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Afraid to sleep. Most episodes happen at night. What can I do?
Hi. New here. Was diagnosed with paroxysmal Afib in March and was hospitalized in ICU. Now realize first episode was probably in Sept. They happened about once every three months but now more than once a month. I live afraid. Not sleeping at all since most episodes happen at night. Last night had one and pulse was 208. Drove to er parking lot and took the Flecanaide pill In the Pocket for the first time. It cardioverted me after about an hour. Came home and have been up all night. Afraid to sleep and it happening again but no sleep triggers episodes so it’s worse. I don’t know what to do. I had taken a Xanax .25 during the day yesterday because I felt anxious and had lots of PVC/PAC so I figured it was going to be a bad night. I hadn’t slept in about 3 days. And that’s exactly what happened. The Xanax did nothing though which was strange. PVCs/PACs continued , was extremely nervous and afraid and went into Afib. Can someone recommend what I can do? I need to sleep but afraid to close my eyes and sleep. Actually afraid all day. This has changed my life and I am nothing of who I used to be. I don’t know how to live like this. Thank you for any answers you can provide.
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Thanks for the suggestion. When I use elevation, I end up curled at the foot of the bed sometime in the night. I guess I'm a funny sleeper.
Just wondering - what is meant by 'elevation' during sleep? Does it mean with the head only being raised or does it include the head and/or shoulder sand/or (and torso?) Thanks.
Elevation - includes the torso. Picture one of those wedge pillows, or a hospital bed with a button or crank (probably a remote control now) that raises the head of the bed. Of course, impossible for many people to sleep with significant elevation.
@dalebout123 Like you, i will wiggle my way to a flat surface. My little tricks for driving away afib on those nights when i think it's trying to raise its ugly head: big glass of water, sleep on right side. Both of these simple strategies increase blood flow to the heart, and the heart likes that.
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4 Reactions@mtnmarge If you did just the head, you would get a neck ache.
My EP recommends sleeping on your right side to take the stress off your left side where the heart is located. I put pillows behind me and I curl up on my right side with a soft pillow.
Music therapy may also help you get to sleep and relax. I had a music therapist help me setup Spotify playlists with my favorite songs and artists for relaxation, exercise, sleep, oldies, stress etc. The playlists are customized to my music preferences. It is easy to modify the playlists and add your preferences and favorite music and artists. It was helpful to have someone help me with the initial setup. Family members and friends can also help you with the playlist setup. Spotify is an app on your phone and popular with all ages
Best wishes for better sleep, and relaxation.
I am no expert ( far from it ) but ( and I havent read all the responses ) but have u thought about sleep apnea?? if your not getting enough oxygen while sleeping it can cause issues. I sleep in a semi upright position, mainly because when I lay flat I go dizzy.
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1 ReactionMy routine is
No food at least 3 hours before bed
Only water
a warm cup of chamomile tea with a tiny bit of honey.
This takes maybe 10 minutes
A lymphatic massage of the legs and arms and the face/behind the ears and neck. then I have to pee!
Then EFT tapping
Then 5 diaphragmatic breaths
Then I roll over on my right side and go to sleep almost immediately.
It’s super calming and I haven’t had any issues since I’ve been doing this religiously.
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1 Reaction@nella9548 Thanks for the reply. I will give it a try.
@nella9548 Sounds good to me. Thanks for the reply.