Bipolar 2 expressed as high heart rate and insomnia

Posted by deekayyy84 @deekayyy84, Sep 24, 2022

Hi Everyone,
I was recently diagnosed at age 56 (female) with bipolar 2 and it shows up for me as insomnia and a very high heart rate like 125 sometimes for no reason. The other symptoms are depression and anxiety. No typical mania where I’m hyperactive or very high feeling. Does anyone else have a high heart rate and insomnia with BP 2? I can go for days without sleep and my heart is racing out of my chest when I just sit down and even do deep breathing exercises. If you experience this, what helps you ? What meds or other remedies? I’ve done the Calm app, meditation, breathing exercises, yoga, prayer, reading, music, vitamins and fish oil supplements, coloring books. I’m in the medication experimentation phase and nothing’s helped yet. Thank you.

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@lindaaa Receiving a diagnosis we are unprepared for, can turn our world upside down, definitely.

I am not familiar with Bipolar disorder, but here is an article from Mayo Clinic about it: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bipolar-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20355955

Back at the end of 2018, there was a discussion about bipolar disorder and how to help ourselves beyond medications. Perhaps you'd like to take a look at this, and see some ideas you could use? : https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/bi-polar-issues/

I'd love for others to chime in with what has worked in their individual cases: @jimhd, @windwalker, @healthytoday, @petangelkat1
Ginger

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I also have BP-2. I don’t usually have insomnia unless I am really anxious, or excited about something. As far as heart rate, mine would skyrocket when I was having a panic/anxiety attack. I can usually calm my nerves down after a while, but every once in a while I need to take a Xanax. Generalized anxiety disorder causes me more stress than anything…
I’m sorry you are going through this. Have you asked your doctor about your heart rate issue?

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@SusanEllen66

I also have BP-2. I don’t usually have insomnia unless I am really anxious, or excited about something. As far as heart rate, mine would skyrocket when I was having a panic/anxiety attack. I can usually calm my nerves down after a while, but every once in a while I need to take a Xanax. Generalized anxiety disorder causes me more stress than anything…
I’m sorry you are going through this. Have you asked your doctor about your heart rate issue?

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Thank you for your reply. It seems I also have anxiety coexisting with BP 2. I’ve been trying to get established with doctors and there are not many psychiatrists near me. We recently moved and had to start new care. I am waiting for the results of wearing a heart monitor. I went to the ER for my high heart rate and they did not recommend anything beyond the monitor.

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@gingerw

@lindaaa Receiving a diagnosis we are unprepared for, can turn our world upside down, definitely.

I am not familiar with Bipolar disorder, but here is an article from Mayo Clinic about it: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bipolar-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20355955

Back at the end of 2018, there was a discussion about bipolar disorder and how to help ourselves beyond medications. Perhaps you'd like to take a look at this, and see some ideas you could use? : https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/bi-polar-issues/

I'd love for others to chime in with what has worked in their individual cases: @jimhd, @windwalker, @healthytoday, @petangelkat1
Ginger

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Thank you very much Ginger. I read through all of the links you sent. I think my specific expression of this disorder is not as common, from what I’ve learned so far. I’ve become an insomniac and the meds prescribed have mostly worked the opposite of their intention except for one that I unfortunately had a bad side effect from and had to quit, bummer.

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Hi, re heart. I have heart issues which involve afib and heart valve issues that cause problems. Insomnia is seldom. I take about 500mg of magnesium, 1000mg vitC, B complex, omega3 a couple of times a week, coenzyme10 a couple of times a week, low salt healthy foods (low on meat, no dairy, no eggs, 95% no sugar). Just very careful re food. Yoga stretches daily for about 45 minutes. Do to heart, can't do aerobics.
Emotionally I feed myself humor and inspirational topics, avoid dark, violent images. Lot's of sunshine, outdoor garden time, two big dogs to hug, two cats to pet, and friendly family who I live with and enough resources without being wasteful. I'm 74 .

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@deekayyy84

Thank you for your reply. It seems I also have anxiety coexisting with BP 2. I’ve been trying to get established with doctors and there are not many psychiatrists near me. We recently moved and had to start new care. I am waiting for the results of wearing a heart monitor. I went to the ER for my high heart rate and they did not recommend anything beyond the monitor.

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I also have A-fib. I wear an Apple Watch and it recorded my bpm at 161 at its worst. I was able to give the report to my cardiologist and am now being treated with a blood thinner.
There is a much less alternative to the watch Kardia Mobile. If I we you I would get one. I believe it is less than $100.
The monitor the doctor gives is extremely hit or miss. Mostly miss I think. Having your own device gives you control.
Let us know how you are doing!
Susan

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@SusanEllen66

I also have A-fib. I wear an Apple Watch and it recorded my bpm at 161 at its worst. I was able to give the report to my cardiologist and am now being treated with a blood thinner.
There is a much less alternative to the watch Kardia Mobile. If I we you I would get one. I believe it is less than $100.
The monitor the doctor gives is extremely hit or miss. Mostly miss I think. Having your own device gives you control.
Let us know how you are doing!
Susan

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Thank you Susan. I am so glad to hear that you were able to diagnose and get treatment for your bpm. This way of monitoring is a great idea.
Take care!

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@SusanEllen66

I also have A-fib. I wear an Apple Watch and it recorded my bpm at 161 at its worst. I was able to give the report to my cardiologist and am now being treated with a blood thinner.
There is a much less alternative to the watch Kardia Mobile. If I we you I would get one. I believe it is less than $100.
The monitor the doctor gives is extremely hit or miss. Mostly miss I think. Having your own device gives you control.
Let us know how you are doing!
Susan

Jump to this post

Do you take meds for BP 2? If so, would you mind sharing which ones and how the side effects are?

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Not long ago I was diagnosed with the type 2. My sleep pattern is unpredictable. I suffer of hypotension. But.... whenever I get the imsonia, I think at the end of the second, third day or about a few hour before my body collapses, I get weird fast palpitations. It goes back to normal and then fast again.

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