Is anxiety normal after years with Pacemaker?

Anxiety

by Lavender - 2022-08-11 18:41:05

You've had devices since age 5. So, the majority of your years have been made possible by pacemakers. They haven't let you down. The rest of your life will be the same-dependent on a device. Did alright by you so far!

What to expect when you get older?  Live for today-it's a gift and that's why they call it the "present". Yesterday is gone. Focus on the now because no one knows what tomorrow might bring. It's futile to worry about it, I call it worrying in advance!

You've said you have generalized anxiety disorder. That may never completely go away. You live with it and adapt. Better days and worse days. I'm sure you have sought help for your anxiety. If what you tried didn't work, look deeper. 
 

I have reactions to most meds so I take nothing but vitamin d. So I can't take anti anxiety meds. I have had success with seeing psychologists and priests for counseling in my past as I struggled through traumas.
 

I have had a lot of unhappy surprises in life since I was a little girl. It made me have separation anxiety, agoraphobia, and a few panic attacks. I fought back mostly by prayer, breathing exercises, outdoor time in quiet settings, also by listening to meditation tapes, (Michael Sealey on YouTube) learning to "live in the now" (ala Eckhart Tolle) exposure therapy, cognitive behavior therapy and building a supportive community around me.

You can teach yourself to control your mind. There've been people who were hypnotized and underwent surgery without anesthesia. Mindfulness practices include breathing exercises which can be done anywhere for free to immediately change your focus.  
 

Most meditation starts with breathing techniques to calm you then move onto visualizing places that take you away. Let me try a very simple one on you:

4-7-8

Slowly breathe in through the nose to a count of 4

Hold that breath for seven seconds. 
 

Do a long slow exhale as you breathe out through tightly pursed lips-like through a straw to the count of 8

Do this exercise three or four times then close your eyes. 
 

If I ask you what is the place or people you feel safest with in your life-what immediately comes to mind?  What does the place look like in detail? Is anyone there? Why do you feel safe with these people or in this place? Spend time there remembering all the details. Go there mentally when you need to. It's still there-safe in your mind. 
 

Put on earphones and lie down comfortably and listen to this:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hvOgpzRJxJg

Anxiety

by toniorr11 - 2022-08-12 03:18:11

I agree with the above too.

I've been having a lot of anxiety since I had my pace and ablate procedure although I do have to say that I'm a total newcomer to this. I have been given a CBT online course to overcome negative thoughts and some meditation/mindfulness to calm my brain down. 

I think worry about the future is natural at any age. At least for me.. if it's impacting on your life I would seek professional help. I went for hypnotherapy once upon a time when I noticed that my friends and family were glazing over when I was talking about my "stuff"!! I thought they needed a break 🤣 It really really does work. 

Good luck xx

Thank you Lavender and Tenoir11

by Nina38 - 2022-08-12 08:54:12

Lavender,

Thank you for sharing your insight. I will definitely apply those techniques into my daily schedule or how often I can throughout the week. Meditation has always been helpful for me but sometimes I allow my schedule to take away from "me" time. So I definitely need to implement more of these ideas in my schedule. Thank you so so much! And prayer has been so much help for me too... The mind can sometimes be on green. Go-go-go state is not okay.

Tenoir11- Thank you as well for sharing your experience. Anxiety can take a toll. For me, Talking helps.. Lol. I am a talker at times... so I'll look into other ways to help myself with anxiety too,

thank you and be well both of you.

It Will Get Better

by MinimeJer05 - 2022-08-12 11:40:15

Hello,

I got my PM fitted in Aug of 2021 and let me tell you, before this, I was probably the most care-free person in the world -- nothing really brought me stress, panic or anxiety and then of course, ever since the PM, I always weigh every situation from a health standpoint.

I am constantly doubting myself and worrying about my heart, the PM and just my life all of the time and it's a terrible way to live, but I think I am slowly getting better.

I would agree with previous posters about looking into meditation or yoga or seeing someone to talk about the issues. For me, I just accept that I will have good days and bad days and as long as the bad days are less and less intense, then I can live with that. I am trying hard NOT to be on anxiety meds (that is a personal choice, everyone reacts differently) and I am remaining hopeful that I will return to my care-free self, full of confidence and the ability to conquer whatever, but until then, it's just a daily battle that I intend to win.

I hope it gets easier for you and I hope that you find the peace and cure to anxiety that you seek.

Take care

Jer

Thanks MinimeJer

by Nina38 - 2022-08-12 19:34:18

Thank you for sharing your experience... I will admit today I decided to be more optimistic and live the moment. Like you, I have good days and some bad days where anxiety can be an obstacle for me but I know in my heart that all will be okay. I once was carefree too... and one day soon I'll get back to being that old me... I think the pandemic didn't help much but all will Be okay.

Someone once told me in this club, that we are warriors. We are indeed. And this too we can overcome and live with joy and peace...

thank you and be well.. 

Anxiety

by Ruby1 - 2022-08-14 06:05:31

Thank you for these comments I've just been fitted with a pacemaker about a week ago I will get back to you

anxiety

by DMJ - 2022-08-24 00:09:29

I find praying the Serenity Prayer helpful when I'm worrying and fretting and feeling over whelemed.  Learining to Accept the things I can't change is very freeing.  You can't change anything by worrying and making yourself sick.  We can only change ourselves and how we deal with life.  I do not advise anxiety medications, the side effects are worse than any problems you may have.