PROBLEMS SLEEPING

[JANET__0__0]

  I don't know if I'm over reacting of not, but here is what happening to me.  I have what is termed mild dilated cardiomyopathy.  I was digonosed in 1991 intially the doctor told me that my heart was very weak and that I had a condition call cardiomyopathy.  That day I saw my life flash before me.  I went home with two precriptions one for Lanoxin 0.25 and the other form Prinvile and told to come back in a month.  On my return visit I was told that my Echo results were looked at again and my condition wasn't as bad as they thought, and because of some problems with my blood pressure my meds I were changed to Prinizide 12.5 and Norvacs 5 mg along with the Lanoxin.  I did fine for about four years, then I started feeling very tired, couched all the time (I became known for my couch at work),and to top thing off, my potassium dropped.  This year during my annual visit I finally got my doctor to agree to changing my medicines after have a blood pressure reading of 146/110.  Since that time I have tried Coreg, Hyzaar and presently I am taking Clonidine twice a day(.1 in am .2 in the pm), Cozaar 50mg twice a day along with Lanoxin 0.25mg everyday except Sunday and also Nitrostat 0.4mg as need for chestpain.  I have only used it once, four day prior to having a heart catherization done which show no blockage and EF of 52%. My Echo in April of this year was 45%, my doctor had stated that it had been 40%, initially.  On my followup appointment I learned for my doctor's nurse, that my Initial EF was 55%(1991).  So when my doctor came in to examined me he said I was fine and that I was in the 1/3 that improved.  So now I'm really confused cause I feel that he is not telling me everything.  I still feel very tired, I have SOB, palpations and I think arrhythmias  which is what my latest complaint has been. I worn the Holter monitor and I was sure the event was captured.  I was told by his nurse that an hour worth PVC's was monitored.  He later sent be a letter stating that he reviewed the Holter monitor data and that he was pleased to inform me that it only showed very occasional skipped heart beats and that no change in my treatment is needed.  Well this is fine, but I feel something is going on with me at night and I'm afraid I'll die in my sleep.  Could I have sleep paralysis and could my medicines cause this?  I wakeup serveral time during the night with this feeling that I wokeup before my body did, it's an awful feeling, and it leaves me completely drained  for a couple of days.  This happens 2-3 times during the week.  Please help me, I don't want to ask my doctor since he doesn't seem to take me serious.  Thanks!
Dear Janet
Your medicines will not cause "sleep paralysis." The symptoms you describe at night are unusual and worth investigating. I cannot see how it relates to the heart. Clonidine can cause changes in mental status, but it would be dangerous to abruptly discontinue this medicine without consulting your cardiologist. Did these symptoms start at the same time as the clonidine? If so, clonidine may be the culprit. If not, it may be wise to seek a psychiatrist's help regarding your difficulty sleeping.
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