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Newly diagnosed with AFib and now have major anxiety
Hi there. I’m a 61 year old female just diagnosed with AFib last week. I had an episode for 1 hour then a break of about an hour then a second episode that lasted maybe 2 hours. Decided to go to the hospital where they caught it on my EKG. During an episode I go in and out of AFib and NSR. Usually 3-5 beats of each. Went to the hospital and they caught it on my ekg. Gave me 1/2 tab of metoprolol 25 mg which put me back in NSR. I am taking that twice a day now. No anticoagulants as my chadvasc score is 1. I’m relatively healthy. Have always been active. Have had benign pvc’s for about 20 years and now this. I had a short episode again yesterday which went away when I lied down. This is totally messing with my head. My anxiety is through the roof to say the least. Can’t sleep or eat. I am also on 50mg of Zoloft which is supposed to be fine according to the doctors and the pharmacist. (I was on Zoloft for 15 years, weaned off a year ago then went back on after this AFib diagnosis). My questions are: is it okay not to be on anticoagulants? I’ve had 2 episodic days in the last week. Less than 2 hrs duration. Is this anxiety normal? I have been referred to a cardiologist but likely won’t see and talk to someone for at least a month. Just my regular doctor for now. I have no idea my triggers either. My doctor suggested magnesium supplements as that has been associated with AFib but I’m not sure if I should start them. Any insight and support would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
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@frankie555 I agree with someone who suggested to call the office and ask to be put on a waiting list. Sometimes they will say call back each morning to see if someone has cancelled an appt. My anxiety was so bad that i called the office a number of times to ask questions. I am sure they knew my number when they saw it on caller ID : -) Also, forgot to say what also really helped me .....I found that getting outside first thing in the morning and walking around my yard, looking at plants, listening to the birds, getting some sunshine, etc. helped with anxiety and stress.
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1 ReactionThanks everyone for your kind and informative replies. It’s a lot to pack in. I had another trip to the ER yesterday. Had another episode. Needed to up my metoprolol. Now on 25mg/twice a day. My AFib seems to start when I get up from sitting or lying down. Maybe it’s just a matter of getting the right balance of meds since this is all so new. Fingers crossed I get this figured out sooner rather than later.