Seem to be stressssssssed lately!

Hi, I have had my pacemaker for 3 years this month! I have had many good days with the pacer.

I have reduced the stress in my life by changing jobs 2 times. I have a very good job now and I like what I do. My heart had settled down after the PM implant and overall I have felt that I have adjusted quite well.

Here is the problem... lately I have been very stressed. It is effecting my heart and how the pacer works. I feel these large heavy beats and I feel my chest constrict. I don't have any real pain, just this awful stressed feeling. I also seem to be a bit forgetful! It isn't just my job, it is my life that is stressing me.

I can't keep changing jobs, I can't/won't change my family.... What to do? How do I find the balance? I realize that this is an impossible question. I realize that I am an adult, I should be able to handle all this, which makes me feel very inadequate.

My question is: How does one handle the stress?
Suggestions encouraged.
Thank you, Pacergirl

7 Comments

Stress...

by Pacing13 - 2008-02-13 11:02:47

Pacergirl - I find myself needing to write to you, as well as wanting to write. Not because I have the answers but wanted to say...when you find them pass them along to me too, can you?
I have always been told that "You choose your path in life and you make it what it is." Easier said then done as most of us know. Try to find the inner peace in you and hopefully the rest will follow.

Take care and keep chatting it will help some too!
Pacing13

STRESSSTRESSSSSTRESSSSS

by peter - 2008-02-14 03:02:36

My idea of stress is being expected to either do more work than can be done in a certain length of time. Or being asked to do work that you are not trained to do so you are up against the wall. Your company still expects perfection and will still carpet you if you make a mistake.Sadly some company managers are very poor people. Your family can also be making unreasonable demands on you and not making allowances that you are slower than you otherwise might be if you were in perfect health. I have experienced all kinds of stress and my way of dealing with it is to reach a point where I have had enough and then go into a mental state where I dont care if the situation gets worse or or care if my company looses money etc. I am no longer working except in a hospice part time which I find stress free. But I now either walk away from stress or I will go away from the situation, make a drink , stick my feet up and wait until I feel better.
Cheers Peter

Pacergirl

by Jules - 2008-02-14 04:02:24

You have always been one of the positive PM people giving advice and I have read your comments thinking to myself how I wish I was like you.

I am a very stressed person and have been all my life. Since my PM and joining this site I have learnt alot, and with encouragement have started to cycle once more. I go out for a hour a day and find that the peace and quiet does me good plus the exercise.

My family are miles away, and I miss them desperately, part of my stress.

Hopefully you will find something to help you - chin up and look forward to hearing from you.

Julie

Hi Susie.

by Peter.Nash - 2008-02-14 06:02:15

I have to say my peice here... since I probably know you better than anyone in the club or at your work....
but then I read Peter's comments to your post and it is practically what I would say he is right on the mark..and how well it fits your situation... too much work... expected too much of......there is no future in the past it is stressful looking back.. if you must.. pick the good times to cherish ..don't look to the future only for a goal to aim for ..otherwise it is stressful thinking about things we cant have or get
Like Brad Pitt or in my case Elisha Cuthbert.. ha ha.
Now you have another weekend at work..so another weekend of too much.... you would do better to get the old Beetle out Sunday afternoon and go for a nice ride with Hubby park up..and make love in the sunset then the stress will dissapear well at least until you accidently knock the hand brake off..........

Susie you know what I am saying you have to have time to live and for your self even if at times it may seem a bit selfish... but the fact is people who have not got heart problems have know idea how tired and fatiqued we can get.... you have more than a full time job to hold down a big house to look after a hubby and the dogs,,,,all that should tell you something...
juat slow down girl and smell the roses.... after all it is Valentine's day you take care.. love pete

Thank you :-)

by pacergirl - 2008-02-14 11:02:09

I appreciate each and every comment posted here. I have read each of them and I will consider them all.

It really touches my heart that you all would take time to share your opinions and experiences with me. I really appreciate it.

The stress is still with me tonight, but I feel better and I did receive some lovely roses for Valentine's Day. So I will stop to smell them each time I pass by!

Of course parking in the Beetle could prove to be interesting as Peter N. suggested! hee hee until the parking brake is released! lol

Thank you everyone,
pacergirl

find what calms you

by mandogrl - 2008-02-14 12:02:52

I've been a volunteer in the folk music community for 20 years. I realized that no matter how tired or sore I was before my evening of volunteering began, the music would take me to a different place where the pain couldn't go. In the years of talking with others there, I heard many similar stories of how they can leave their troubles behind when involved with music.
For you it might be a great book, laying in the sun, meditating, or petting an animal.
Spending some time in your calm place leaves beneficial effects that stay with you for a while.
Good luck.

I luv ya!!!

by rdelvis07 - 2008-02-14 12:02:54

Pacergirl, I hate to see you like this. One knows I can't trulu help you and you always help me. All I can do is say hang in there God has a plan for each and everyone of us . God knows how much u have helped me so I know he has plenty of answers for you. I have noticed if I go for a ride in my bug that's helps with the stress. Maybe if our husbands buy us that pink beetle!!! Lol that will help with the stress forsure. If I can do anything for ya let me know. Love Rach

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