Have had 3 ablations but constant palpitations

Thank you, I know you are right about PTSD, ITU is known for leaving people traumatised. I have been aware that I need help since I got home a month after surgery. I think my GP thinks I should be able to cope because I worked in mental health. It's just not the same when the problems and fears are your own. It's 'physician heal thyself' and very different from helping other people through their dark times. I can't get the images out of my mind of a person who sadly died in the next bay in ITU. Or at night hearing a doctor tell my nurse she should call my husband in as I was so sick. These things don't go away easily and my anxiety hoe's sky high at the smallest thing now. I'm so glad you got the right help when you needed it and get monitored for how the events are still, affecting you. Without that help life is paralysed as it incongruous to integrate these experiences into the personal identity that you had before. Papworth Hospital is a major heart and lung hospital in the UK, they must have support avaiable from psychologists for patients going through frightening events. I'm going to ask for help, they knew my work and should have expected I would need support. Thank you for supporting me to feel it's OK to ask for help.

@maggykriti
Please asked your doctors about referring you to a psychiatric specialist. I know many feel that has a stigma but it is just mental health.

If sounds like 7 months ago you went through a traumatic event. I had a traumatic event back in 2015 with 5 shocks of my ICD hospitalized for a week then released and went home only to be rushed to ER with severe panic attack.

Mayo referred me to psychiatric department. Then did many test. One of them was PTSD. Most think this is military only but the second initial is traumatic. Any traumatic even can cause PTSD. I took a test where if our scored above a certain score you had PTSD. My test score was at the top. The PTSD caused me to have anxiety/panis disorder.

My psychiatric medication specialist worked with my other doctors and put me on medications to help with the PTSD and anxiety/panic disorder. Took some time but I was able to come off all medication except one (Escitilopram). I still see this medication specialist today 10 years later to monitor my anxiety/panic disorder.

Extreme anxiety and stress need to be treated. Most doctors outside psychiatry do not I think have the experience with dealing with mental health issues.

I am not sure if you medical provider is large enough to have a psychiatric department like Mayo but if they do asked for a referral. Or if don't have consider a referral to another provider.

There is no reason to feel seeking help with mental health just like physical health. They both play and significant influence on each other. Until I got treated at psychiatric department it felt like you they just did not understand the amount of anxiety and stress was feeling.

You stated still have memories of ITU. That made me think of me having them also and throughout the day. I am not a psychiatrist or doctor but read up on PTSD and you can see how a traumatic event can leave you with PTSD that needs to be treated just like a physical symptom.

@maggykriti
It is okay to ask for help. And do be ashamed to do it.

I have a masters degree in Psychology. Learned never to try to self-diagnose me or family. It would be subjective not objective.

I had read a lot about PTSD. My wife was diagnosed with anxiety/panic disorder several years ago. Until I had a panic attack after developing PTSD, I never knew what she was feeling. I have become very empathetic now about her panic attacks.

PTSD is a response to traumatic events. I had one and gave my personal experience with it. I had the same feeling and issues you did. I hope that sharing my personal experience with this helped.

I must agree with @maggykriti. I would definitely attempt to get a second opinion. Your traumatic experience was extensive. How does he (GP) expect you to “get on” with nothing to support you as you adjust. Cardiac issues are extremely stressful and just winging it on your own will not help you at all. Nothing against GP’s but some just don’t understand the kind of stress you are dealing with. I would discuss this with your cardiologist or find a Electrophysiologist. Best of luck on your recovery journey.

My cardiologist put me on Lorazepam. I take 1/2 of a 5mg tablet during the day if I am anxious and sometimes full one at night. I totally agree that the mental strain of dealing with Afib/Aflutter is worse than the doctors realize. I have just completed my 4th ablation at UCSF and am one month post ablation. I have had 5 episodes of Afib, two of which landed me in the ER. Fortunately, I converted on my own. The last 3 episodes I have converted on my own at home but they last for at least 45 minutes. My cardiologist also recommended taking Diltiazem during the episodes. I am frustrated, anxious and feel like a prisoner in my own body. When I am not in an episode, I feel absolutely fine. Sure wish there was a real true fix for this.

My husband has had a-fib on and off for over 10 years. He has had 10 cardio versions and 3 ablations. He also takes amiodarone which can have nasty side effects. If he goes back into a-fib after the last ablation he may get a pacemaker because the cardiologist will not do more than 3 ablations. This would solve the a-fib issue permanently plus he could get off the amiodarone. He also gave up a-fib triggers like caffeine and alcohol and makes sure to exercise regularly.

I had open heart surgery seven months ago and suffered severe complications, seven days ITU, three more weeks on cardiac ward. I was left with Afin from surgery. I had my fourth cardioversion three weeks ago which failed again and left me with atrial flutter and Afib and a stay on the cardiac ward again. I asked my GP if he would prescribe something to help the anxiety the experience has left me with. He said wait to see how you get on! I'm trying to overcome the stress but this last year has been so hard. I think my GP thinks I can handle all the problems I've had. I can't! I still have horrible recurring memories of ITU. I'm waiting for an electrophysiology .appointment.