posted
The first Lyme symptom I ever had (that I know of or remember)was waking about half hour after falling asleep with heart palpitations that lasted anywhere from 10 seconds to 10 minutes. I am an athlete and VERY interestly these *episodes* only occur when I've run that day (or exerted myself in some way). I'm on Biaxin and Plaquenil now (2 weeks), after 3 months on tetra, and feeling better overall but that could just be the anti-inflamatory effect of Plaquenil. Anyway, the heart palpitations in the middle of the night persist on days when I've had enough energy to run. I find this extremely interesting and would love to hear anyones experience. I think these episodes are worse (or last longer) the longer or heavier the exertion. And, it's like clock work that I'll wake up just about 1/2 after falling asleep. Sorry for the long post but there must be someone who finds this as interesting as I do?
Posts: 98 | From cambridge ma | Registered: Oct 2005
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BostonLyme2005
Unregistered
posted
Hi Nicole,
I had some times like that. I thought I was scared of something from a dream, or a noise outside my apt.
I see Dr. D. next wednesday, the 1st. I am going to discuss co-infects with him. Dont run so much or do things to wear yourself out.
You need to rest, even when you feel good. Anxiety is a symptom of Lyme and no need to mention that we are anxious because we are ill.
When are you free for coffee/tea? I would like to meet a lymie buddy....
I had the same type of experiences right before seeing Dr. H and was more prominent when I first went on amoxy. I would wake up shortly after falling asleep and would have trouble sleeping because of it. Often my heart felt like it was pounding out of my chest.
I did end up in the emergency room one night/early a.m. because of that and the odd feeling or should I say lack of feeling felt when trying to walk to the bathroom. The palps have pretty much disappeared at this point. Hopefully as your treatment comes along they will for you as well.
Posts: 16 | From MA | Registered: Oct 2005
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groovy2
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6304
posted
Hi Nicole
Look into babs as a co infection--
It causes heart palps and night sweats that happen like Clock Work -- Mine would happen 230 am
The effects worsen for many at night-
After I started babs treatment also -- My progress has really zoomed --
It is Very important to figure out if you have co infections --Jay--
Posts: 2999 | From Austin tx USA | Registered: Oct 2004
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klutzo
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5701
posted
Hi Nicole, Are you lying on your left side when this happens? 75% of us develop a Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP), usually sometime in the 2nd yr. of infection.
Palpitations that happen when laying down, esp. on the left side, are almost always caused by an MVP....ask your doctor.
My palpitations used to happen at exactly 4:20 am. Then they switched to 2:30 am. Since I stopped taking antihistamines to help me sleep, I hardly have them at all. Antihistamines are heart stimulants...I just found that out from my Cardiologist.
Also, over-exertion, esp. lifting,can cause the prolapse to leak, resulting in palpitations. You might want to ask about having an Echocardiogram, a safe, and simple test that takes 15 minutes, to determine if you have an MVP.
Aerobic exercise can cause heart damage in Lymies, or so I've read. I continue to do it anyway, but at a much slower pace, and for less time, and 3 X per week, instead of 6.
I believe my pushing the exercise in the years I went undiagnosed is responsbile for my having 3 leaking valves and two conduction disorders....in my case, the exercise led the palpitations to evolve into Paroxysmal SupraVentricular tachycardia with dysautonomia, a terrifying situation which has reduced my driving to a minimum, and ended all outside exercise for me, even with medication. I don't dare even walk around the block anymore.
It is very important to know about it if you have an MVP, in order to protect yourself from Bacterial Endocarditis when having procedures involving blood, even dental cleanings, and also to take steps to prevent it from getting worse.
My husband's MVP has gotten so much worse from doing hard, physical work, that he is going to have to have it repaired...a major operation involving a heart/lung machine.
The Mg deficiency in Lyme is thought to be the reason for the high prevelence of MVP, and high dose Mg is one of the treatments, as is lots and lots of water to keep blood volume up. Some people believe if you catch the MVP early enough, you can heal it with IV Magnesium.
People with MVP have low blood volume, so standing for long periods (like when running) can cause palpitations due to the low volume. I have had these palpitations hours afer my exertion, esp. in bed, like what you are having. It can also cause dizziness, weakness, shortness of breath, and heat intolerance, esp. as it gets worse.
If it gets bad enough, you can pass out from lifting any weight at all. I have a friend who passed out and broke her arm on he tile floor, just from lifting a basket of wet laundry.
My Lyme went untreated for 20 yrs.,which is why I know so much about this (unfortunately).
I am not saying you don't have Babs as others suggest; perhaps you do. I don't though...no Babs sx, and two negative Bowen Babs tests, as well as no herx on quinine.
I am only saying that MVP can cause this all by itself, MVP can be caused just by the Mg deficiency of Lyme alone, and the sooner you dx and tx it, the better.
Regards, Klutzo
Posts: 1269 | From Clearwater, Florida, USA | Registered: May 2004
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
[Q QUOTE]Originally posted by nicolette:
The first Lyme symptom I ever had (that I know of or remember)was waking about half hour after falling asleep with heart palpitations that lasted anywhere from 10 seconds to 10 minutes.
I am an athlete and VERY interestly these *episodes* only occur when I've run that day (or exerted myself in some way).
I'm on Biaxin and Plaquenil now (2 weeks), after 3 months on tetra, and feeling better overall but that could just be the anti-inflamatory effect of Plaquenil. Anyway, the heart palpitations in the middle of the night persist on days when I've had enough energy to run.
I find this extremely interesting and would love to hear anyones experience. I think these episodes are worse (or last longer) the longer or heavier the exertion.
And, it's like clock work that I'll wake up just about 1/2 after falling asleep. Sorry for the long post but there must be someone who finds this as interesting as I do? [/QUOTE] Bettyg
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
[Q QUOTE]Originally posted by nicolette:
The first Lyme symptom I ever had (that I know of or remember)was waking about half hour after falling asleep with heart palpitations that lasted anywhere from 10 seconds to 10 minutes.
I am an athlete and VERY interestly these *episodes* only occur when I've run that day (or exerted myself in some way).
I'm on Biaxin and Plaquenil now (2 weeks), after 3 months on tetra, and feeling better overall but that could just be the anti-inflamatory effect of Plaquenil. Anyway, the heart palpitations in the middle of the night persist on days when I've had enough energy to run.
I find this extremely interesting and would love to hear anyones experience. I think these episodes are worse (or last longer) the longer or heavier the exertion.
And, it's like clock work that I'll wake up just about 1/2 after falling asleep. Sorry for the long post but there must be someone who finds this as interesting as I do? [/QUOTE] Bettyg
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5dana8
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7935
posted
Hey Boston Lyme i had heart palps before treatment. I also had a cardio work up to make sure everything was ok.
During treaatments they got worse. Trip to the er showed up on ekg.
Had an echo. Everything checked out.
Now after treatment I don't have them anymore.
Except an occational now on my treatment for babs. This I think is more than a coincidence.
Take care
-------------------- 5dana8 Posts: 4432 | From some where over the rainbow | Registered: Sep 2005
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lymeHerx001
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6215
posted
Id just like to add that I had to stop plaquenil about 5 months in. I was getting blood pressure problems and palpatations.
My doctor hasant heard of this side effect. But it did start soon after I would take the drug.
It made my orthostatic hypotension worse big time. Once I stopped the plaquenil then that symptom let up.
Posts: 2905 | From New England | Registered: Sep 2004
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posted
Thanks for all the fantastic info! I will check on the MVP as that sounds pretty horrendous if not treatly early. It sounds like, though, that if this is just a symptom of Lyme or babs that I shouldn't worry exessively about it as long as I'm under-going treatment. Also, I understand that exercise needs to be limited..I try to do only as much as I think my body can handle but on days I feel good that becomes harder to judge..until I wake in the night with these attacks. Thanks again!!
Posts: 98 | From cambridge ma | Registered: Oct 2005
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