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Posted by LaurenTurner (Member # 12320) on :
 
It's nearly 1 and I can't sleep. It's not insomnia because I'me exhausted and have no problem falling asleep.

But just as I'm almost asleep, I wake up suddenly with the weirdest feeling. Almost like my heart is barely beating. My chest hurts and it feels heavy.

I don't know what to do. I've tried going to bed a million times tonight and the same thing keeps happening. It's frightening.

Has anyone else experienced this?? I've been having a lot of symptoms connected with my heart lately: heaviness feeling, heart fluttering, and chest pain.
 
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
 
hi lauren,

i'm a non-sleeper too who gets no level 4/delta sleep making me feel refreshed and body rejuvenated.


have you ever gone to ER before for this?

ever had SLEEP APNEA STUDY done?

heart is someting I'd rather be safe than sorry!

had panic attacks? read post around yours!
 
Posted by LaurenTurner (Member # 12320) on :
 
hi Betty!

I've had my heart checked out and all was fine.

I've never been tested for sleep apnea.

The last few days I've been having a lot of heart issues. I think it's a herx... but before tonight I was able to sleep.

I read kit's post and thought maybe it could be that, but can you have panic attacks when you are drifting off to sleep?
 
Posted by frakktured1 (Member # 13028) on :
 
Lauren,

They're not panic attacks when you're drifting off to sleep or sleeping lightly and you suddenly wake up or jerk yourself awake.

Actually it's the Flee Fight Innate Genetically evolved reaction to an invader or potential threat of a preditor.

Unfortunately, we've been invaded. Our immune system knows this and let's the brain know it also.
The brain won't allow us to go into deep sleep due to PTSD...post traumatic stress syndrome or dissorder.

This is common among chronic disease sufferers.

This is also why we wake up still tired...fatigued and rundown.

This is how the disease perpetuates itself...utilizing our inborn alarm systems to keep us on guard. Guarding against an already invaded alien...one that our immune system is constantly trying to fight off.

I don't remember where I read this stuff...psychology today or the lymelighter(a monthly publication by the LDA or someone.)

I hope this clears it up or at least differentiates between panic attacks and PTSD.

The sleep apnea test is a good idea. You may benefit from using one of those devices the prescribe that constantly feeds you oxygen while you're asleep.

I sure hope you find something that works for you and yours.

FXD
 
Posted by Geneal (Member # 10375) on :
 
Dear Lauren,

You've had a really tough week.

I am sorry you are not feeling/doing well.

Prior to be diagnosed with Lyme, I dreaded the night and "trying" to fall asleep.

I was so tired, I felt like I could sleep standing up.

Once I laid down, however, is when I would get these horrible panic attacks.

It felt like waves washing across body from head to foot.

I couldn't breathe, my heart did flip-flops in my chest.

That went away for me on doxy. It took some time though.

If you feel that it is part of a herx, you may want to back off the meds some.

Have you called your LLMD and let him/her know what is going on?

I too, have had a nuclear stress test done and heart is perfect.

However, that did not stop those panic attacks.

Doxy did.

I am now back on doxy for the second time in a year.

I started having those panic attacks again. Randomly during the day, but always at night.

I really feel what you are going through.

It is terrifying.

Hugs,

Geneal
 
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
 
How was last night, Lauren? Hope you were able to sleep. Did you call your LLMD?
 
Posted by kitkat32 (Member # 9682) on :
 
Hi Lauren,

I am right here with you.. [Frown]

Several years ago when I had panic attacks often they always came when I was drifting off to sleep.

My major one the other night came out of the blue but I was pretty tired when it happened.

I have also had my heart checked..thoroughly..over the last several years. I have had EKG's, ultrasounds, stress thallium, hoter monintors...etc. They always check out fine.

One thing I wish I would have done the other night is goto the ER. I can't believe I just said that [loco] . I know I have a hard time sometimes believing it was a panic attack. It's like my brain tryes to convince me otherwise.

If I would have went to the ER they would have done an EKG, listened to my heart and drew cardiac labs. They would snicker at me and tell me I just had a panic attack when it all came back clear. That would usually make me mad but I think it I would have been better with some reassurance. Even if they did snicker behind my back.

My anxiety/panic is feeling better today. I woke up nervous feeling this morning but it seems to be lessening as the day goes on.

I did put a call into LLMD office and I am going in tommorow. I spoke to nurse and she thinks it might be time for a med ajustment. Adding something new maybe.

Have you called your LLMD office and spoke about this to them?

I think mine is part of a herx. It has been almost 4 weeks since I have felt this awful. I am also very fatigued, having eye pains and just feeling weird.

Do you notice if you are having any other symptoms now too?

I hope this passes for you quickly. I know you must hate it as much as I do.

kit [group hug]
 
Posted by ByronSBell 2007 (Member # 11496) on :
 
I know a really good sleep study doctor, he is also a lung specialist. Where do you live, I have made him somewhat literate of lyme disease but he doesn't know a great deal on it. He and I are in Memphis
 
Posted by LaurenTurner (Member # 12320) on :
 
Thanks everyone!

I ended up finally falling asleep at around 3.

I had another weird symptom happen after I posted about my heart.

I would be almost asleep and all of a sudden I would get an intense amount of pressure in my head that freaked me out. It felt like my brain was being squeezed. I have never felt anything like that.

I haven't called my llmd yet. I had a lot going on today so I didn't get a chance. I'm still having a lot of unsettling occurences with my heart this evening. *sigh* So I will call first thing in the morning.

Thanks for all the wisdom! [Smile] It really helps to have ya'll. [kiss]

I'm sure I will be feeling better soon.. I'm thinking it is probably a herx. I had some chest pain/ heart fluttering a little over a month ago. It wasn't this bad though.
 


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