Extremely high anxiety

High anxiety

by AgentX86 - 2022-05-08 17:09:51

Having all of this dropped on you out of the blue, it's not surprising that you're (more than) a bit anxious. It takes time to process reality sometimes.

The reality is that pacemakers are incredibly reliable. A complete failure is almost unknown and most, and apparently you're in this group, would survive a total failure. Your heart would go back to the way it was before the pacemaker. This would give plenty of time to fix it.

A psychiatrist is overkill and I wouldn't be surprised if a psychiatrist didn't refer you to a psychologist. IMO, you really want a behavioral psychologist, one who will give you the tools to work through your negative emotions and to the reality behind your fears.

You're going to be fine and you will be able to live a very normal, long, boring, life. ;-)

NORMAL FEELINGS

by athena123 - 2022-05-08 20:03:21

ITS ALL NORMAL TO FEEL WHAT YOUR'RE FEELING AS I AND MANY OTHERS ON THIS FORUM HAVE DEALT WITH ANXIETY, ASLO.  YOU WILL BE FINE. TRY AND PRE OCCUPY YOURSELF WITH OTHER THINGS TO TAKE YOUR MIND OFF YOUR PACEMAKER. OVER TIME YOU WONT EVEN REALIZE ITS IN THERE.  GOOD LUCK

Have you had your first check yet?

by LondonAndy - 2022-05-09 05:45:18

I can't relate to your feelings of anxiety as I do not suffer from that, but I had a neighbour who had this and do not doubt the effect it has on you. I know that statistics are unlikely to help much either, though it is worth remembering that over 300,000 of them are inserted in people every year, for example, and as AgentX86 says, they are incredibly reliable devices.

I am 100% dependent on mine, and it is coming up to  8 years old. I have had no issues throughout this time, and feel confident that you will find the same. Would it help to discuss your feelings when you have your first device check? I feel sure they will have had previous patients who have felt the same, and may well be able to reassure you. 

Best wishes

hey

by Tracey_E - 2022-05-09 13:05:55

I think psychiatrist is a good choice because they can give you some meds to help you out until you get the tools to manage on your own. Reaching out for help was smart. 

Yes, anxiety and fear are pretty common at first. Not sleeping just compounds everything- it's hard to cope when you're exhausted. 

Statistics are logical, and anxiety doesn't give a crap about logic so facts may not help. But facts are many of us here have been paced every single beat for decades without a single mishap. Learning to trust it takes time. 

Where you are is normal. You are taking the right steps to get it under control. Many have been where you are and come out the other side feeling their old selves. You will get there, too. You got this. 

Hello!

by MissAshleigh - 2022-05-13 13:39:23

(44F, implanted 3yrs ago.) I'm so sorry you're having a hard time. It will get better, time helps. (((Hugs)))

I have a lot of anxiety in general. I'm doing breathing exercises, meditating, grounding myself in the mornings, etc. Once I was healed, it wasn't top of mind.

Glad you're seeking help for the anxiety. I find Talk-Therapy INCREDIBLY helpful. Takes the right fit, don't hesitate to seek someone else if you're not comfortable.

Things will get better, and soon! Make sure your Cardiologist knows you're  having anxiety. Sounds like actual anxiety, but there could be a setting causing weirdness. It took a few tweaks fo make my settings normal (they mostly removed stuff, I'm sensitive.) 

Intimacy can still be weird for me. I'm very protective (overly?) of my pacemaker pocket area. I don't want my L breast touched from above- could accidentally mash my PM. Certain positions are better than others. I had to switch sleep sides in bed so my SO isn't on the PM side LMAO. My days of rougher sex are mostly over, but if I want to do something, I do! Just mindfully. If you don't have the same partner(s,) you have to make even smarter decisions than before. They have to be fully trustworthy and aware. (My partner STILL will start the microwave or put his phone between. UGH!)

I get "anticipatory anxiety" before doctor appointments. To help, I get there early & do breathing exercises before going inside. 

I know my PM is there & it's more obvious now that I've lost a bunch of weight. I guard it. I avoid rough crowds where it might take an elbow. I don't tell people who are or may be dangerous because I don't want someone to go for it. (I deal with a lot of unstable people.) I do still go out dancing to clubs (I mean, covid, but otherwise,) and don't have a problem with concerts or shows, just no potentially rowdy groups. 

Good luck friend,

Ashleigh