learn all you can and it will help to ease your mind.

You'll get there, compare yourself in a few weeks to this first week. You'll find you stop thinking about it as much or at all.

Grateful Heart

Books on depression among cardiac patients

by cabbie - 2014-11-15 04:11:41

Hi. I feel for your question as I have had a difficult month having to be hospitalized twice in October. I have read that anxiety and depression are common among cardiac patients.

In order to educate myself, I bought a few Kindle ebooks on Amazon. One is Heart and Mind 2/e The Practice of Cardiac Psychology by Robert Allen PhD and Jeffrey Fisher MD. The others are Stress Proof the Heart Behavioral Interventions for Cardiac Patients edited by Ellen A. Dornelas and her own book Psychotherapy with Cardiac Patients Behavioral Cardiology in Practice.
URL: http://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ellen_Dornelas/publications

I suppose you could get the hard copy instead if you don't have a Kindle. Happy reading and hope this helps :)

(Disclaimer: I posted this earlier in response to a comment made by Duke Heart Patient. The book suggestions still apply hence I am recycling my posting.)

I appreciate the experiences shared on going to a psychologist. Maybe I will try psychotherapy if I can find one dealing with cardiac patients at my location. What I have done so far is nagging my cardio for a cardiac rehab referral and to have some spiritual direction.

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