this is difficult

Hello All, I had a device put in a little over a year ago. At the time I had a cardiac cath which revealed a blockage that I have had for 4 years and it hasn't got any worse only a 30%. My question to all with PM's is since I was diagnosed with sick sinus and have to take a LA Beta blocker every night along with anxiety and pain meds daily as prescribed. Is it normal to be at my lower rate while just sitting around and is it normal to have palpitations daily? It scares me to death and from what I am reading everyone says just to relax. Well with anxiety issues already that is nearly impossible, I am constantly scared of having a heart attack or something. Is there something that I can do not to feel so tired and not to have these palpitations all of the time and does anyone else feel this way as well. I am a firefighter for 19 years and am scared to do my job as again I am constantly scared something is going to happen. And another thing is the palpitations sometimes wake me and I guess I hardly sleep due to my worries.. Please Help...

6 Comments

Anxiety

by Good Dog - 2015-12-25 01:12:03

I understand very well what you are dealing with. It is kinda like a vicious circle. I have had palpitations for years and have become so accustomed to them that I don't even know I am getting them anymore. My pacer tech reminds me and often asks if I can feel them. My answer is always no. If I try to be vigilant with regard to being more aware, I do notice them, but they don't cause me any distress.
If they bother you a lot, it really is a mindset. They are generally harmless. So with that understanding, hopefully you can relax a little. I have had a PM for 30 years and palpitations to varying degrees for most of that time. They haven't killed me yet.
I will tell you that there was a time many years ago when they were so frequent (almost constant) that they did bother me. Looking back, it was during a period of high stress in my life. When the stress subsided, so did the frequency and amount of palpitations (but they didn't stop completely).
I have always been very active and have always managed very well even with palpitations. I can say that when I was most active, I either noticed the palpitations less or they just went away during that time.

So try to relax and take comfort in the fact that you will be O.K.

Sincerely,

David

thank you

by madfire1103 - 2015-12-25 02:12:42

I do understand that it is something that I will obviously have to learn to deal with. Its words of encouragement like yours that help with the process. You are right when I am active I tend not to pay as much attention to the palpitations unless they stop me in my tracks. Usually when I am trying to calm down from being very active I start to notice things. I am naturally always concerned about my health due to the things that I see on a daily basis as a firefighter. I just wish I could put it all out of my mind and with all the stress I create for myself by worrying it just doesn't help. I want to thank you for responding to my post and if you have any other advice or tricks to keep my mind off of it all please let me know. David, have a Merry Christmas and a blessed day.

Sincerely,

Albert

Feels like fear--but it isn't

by Gotrhythm - 2015-12-25 04:12:54

I've had palpitations for years--so have many of us here. One Holter monitor test showed I was having 20,000 PVCs a day. And unlike David I feel them every one.

It doesn't help that much to be told they are harmless when the pounding, skipping, shuddering, thudding, fluttering feelings are sometimes almost indistinguishable from anxiety, fear, shock, grief, and even sadness.

In my case, I've had to learn a new language of physical feelings that go with emotion. I feel the pause, clunk, thud-thud-thud that's pretty indistinguishable from being startled or like the OH NO! feeling of suddenly remembering that I was supposed to have been in a meeting with my boss 25 minutes ago. I look around my environment and ask if any thing fear-provoking is actually happening outside me. Nope. Everything is okay. And that's what I tell myself. Everything is okay. I don't have to be afraid. Everything is okay.

I've had to learn that what my heart is doing is not a faithful reflection of what is happening in the outside world. I have had to become conscious of my thoughts and to control the direction they take. I'm not saying it's easy, but it can be done.

When the palpitations are keeping me awake I mentally play the piano visualizing reading the music while hearing the notes. I imagine putting one's mind on any skill that's semi-automatic but requires attention would work.

As a firefighter I'm sure you have overcome many challenges. You can meet and overcome this one too.

feels like fear......

by madfire1103 - 2015-12-25 05:12:17

You are absolutely correct that's how I am when I am on a monitor, and like you I feel everything and just this morning I tried taking a nap only to be kept awake by the palps and pacing. I guess I can look at it in the fact that everything is working properly. However again like I said I am just scared to death constantly.. I have overcome a lot of things but this one has proved to be the most difficult. That is the reason I searched and found this site, it was the first one that I came across and after reading some stories I joined with hopes that you all could some how help me overcome this fear. Then turn it around and me help someone else...........

Relaxation Response

by BillH - 2015-12-25 06:12:21

There are a number of techniques that can be used to help reduce anxiety. They include things like deep breathing exercises, progressive relaxation, bio-feed back, yoga, etc.

A good place to start is with the book Relaxation Response.

Many of them you can learn on your own.

But a counselor can also help learning them.

Also a counselor can help work through some of the fears.

a word of thanks

by madfire1103 - 2015-12-26 01:12:06

I want to thank you all for responding to all of my questions its nice to know strangers will actually lend a helping hand when it is needed. I hope I can make some of your advice work..

Thank You,

Al...........

You know you're wired when...

Airport security gives you free massages.

Member Quotes

Do feel free to contact the manufacturer of your device. I have found them to be quite helpful when I have had questions and concerns.