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Heart causing sleeping problems
Hello. I'm looking for some advice please. Over the past two weeks or so I've had a very hard time falling asleep because of my heart. When I lay down to go to bed, my heart begins to pound very loudly and very irregularly. I can feel it through my whole body, and no amount of breathing exercises or relaxing music seems to help. I did just get diagnosed with Hyperthyroidism, for which I am seeing a doctor on Thursday, and I also was diagnosed with Mono a few weeks ago. But this is seriously killing me sleep, and it's freaking me out.
I am well aware that this could be just a sign of stress. I've seen a psychologist in the past, and she taught me ways to try and combat anxiety attacks. None of the things she taught me work on this. I lost my little brother to cancer, back in October of 2013, and since then I've developed a fear of dieing in my sleep like he did. But there are NO other signs of anxiety when I am trying to sleep. My heart just begins to beat out of order on it's own accord.
Oh, some basic health info about me would probably be helpful. I'm 21 year old female. 190 pounds, five foot seven inches, so I'm considered "obese" I suppose. Gallbladder removed at 19, tonsils removed at 2. I work a 3rd shift job stocking shelves and other heavy lifting tasks at a 24 hour walmart, but because of my Mono I am not allowed to work again until May because of the risk of rupturing my Spleen.
Advice is greatly appreciated!
I am well aware that this could be just a sign of stress. I've seen a psychologist in the past, and she taught me ways to try and combat anxiety attacks. None of the things she taught me work on this. I lost my little brother to cancer, back in October of 2013, and since then I've developed a fear of dieing in my sleep like he did. But there are NO other signs of anxiety when I am trying to sleep. My heart just begins to beat out of order on it's own accord.
Oh, some basic health info about me would probably be helpful. I'm 21 year old female. 190 pounds, five foot seven inches, so I'm considered "obese" I suppose. Gallbladder removed at 19, tonsils removed at 2. I work a 3rd shift job stocking shelves and other heavy lifting tasks at a 24 hour walmart, but because of my Mono I am not allowed to work again until May because of the risk of rupturing my Spleen.
Advice is greatly appreciated!
Well I went and saw the doctor today. It was a short visit, but it made me feel a bit better. He said that my thyroid levels were not very concerning, especially because I'm so young. He ordered me another couple of tests, but he doesn't think i will need treatment unless they come back worse than he predicts. He also said that my heart rhythm may be caused by the Steroids I was on to help the swelling go down in my throat, which would make sense because I took them right before going to bed. Can't believe I didn't think about that! So again, thank you everybody for your advice and well wishes. :)
Good luck tomorrow, Shannon. I am glad to have helped, maybe.
Once again, do write down your questions before the appointment. I find that I lose my brain under stress, so a written playbook is a tremendous help. I read about this stuff before seeing my own doc. He said, "Well, you probably are nuts, but let's run the tests." A week later, he phoned me and rather sourly said, "Well, congratulations on making my diagnosis for me! You're running about 150% of normal."
Things got better after that.
Let us know how it goes.
Once again, do write down your questions before the appointment. I find that I lose my brain under stress, so a written playbook is a tremendous help. I read about this stuff before seeing my own doc. He said, "Well, you probably are nuts, but let's run the tests." A week later, he phoned me and rather sourly said, "Well, congratulations on making my diagnosis for me! You're running about 150% of normal."
Things got better after that.
Let us know how it goes.
Thank you so much for this information! I was aware that Hyperthyroidism could affect my heart, but I didn't know that it was SO significant. I also did not realize it could be causing anxiety, though I'm sure my life situations aren't helping much. I've been very medically paranoid since my brother was diagnosed, so I sometimes just feel like a lunatic to be honest. Like I'm making up all my own problems in my head....
I see the endocrinologist tomorrow, so at least this will (hopefully) be resolved shortly. I wish that I hadn't had to wait a month to see him though...this could have been in the healing process already, but ah well.
Again, thank you so much. I got much relief from reading what you wrote me.
I see the endocrinologist tomorrow, so at least this will (hopefully) be resolved shortly. I wish that I hadn't had to wait a month to see him though...this could have been in the healing process already, but ah well.
Again, thank you so much. I got much relief from reading what you wrote me.
I have not had any kinds of heart testing done. I've read that accelerated heart rhythm is sometimes a side effect of Hyperthyroidism, and I'm seeing a doctor for that shortly, so I will remember to bring it up. I've been trying to listen and focus on meditation music for the last week, but it does not seem to help. And I no longer see the psychologist, but perhaps I should see her again soon if this all keeps up. Thank you for the advice and well wishes.
I suffer from PVC's and tachycardia, and before I got on an anti-arrhythmic medicine, I had the same trouble getting to sleep at night. I had the pvc's constantly, but they were always worse at night. I felt my pulse throughout my body, and it pounded so hard that I felt my body shaking. What helped me was having background noise. A ceiling fan running, or stand up fan. Some type of noise to drown out the constant thudding feeling.
Have you had any type of heart work-up done? EKG, holter monitor? It could just be anxiety-related, but it's always good to make sure.
If it is just anxiety, has your psychologist suggested any type of medication to help with your symptoms? Maybe taking a low dose xanax at night, or certain types of low dose beta blockers can help with anxiety and panic attacks.
Also, I'm sorry about your brother, it sounds like it's been a rough time for you.
I hope you can find some relief from your symptoms. Take care.
Have you had any type of heart work-up done? EKG, holter monitor? It could just be anxiety-related, but it's always good to make sure.
If it is just anxiety, has your psychologist suggested any type of medication to help with your symptoms? Maybe taking a low dose xanax at night, or certain types of low dose beta blockers can help with anxiety and panic attacks.
Also, I'm sorry about your brother, it sounds like it's been a rough time for you.
I hope you can find some relief from your symptoms. Take care.
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Because of this relationship, treating your thyroid disease should involve attention to your heart's status.
As to the 'anxiety': An endocrinology textbook in our house referred to the large number of hyperthyroid patients who are in a sense diagnosed by their shrinks when the patient presents with the symptoms of anxiety, but nothing in their history or behavior backs up a psychological problem. In fact, too much thyroid hormone can make you feel so jittery that sleep or even ordinary rest is impossible. I've had this and can verify the awful sensation. If your thyroid is getting more and more 'hyper,' the jitteriness will get worse and worse. It settles down when the thyroid gland is under control again.
However, getting thyroid function back to normal can take a while, and during that time, you are probably going to need some help in getting to sleep. Meditation and music are not going to cut it, because you are dealing with a medical problem, not one between your ears. Make a written list of your questions before seeing the endocrinologist, and include your problem with sleep. He may give you a beta blocker to slow down the heart during early treatment, and if he does not, be SURE to ask about it. Also, a mild tranquilizer like Ativan will be of help. If you are still having a lot of insomnia before you see the endocrinologist, it could be very useful to ask for a little Ativan to help you get some rest.
One of the funny things about hyperthyroidism is that while the usual pattern is too lose weight (often a lot), about 10% of patients actually gain.
You can google hyperthyroidism + heart + anxiety and read all about this.
Good luck. Having been there, I wish you a good recovery--and some quality sleep!