Breathing problem / racing heart causing lack of sleep: - General Health Message Board

MarieUk · 08-21-2008, 12:52 PM

Hi,
2 weeks ago I went to bed, felt a bit anxious as couldn't catch my breath, finally would start drifting off to sleep & then my heart would jolt me awake - constantly. It has done this every night since, till I'm now getting 3-5 hrs of exhausted sleep at best. I'm now sleeping on my lounge in an elevated position just to be able to breathe as best possible, as lying flat / on my side in bed is difficult to breathe & when the heart jolting is at it's worst.
Since that first night, the left side of my chest has felt heavy/constricted, my heart noticably races & I have real difficulty in 'catching my breath' all the time - like I can't get enough oxygen, so this leads to hyperventilating. At first I thought it might be anxiety & cut out a daily cup of coffee & started taking herbal remedies to promote calmness - but they haven't worked so I've been to my GP, who checked my blood pressure & it was higher than it should be. Then had an ECG & it showed Tacycardia. Now awaiting blood test results but they seem to be taking forever to arrive.

Now have a constant dry mouth/throat leading me to drink more water (I already drink a lot on a daily basis) which means going to the loo throughout the night. The middle / left hand side of my chest feels heavy / with a bit of a burning sensation, I've started sweating more the last couple of weeks (under arms, feet & palms), throat sometimes feels like it's got a lump in it or constricted, appetite is diminshed / get full easily with lots of burping afterwards & I've been having more frequent loose bowel movements........ Any of this sound similar to what others have experienced? I'm at a loss as to what it could be but the constantly being jolted awake night after night is really taking it's toll on me now

I'm a non smoker, normal weight, 32 yrs old. Any ideas appreciated.

bethsheba · 08-21-2008, 04:54 PM

Marie,

You have some classic symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea....I would suggest you check out the sleep disorders boards.

FYI, most physicians are oblivious to obvious symptoms, so don't rely on your doctors yea or nea...do some homework on your own so you can tell them what you suspect and why.

Good luck!

Bethsheba

08-21-2008, 06:41 PM

Marie:
I would pound the table to get to see a good cardiologist. Some of your symptoms are typical of congestive heart failure. And some GP's don't seem to recognize this type of problem.

I've had CHF for a number of years. It can be helped, but the longer it's let go the more the heart tends to reshape itself and worsen the symptoms.

Bill

bethsheba · 08-21-2008, 07:26 PM

Bill,

Undiagnosed sleep apnea can lead to heart problems and high blood pressure. My sleep specialist told me that most of his referrals now come from cardiac specialists because they are becoming more aware of the connection between apnea and heart disease.

FYI, my blood pressure was once 200/100, but cpap treatment brought it down significantly.

Bethsheba