Could it be Atrial flutter / Fib

Posted By bob Smith on February 25, 1999 at 17:07:08:







I am a 43 yr old male type II diabetic (well controlled on insulin) and
am on Antenlol for very frequent benign PVCs.  I also take Rezulin for the
diabetes.  For the past 5-6 weeks I wake up several times a night with a vague
sensation of rapid (my guess wold be 200+ /min , regular vibrations that I
cannot pin to any specific part of my body. If I'm laying on my back I feel
them there, if on my side I feel them there. Sometimes if I'm sitting I
feel them in my feet (less common). It is always where I have pressure on me
where I feel them, and they are so light I probably would not feel them when I'm
up and about unless I am sitting quietly in a chair. Whatever it is us usually
happening when I awake, but often stop suddenly. I have also foudn that I can
ususally stop them by forcefully holding my breath.
  I was worried they could be atrial fib / flutter, but when they happen
it does not affect by ventricular rate at all. At night when this happens
my rate stays a regular 48- 52 / min (which is normal for me). Everything
I have read indicates either atrial fib  or flutter would effect my
ventricals in some way so this is leading me to believe this may not be
heart related at all. Do you have any ideas as to what it could be?
As I said there is no pain, and I cannot feel any specific muscle twitching.
                 Thanks, Bob