Very Concerned About a Friend

Ruthanne

Ruthanne

Caregiver
Location
Midwest
He has been having extreme nervousness and seemingly heart irreularities . I have consoled him several times and recommended things like meditation. Now I feel things are getting worse for him from what I've recently heard. I feel at a loss but he's very important to me. He has already gotten some counseling so I don't know what else to offer and am very concerned. Any ideas.
 

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Aunt Bea said:
IMO all you can do is let him know you are concerned and ask if there is anything you can do to help ease his anxiety.

Sometimes a little empathy and the ability to listen is all we can offer to a person in distress.

Best wishes to you and your friend.
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I think I have done that but wouldn't hurt to do it again. Thanks đź‘Ť
 
Is he on medication to control his heartbeat or have a pacemaker? Maybe his problems are more physical than emotional. Did he go though some type of trauma? I would make sure that his issues aren't physical before trying to correct his issues with meditation or any other means of emotional correctness.
 
Been There said:
Is he on medication to control his heartbeat or have a pacemaker? Maybe his problems are more physical than emotional. Did he go though some type of trauma? I would make sure that his issues aren't physical before trying to correct his issues with meditation or any other means of emotional correctness.
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He has had a heart checkup and it's ok.
 
Been There said:
Is he on medication to control his heartbeat or have a pacemaker? Maybe his problems are more physical than emotional. Did he go though some type of trauma? I would make sure that his issues aren't physical before trying to correct his issues with meditation or any other means of emotional correctness.
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In fact he has seen specialists from the top clinic in the USA.
 
Ruthanne said:
He has had a heart checkup and it's ok.
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Probably anxiety related. I also have something similar - sometimes my heart will pound quickly without any activity & it also sometimes comes with shortness-of-breath. I don't take any medication for it. My sister takes medication for panic attacks & anxiety. It might have something to do with being raised by a raging witch (our mother).

When I was 30 (40 years ago), I had an episode of irregular heartbeats & shortness of breath. I went to the ER. They hooked me up to heart & BP monitors for 2 hours. I looked at the monitor & I could see the irregular heart beats - I would miss a beat or two, then it could "catch up."
When the doctor came in I pointed to the monitor & asked, "Well, what's going on? Should I cancel my hiking/exercise?" He wasn't concerned at all. He said, "No reason to change your exercise at all; just avoid Cola & Mountain Dew; they're high in caffiene." That was it.
The problem comes & goes every few weeks.
 
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Hasn't any of the doctors given him a diagnosis? The irregular heartbeats can be caused by panic attacks/anxiety. I think win could be right. There is also a heart issue called PVC's when one of the valves don't open and shut properly and causes thee hart to flutter for a few seconds. But if he has been seen by some pretty good cardiologists, they should have given him a diagnosis of some sort or maybe he just doesn't want to tell you that he suffers from panic disorder. It can be embarrassing to tell someone that.

We had a pilot that was scared to death to land on a carrier on his first solo. He had to make 5 go arounds until he put the plane on the deck of the carrier and he only did it then because he was running low on fuel. The flight commander had to talk him down. He told the flight commander that he thought his heart was going to bust through his chest. His flying days with the Marines ended on that flight.
 
Been There said:
Hasn't any of the doctors given him a diagnosis? The irregular heartbeats can be caused by panic attacks/anxiety. I think win could be right. There is also a heart issue called PVC's when one of the valves don't open and shut properly and causes thee hart to flutter for a few seconds. But if he has been seen by some pretty good cardiologists, they should have given him a diagnosis of some sort or maybe he just doesn't want to tell you that he suffers from panic disorder. It can be embarrassing to tell someone that.

We had a pilot that was scared to death to land on a carrier on his first solo. He had to make 5 go arounds until he put the plane on the deck of the carrier and he only did it then because he was running low on fuel. The flight commander had to talk him down. He told the flight commander that he thought his heart was going to bust through his chest. His flying days with the Marines ended on that flight.
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He has had physical and mental evaluations and what is points to and what he says is that it is a lot of anxiety.
 
Ruthanne said:
Sorry to those who have responded if I didn't exactly agree with you but I know him very well and all about his evaluations. I just gave little information because I did not want to invade his privacy.
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No worries, Ruthanne. No one here know who he is, AFAIK. Anxiety and panic attacks are the worst. Maybe some meds would help your friend, as @win231 referred to.
 
Is his wife abusive? The problem is, if he goes to an MD asking for medications, they just subscribe something quickly without really talking to the person to try and get to what may be going on. Does he have good insurance and/or funds. A Psychologist might help. They can't prescribe medications but do understand them and they can make recommendations. Or a Psychiatrist if he is able. Expensive I know.
 

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