jedzeppy
12-20-2007, 02:44 PM
Hello,
For the past 6 months, I wake up about 4 nights a week in the middle of the night with my heart racing probably over 200 beats per minute. At times this is also accompanied by light sweating, shaking, and a weird feeling in my head and chest. I've been to see the doctor on several occasions. I've had 3 EKGs done and an echocardiogram done and all have been normal. I've worn a heart monitor and caught about 20 episodes of a racing heart, but all the readings have come up normal. I've been to a psychologist, and he can't find anything that would be triggering this. This is really making my life difficult. I have an appointment for a sleep study, as they are now seeing if I have sleep apnea. I am 40 years old and am pretty fit, and definately not overweight. Does anyone have any ideas on what could be triggering these attacks at night. The attacks never happen at any other time except when it is waking me up from my sleep. Thanks
For the past 6 months, I wake up about 4 nights a week in the middle of the night with my heart racing probably over 200 beats per minute. At times this is also accompanied by light sweating, shaking, and a weird feeling in my head and chest. I've been to see the doctor on several occasions. I've had 3 EKGs done and an echocardiogram done and all have been normal. I've worn a heart monitor and caught about 20 episodes of a racing heart, but all the readings have come up normal. I've been to a psychologist, and he can't find anything that would be triggering this. This is really making my life difficult. I have an appointment for a sleep study, as they are now seeing if I have sleep apnea. I am 40 years old and am pretty fit, and definately not overweight. Does anyone have any ideas on what could be triggering these attacks at night. The attacks never happen at any other time except when it is waking me up from my sleep. Thanks
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waynobweno
12-24-2007, 02:16 PM
Hey jedzeppy,
Thanks for the post. I have been going through the exact same thing and it is driving me nuts. I found your post via ****** and I wanted to ask if you have found any solutions. I have been waking up in the middle of the night like clockwork. I will hit the sack and guaranteed I will wake at 3 or 4 with my heart going a hundred miles per hour. I will then fall asleep and wake 1 or 2 hours later in a full on sweat. I have been taking Ambien, but when I am off it my symptoms just get worse the next time. I hate taking artificial drugs just because they only mask the problem and end up making it worse in the end... What are you doing to deal with these issues? Thanks!
Thanks for the post. I have been going through the exact same thing and it is driving me nuts. I found your post via ****** and I wanted to ask if you have found any solutions. I have been waking up in the middle of the night like clockwork. I will hit the sack and guaranteed I will wake at 3 or 4 with my heart going a hundred miles per hour. I will then fall asleep and wake 1 or 2 hours later in a full on sweat. I have been taking Ambien, but when I am off it my symptoms just get worse the next time. I hate taking artificial drugs just because they only mask the problem and end up making it worse in the end... What are you doing to deal with these issues? Thanks!
marantz1935
12-25-2007, 03:53 AM
Hi,
I am having a similar problem at the moment. For the last three months I have been waking up with a racing, pounding heart with a very anxious feeling, sometimes with sweat or damp night clothes. I am guaranteed to be woken up between 4am and 6am every morning with these sensations. I have never had a problem with sleep like this before. I no longer need my alarm clock. However, I have noticed I am waking up slightly later at around 5am to 6am (my record now is 5.55am). My BP is up at the moment and this may be a factor. I am also under a lot of stress and anxiety for the last few months, so no doubt this isn't helping either. Hope this helps.
Marantz.
I am having a similar problem at the moment. For the last three months I have been waking up with a racing, pounding heart with a very anxious feeling, sometimes with sweat or damp night clothes. I am guaranteed to be woken up between 4am and 6am every morning with these sensations. I have never had a problem with sleep like this before. I no longer need my alarm clock. However, I have noticed I am waking up slightly later at around 5am to 6am (my record now is 5.55am). My BP is up at the moment and this may be a factor. I am also under a lot of stress and anxiety for the last few months, so no doubt this isn't helping either. Hope this helps.
Marantz.
enigma3
12-28-2007, 03:49 PM
Wow, I can't say how glad I am to see someone start this post, because I keep trying to find out if anybody is having the same symptoms as me, and everything all of you said is what I have been experiencing.
I am 31, have recently had a stress echo (which showed nothing abnormal, except tachycardia before and after the test, even after given 10 minutes to rest). I also have Hashimoto's thyroid disease, which I've struggled with for over 7 yrs., but seem to have been on the correct medication for.. thyroid tests are usually normal. In addition, I had two extremely scary panic attacks for the first time in my life, both involving going to the ER, back around September, and I still haven't quite figured out why. Luckily, I haven't had episodes like that since then, but have relied on Ativan daily, as well as an increase in dosage of Celexa (SSRI) to keep things more under control. Despite this, I've still had problems with anxiety every day. It comes and goes, but the only way I know how to describe it, is that it often feels like I have a constant surge of electricity going through my body, which gets worse depending on caffeine, sugar intake, exercise that is too strenuous, and also gets worse as I get closer to my monthly cycle).
All I can say, is that before all of this, my life seemed so normal. Back to the sleep problems, my second panic attack a few months ago had involved jolting awake around 3 am, only to feel my heart feeling as though it was going to pound out of my chest, and feeling shaky, dizzy, terrified, etc., and only got worse as I tried to get up, walk around a little, and had tried to calm myself down. It didn't work, and I had to call the paramedics, feeling terrified that I was having a true heart attack.
This is somewhat similar to what I am experiencing almost every morning now, except not quite as extreme. Now, everyday, I seem to wake up right around 4-6 am every single morning, feeling panicked, feeling my heart racing, and feeling really dehydrated and just really "off" somehow (also feeling that can't get a full breath feeling, which doesn't go away until after I've fallen back asleep. It also takes me up to 20 min. or so each time for me to really go back to sleep, but even then, I often find myself still waking up feeling that same way again, just minutes after falling back asleep.
What I can't understand about this, besides all of these scary symptoms, is why it only seems to happen around 4-6 am, and not when I wake up at say 1, 2, or 3 am, which I always do, because I have to use the bathroom from drinking a lot of water before bed. Usually, when I wake up then, I haven't started feeling that way yet.. :confused:
I hope more people will share their stories on here if they have had these problems too. I don't understand what is causing this for us. I am starting to wonder if it has anything to do with sleep apnea though, which I've never really considered since I've never had these problems before. I do definitely seem to always breath through my mouth, mainly at night, and have been that way since I was a child (have always had a ton of allergy problems).
I have no idea what to do about this.. :(
enigma
I am 31, have recently had a stress echo (which showed nothing abnormal, except tachycardia before and after the test, even after given 10 minutes to rest). I also have Hashimoto's thyroid disease, which I've struggled with for over 7 yrs., but seem to have been on the correct medication for.. thyroid tests are usually normal. In addition, I had two extremely scary panic attacks for the first time in my life, both involving going to the ER, back around September, and I still haven't quite figured out why. Luckily, I haven't had episodes like that since then, but have relied on Ativan daily, as well as an increase in dosage of Celexa (SSRI) to keep things more under control. Despite this, I've still had problems with anxiety every day. It comes and goes, but the only way I know how to describe it, is that it often feels like I have a constant surge of electricity going through my body, which gets worse depending on caffeine, sugar intake, exercise that is too strenuous, and also gets worse as I get closer to my monthly cycle).
All I can say, is that before all of this, my life seemed so normal. Back to the sleep problems, my second panic attack a few months ago had involved jolting awake around 3 am, only to feel my heart feeling as though it was going to pound out of my chest, and feeling shaky, dizzy, terrified, etc., and only got worse as I tried to get up, walk around a little, and had tried to calm myself down. It didn't work, and I had to call the paramedics, feeling terrified that I was having a true heart attack.
This is somewhat similar to what I am experiencing almost every morning now, except not quite as extreme. Now, everyday, I seem to wake up right around 4-6 am every single morning, feeling panicked, feeling my heart racing, and feeling really dehydrated and just really "off" somehow (also feeling that can't get a full breath feeling, which doesn't go away until after I've fallen back asleep. It also takes me up to 20 min. or so each time for me to really go back to sleep, but even then, I often find myself still waking up feeling that same way again, just minutes after falling back asleep.
What I can't understand about this, besides all of these scary symptoms, is why it only seems to happen around 4-6 am, and not when I wake up at say 1, 2, or 3 am, which I always do, because I have to use the bathroom from drinking a lot of water before bed. Usually, when I wake up then, I haven't started feeling that way yet.. :confused:
I hope more people will share their stories on here if they have had these problems too. I don't understand what is causing this for us. I am starting to wonder if it has anything to do with sleep apnea though, which I've never really considered since I've never had these problems before. I do definitely seem to always breath through my mouth, mainly at night, and have been that way since I was a child (have always had a ton of allergy problems).
I have no idea what to do about this.. :(
enigma
Kszan
12-28-2007, 08:22 PM
I've had this happen to me also. I've also had many of the same diagnostic tests that you've all had and everything was normal. I'ts actually quite common (moreso for women apparently), as you can probably tell from how many posts you've seen about it here. So, basically, the docs all said it was essentially a panic attack in the middle of the night. I have noticed it happens more often when I'm stressed about something going on in my life.
I've thought about it a lot and I'm inclined to agree with them. I figure that if you can have a panic attack during the day which causes pretty much the same reaction, then why not at night when you're asleep? When you think about it, while you're sleeping, you have more time to reflect on things going on in your life that are upsetting you. You may not realize it, but it's possible your subconscious is dwelling on these things, and because your mind keeps working all the time, even while you're asleep, then it's not unusual for your body to react to the thoughts going on in your head at the time.
In conclusion, I have to agree that if all of your diagnostic tests have come back normal, then you have to at least consider the possibility that it might just be anxiety/panic that is causing this to happen. Of course I'm not a doctor, and this is all just speculation on my part, but that's what I believe to be true.
I've thought about it a lot and I'm inclined to agree with them. I figure that if you can have a panic attack during the day which causes pretty much the same reaction, then why not at night when you're asleep? When you think about it, while you're sleeping, you have more time to reflect on things going on in your life that are upsetting you. You may not realize it, but it's possible your subconscious is dwelling on these things, and because your mind keeps working all the time, even while you're asleep, then it's not unusual for your body to react to the thoughts going on in your head at the time.
In conclusion, I have to agree that if all of your diagnostic tests have come back normal, then you have to at least consider the possibility that it might just be anxiety/panic that is causing this to happen. Of course I'm not a doctor, and this is all just speculation on my part, but that's what I believe to be true.
bethsheba
01-07-2008, 10:24 PM
... Back to the sleep problems, my second panic attack a few months ago had involved jolting awake around 3 am, only to feel my heart feeling as though it was going to pound out of my chest, and feeling shaky, dizzy, terrified, etc., and only got worse as I tried to get up, walk around a little, and had tried to calm myself down. It didn't work, and I had to call the paramedics, feeling terrified that I was having a true heart attack.
This is somewhat similar to what I am experiencing almost every morning now, except not quite as extreme. Now, everyday, I seem to wake up right around 4-6 am every single morning, feeling panicked, feeling my heart racing, and feeling really dehydrated and just really "off" somehow (also feeling that can't get a full breath feeling, which doesn't go away until after I've fallen back asleep. It also takes me up to 20 min. or so each time for me to really go back to sleep, but even then, I often find myself still waking up feeling that same way again, just minutes after falling back asleep.
What I can't understand about this, besides all of these scary symptoms, is why it only seems to happen around 4-6 am, and not when I wake up at say 1, 2, or 3 am, which I always do, because I have to use the bathroom from drinking a lot of water before bed. Usually, when I wake up then, I haven't started feeling that way yet.. :confused:
enigma
Enigma,
Classic symptoms of sleep apnea are waking many times over the course of the night, getting up to pee (nocturia), feeling panicked when waking, breathlessness, racing heart, or in other words, all of the things you've mentioned.
You don't have to be old, overweight, or snore to have sleep apnea. People who (like myself) are mouthbreathers and who have allergies tend to be at risk for this condition, too.
My sleep specialist told me that the reason one gets up to go to the bathroom frequently at night is because sleep apnea can prevent the individual from going into the deeper levels of sleep. When you're in those deeper stages, the body is more or less paralyzed and even if your bladder was full, you wouldn't wake to urinate. My sleep doctor said one of the questions they always asked a new patient is, "how often do you get up at night to go to the bathroom?" Unless, there are urological problems, getting up to go to the bathroom at night means the patient is a candidate for a sleep study.
I would encourage you to learn more about sleep apnea. I did. And I demanded a referral to a sleep specialist. My treatment is medication free, and has made a world of difference in my life. And just for your info, treatment of sleep apnea can reduce the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, depression, and acid reflux...symptoms that can also be a red flag for sleep apnea.
Take care, and good luck. Do let us know how you fare.
Bethsheba
This is somewhat similar to what I am experiencing almost every morning now, except not quite as extreme. Now, everyday, I seem to wake up right around 4-6 am every single morning, feeling panicked, feeling my heart racing, and feeling really dehydrated and just really "off" somehow (also feeling that can't get a full breath feeling, which doesn't go away until after I've fallen back asleep. It also takes me up to 20 min. or so each time for me to really go back to sleep, but even then, I often find myself still waking up feeling that same way again, just minutes after falling back asleep.
What I can't understand about this, besides all of these scary symptoms, is why it only seems to happen around 4-6 am, and not when I wake up at say 1, 2, or 3 am, which I always do, because I have to use the bathroom from drinking a lot of water before bed. Usually, when I wake up then, I haven't started feeling that way yet.. :confused:
enigma
Enigma,
Classic symptoms of sleep apnea are waking many times over the course of the night, getting up to pee (nocturia), feeling panicked when waking, breathlessness, racing heart, or in other words, all of the things you've mentioned.
You don't have to be old, overweight, or snore to have sleep apnea. People who (like myself) are mouthbreathers and who have allergies tend to be at risk for this condition, too.
My sleep specialist told me that the reason one gets up to go to the bathroom frequently at night is because sleep apnea can prevent the individual from going into the deeper levels of sleep. When you're in those deeper stages, the body is more or less paralyzed and even if your bladder was full, you wouldn't wake to urinate. My sleep doctor said one of the questions they always asked a new patient is, "how often do you get up at night to go to the bathroom?" Unless, there are urological problems, getting up to go to the bathroom at night means the patient is a candidate for a sleep study.
I would encourage you to learn more about sleep apnea. I did. And I demanded a referral to a sleep specialist. My treatment is medication free, and has made a world of difference in my life. And just for your info, treatment of sleep apnea can reduce the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, depression, and acid reflux...symptoms that can also be a red flag for sleep apnea.
Take care, and good luck. Do let us know how you fare.
Bethsheba
bethsheba
01-07-2008, 10:30 PM
Hi,
I am having a similar problem at the moment. For the last three months I have been waking up with a racing, pounding heart with a very anxious feeling, sometimes with sweat or damp night clothes. I am guaranteed to be woken up between 4am and 6am every morning with these sensations. I have never had a problem with sleep like this before. ....
Marantz.
These can be symptoms of a sleep disorder but a sleep disorder can also be caused by meds. I was diagnosed with sleep apnea, but my symptoms, were worse with bp medication. If you never had a problem with sleep like that before, I would suspect bp meds/underlying physical condition (hormonal/adrenal?)....but I"m not a doctor....just someone with sleep apnea whose symptoms were worse with bp medication.
Bethsheba
I am having a similar problem at the moment. For the last three months I have been waking up with a racing, pounding heart with a very anxious feeling, sometimes with sweat or damp night clothes. I am guaranteed to be woken up between 4am and 6am every morning with these sensations. I have never had a problem with sleep like this before. ....
Marantz.
These can be symptoms of a sleep disorder but a sleep disorder can also be caused by meds. I was diagnosed with sleep apnea, but my symptoms, were worse with bp medication. If you never had a problem with sleep like that before, I would suspect bp meds/underlying physical condition (hormonal/adrenal?)....but I"m not a doctor....just someone with sleep apnea whose symptoms were worse with bp medication.
Bethsheba
Ninja1
01-16-2008, 10:27 PM
I have these EXACT symptoms, however, I assume it is because my father passed away a month ago from a massive heart attack.
I ALWAYS wake up between 4-5 a.m. when I sleep at night and feel panicked and have a dry mouth and sometimes I'm nauseous too. I have had 3 EKG's done and blood tests--my CK levels were at 400.
Any opinions?
I ALWAYS wake up between 4-5 a.m. when I sleep at night and feel panicked and have a dry mouth and sometimes I'm nauseous too. I have had 3 EKG's done and blood tests--my CK levels were at 400.
Any opinions?
jessveryape
02-22-2008, 05:12 AM
yeah im 17 and ive been geting this for a year. The Dr diagnosed me as having GAD. my symptomes involve heart palps, shaking, confusion and i sometimes jolt awake. when im trying to fall asleep my brain is extremly active and all sorts of random thoughts come into my head.
marantz1935
02-22-2008, 01:13 PM
These can be symptoms of a sleep disorder but a sleep disorder can also be caused by meds. I was diagnosed with sleep apnea, but my symptoms, were worse with bp medication. If you never had a problem with sleep like that before, I would suspect bp meds/underlying physical condition (hormonal/adrenal?)....but I"m not a doctor....just someone with sleep apnea whose symptoms were worse with bp medication.
Bethsheba
Thanks Beth,
I keep telling my GP about me waking up the way I do and he just keeps saying it's anxiety. I don't think I was on BP meds when it started, though I remember it was the week I discovered my blood pressure was up which sent me into panic mode. My doctor is very slow to refer me to a specialist for anything. He just keeps telling me it's all in my mind. I suppect it's a hormonal thing myself.
Marantz. :)
Bethsheba
Thanks Beth,
I keep telling my GP about me waking up the way I do and he just keeps saying it's anxiety. I don't think I was on BP meds when it started, though I remember it was the week I discovered my blood pressure was up which sent me into panic mode. My doctor is very slow to refer me to a specialist for anything. He just keeps telling me it's all in my mind. I suppect it's a hormonal thing myself.
Marantz. :)
bethsheba
02-22-2008, 05:56 PM
Hello Marantz,
What a nice surprise to find you here! I peruse this board on occasion just to see if anything's new, but for the most part my sleep problems are minor now that I'm off meds, ;).
...I keep telling my GP about me waking up the way I do and he just keeps saying it's anxiety.
He's wrong...he's quite simply wrong.
Although I think that bp meds cause more sleep problems than people realize/remember, I don't think your problems are due to the meds either. I suspect, based on what I've read, that your condition may be more adrenal in nature....some common symptoms of adrenal problems are acute anxiety, sweating, panic attacks, and of course hypertension. Tingling and numbness of the limbs can also occur. What makes this a bit complicated is that panic/anxiety attacks have similar symptoms.
... My doctor is very slow to refer me to a specialist for anything. He just keeps telling me it's all in my mind....
Well, I for one, know it is not in your mind!!! But this is a tough one....have you given any thought about how you could go about seeing a specialist? I would think an endocrinologist might be the one to see...maybe a nephrologist? When I needed a sleep medicine specialist, I called my insurance company and they gave me the names of the specialists for 500 or so miles and they told me what I needed to do to see one.
Bethsheba
What a nice surprise to find you here! I peruse this board on occasion just to see if anything's new, but for the most part my sleep problems are minor now that I'm off meds, ;).
...I keep telling my GP about me waking up the way I do and he just keeps saying it's anxiety.
He's wrong...he's quite simply wrong.
Although I think that bp meds cause more sleep problems than people realize/remember, I don't think your problems are due to the meds either. I suspect, based on what I've read, that your condition may be more adrenal in nature....some common symptoms of adrenal problems are acute anxiety, sweating, panic attacks, and of course hypertension. Tingling and numbness of the limbs can also occur. What makes this a bit complicated is that panic/anxiety attacks have similar symptoms.
... My doctor is very slow to refer me to a specialist for anything. He just keeps telling me it's all in my mind....
Well, I for one, know it is not in your mind!!! But this is a tough one....have you given any thought about how you could go about seeing a specialist? I would think an endocrinologist might be the one to see...maybe a nephrologist? When I needed a sleep medicine specialist, I called my insurance company and they gave me the names of the specialists for 500 or so miles and they told me what I needed to do to see one.
Bethsheba
bethsheba
02-23-2008, 06:46 PM
Marantz,
Ignore what I said about hormonal/adrenal...based on your post on the High and Low Blood Pressure Boards, you have the classic symptoms of sleep apnea.
Bethsheba
Ignore what I said about hormonal/adrenal...based on your post on the High and Low Blood Pressure Boards, you have the classic symptoms of sleep apnea.
Bethsheba
gaugreg1x
02-28-2008, 02:39 PM
I experience the same thing at times also. Do you also have shortness of breath? It is interesting to see that so many males are posting. Is this a predominantly male thing? Age related? Greg 48 male
marantz1935
02-29-2008, 01:43 PM
Do you also have shortness of breath?
Hi,
Not usually. I did feel a bit out of breath on two occasions in bed, but I was on medication for elevated blood pressure and on of the side effects is just that. I still wake with a racing heart every morning with out fail. My blood pressure is up as well first thing in the morning and actually decreases a half hour later (go figure).
I've had a racing heart for a few month now and prior to that it was never an issue. My heart rate tends to increase and decrease suddenly throughout the day, even when not really exerting myself.
Marantz.
Hi,
Not usually. I did feel a bit out of breath on two occasions in bed, but I was on medication for elevated blood pressure and on of the side effects is just that. I still wake with a racing heart every morning with out fail. My blood pressure is up as well first thing in the morning and actually decreases a half hour later (go figure).
I've had a racing heart for a few month now and prior to that it was never an issue. My heart rate tends to increase and decrease suddenly throughout the day, even when not really exerting myself.
Marantz.
CurlieGirlie32
04-08-2008, 11:07 PM
I am glad I am not the only one going through this. It is just terrifying...and annoying. I have NEVER had sleep problems, but this has been happening for about 3 months now. First it was about 2 times per month. Then last month it was happening for days on end, and I could not fall back to sleep. It was like I would get a "zap" when trying to fall asleep and then be wide awake with heart palps. I had one doc say it was anxiety, and the one I saw today said she didn't think so. She said I am not showing the signs of classic anxiety. She ordered a B12 deficiency test and also a sleep study. We will see. I just want to get back to normal. It kind of scares me to go to sleep.:confused:
Cheri
Cheri
marantz1935
04-09-2008, 07:15 AM
I have NEVER had sleep problems...
Hi,
Same here.
Since I last posted, I have changed medication and this has help me greatly. I am convinced the old medication was at exacerbating the anxiety for me. I would wager anxiety plays a major part with the heart racing as well. I'm under a bit of stress presently, and boy do I feel it.
It's great your doctor is trying to find the 'root' cause, I wish my GP was as good.
Marantz :)
Hi,
Same here.
Since I last posted, I have changed medication and this has help me greatly. I am convinced the old medication was at exacerbating the anxiety for me. I would wager anxiety plays a major part with the heart racing as well. I'm under a bit of stress presently, and boy do I feel it.
It's great your doctor is trying to find the 'root' cause, I wish my GP was as good.
Marantz :)
mimi5050
04-11-2008, 11:13 AM
HI to all that are here. I want to say the same thing about the sleep problems we all have. I myself have a few things to share with you that I found to be alittle help. First is sleep Apnea, which has a few symptoms these including heavy problem snoring, coughing and gaspping for air which are the most common, then are the after affects ,those being fatigue, headaches,fuzzy mind blog ,all do to lack of sleep.Now I'm not sure that sleep apnea can happen 5 to 10 mins upon falling asleep. I know that if it happens a few times during the later part of the night when your sleep is at its most prominate, then sleep apnea is most likely the culprit. But my experience has been that right before I lay down and start to relax in bed I almost can tell that it will be one of those nights were I can feel my eyes closing and by that happening it triggers my strange feeling of tread. I can't understand how this 2mins of my eyes slowly closing can cause this to happen. That to me is not sleep apnea, because ther is no actual sleep going on. I think that maybe it has to do more with brain chemistry, blood surgar and dehydration. My mouth is very dry during these episodes. I only have 1 or 2 of them every 1 to 2 months. I will come back and see if any have more info.
GravesGirl73
04-11-2008, 09:50 PM
Hi! To all of you that have had a jolting effect while falling asleep and a fast heart rate, please have your thyroid checked, it can be a symptom of hyperthyroid, check the symptoms of this and Graves disease and see if any symptoms fit, just a suggestion.I had this 2 years ago along with weight loss,anxiety,mood swings,hand tremors and a bounding pulse just walking across a room. I had all the heart tests and wore a monitor, it just showed tachycardia on and off which is just a fast heart rate. It was very scary and when laying down to rest or sleep it was worse. Have your doc run a tsh and free t-4 and free t-3 test if symptoms like this persist. It affects females mostly from ages 35-55, although some are quite young when first diagnosed. Hope you are all well soon!
oscodagp63
04-12-2008, 08:14 PM
between the ages of 52 and 54 I experienced that feeling along with a pain in my left arm. Had no insurance just figured that's it I'm outta here, A fellow vet told me because of the Purple Heart award I was eligible for VA health care. It took 16 months b4 they figured out I had a left main blockage. A triple by pass later. no more pain I feel stronger but if I over eat b4 bed I still wake up with the racing heart. So what I'm saying is watch what you consume b4 bed
bethsheba
04-15-2008, 11:34 PM
...A triple by pass later. no more pain I feel stronger but if I over eat b4 bed I still wake up with the racing heart. So what I'm saying is watch what you consume b4 bed
Waking to a racing heart is sometimes a symptom of sleep apnea. Sleep apnea can contribute to heart disease and many have gone into cardiac arrest at night due to this condtion. You might want to be screened for apnea to prevent this from happening to you.
Bethsheba
Waking to a racing heart is sometimes a symptom of sleep apnea. Sleep apnea can contribute to heart disease and many have gone into cardiac arrest at night due to this condtion. You might want to be screened for apnea to prevent this from happening to you.
Bethsheba
star1000
06-16-2008, 11:06 PM
Hi! To all of you that have had a jolting effect while falling asleep and a fast heart rate, please have your thyroid checked, it can be a symptom of hyperthyroid, check the symptoms of this and Graves disease and see if any symptoms fit, just a suggestion.I had this 2 years ago along with weight loss,anxiety,mood swings,hand tremors and a bounding pulse just walking across a room. I had all the heart tests and wore a monitor, it just showed tachycardia on and off which is just a fast heart rate. It was very scary and when laying down to rest or sleep it was worse. Have your doc run a tsh and free t-4 and free t-3 test if symptoms like this persist. It affects females mostly from ages 35-55, although some are quite young when first diagnosed. Hope you are all well soon!
I was diagnosed with Hyperthyrodism as well. What I did that helped (at least for me anyways) where the following:
- don't drink too much before you go to sleep, at least 2 hours
- I take 1000 mgs of Magnisum, 400 mgs of Potassium (helps the heart and thyroid storms)
- I usually walk for about 20-30 minutes a couple of hours before bed
- Throughout the day, I drink about 2 - 2.5 liters of water a day
- Don't have any caffine or surgar 5 hours before bed (bananas are good)
- Don't eat too much before bed.
Star
I was diagnosed with Hyperthyrodism as well. What I did that helped (at least for me anyways) where the following:
- don't drink too much before you go to sleep, at least 2 hours
- I take 1000 mgs of Magnisum, 400 mgs of Potassium (helps the heart and thyroid storms)
- I usually walk for about 20-30 minutes a couple of hours before bed
- Throughout the day, I drink about 2 - 2.5 liters of water a day
- Don't have any caffine or surgar 5 hours before bed (bananas are good)
- Don't eat too much before bed.
Star
TexMom85
06-17-2008, 12:57 PM
I don't know about the hypothyroidism, but I can assure you, waking up with your heart racing is a classic symptom of sleep apnea. Like Bethsheba says, you don't have to be overweight, or even a snorer to have sleep apnea. I did not know I had it, but was tired during the day. Once I had a sleep study done, it showed that my apnea was severe, even though I was not aware of it. Most of the time, it did not wake me to the fullest level of awaken-ness, but sometimes I would (and still do without my CPAP) be jolted awake, heart racing, sometimes gasping for air but not always. I thought I was just having bad dreams or something. It was the apnea, and with the CPAP machine, it does not happen at all.
As Bethsheba has said, don't take apnea lightly. It can kill you (Reggie White of the Green Bay Packers died from it), so get yourself checked if you can.
Blessings,
Tex
As Bethsheba has said, don't take apnea lightly. It can kill you (Reggie White of the Green Bay Packers died from it), so get yourself checked if you can.
Blessings,
Tex
bethsheba
06-17-2008, 11:14 PM
Star,
I have no experience with thyroid conditions, but the things that helped you are the very things that help someone with periodic limb movements/restless leg. Have you been evaluated for a sleep disorders?
Although what you've done may have helped ease the symptoms you've described, it's possible that another sleep disorder is causing your problems.
Bethsheba
I have no experience with thyroid conditions, but the things that helped you are the very things that help someone with periodic limb movements/restless leg. Have you been evaluated for a sleep disorders?
Although what you've done may have helped ease the symptoms you've described, it's possible that another sleep disorder is causing your problems.
Bethsheba
bethsheba
06-17-2008, 11:21 PM
... I did not know I had it, but was tired during the day. Once I had a sleep study done, it showed that my apnea was severe, even though I was not aware of it. ...Tex
Texmom,
I didn't know I had it either but looking back to my childhood there were signs...yawned constantly even though I wasn't bored...and I would get real sleepy when riding in the car.
How about you? Looking back, were there any signs? How long do you think you've had apena?
Just curious...and perhaps it will help others.
Bethsheba
Texmom,
I didn't know I had it either but looking back to my childhood there were signs...yawned constantly even though I wasn't bored...and I would get real sleepy when riding in the car.
How about you? Looking back, were there any signs? How long do you think you've had apena?
Just curious...and perhaps it will help others.
Bethsheba
TexMom85
06-18-2008, 04:51 PM
Bethsheba,
I've had health issues, which all originated with sleep problems, since about 1991, when I was in my mid-30's. Everything just started to snowball with the prolonged spells of insomnia and I've never been the same. Before that, I never noticed being particularly sleepy.
I don't think I had apnea before this period. I believe it started after I gained a bunch of weight due to the meds and health issues. Since I haven't slept in the same room with my husband for a number of years now, I don't know how badly I snore, but I do know that if I try to sleep in my recliner, I typically wake myself up, gasping. I never used to snore before I got sick, but of course, that is not a true indicator of apnea. I just noticed that no matter how much I slept, I was always tired. The sleep study was a stunning eye-opener (no pun intended) to just how bad a shape I was in. I had gone on a fun trip with my childhood girlfriend and while sharing a hotel room, she said I thrashed and gasped all night. That was just prior to the study.
I know I had RLS since I was a kid, but don't know if there are any relationships between all of the sleep disorders. I've never been narcoleptic, but other than that, I think I'm a poster child for sleep problems!
Like Blue said, I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy....
Blessings,
Tex
I've had health issues, which all originated with sleep problems, since about 1991, when I was in my mid-30's. Everything just started to snowball with the prolonged spells of insomnia and I've never been the same. Before that, I never noticed being particularly sleepy.
I don't think I had apnea before this period. I believe it started after I gained a bunch of weight due to the meds and health issues. Since I haven't slept in the same room with my husband for a number of years now, I don't know how badly I snore, but I do know that if I try to sleep in my recliner, I typically wake myself up, gasping. I never used to snore before I got sick, but of course, that is not a true indicator of apnea. I just noticed that no matter how much I slept, I was always tired. The sleep study was a stunning eye-opener (no pun intended) to just how bad a shape I was in. I had gone on a fun trip with my childhood girlfriend and while sharing a hotel room, she said I thrashed and gasped all night. That was just prior to the study.
I know I had RLS since I was a kid, but don't know if there are any relationships between all of the sleep disorders. I've never been narcoleptic, but other than that, I think I'm a poster child for sleep problems!
Like Blue said, I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy....
Blessings,
Tex
bethsheba
06-20-2008, 09:06 PM
Hello Tex,
My apologies for a delayed response.
I need some clarification...when you have insomnia, do you get sleepy? Again, it's just curiosity...although I had/have sleep apnea, I can't say I was sleepy, (at least as an adult)...just tired like you described being with your apnea. I wonder why the difference....what exactly is "sleepiness"? I'm not asking for an answer...just wondering how it ties into all of this other stuff.
Yes, I would think the weight gain probably "caused" your apnea...it's not uncommon. But I do get angry when ignorant people assume it is the only cause of apnea...ties into that overweight discrimination attitude, I guess. Well, I suppose the positive is that when you lose the weight, you'll lose the apnea, :angel:!
It must have been frightening and yet at the same time a relief to get info from your sleep study...at least you have a better idea of what your demons are, and what you can do about them. One frustration I have is that I had the study done when I was still taking blood pressure medication, and I don't know how much was bp med side effect and how much was my "normal" state. I suspect that may be the case with you, too, given the meds that you're currently taking.
From what I understand several sleep disorders may be related (at least obstructive sleep apnea and periodic limb movements/rls). I wouldn't be surprised, though, if they were all related with one problem causing another. Guess we're just going to have to keep up with the literature and compare notes to find out.
Take care, Tex, and may you have pleasant dreams!
Bethsheba
My apologies for a delayed response.
I need some clarification...when you have insomnia, do you get sleepy? Again, it's just curiosity...although I had/have sleep apnea, I can't say I was sleepy, (at least as an adult)...just tired like you described being with your apnea. I wonder why the difference....what exactly is "sleepiness"? I'm not asking for an answer...just wondering how it ties into all of this other stuff.
Yes, I would think the weight gain probably "caused" your apnea...it's not uncommon. But I do get angry when ignorant people assume it is the only cause of apnea...ties into that overweight discrimination attitude, I guess. Well, I suppose the positive is that when you lose the weight, you'll lose the apnea, :angel:!
It must have been frightening and yet at the same time a relief to get info from your sleep study...at least you have a better idea of what your demons are, and what you can do about them. One frustration I have is that I had the study done when I was still taking blood pressure medication, and I don't know how much was bp med side effect and how much was my "normal" state. I suspect that may be the case with you, too, given the meds that you're currently taking.
From what I understand several sleep disorders may be related (at least obstructive sleep apnea and periodic limb movements/rls). I wouldn't be surprised, though, if they were all related with one problem causing another. Guess we're just going to have to keep up with the literature and compare notes to find out.
Take care, Tex, and may you have pleasant dreams!
Bethsheba
TexMom85
06-21-2008, 12:46 AM
Bethsheba,
My insomnia is a strange phenomenon. Some nights, I can just tell, it's going to be a rough time falling asleep. Other nights, I may feel more confident, but then end up spending hours and hours before finally falling asleep. I have no idea why it differs and what the magic formula is on the nights that I do fall asleep quickly. Some nights, I have anxiety attacks when I go to bed, and of course, there's no way I'm going to fall asleep while in the midst of one of those. It's that old heart-racing like the OP asked about, except I haven't fallen asleep yet.
Most of the time when I go to bed, I am physically tired. But I do not always feel sleepy. But, sometimes, even when I'm sleepy, this strange thing happens. I am comfortable, relaxed, not worried about anything, and sense that I am about to drift off....then something (I'm not sure what) jolts me awake. Then the heart racing. It's almost as if I've heard a loud sound, or someone has touched me, but neither thing has happened. Other nights, I just feel plain wired, no matter how exhausted I am and I have to go into my husband's room for a back rub to get me a bit more calm before I attempt sleep again. (Just a back rub, nothing else!)
Usually, after a rough night, I am a total zombie the next day. I can't do much of anything at all and am not motivated to do so. When the number of these type of nights start to accumulate consecutively, you can imagine how useless I am. I wouldn't dream of driving, and I start to get pretty desperate to sleep, almost depressed. After several nights, it is tempting to just load up on the meds to induce sleep, but I resist the urge because I don't want to OD. I just have too much living to do, because it takes me twice as long to get things done because I'm so tired!:)
Lately, I've been going through a change in medications for nerve pain, and I suspect that my severe insomnia flare-up has been due to the abrupt stoppage of one med and the start of another, along with trying some NSAIDs that apparently aggravated my sleep.
I still experience the heart racing/jolted awake thing in the middle of the night if I've fallen asleep without my mask or if it's slipped off (rare). But it races when I've had those spells of being close to sleep and being jolted awake.
I remember when my apnea was diagnosed, I was so afraid I was going to die in my sleep before I got my CPAP machine. But a good friend of mine, who had also been diagnosed and treated for apnea, told me that God didn't lead me that far just to take me. I took great comfort in that.
I wish the weight gain thing was simple....most of the meds I've taken over the years (and continue to take) have contributed greatly to the weight problem. If I take something too stimulating (to help boost metabolism), sleep suffers. To help sleep, the metabolism suffers. Just can't win.
To all of you who are suffering these kinds of episodes, I feel for you. I also urge you, if you haven't already, get yourself to a sleep specialist or pulmonary specialist to get checked. Even if you don't have apnea, you might have some other problem that could be serious enough to require treatment. And you might feel more rested as a result!
Blessings to all,
Tex
My insomnia is a strange phenomenon. Some nights, I can just tell, it's going to be a rough time falling asleep. Other nights, I may feel more confident, but then end up spending hours and hours before finally falling asleep. I have no idea why it differs and what the magic formula is on the nights that I do fall asleep quickly. Some nights, I have anxiety attacks when I go to bed, and of course, there's no way I'm going to fall asleep while in the midst of one of those. It's that old heart-racing like the OP asked about, except I haven't fallen asleep yet.
Most of the time when I go to bed, I am physically tired. But I do not always feel sleepy. But, sometimes, even when I'm sleepy, this strange thing happens. I am comfortable, relaxed, not worried about anything, and sense that I am about to drift off....then something (I'm not sure what) jolts me awake. Then the heart racing. It's almost as if I've heard a loud sound, or someone has touched me, but neither thing has happened. Other nights, I just feel plain wired, no matter how exhausted I am and I have to go into my husband's room for a back rub to get me a bit more calm before I attempt sleep again. (Just a back rub, nothing else!)
Usually, after a rough night, I am a total zombie the next day. I can't do much of anything at all and am not motivated to do so. When the number of these type of nights start to accumulate consecutively, you can imagine how useless I am. I wouldn't dream of driving, and I start to get pretty desperate to sleep, almost depressed. After several nights, it is tempting to just load up on the meds to induce sleep, but I resist the urge because I don't want to OD. I just have too much living to do, because it takes me twice as long to get things done because I'm so tired!:)
Lately, I've been going through a change in medications for nerve pain, and I suspect that my severe insomnia flare-up has been due to the abrupt stoppage of one med and the start of another, along with trying some NSAIDs that apparently aggravated my sleep.
I still experience the heart racing/jolted awake thing in the middle of the night if I've fallen asleep without my mask or if it's slipped off (rare). But it races when I've had those spells of being close to sleep and being jolted awake.
I remember when my apnea was diagnosed, I was so afraid I was going to die in my sleep before I got my CPAP machine. But a good friend of mine, who had also been diagnosed and treated for apnea, told me that God didn't lead me that far just to take me. I took great comfort in that.
I wish the weight gain thing was simple....most of the meds I've taken over the years (and continue to take) have contributed greatly to the weight problem. If I take something too stimulating (to help boost metabolism), sleep suffers. To help sleep, the metabolism suffers. Just can't win.
To all of you who are suffering these kinds of episodes, I feel for you. I also urge you, if you haven't already, get yourself to a sleep specialist or pulmonary specialist to get checked. Even if you don't have apnea, you might have some other problem that could be serious enough to require treatment. And you might feel more rested as a result!
Blessings to all,
Tex
sunnydeeelite
03-24-2009, 10:41 PM
I have the exact same problem. It started around 1998. I noticed when I went to bed on a full stomach, I woke up a few hours later with my heart racing, hot, sweating, and completely wide awake. I stopped eating before bedtime, and it decreased, but still happens. The highest I have recorded my hr is 180 during these. I stopped because it feels faster recently and I don't want to panic myself. I will have strange dreams before I wake up, usually nightmares, and in them I am straining, like trying to get away from someone, running, or like last night, I dreamed I was trying to kill a zombie, and holding my breath as I swung something. I wonder now if this is related to sleep apnea. I do NOT believe they are nighttime panic attacks. I have loosely been diagnosed with Supentricular Tachycardia. I say loosely because the cardiologist simply did an EKG and based it on my description of symptoms and what the paramedic recorded on the heart monitor when I had to go to the hospital last December. He said that if it's sinus tach that it won't go up to 180, that originates in a different chamber of the heart. I used to get really upset when I woke up like this, I would slap my husband in the head, terrified I was dying (EVERY SINGLE TIME!!!!) and scream HELP ME!!!! And, BTW, feel so silly afterward. I started noticing if I burped after about 5 minutes it would magically go down (immediately). I attributed it to gas on my stomach. But I found that can trigger the tachycardia, not cause it. Ice water in the face didn't help, straining didn't help. Burping stimulated the vagus nerve and helped. I finally figured out I needed to massage the vagus nerve in my neck, and now when I wake up like this, it takes maybe 30 seconds, massaging deep within my neck, and it stops suddenly. I am not a doctor and can't give advice. I am simply telling you what I do to stop this.
There are plenty of sites that tell you how to do this safely. NEVER massage both sides and don't do this for too long! It can make your heart rate go TOO low.
Since this has been happening for so long, I realized I am not going to die from this and YOU won't either. Hope this helps!!!!
There are plenty of sites that tell you how to do this safely. NEVER massage both sides and don't do this for too long! It can make your heart rate go TOO low.
Since this has been happening for so long, I realized I am not going to die from this and YOU won't either. Hope this helps!!!!
ldywolf
07-07-2009, 09:46 AM
Wow!! I was begining to think I was all alone in the world! I just joined this forum and posted my problem of sleep nausia...reading your description of being jolted awake like someone touched you, really resonated with me! I never know what wakes me up, but the instant I'm awake, I'm hit with severe nausia. Sometimes it's my heart racing and sometimes both. I've never been to a sleep specialist, but I've heard of Apnea. This has been going on for a couple of years now, and sleep is practically non existant for me...there is more in my original post if you want to read it, but it's good to know someone else out there is experiencing this. Do you also get hit with nausia when jolted awake? I was thinking it had something to do with my melatonin levels being out of wack or something...can we talk??
sunnydeeelite
07-08-2009, 10:18 AM
Hey there! I have learned MORE about my condition in the last few weeks.
I am not a doctor, BUT, it sounds similar to what happens with me.
I read on a website that when you have a hiatal hernia it can cause pressure related heart palpitations. I have been telling the doctors for YEARS that I feel my heart racing is related to my stomach distress and they just scoffed. Far be it for a patient to know something that they don't, right?
So your problem may or may not be night time panic attacks or distress with your stomach. I was recently diagnosed with IBS, which usually accompanies anxiety and panic, and when I started taking Paxil again, the stomach and heart episodes subsided. I think the anxiety causes the IBS and stomach problems, which cause the heart racing, which cause anxiety... and so on.
I still have stomach pain because my hernia has worsened, and it does cause reflux, just like anxiety. So, sometimes I do still have stomach pain, but not as bad.
You situation might be completely different, but if I were you I'd talk to a doctor about treating anxiety, then the stomach pain, then your heart will probably stop racing, and you might sleep through the night. Paxil has helped me and given me a better quality of life.
Hope this helps.
I am not a doctor, BUT, it sounds similar to what happens with me.
I read on a website that when you have a hiatal hernia it can cause pressure related heart palpitations. I have been telling the doctors for YEARS that I feel my heart racing is related to my stomach distress and they just scoffed. Far be it for a patient to know something that they don't, right?
So your problem may or may not be night time panic attacks or distress with your stomach. I was recently diagnosed with IBS, which usually accompanies anxiety and panic, and when I started taking Paxil again, the stomach and heart episodes subsided. I think the anxiety causes the IBS and stomach problems, which cause the heart racing, which cause anxiety... and so on.
I still have stomach pain because my hernia has worsened, and it does cause reflux, just like anxiety. So, sometimes I do still have stomach pain, but not as bad.
You situation might be completely different, but if I were you I'd talk to a doctor about treating anxiety, then the stomach pain, then your heart will probably stop racing, and you might sleep through the night. Paxil has helped me and given me a better quality of life.
Hope this helps.