Post Covid, night time, shortness of breath and racing heart.
I have had Covid several times and the last four times, I have been experiencing night time shortness of breath (SOB) and rapid heart beats. Each time, so far, has lasted three months. Is anyone else experiencing this and if so what has helped eliminate these symptoms?
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Offering three suggestions, based on my experience with both Sleep Apnea and Post COVID Syndrome...
One, check the quality of air in your bedroom. Make sure you minimize the amount of dust, and make it as easy as possible to breathe. I have a mild sleep apnea issue which can be triggered if the room is under 72° F, because it's like my brain decides that the air is uncomfortable to breathe therefore it should breathe less. After covid, I keep my bedroom at at least 79° F, with at least 60% humidity, because that's what I need to be comfortable. Finding your new preferred temperature and humidity may give you relief at home.
Second, try a breathing exercise: breathe in, fill the lungs up so you get them stretched out, and relax to let it be pushed back out. Do this 3 to 5 times, a couple times a day, including when you are lying in bed to sleep. The idea is to stretch out your lungs to make breathing as easy as possible, and to train your nerves to breathe in in general.
Finally, look into a CPAP machine, even if it's not every night. They are very effective and getting very small and unintrusive.
@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.”
Yes, Dr. Ardis has come under scrutiny for telling you what regular MDs/the news will not. Everything he shares includes all of his resources, allowing you to make an informed decision for yourself. The information is sourced from the CDC, FDA, NIH, and other (supposedly) reputable organizations. The shows I recommended are for you to watch, research, and form your own opinion. Don't let me or anyone else sway you one way or another. In my opinion, trying nicotine was and is a no-brainer for me when you are desperate for help and no doctor or test can tell you what is wrong with you! Especially when you will know if it works in under 8 days.
Dr. Ardis was a chiropractor until he lost his father-in-law to covid. He retired to research full time. If you are desperate to heal, you will want to know more.
Rock, thanks for responding. I am considering each idea.
Daily, thanks for taking the time to respond with so much information. i have considered each idea. I had a heart ultrasound which showed it was in good condition. I am waiting to make an appointment for a scan of my coronary arteries to check for build up.
Other wise I am under the care of two physicians. I have tried ant-histamines which helped to only a certain extent. My symptoms point to an overload of histamine. I will consider a sleep study if NAC and probiotics don't help.
sw, I am considering the nicotine, but wonder since it is a stimulate, that it will make my heart racing episodes worse.
I wear a mask if I am close to people. And use a saline solution with some drops of 10% povidone-Iodine solution in it as a nasal spray to help prevent illness. I had my heart checked out (good condition) and waiting to have a scan of my coronary arteries. Thanks for responding.
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.
Thanks for responding; I appreciate your input. One of my practitioners (and one of our members) uses a nicotine patch for post Covid symptoms and has good results. Also, my naturopath doctor has prescribed NAC in the past (also one of our members has taken it with good results). So I think there is some good evidence for both being helpful in this Covid journey. Sometimes alternate medicine doctors are targeted.