what do I do?

[bobbie416]

Just got back from the cardiologist . Having anixiety really bad all wweek- due to a stress related matter I am sure. I have suffered all my life with anxiety. I have anxiety, and post traumatic stress disorder, so my symtoms all overlap. I also have mild MV regurgitation- a condition I have had for years with no change in my echo in 7 years. So I am having to decide which medications to take to help me with this anxiety. The cardiologist says the old heart is fine and that I have suffered long enough ( I'll be the big 60 next month) and that I should take something finally to get some quality of life.

Upon researching these drugs( SSRI's) it is pretty scary. I am sure I will need them for probably the rest of my life. I just don't know what to take or if I should. I am scared as I have had problems with getting off drugs before.

I know this is a heart forum- but anyone been where I am out there???

Going to the shrink Thursday.

Blessings to all.

Bobbie (mother of Janine MVP repair 6-7-04 NYU-and doing great!!)

 

[Ross]

Bobby why go through life miserable? If these attacks cannot be handled rationally by your own abilities, let the medical field intervene. No one likes to take pills, but if it alone will improve the quality of your life, why not? Many people suffer the same issue and some have had to try different things until they found something that worked for them. Nonetheless, they are much happier people now and you should be too.

 

[bobbie416]

Thanks Ross for the fast reply. I am sitting here and getting crazier by the minute reading all the info on these durgs. I was all set to start and now I am concerned about the side effects etc and the long term use issue, which seems to have no answer. I also have a thyroid condition- so I guess I have to check with the endocrinologist too now. This is giving me anxiety.

blessings,
bobbie

 

[bvdr]

Bobbie, even if your heart was getting worse, I would think you would still want to treat the anxiety unless there was some real over-riding issue that was specific to you. Most drugs have a list of warnings long enough to scare anyone. Don't let it prevent you from getting help when you need it.

.........glad your heart is doing so well!

 

[Ross]

Most drugs have a list of warnings long enough to scare anyone. Don't let it prevent you from getting help when you need it.

.........glad your heart is doing so well!

You mean like me and Spironolactone-known to cause cancer in mice?

 

[Georgia]

Your heart may be fine, but people with mitral valve problems tend to have panic disorder (I had mvp for years that caused arrythmia and tachicardia - both components of panic disorder). In fact, the first diagnosis I had was panic disorder until my first echo.

I was fortunate to not need anything for anxiety etc. through the years; but everyone's entitled to a good quality of life and you should certainly take advantage of the drugs.

Hope you do well and continue to visit.

 

[alan_delac]

I know a few people that take SSRIs drugs for less serious problems than yours and they are very happy with their new found peace and stability. There are lots of scary stories on Internet but keep in mind that people without problems are much less likely to voice their opinion than those with problems. That distorts the picture somewhat.

I hope you will find something that will help you

Alan

 

[Nancy]

Georgia's right on target with mitral problems and panic disorders and other similar problems, which seems to indicate a medical relationship instead of an emotional one.

And Ross is so right. Life's way too short to let any of this interfere with your enjoyment of life.

I know many, many people who have gone on Paxil, Zoloft and others like that and are amazed at how much better they feel, not mummified, just more at peace with the world and able to cope with little annoyances, and able to laugh and enjoy things again.

So I'm wishing you the same kind of peace.

 

[Harpoon]

In addition to medical interventions (drugs) have you considered relaxation techniques?

I dunno how severe your case is, but there's a lot to be said for doing simple meditation exercises and working to clear your mind of the stressors in your life that cause all that anxiety...


You might want to try looking/asking around for meditation workshops or groups. These can vary in all kinds of ways but the simplest (something I've actually started doing) is just a small, informal gathering of about eight or so people once a week in the group leader's home. He's Buddhist and lives in a "yurt" style house that he built with a LOT of modifications (running water, a second floor, etc.)

We sit in a circle (just happened that way) and someone may read a little bit from a buddhist text of one sort or another (the "Dharma") and then the group leader sets a timer and chimes tsangas (brass bells shaped like cymbals) a few times. Then we just sit and meditate for 30 minutes.

What you do then can be very simple, I just settle my head and start counting the ticks of my valve or I'll focus on my breathing, trying to go as slow as possible, taking as full a breath as possible.

If you're not used to sitting for such a long time, try just ten minutes, or maybe fifteen. It's usually best if you're in a space where you won't be disrupted by a telephone or family members or the dog (if you have one.)

The meds are important if your doctor has you on, this is something that might be useful in supplimenting the medications. Run it past your doctor even, maybe he/she has a suggestion on where you could go to find a good group.

There's also stuff like thai-chi or qi-qong, but that involves movement and takes some time to learn longer to really master.

On a side note, I've gotten my VERY (hyper? ) active son to sit and meditate with me at home for about five minutes, usually on a good day when I catch him away from the TV... He's five.

 

[bobbie416]

a sincere thanks to you all. Since I last wrote, I have decided to take some medication. I have tried everythuing humanely possible for years. Meditation, breathing, audio relaxing tapes, groups.. and the list goes on. I have had a rocky life and between genetics and life's experiences- my anxiety has been with me forever. Now, I want some peace. I guess I felt like a failure if I took something. I did self medicate for many years and that was not a good thing.

So I have started something Thursday and pray this will give me the needed help I so need.

Blessings to you all and stay well. Will be in touch with my progress.

Bobbie (mom to Janine MVR 6-7-04 NYU)

 

[kurli]

SSRI's

SSRI's

Hello
I was put onto Zoloft an SSRI 3 months after my last surgury. I found that it helped immensly with anxiety and panic attacks. I was lucky that I didnt have to go through a few different drugs to find the right one for me. I was on it for about a year.
My husband on the other hand has sufferered depression and anxiety for years. He has gone through several different anti depressants before settling with Efexor. He will probably be on them for the rest of his life.
My point is, good for you for trying an anti depressant, it is a step toward feling better for yourself and your family. Don't despair if the first drug you try doesnt work... give it at least 6-8 weeks. You can always try another one. Please dont take yourself off the meds as this will make you feel 10x worse then you allready do. Get help from your Dr about this one.
It will take some time getting used to the meds being in your system but once you find the right one it's almost guarenteed that you will be a different person, in a good way!!
All the best and lets hope that the anxiety settles down for you.