throbbing heart rate

Who else here has a throbbing heart rate, especially at night...? I don't mean that it just beats faster than normal but, that your entire body throbs with the beat of your heart.

That's what mine has been doing since last October. But, it's recently gotten worse over the past 4-6 weeks. When I lay down in bed at night (and frequently throughout the day), I can feel my heart beat in my head, ears, torso, palms of hands, soles of feet, etc.

This is absolutely driving me nuts. Its screwing with what little sleep I was getting to begin with. My LLND thinks it's due to lyme & company working their way into my heart. She (the LLND) just suggested doing the "salt / C" protocol... after all the other crap that we've tried in the past three years, now she wants to try this.

I'm thinking it's time to see a GP / DO doc for a general physical, chemistry panel that includes a full thyroid panel (which I've had done before but should recheck), fibrinogen levels, EBV and HHV counts. Not to mention a chest x-ray and whatever else the GP / DO can think of to get a good look at what the heck is going on with my heart. Then a referral to a cardiologist.

I'm 43 years old, diagnosed with lyme & company three years ago... resigned from a 15 year career in law enforcement in October 2013 (likely had the lyme for 20+ years)... moved back into my parents spare bedroom in March of 2014... have zero, zip, nada for energy... have tried absolutely everything my LLND & LL-ARNP have suggested... and where do I find myself today at 2:00am in the morning....?

Exhausted, pi$$ed off, and suicidal.

How in the h*** are we supposed to live like this for such an extended period of time ?!?!? Cancer patients don't feel this crappy for this long. I'm so p.o.'d about this tonight. All I want is to get some freaking sleep. I can load up on benadryl and ativan and I still don't sleep well enough to feel rested.

If this is what the next 43 years are going to be like, I quit right now. What's the point of sticking around just to continue to feel like crap all the time. I'm single, no kids, one cat. The thought of being free from the labyrinth of lyme symptoms gets more attractive with each passing day.

Yes, this disease really sucks. I too have been up since 3:00 am thinking of filling out disability forms. I haven't been able to work at my job of 18 years since February. May I suggest you read up on POTS and see if any of the symptoms fit for you. I think with any heart issues it's important to see a cardiologist (preferably LL) to rule things out and be monitored.
I wish I had answers as to how we could make this healing process go faster and easier, but I don't. Hang in there, put one foot in front of the other.

sknight, I can relate to the crazy heart rate. Sometimes it feels like every time my heart beats the pressure squeezes my brain. If I lay down, my blood pressure actually rhythmically lifts my head and neck off the pillow. It's maddening! I've told doctors about this, and they just add it to my list of problems without a second thought. I'm going to a new Lyme Doc next Tuesday, so I'll see what his thoughts are. If he gives me any new info, I'll make sure to let you know.

As far as being suicidal, I'm terribly sorry you're going through that. Two weeks ago I was sitting in front of my laptop crying from 4am til sunrise, wondering how I'm going to make it through this. I hate feeling like I'm not only worthless, but a burden! The important thing to remember is no one that knows you believes you're worthless. You are worth something to everyone in your life! As far as being a burden, I think that anyone that doesn't understand what we're feeling would see us as a burden to deal with, but we're obviously a burden WORTH dealing with, because people (like your parents) are still in your life! Even if it's just people on the internet (like the wonderful people that have helped me on this site) taking a moment of their time to coach us and point us in the right direction, it shows us that someone thinks we're worth something. Hopefully that thought can get you to your next positive moment that might take your mind off being sick for just a second. Those positive feelings are what I look for to keep me going.

I know how you feel with your frustration. I imagine many of us are right there with you.

As for the heart throbbing, from what I've learned its most likely not a serious issue. I did a battery of heart testing over a year and they talked a lot about various sensations you can get with your heart. A lot of people, Lyme or not, get a similar kind of throbbing at night. I've had it happen frequently, ever since I was infected and beforehand if I was overtired, excited, feeling sick, or basically anything that can set the heart off a little.
Try raising the head of your bed slightly. My parents used to put blocks of wood underneath mine and it made a difference. If your head can stay a bit more elevated it will stop the blood from rushing to it and the throbbing won't be as intense. I often hit bouts where I need to do guided meditation to be able to sleep. Currently I've gotten along all right via listening to audio books. I find the more you can gently distract yourself the easier it is to relax, and in turn the throbbing calms down. Avoiding caffeine is also a give in. Hydrating helps too. :)