Sleep Issues

Posted by zubedude @zubedude, Feb 22 10:23am

I’m waking up at 2:00 or 3:00 am with my heart pounding, and slightly elevated every night. I use the bathroom and go back to bed. Heart still pounding. I try to sleep on my right side with the pounding, but I have stress dreams and wake up five or more times with my heart pounding. I went to a cardiologist and my heart is fine. But, this is definitely not good for my heart. My doctor says it’s Hyperarousal that then releases cortisol and adrenaline. Anyone else struggle with this? I don’t think it is sleep apnea.

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celia16 | @celia16 | Feb 23 6:38pm

There are also nocturnal panic attacks. I get them during extreme times of stress.

zubedude | @zubedude | Feb 23 7:09pm

In reply to @celia16 "There are also nocturnal panic attacks. I get them during extreme times of stress." + (show)

I wish it was those, but this has been going on every night after 3:00 am.

dkbrooklyn | @dkbrooklyn | Feb 24 7:02am

I'm a 78 female. I had chronic insomnia since my 50s. I resisted having a hospital sleep study for years. I did have an at home heart study (lanyard around neck for 7 days I think which records heart activity). I had Afib. Two operations fixed that but my daytime fatigue continued.

I finally went in to sleep over night at Weill Cornell. Super annoying since it's hard to sleep wearing electrodes all over your body. Results: I have APNEA. I have been getting 90% oxygen when I slept. Really bad for my heart. I probably had it for years and years thinking back. I was clearly in denial.

Now I have a sleep doc and an insomnia psychologist and ResMed equipment. All covered by medicare.

It's been about 4 1/2 months since I started using a mask. I have a TON of support through medicare. However I persisted in my resistance. I went through 2 masks. Hated both. Tore them off typically after only 4 hours of fitful sleep. Finally got a Dreamwear nasal pillow by Phillips and I have adjusted. I don't love it but I sleep pretty well for 6 1/2 hours, get good REM and deep sleep generally. Have cut down to taking practically no sleep aids and a lot less caffeine and practically no alcohol. I increased my exercise dramatically. The payback: Now I have NO daytime fatigue. I'm much sharper. Much more active during the day.

Another tool in my toolbox is an Oura ring which I wear on my index finger with sensors and which provides a lot of very accurate and important data including oxygen levels which APNEA equipment can't gauge. I won't need it forever (like the RESMED) but it's a good coaching device.

dkbrooklyn | @dkbrooklyn | Feb 24 7:15am

Deep breathing techniques really help. Easy to find online. Probably YouTube.

zubedude | @zubedude | Mar 2 5:55pm

I did determine that my oxygen levels at night are fine. Just puzzled that when I go to the bathroom and then go back to bed, my heart starts to pound (not fast or elevated). Maybe cortisol, hormones, dehydration.?