Post Covid, night time, shortness of breath and racing heart.

omg...did anyone figure out why/how you had covid so many times? What did "they" do for you? This should go without saying, but I hope you wear a mask everywhere you go. Your symptoms (no doc degree in me) - could be a lot of different things. I say... see a Cardiologist. Big Hug coming your way -

sweetwater9, Praying for you. I had a high heart rate and palpitations for 3 months after my first bout of COVID.
I had the complete workup with a Caridiologist including a stress test/holter monitor and my heart was fine. I also have thyroid disease which causes palpitations. My heart rate was in the 130's even when I was
resting. Her advice:

1) We notice our heart rate more when we lie down.
2) COVID caused my high heart rate and increased palpitations along with having Thyroid Disease.
3) It went away in 3 months.
4) A high heart rate makes you feel "anxious".
5) Caffiene is not our friend with an increased heart rate.
6) There are medications for this, but, I opted out unless they got worse.
7) The shortness of breath that I had was due to COVID pneumonia & asthma.

You may want to see a Cardiologist and a Pneumonologist as I did to ease your mind.

I am praying for you as I remember how this made me feel. I noticed the palpitations at night more when I would lie
down and first thing in the morning when I woke up.

Blessings & Prayers..

Thanks for responding. I had two chest x-rays during one of these episodes and both were clear. I may have a little asthma, but unlikely it is causing the symptoms. I think it is post covid inflammation. I am considering NAC for inflammation and to help clear any possible spike cells.

@sweetwater9
Have you been to a pulmonologist or cardiologist for testing? You may benefit from a sleep study for sleep apnea to ensure you breathe regularly while sleeping. You may need a cpap.

After having the Covid shots, I started having breathing issues and wheezed and felt I was not getting enough oxygen during the day. I also started having chest pain like a heart attack (I am female). Later that year doctors diagnosed me with sleep apnea and an old myocardial infarction (heart attack)! This was when I was in my early 50s. My heart races when my oxygen level drops to increase respiration. I use an oximeter to keep an eye on my oxygen levels (it beeps at me when it drops below 94 to remind me to breathe more regularly and deeply throughout the day and I wear my cpap at night to ensure I don’t hold my breath. You can die if your heart stops because you are not breathing enough oxygen and your heart does not have enough oxygen to function properly. Sleep apnea is no joke and needs to be treated with cpap to prevent early death and damage to heart, kidneys, lungs, brain, etc.

Here is what AI recommends:
“ Experiencing shortness of breath and a racing heart at night after recovering from COVID-19 can be concerning and may be related to several factors. Here are some potential explanations and considerations:
1. Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Infection (PASC)
Also known as "long COVID," some individuals experience lingering symptoms after the acute phase of COVID-19. These can include respiratory issues, fatigue, and cardiovascular symptoms like palpitations.
2. Anxiety and Stress
The experience of having COVID-19 and the ongoing concerns about health can lead to anxiety, which may manifest as shortness of breath and a racing heart, especially at night when the body is at rest.
3. Respiratory Issues
COVID-19 can cause inflammation and damage to the lungs, leading to ongoing respiratory symptoms. This may result in difficulty breathing, especially when lying down.
4. Cardiovascular Effects
COVID-19 can affect the heart and cardiovascular system, potentially leading to conditions such as myocarditis or pericarditis. This can cause symptoms like palpitations and shortness of breath.
5. Sleep Apnea or Other Sleep Disorders
If you have developed sleep apnea or another sleep disorder post-COVID, this could contribute to nighttime shortness of breath and heart racing.
6. Deconditioning
Prolonged illness can lead to physical deconditioning, which may result in increased heart rate and shortness of breath during normal activities, including at night.
Recommendations
Consult a Healthcare Provider: It's essential to discuss your symptoms with a healthcare professional, especially if they are persistent or worsening. They may recommend tests such as a chest X-ray, echocardiogram, or pulmonary function tests to assess your condition.
Monitor Symptoms: Keep track of when your symptoms occur, their severity, and any potential triggers. This information can be helpful for your healthcare provider.
Manage Anxiety: If anxiety is a contributing factor, consider techniques such as deep breathing exercises, mindfulness, or speaking with a mental health professional.
Lifestyle Modifications: Ensure you are engaging in light physical activity as tolerated, maintaining a healthy diet, and getting adequate rest.
Follow-Up Care: If you have had significant respiratory or cardiovascular symptoms during or after COVID-19, follow-up care with specialists (like a pulmonologist or cardiologist) may be beneficial.
Conclusion
While experiencing shortness of breath and a racing heart can be distressing, it is important to seek medical advice to determine the underlying cause and appropriate management. Early intervention can help address these symptoms and improve your overall well-being.”

AI doesn’t seem to have picked up many LC sufferers have symptoms like mine ( high BP at rest but ‘postural hypotension, not Pots’, random high HR, breathlessness etc etc) without having heart or lung conditions as shown on scans/xrays, echocardiograms etc etc. I tried early intervention 5 years ago ending up on 5 different antihypertensives, full syncope and a completely useless Breathing course. I have tried lots of self help supplements and tips, and started swimming 26 months ago (50 mins 5 x a week) to do something about potential deconditioning, but still can’t stand /walk few a few minutes, never mind hobbies like cooking or gardening!

omg...did anyone figure out why/how you had covid so many times? What did "they" do for you? This should go without saying, but I hope you wear a mask everywhere you go. Your symptoms (no doc degree in me) - could be a lot of different things. I say... see a Cardiologist. Big Hug coming your way -

One of our members had some good results with some form of N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine with digestive problems. So I started researching it. It turns out it a precursor to the amino acid cysteine which is a building block for glutathione. Glutathione (in some studies) seems to help with breathing problems ( in some people).

It has been found to be low in some people with lung problems. I think I will give it a try as I may have low glutathione due to five different severe stresses in 2023. It was the following February I started having 3 month long bouts of the SOB/racing heart at night when or after sick with Covid. Stress can lower glutathione in the body. Just something to research.

Yes, I did try the NAC protocol, as numerous others like B1, Nattokinase etc ones…didn’t notice any improvements with any!