Lying down for bed = numbness, heavy heart beat, pressure in

shaerul · Newbie Joined: 23 Apr 2008 Posts: 1

I have been suffering from the similiar problem for last 2 years. I have studied a lot in the Internet and initially it seemed to me heart problem. My study says this usually happens to people who are hyper active or having personality type 'A'. I rushed to ER at least 15 times a year but cardios couldn't reveal anything from ECG, ECHO, CT-SCAN and tons of other tests. At last recently I have been diagnosed with moderately severe sleep apnea and prescribed with a CPAP machine during sleep. I have been using this machine for a week. Sleep specialist at Singapore said it would take at least 1 month to get adjusted with the machine and I will get the result after 6 months time. I have the symptomps like numbness on my left chest, moderate chest pain, fatigue, tiredness, difficulty in falling asleep and also jolting feeling while falling asleep. I can also feel my fast and pounding heart beats which make me wake several times at night. I could sleep only one in each 4-5 nights. Besides CPAP you should also take physical excercise (at least a 30 min walk), swrimming, stress management programs like yoga or meditation. All these helped me in the past days.

kubrick · Newbie Joined: 25 May 2008 Posts: 1

Hi. My name is Max, I am 22 years old, and you should read this!

I have the exact same problems described in this post.

A week ago, as I was lying in bed, I had a major panic attack. You all know the feeling: heart racing, chest pain, dizzinness, "panic", feeling of aggravated reality and or feeling that you are having a heart attack or loosing your mind. I didn't sleep that night.

The next morning, I went to the doctor. I had had panick attacks before, but it seems that everytime you have one you need to be reassured by a specialist. the Doctor took my pressure and listened to my heart. He told me everything was fine. And suddenly, my heart stopped racing. I still felt very very fragile, but i didn't feel like my life wa sin danger anymore.

Anyway. I expected the symptoms to go away... they did, but other symptoms appeared. For the next few days, I felt still very fragile and felt lightegeaded as well. BUT THE REAL PROBLEM WAS SLEEPING. Sleeping became a real pain. As I was lying in bed, just about to fall asleep, I would feel my heart JUMP. That feeling was followed by a sensation of PRESSURE in my head. (The pressure is very similar to the one you get when diving deep under water).... It was terrible. It felt like my head was about to explode. (maybe not that bad) .... anyway.... The JOLTING sensation in both heart and brain was followed by a tingling sensation in arms and legs, which only lasted for a few seconds.

Long story short

My symptoms were, and still are :

1) Just as I am about to fall asleep (when the dream in my mind seems to materialize) I get this "jolt" both in my brain and in my heart. Is it Sleep Start? I'm not sure. But it's the same feeling you get from riding a roller coaster... like my heart is jumping into my chest... it's terrifying!

2) Dizzinness.. off course. More prominent at night, but a general feeling of lightheadedness during the day.

3) Pressure in my brain or sinus (like your head is in a vice, or like the feeling you get when diving deep underw water)

4) HEAVY, IRREGULAR heartbeats (the beats are certainly HEAVY, but their regularity is hard to assert) In other words, my heart could be beating fine, but it feels heavy and "not fine at all".

5) I DREAD sleep...... DREAD DREAD..... the thought of going to sleep frightens me.... this is not a life... so #5 would be ... DEPRESSION... hehe... it's normal...

There are many other symptoms, but I am too tired to describe them at this point. If anyone out there can help, please let us know.... IF NOT.... then... the least we can do is share our pain on this godforsaken Blog!

Take care everyone.... and good luck.

leichinger · Newbie Joined: 25 Jun 2008 Posts: 1

I, too have had these symptoms for years. I figured it was due to anxiety and un-healthy living. (I am type A, smoked and a bit over weight)

After about 10 years of putting up with these symptoms, they got worse and I ended up in the ER because of chest pains during the day. After the full cardiac work up, they said it wasn't my heart but I was low in potassium and magnesium. Being deficient in any of the electrolytes (Potassium, magnesium, calcium) can cause heart beat irregularities, chest pain as well as anxiety.

Within 24 hours of taking the minerals, the anxiety and chest pain went away and the palpitations greatly decreased.(I also quit smoking and tried to clean up my diet) I still have a bad night now and then, but is usually when I have eaten very poorly (ie junk food) or when I am hormonal. Dehydration can play a part in it as well. The episodes I do have aren't nearly as bad as they used to be and I can ususally calm myself down enough to sleep a bit on those nights.

The good news is I no longer fear going to sleep and can actually sleep through the night 9 out of 10 nights. You might want to try adding magnesium, potassium, calcium and a B-complex to your diet and see what happens. I know you feel like you are losing your mind, but rest assured you are not. Your body can react to stress even when you feel there isn't any stress in your life becase the body is so used to living in a stressed environment it doesn't know any other way to react. The body can only take so much and will eventually break down if we don't recognize it's cry for help. Hope this helps.

Guest · Guest

Hello all,
How relieving to see this post and all the answers. Yes, also having the symptoms, type A personality, ex-smoker, overweight and very very stressed. Seems these are the common factors doesn' it?
Anyway to resume the clinical history:
- Have had the SNORESAT study to rule out APNEA, and it was ruled out. My Nose,Ear, Throat dr. anyway did what is known as a uvulofaringoplasty (forgive me English is not my mother tongue), and breathed better
- Over the next months the rest of the symptoms came in : chest compression, loud and strong heartbeats, seemingly erratic heartbeat, shortness of breath, panic, fear of dying and shallow -quick breathing. I measured my blood press. and it was always fine, 80/120 regardless of how my chest or heartbeat felt. If much, it was somtimes in the lows 70/100.
- Lab tests show perfect potassium and magnesium levels.
- Today went to the cardiologist and he assures me my heart is perfectly fine, he thinks this is a disorder called Dysautonomia. This is diagnosed with the "Tilt Test" . He says this dysautonomia has onset mainly during teenage, however severe stress and illnesses can trigger it. Will let you know what happens after my test next week.
Please if any of you find + info or get properly diagnosed , then post it!

frequenttraveler · Newbie Joined: 15 Jul 2008 Posts: 2

"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself."

The vagus nerve reaches down from the brain into the esophagus and is a central nervous system main line. When pressed by gas it can trigger extra heart beats, cause pain, desensitize you (numbness) from your head to your toes, interfere with your breathing (shortness of breath), generate arthritic type pains in the hands and feet and more. Compressed it generates a "nerve" pain that feels like the center of your chest is humming or quivering even though your heart is healthy.

Intestinal gas that is trapped is the main culprit. The gas, once released, suddenly cause the symptoms to abate and one feels fine - and relieved. Unfortunately, recurring gas starts the cycle again and after the gas forms a pocket in your diaphragm it can find it again and the symptoms return. Partial release brings partial relief. Even the smallest amounts of gas when placed properly against the nerve interfere with the nerves electrical impulses.

Lying down to sleep at night makes matters worse because as we sleep, we suspend consciousness and the autonomic nerves take over and the vagus nerve is a major highway. With the vagus nerve compressed, as soon as you drift off to sleep its problems become worse because your conscious "over-ride" is now off. So one awakens with a startle, and can have any one or a number of magnified symptoms at this time from numbness to irregular heart beats.

Addressing the gas which causes the nerve to be stressed is the primary goal. Eating late at night or before bed is not a good idea. Shifting meals up earlier and eating smaller portions makes a lot of sense. Reducing carbohydrates and excess sugars from meals also makes sense. Sugar overload is the number one cause of indigestion. If one is lactose intolerant, cutting out milk products also makes sense. If one is overweight, reducing weight is also always a good idea. If you smoke, quitting is one of the best things you can do for your body. Sometimes one receives a physical injury to the diaphragm area and it can start a cycle of disruption. The vagus nerve is responsible for the gastric balance and when it is distressed an imbalanced gastric juice balance may result causing everything one consumes to trigger bouts of gas - and possible return of the distressing symptoms.

The bottom line is that fear only exacerbates the problem. The unknown is always the most feared and nerve/heart issues are great food for fear. So RELAX. Go to your doctor and see if he/she agrees you may be having gas/vagus nerve issues and what he/she recommends. Make some changes in your eating habits and diet, live a bit healthier - exercise more to help dislodge gas from settling against the diaphragm. Once the cause is addressed a long-term or short-term bout with these symptoms can be ended and folks all over the world with similar mysterious symptoms, stress-filled nights and uncomfortable days can breathe a collective sigh of relief.

Note: This is not meant to replace the advice of your physician or competent medical personnel. It is not a diagnosis but merely presented for discussion purposes.

frequenttraveler · Newbie Joined: 15 Jul 2008 Posts: 2

"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself."

The vagus nerve reaches down from the brain into the esophagus and is a central nervous system main line. When pressed by gas it can trigger extra heart beats, cause pain, desensitize you (numbness) from your head to your toes, interfere with your breathing (shortness of breath), generate arthritic type pains in the hands and feet and more. Compressed it generates a "nerve" pain that feels like the center of your chest is humming or quivering even though your heart is healthy.

Intestinal gas that is trapped is the main culprit. The gas, once released, suddenly cause the symptoms to abate and one feels fine - and relieved. Unfortunately, recurring gas starts the cycle again and after the gas forms a pocket in your diaphragm it can find it again and the symptoms return. Partial release brings partial relief. Even the smallest amounts of gas when placed properly against the nerve interfere with the nerves electrical impulses.

Lying down to sleep at night makes matters worse because as we sleep, we suspend consciousness and the autonomic nerves take over and the vagus nerve is a major highway. With the vagus nerve compressed, as soon as you drift off to sleep its problems become worse because your conscious "over-ride" is now off. So one awakens with a startle, and can have any one or a number of magnified symptoms at this time from numbness to irregular heart beats.

Addressing the gas which causes the nerve to be stressed is the primary goal. Eating late at night or before bed is not a good idea. Shifting meals up earlier and eating smaller portions makes a lot of sense. Reducing carbohydrates and excess sugars from meals also makes sense. Sugar overload is the number one cause of indigestion. If one is lactose intolerant, cutting out milk products also makes sense. If one is overweight, reducing weight is also always a good idea. If you smoke, quitting is one of the best things you can do for your body. Sometimes one receives a physical injury to the diaphragm area and it can start a cycle of disruption. The vagus nerve is responsible for the gastric balance and when it is distressed an imbalanced gastric juice balance may result causing everything one consumes to trigger bouts of gas - and possible return of the distressing symptoms.

The bottom line is that fear only exacerbates the problem. The unknown is always the most feared and nerve/heart issues are great food for fear. So RELAX. Go to your doctor and see if he/she agrees you may be having gas/vagus nerve issues and what he/she recommends. Make some changes in your eating habits and diet, live a bit healthier - exercise more to help dislodge gas from settling against the diaphragm. Once the cause is addressed a long-term or short-term bout with these symptoms can be ended and folks all over the world with similar mysterious symptoms, stress-filled nights and uncomfortable days can breathe a collective sigh of relief.

Note: This is not meant to replace the advice of your physician or competent medical personnel. It is not a diagnosis but merely presented for discussion purposes.

amooka · Newbie Joined: 28 Jul 2008 Posts: 1

Hi, thanks to everyone who managed to post. I share many of the same experiences as you all. Waking up just as i finally think i've won a sleep with a jolt and a tingling down to my hand/s... It doesnt bother me because i have had it before in the past...(that's not completely true as it is 3.41am right now and my son will be waking up in 4 hours if i'm lucky Shocked

) i changed my lifestyle, began practicing Qigong, Daoyin and began eating well. Over the past 4 or 5 years i have reverted to old patterns, smoking, no exercise, junk food etc... and the symptoms returned even more annoyingly... it truely sucks because it is starting to impare my relationship with my family... So, thanks for the reminder everyone who posted... if i dont post back here, everything worked out super fantastical... great joy and luck to you all

self medicating to do list...
a. no cigarettes Sad

b. daoyin morning exercise martialarts good Very Happy

c. lovely food fresh good Very Happy

d. qi gong meditation Very Happy

i also fixed abdominal pains numb toes, head aches to name a few just from a few months practice...

thanks so much for reminding me ALL OF YOU... take care

Guest · Guest

I realize that Im only 16 healthy and in shape and young white male low very low risk of possible heart disease. I had a panic attack before, after that I noticed I am always watching my heartbeat. WHEN I DONT PAY ATTENTION AND I AM DISTRACTED, I DONT FEEL IT AT ALL AND I BREATHE NORMAL. WHEN I NOTICE IT, IT MAKES ME BREATHE HEAVY, THEN IT MAKES THIS WORSE. All of you with this problem, listen, when I used to fall asleep, I would just think about things as I was falling asleep such as what Im doing tomorrow, a girl that I really like, plans with friends in the future, and I wouldnt never even think of listening and feeling my heartbeat. It makes you want to breathe heavy. ITS JUST A PARANOIA, Id like to let you know most of you are absolutely fine. Worrying about your heartbeat is whats causing the anxiety, which is what makes you breathe heavy and which makes your hertbeat harder! Eat healthy, exercise now and then, and take some vitamins, AND NEVER WORRY AGAIN ABOUT YOUR HEARTBEAT I CAN ALMOST GUARANTEE ITS NOTHING! =]. I really do hope this helps, think about anything accept your heart beat. Have a good one guys, and beat the random heavy heartbeat phobia lol! I think if you cant do it yourself you can rely on some sort of vitamin B pills =/. Youll all be fine. Good luck =].

Guest · Guest

Cut out the aspirin for a few days and see if the pokes go away, aspirin can cause bleeding and ulceration which would feel like jabs below and left of the heart or right below. Anyway see your doctor

Guest · Guest

I am having the exact same problem. When I lie down my legs go numb and tingly, and my heart starts beating really heavily. I'll jolt awake as soon as I fall asleep, and then have trouble getting back to sleep. It's driving me crazy, and I have no idea what it could be.

I'm not overweight, I run daily, and I have never smoked. I don't have anxiety, as far as I know. I don't know if it's something I should get checked out, or what...

Lying down for bed = numbness, heavy heart beat, pressure in

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