I think I could get over my "cardiac neurosis" once and for all if only...

If only I could be sure I won't go into atrial fib!  I have PACs, thank God not very often!  I do have them lots more around "hormonal" times of the month.  They just about went away with pregnancy, which was awesome!  I am a lifelong anxiety sufferer as well but have them even when not anxious.  I have been through therapy, to all kinds of doctors, etc., etc. (like a lot of folks here) but just can't kick the fear of palpitations completely.  It is always there in the back of my mind.  I start my day with a prayer for no palpitations and end my night when I lie down in bed with a prayer for no palps through the night.  I think I could kick the fear of the isolated palps if I could just be absolutely certain that I will never go into atrial fib, which is what I am terrified of.  I know life doesn't come with guarantees.  I have no structural heart problems, just isolated palps.  Can I be sure I won't go into a-fib?  It is pretty unlikely, right?  But yet I know paroxysmal a-fib is possible in young, healthy people.  It seems I will never completely get over this which is so frustrating!

[CollegeGirl143]

You can never be sure about anything.. Do i think you will randomly start suffering from afib? no... But even if you do... So what???

You have a structurally normal heart, afib is a very common and livable condition, its FAR from a death sentance.. What is it about afib you are so afraid of??

Answer this question and come to terms with this fear, rather than and convince yourself it will never happen, because that doesnt seem to be working :( Our minds already know NOTHING is ever certain ... thats the thing about anxiety too, its not rational.. No matter how many qualified doctors, or friends, or supportive people out there tell you that this wont happen to you, you wont believe it.. Just look that fear in the face, because on the list of bad things you can be sick from, afib in your case would probably be pretty low on the list :)

[fearfactor]

What scares me about a-fib is the thought that it can be a chronic condition or that once it started I might not be able to make it stop (even by going to the hospital, etc.).  I know sometimes people have to wait a while to be cardioverted, medication doesn't work, etc.  If I had a-fib I couldn't work (and I have huge debt from school), I couldn't have a family life, or do anything it seems.  I am also afraid of bigeminy and/or trigeminy or just frequent palpitations for this same reason - I don't really think it would kill me but what I fear now is debilitation.  I am terrified of having MS as well for the same reason - chronic debilitation and inability to live life.  I am a big-time CONTROL freak - if I feel out of control about anything in my life, I am very upset.  Funny I don't really fear death that much.  I never really think about a fatal brain tumor diagnosis or dying of a heart attack.  It is long-term, chronic debilitating conditions THAT CANNOT BE CONTROLLED that terrify me.

[jpcox]

I feel the same way.  I too have pac's, after the birth of my son.  I am also scared of the what ifs, but I am trying not to let this control my life.. Can a-fib occur without a fast heart rate? I have been through a battery of testing, with normal results. Can pac's feel different at different times? I have many questions that I would love the answers to.

[anacyde]

There's no one walking the earth that has that guarantee.  You could develop a-fib.  You could develop a million things.  Thing is, worrying about it isn't going to prevent it.  I was terrified I would develop PPCM while pregnant.  I worried about it.  It happened anyhow.  But a million other things I have worried about never came to fruition.  What that all has taught me is that worrying does absolutely nothing but make my life suck.

After my son was born, I started having major PACs.  Then I began having SVT, frequently.  And since PPCM puts you into a higher risk for a-fib, imagine how worried I was!  But I decided, you know, I'm going to live my life.  I've got what I've got, and there's no way I'm letting this trap me in a chair racked with fear.  No way.

And interestingly enough, in spite of the PACs and SVT, I healed fast.  I still have the irregular heart rhythms, but it's not related to the PPCM.  I just have it.  I totally know that one day it may mean a-fib, I'm in a higher risk category with the SVT, but I also know that this may all just up and vanish too.  We don't know.

But the worrying, it won't save you.

[wildcat27]

I posted this above...it is an outstanding site relating to A-Fib.

I had a lone A-Fib experience back in July and I get palps from time to time too...and it is hard not to be effected mentally by them.

One thing that helps me is exercise...and I would recommend this as a stress reliever...it always seems to help do away with my palps.

Check out this site...no one wants A-Fib...but it does not have to change your life...I would be surprised if you find anyone on that board who stopped working because of A-Fib...even if chronic.

[CollegeGirl143]

Seems like deep down you already see that this isnt really a health fear issue, its a control issue thats manifesting itself in that way :) Maybe really embracing this knowledge will help

[fearfactor]

Thanks everyone for your help and advice!  I am going to keep on trying to conquer this - and yes, I agree it is a control issue!