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Avatar universal

Racing heart and burning and shaking

I am a 32 year old female.  I've dealt with anxiety my ENTIRE life.  I've had it under control for the last 5 years by using paxil and exercise.  
I've also dealt with MANY heart symptoms over the years, such as palpitations, tachycardia, etc.  I've had echo's, ekg's, stress test, etc.  I'm told all is well, although one echo showed mild bowing of mitral valve (was told I do NOT have mitral valve prolapse) and my ekgs are always abnormal showing non specifict ST-T wave changes, but I'm told it's fine.  
Over the last 9 months I have had a new form of what I 'hope' is anxiety.  It really scares me.  
It only happens at night..usually within an hour after falling asleep.  I will wake up with that horrible detached feeling...will just feel weird.  Before long I'll feel this burning sensation through my neck/chest area.  Almost immediately after that my heart will go into overdrive.  I've never counted my pulse during these episodes, but it's FAST. Not long after my heart starts racing, I start shaking. The shaking always starts in my quadricep area (tops of thighs).  My heart will usually slow down within 5-30 mins but the shaking will last for about an hour after.  I also feel extremely weak with the shaking. I got up to get a drink of water one night and felt like my legs were going to collapse under me.  These episodes have gotten shorter, as I try to stay calm through them.
Does anyone else experience this?  I know it sounds like panic, I've just never had it in this form before, so it's scary.
Thanks!
19 Responses
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Avatar universal
I think this happened to me this morning, i woke up just fine but when i stood up, a super cold feeling or burning sensation took over my body and my heart started to go nuts, it was my worst attack to date and it seems to get worse every 2 weeks.
Doc says all is fine, but i don't believe it, i don't make this up either cause i know theres this condition that makes you think theres something wrong with you but this is 100% real.
I'm still taking oxazepam after 5 months, but now i have citalopram 20mg and don't suffer from the horrible side effects luckily so the doctor ruled that out.
Been fighting my anxiety/depression for 5 months now, it started with waking up with a racing heart during the weekend when i drink bit alcohol and sometimes a mix of wodka and energy
Sinds i've been taking metroprolol 50mg before i go to bed, and it never happened again, it might help for you too.
I luckily don't suffer from the side effects, cause they strongly advice not to take it before going to bed but for me they work perfectly and i always sleep through the night with them.
I've tried once without taking it, and then it happened again, woke up after 45min of sleep with a racing heart.
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1 Comments
I have been experiencing very similar thing. I wake up at night from sudden feeling that something is off and my heart starts pounding and I get this intense wave of heat over my spine then when I stand up to go get water or go to the loo I get this cold sensation and chills all over my body. My hands are shaky and I'm weak over all.
I will then sit down and breathe through it for 20-60 min.
I live in bali and here everyone knows though that this symptoms are due to a presence of entity or spirit you can call it.
I say a prayer or some words you believe in and it goes away. It started to happen to me 4 years ago when I moved here
Avatar universal
Have you looked into Lyme?
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Avatar universal
When I read your post, I could not believe it b/c it could have been me that wrote it.  I also have these same "attacks" and they always happen at night about an hour after I go to bed...and when it starts it lasts from 5-30 minutes, depending on the severity of the "attack".  Last night was the worst one so far.  I thought for sure I was having a heart attack.  I am a 47 year old female and I thought it was part of peri-menopause, but it feels so like something with the heart that it is scary and why always at night?  It makes it so much more scary!  It does feel better that I'm not the only one, but on the other hand, I wouldn't wish this scary feeling on anyone!  I will pray for myself and all of you and that will help me focus on something during this time.
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Avatar universal
i feel the same way u do i am posting this june 15 2012 at 2:50 am central time. about an half hour ago i felt the exact thing u did im still shaking and my heart rate just slowed down i was online looking fir wat i should do couse ive never expirianced this. ive had similar ones but this was worse then any of the ones i ever had ,my heart was beeting so fast i almost felt like i was gunna pass out. i always thought theese attacks was something else i came on hear looking for wat i should do couse i dont wanna go to the doc. and have him say that i neeed to deal with it. i feel better now that i know im not the only one.
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Avatar universal
hello, the burning is the result of your releasing adrenaline ,the shaking also.
when it happens dont stand up right away your body needs a minute or two to adjust your blood pressure, thats why your heart pounds harder/can feel faint/ pulse in fingertips.just sit up ,make a fist,take a deep slow breath ,then blow real slowly into your fist , reapeat. this will break the  rythem and also slow your heart to normal .cant do anything about the shaking . adrenaline has to run its course while you calm down.i have done this for years .its funny sometimes even when you really dont think your stressed.down in there you really are.dont recommend drugs.bible says throw all your anxiety upon jehovah because he cares for you .pray that really helps me best. hope you feel better.!!!
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Avatar universal
For the past two years I have been to several doctors, emergency rooms, and they all tell me the same... I am fine, and my heart is healthy... But it certainly doesn't feel that way.  I am 42 years old and have been feeling fatigued through the day, difficulty breathing with exercise, or even at times without it...But also, extreme panic attacks.  Particularly at night right after I have gone to sleep, I will be awakened by a rapid heart rate, making me feel as if I am going to have a heart attack.  I am so frustrated that after all this time, and all the tests they give... they still can not find out what the problem is or at least help me to lessen the symptoms.  It is causing depression, and even more anxiousness.
I am a single mother and I am a business owner as well, and figured it was stress, but I exercise and meditate and feel happy and relaxed at most times... so all of it is very confusing.  I looked into something a friend suggested, due to my fatigue.. Fibromyalgia, and it turns out that I have all of the symptoms of that.  It, btw can cause anxiety, pain, fatigue, and rapid heart beats at times... so - looking into that now.  
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Avatar universal
I write; including several blogs, I have had anxiety disorders, panic attacks and IBS  for a number of years, about 17. I also have bad hypertension and serious benign paroxysmal positional vertigo..

Recently, while writing, I get creepy deja vu sensations and a feeling of dread, My heart rate increases. Creepy crawly tingling sensations run down my legs. Also, tingling in the head and it feels like I am wearing a cap. BP shoots up as high as 240/120. The oddest part is an odor like burning rubber.

Now, I am waking up in the night with them.  I also get a sensation of not breathing, but I am. Smelling vapo rub helps.relieve the sensation of asphyxia. I do have very mild sleep apnea, but this is different

If I try to get up, I feel faint. Also, I will be stiff and trembly, it sort of looks like Parkinson's symptoms.Twenty minutes of mudras, mantra chanting, and form meditation will bring my BP down to 150/80. The creepy feeling lingers though. Also, any motions triggers bad vertigo {spinning}.      

Male, mid 50's, so PMS is out. These are new, not like past panic attacks. They started a few months ago while I was, ironically, drafting a piece on mindfulness meditation. That was also right after I replaced my old CRT monitor with a flat panel widescreen. .    

In addition I have adverse reactions to antihistamines; for example, antiverts induce a chemical psychosis, I control the BP with meditation and minimum doses of a beta blocker and  Ace inhibitor. Normal doses give me hypotenion, and, due to adverse reactions, I can not take Calcium Channel Blockers at all. Also, can not take zanax or any prozax type drugs -- that is why, btw, I learned to meditate, I have been learning breath meditation, mindfulness of body, and mindfulness of sensation and wonder if oner of those is triggering the odd attacks. Those had seemed to be helping my balance.    
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1 Comments
Hi! Are you still experiencing these symptoms? I'm having exact same ones. But what I know is that a creepy chills have nothing to do with anxiety. In my experience it's a spirit or entity that is arround that makes you feel all that. I started experiencing this 4 years ago when I move to Bali. This is a normal thing here and nothing strange. The locals see them everywhere. You can feel them too....
Avatar universal
ur heart is racing during these episodes because you thinking oh my god why am i feeling this burn. the burn could definatly be anxiety but also do u drink soda or anything thats carbonated b4 bed. try to drink a glass of milk within a hour befor you lie down. and give me the results. good luck
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Avatar universal
Well your symptoms are a little different from mine in the aspect that I do not wake up with a burning sensation, but I do wake up at around 3:00 a.m. during work days. I have noticed that I wake up worried and end up going to the couch to get back to sleep. I have realized this only happens during the week. On the weekends I sleep in.(till about 7:00 a.m. but that is sleeping in for me.) Well let me explain! I am 36 years old and I do feel that I am going through a mixture of anxiety, mild depression and perimenopause. Symptoms are as follows: tingly sensations in hands and feet and times. Some cramps in feet (minor), today I woke up with some dizziness, shaky hands at time, moodiness, Tightness in chest at times, irritable, snap back at comments at times, palpitations, being worried all the time(mind working 24/7 on worries) Last month I was very naseaus with other symptoms such as pain in my lower right hand side of the back and I started worrying there was something wrong with me. I have come to realize by observation that these symptoms come and go and they happen before and after my period. But the problem is they are symptoms that are being joined throughout the whole month! Beginning and after my period.
       I sometimes feel I want to do a hundred things a day and other days I just want to do nothing!
Some people tell me I am too young at 36 for perimenopause but I do not! My mom's sister lost her period at 42! She says that I have lost weight due to the fact that my hormones are changing. Some people gain and others lose! I am losing because I feel the constant worrying is not allowing me to eat! I am a worry wort and I get a knot in my stomach and do not eat! Then I worry all the time!
We are all experiencing one thing or the other! I think it is something in the water.
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366811 tn?1217422672
Well now, isn't THAT a variety of answers?! I really, really appreciate that you are so self-aware and articulate. You've "got a grip." I like your pre-meno idea, and think it is worth a medical consult. Those hormones change things. And there was a response having to do with some heart valve thing -I like the specificity of that, so I would investigate; then again, judging from your post you may already be able to rule that out.

But let me whip you around a turn or two here. First of all, it seems reasonable to me that the anxiety component, as a sort of "chemical entity," is going to interact in some way with any other chemical entity such as a change in hormones. And, if the positive findings of your tests might logiclly be associated (and I don't know that they could be) with your chemistry, possibly there is a kind of background that supports a sort of hightened sensitivity to anything which might stimulate even a mild anxiety response. That's all theory, but some informed medical opinion about it might be useful in terms of a therapuetic approach.

What is notable to me is that you report dealing with anxiety your entire life. Regardless of other conditions you have, that, in and of itself, is worth some time investigating, I think. If there is some way to address that situation, it may show up in reduced symptoms you've recently experienced. Some comments/questions, if you don't mind:

1. You say you've dealt with anxiety your entire life. No panic attacks, then? Otherwise, can you paint a picture with some examples of the anxiety and how you deal with it?

2. Your ENTIRE life? That can't be true, or, at least, you can't know that it is unless you clearly remember back to the moment of your birth. I'm not teasing or baiting you here -what I wonder is, how far back really do you date the anxiety, and how do you know TODAY that it was anxiety so many years AGO? My reasons for asking are personal, in part, because my first panic attacks were at age 7 and I CLEARLY remember them. I'm now 59.

Thanks for posting and for considering my questions.
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369538 tn?1225384112
It is 2:25 a.m. and I've been up with the feelings described on the board above, especially the post by Violetroar and I feel so much better.  I was in the hospital a year ago w/ the above symtpoms thinking I was having a heart attack.  Many EKGs, echos, CT scans, stress test (w/ CT) later--not to mention $$$ out (we are self employed and ins. sucks...) the diagnosis was anxiety.  I went through HeartMath which saved me (paced breathing/attitude shift) but starting a week and a half ago out of the blue I had a massive anxiety attack walking to the store from my car.  Since then, I've had 3 less intense ones, always at night like now.  I've wondered as well is it hormones?  I'm almost 48 and have had some perimenopause symptoms and some irregular periods.  But I also wonder a bit, why no attacks until one year later?  I feel like I'm going a bit crazy....Thanks for helping me not feel alone out in cyberspace :-)
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Avatar universal
It makes me feel so much better when I find out that others live with the same feelings I have. My doctor thinks its panic attacks..They first started at night, like right before or after I feel asleep...I would conciously know that I am not breathing and feel too lazy to breath, and then at the last second take a big gulp of air, then jump out of bed freaking out....It then started to be more than that. When I feel it coming on I usually feel my heart start racing...Then I will have numbness in my arms and neck, then I feel like Im having a hard time breathing and I just have to get up from whatever it is Im doing and walk and breath....It really scares the daylights out of me....Everytime it happens Im thinking "Is this one a heart attack"...Really, its very scary. I wish I could get it to stop. A friend taught me triangle breathing which has helped if I do it in time...You breath in for four seconds, hold for four, then breath out for four..I usually do this laying on my back with no other noice...Even If i have to go into the bathroom..Cause when it happens, it doesnt care where your at or what your doing...Good luck and if you find any suggestions, please let me know
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Avatar universal
Over the last year I have started to have the same exact symptoms and it most certainly is hypoglycmia. I keep a V8 next to my bed and some peanut butter crackers and whn it starts I do my best to consume what I can and almost within minutes my heart feels better. I found out that I have a sodium/potassium retaining and absorbtion problem so my levels are always on the low sie which can cause the heart to tach out. THe v8 helps and as per my doctor oatmeal a little bit before bed with some almonds or walnuts helps my hypoglycmia during the night and morning. IM a 35 year old male if that helps anyone who may be experiencing the same issues.

I have t wave issue aswell. Its inverted. But the racing heart is such a burden especially at night.

Another bit of advice is to be checked for a sleep disorder because that will trigger the heart too. I went for the sleep study and they found that I was having times where I stopped breathing so they out me on singulair and I have ben breathing better during the night and not waking up with those feelings as often.

It still happens if I dont eat enough or sleep too long.

Good luck.

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Avatar universal
Ugh!

It's called a "non-specific" panic attack that comes on for no reason. Once it happens the brain and body look for it to happen again.It's like sleeping when you have to make a flight the next day... you really don't sleep that sound and wake up a few times checking the clock.

The same thing has been happening to me. I wake up at different times after falling asleep and feel strange. Sometimes with an upset stomach and then my heart starts racing and I usually jump out of bed and think I'm going to faint or something.

good news... Music and sound CD's have been helping. I play the ocean or summer sounds with music and it helps the subconcious mind stay calm. You should also eat a light snack before going to bed like cereal...

Good luck and don't worry.
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Avatar universal
HI,  SOUNDS LIKE YOU HAVE MANY OF THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS I DO! I CAME TO THIS SITE BASICALLY BECAUSE OF EXTREME TACHYCARDIA WHICH MY DOC SAYS IS ANXIETY. HOWEVER, THE LAST 3 MONTHS THE TACH HAS COME AT THE SAME TIME OF THE MONTH SO I AM BEGINNING TO WONDER IF IT IS HORMONAL AS WELL.  MY SUGGESTION TO YOU IS THAT YOU RUN YOUR HANDS UNDER COLD WATER OR TAKE A COLD SHOWER TO GET THE TACH UNDER CONTROL. IT REALLY HELPS.  I AM NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE BURNING AND SHAKING, BUT IT SOUNDS LIKE A REACTION TO ADRENALINE.  SGJ
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Avatar universal
HI THERE..... SOMETIMES JUST BEFORE FALLING SLEEP I GET A HORRIBLE FEELING OF DREAD OR LIKE A NIGHTMARE BUT THIS IS JUST AS I FALL TO SLEEP.... I HAVE LEARNED THIS IS SLEEP ANPNEA [EXCUSE MY SPELLING]. SO TAKE SOME DEEP BREATHS AND GET MORE OXYGEN AND CHECK OUT IF YOU HAVE THE SAME THING AS I. IT FEEL SO SCARRY BUT WHEN YOU KNOW WHAT IT IS IT MAKES IT A WHOLE LOT EASIER TO DEAL WITH. I GOT IT AFTER I GAINED WEIGHT.  I GET THE RACING HEART TOO, NOT FUN, BUT WITH ME IT SEEMS TO BE STRESS TOO.  I AM A STRESS BUNNY A WELL. WHEN I AM SCARRED, LIKE WHEN I GET THE RACING HEART OR ANYTHING THAT I FEAR I START TO SHAKE AND IT WILL TAKE A WHILE FOR THAT TO CALM DOWN EVEN IF THE RACING HAS STOPPED.
SOUNDS LIKE YOU MIGHT BE A PEA IN THE SAME POD AS ME?
TAKE CARE, RELAX AND TRY NOT TO FOCUSS ON THESE THINGS, JUST DEAL WITH THEM AS BEST YOU CAN WHEN THEY COME UP.
I TAKE BACK FLOWER REMEDIES FOR MY EMOTIONAL STATE TOO, THEY HELP.
ANNIE
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Avatar universal
Sounds like you have mvps-mitral valve prolase syndrome. Not everybody with the syndrome shows pos for the prolapse.

Go here and read the posts

http://www.mvpsupport.com/
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Avatar universal
No, I do not drink.  I have come to learn that I am sensitive to caffenine (sp?) and sugar and will have more of these types of symptoms if I have not been eating well.  
I have wondered over the last year or so if I am in PRE menopause.  I have developed insomnia right before my period, which I never used to have, and I sometimes wake up sweating!  I've also noticed that most times when I have had the episodes that I discussed in my previous post...it is usually either right before my period or right after my period, so I have wondered if it is hormone related.
Thanks for the suggestions!
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Avatar universal
The first thing that jumped out at me when reading your post was this question:
Do you have a drink in the evening.  A glass of wine?  (even half a glass)?  

Some (but not all) of the symptoms you described sound like mild hypoglycemia, which is exacerbated by alcohol consumption.   Not anything too serious to worry about but it can cause frightening effects such as overall weakness, feelings of faintness, transient tachycardia, anxiety, hot flashes or an overall feverish feeling.  

Do you ever find yourself slipping into sleep only to wake up in a sudden inexplicable rush and not be able to go back to sleep?

You're 32, that's young for perimenopausal symptoms though it is not so young that it should be ruled out completely.  Your mother's history as far as experience with menopause should be a good indicator of any connection in that area.

c-psy
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