1st Time Ablation: How to calm my anxiety?

I suggest you don’t cancel.

Thank you so much. Scheduled June 22nd. So, 10 or so days away. I do things like Epsom salt baths and mostly rest. Read about plants and flowers to keep distracted. Take lots of naps with my lil dog. I appreciate your encouragement. I hate the beta blockers. I'm so sensitive to them. But, my heart goes way too high off of them. I hope I don't have to take them after ablation. I'm on only one heart med and it's metoprolol. Some days it tanks my BP and HR so very low. I never take the same dose every day. I have parameters. I suppose that's all from the arrhythmia. I just want my symptoms to go away. Idk I was a lot less nervous about the open heart surgery. I think I'm nervous about this ablation since I will be conscious and awake when they shock my heart via cath and put me into tachycardia and create an event to see where the arrhythmia is coming from. Oh! Just got the heart monitor results. I have both SVT and V-Tach. Arrhythmia coming from upper and lower chambers. They added PACS and PVC to my diagnosis list as well. I was hoping for better news. I will keep you all in the loop. I'm so grateful you all are here. I am so grateful for your kindness and encouragement. Thank you so much.

I'm not going to. I'm just not denying that it hasn't crossed my mind.

I am relieved to hear your appointment is coming up soon! The sooner the better...but still there's that darned anxiety and anticipation in the wait. It's easy to look back and see where you were but not so easy to look forward to what you have to face. But, like your name, big hearted warrior...warriors fight and do not give up! I, too, had a ridiculous time on the beta blockers and calcium channel blockers. My body just didn't like them! I know that they are rhythm regulators, but they are also used for hypertension...and you seem to be having a heck of a time getting this all figured out. I don't blame you for being nervous. It's not like it's a fun thing to look forward to...but the outcome is! This could fix all those SVTs, PVCs, PACs, VTs and any other letters in your heart rate. You have a lot going on. You are going to be in the best place possible, with the best care available and that is a blessing. I'm glad you have a furry friend for companionship...they are the best. Sometimes people, because it's not happening to them, just cannot empathize with us and what we are going through. How scared or nervous we are. But our puppies or kittens or horses or birds or ferrets or whatever else... are always there, always love us and never judge us...even if we are not in the best mood or have bad breath or a bad hair day. I am so glad you are here on Connect...we all came here for different reasons, and encouragement is one thing you will find here. And support too. I will be thinking about you on the 22nd. Praying for the most perfect outcome for you. I want you to get your life back! So...in the next ten days or so, what is something that you can you do that brings you joy? What can you do that would make you happy, even if it's only for a little while? What else can you focus on that makes you smile?

Bigheartedwarrior....My heart goes out to you...but you have come to the right place. Everyone here cares about you and offers great wisdom and compassion. I just went thru my second ablation on May 18 and am 3 1/2 weeks into the blanking period. It is very different than my first one but each day gets better. I understand the fear and anxiety of getting off your meds prior to the procedure. They wanted me off of mine, (Metoprolol, Flecainade, and Eliquis 5 days prior to my ablation. I was so afraid of how I would feel. Even though I had been put on Flecainade two years ago after my first ablation, and really wanted to come off of it...not for any side effect reasons...just too many pills going down my throat and it did not pair with any antibiotic. They changed their mind to three days because I was so anxious and it wasn't really until the last day that I started having symptoms. They were not bad at all. Mostly PACs and PVCs. I am like you and worry ahead of time. I truly understand. Deep breaths, meditate, distract and there is an app that I like to use on my phone called Gratitude. It really helps me.

I noticed that you said you are having your procedure at Mayo. There are only so many locations in the United States. I happen to live in one of the cities. I don't know if this is appropriate, but I would love to help you. I am hoping that you have compassionate help either living with you or a phone call away. I am offering my help to you if you would like to connect.

May the Lord bless you and keep you,
CeCe55

I'm just reading the loving, compassionate responses to big hearted warrior and want to add my own thoughts and prayers. I am walking the same walk of fear and anxiety struggling with Afib, although at the moment am feeling well after ablation in Dec. But always weary it will strike again. I am alone with no support system so if you're fortunate to have one, let them help carry the load. Will keep u in my thoughts and prayers

@cdk43, your words are kind and thoughtful. I am sorry that you are alone and have no support. You have Mayo Connect support though...and I am glad you are able to reach out to others both to offer support and gain some too. I have never had Afib, so I cannot speak to it, except to say I can only imagine how freaky and scary it must be. To have almost died is something one does not forget. No wonder you have fear and anxiety. I am happy to hear you are feeling better after your ablation. What do you do to help calm your mind when you feel the fear and anxiety creeping up on you?

I’ve had 3 ablations and there is ALWAYS anxiety . I wish from the bottom of my heart I could take that away from you . Because afterwards I wondered why I allowed myself to get to that anxious . A good support system is great and you have that here for sure . But we don’t like the unknown . I will keep you in my prayers that you will have a sense of peace about this ablation .we are stronger then we think . !!!! . Take it from one whose been there . Good luck my friend

Hello everyone and thank you all for your support and replies. Ablation was done last week. I found out a day prior to the surgery that I'd be under anesthesia for the entire procedure. I was not informed of this, prior to one day before. I stressed immensely for 2 months regarding being conscious for the EP study. The number one issue I have with Mayo is the lack of communication. My anxiety did not need to be that bad leading up to my procedure.

Anyway, feeling pretty tired still. But, my doctor said he pushed my heart to the limits with both meds and external defibrillator. They found out I also have a-fib during the study. They did the Ablation, but did not do any implants. My doctor is kinda against doing a pacemaker because he thinks I'm too young for it. Frustrates me, because I just want quality of life. I am not taking as much beta blocker now. But, still need to take it. I've had one or two tachycardia /SVT episodes since the procedure. They passed within a few minutes.

So far the Ablation seems to be a success. I hope it remains that way. I am still having anxiety.

Wonderful news @bigheartedwarrior! I am thrilled to hear things went so well for you. I'm sorry you had such anxiety prior to the actual procedure...but it is now behind you and maybe you can focus on the now, and try and leave yesterday behind. In the past where it belongs.
It sounds like it may take time to completely heal from this, so please be kind to yourself. You just went through an invasive procedure to your heart.
Hopefully, you will be able to focus on the positive results of your ablation and life will continue to get better and better for you. I'm glad that Mayo Connect was here for you, supporting you along the way. It's a support system unlike any other. Thank you for sharing your story. You never know who you may have helped by doing so.
When do you see your cardiologist again?