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Posted 8/15/2011 6:44 PM (GMT 0)
Heya Guys,

Just wondering if anyone has had this problem also when they try and go to sleep. I do have a history of panic, but had broken away from it for about 2 years now.

Anyway, sometimes when I dose off I get jolted back awake, I can feel my heart beat super slow and not sure what it is. Not only does this happen but, I get a weird sensation in my chest and a moderate amount of pain until I pull myself out of it. It's just as if my heart stopped and by me waking up, it's starting back up again. I am very sorry if this sounds silly, but I'm really starting to get worried about it.

Extremely tired right now as it's 4.37am and I'm too worried to go back to sleep and I have to see someone about a job in about 3 hours.

Not sure if this is anxiety related or something else. I had an ECG done about 1.5 weeks ago to check something else which wasn't related to this problem but related to my AS condition and all came back clear / normal.

Has anyone else had anything like this or sound like something to anyone here?

The closest thing I could explain with the chest sensation is probably a grinding feeling, but this only occurs until I pull out of it, but whilst this happens my heart is beating slowly.

Thanks, feedback appreciated.

 

Posted 8/15/2011 7:56 PM (GMT 0)
Crackles,
Hello, I'm Serenitee, its nice to meet you. Have you ever checked into having sleep apnea? Sleep apnea can affect you that way and or other things too. Since I don't know your age or if you have a family history of heart problems...but ECG's & EKG's don't always show what the problems are. Have you ever done a stress test ordered from your Doctor.

My husband had 6-months of chest issues, several times going into the hospital & one time by the Ambulance...then when he would get there everything would go back to normal not showing anything on the tests. then 2-years ago on 4th of July he had a massive heart-attack & rushed him into surgery to put stents in. He was only 46 years old.

Anyway, I would definitely continue to see your Doctors until you are comfortable with the answers. Best of luck to you.

Your Healingwell Friend,
Serenitee
Posted 8/15/2011 8:42 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you Serenitee,

I did actually think sleep apnea, but didn't want to jump to any conclusions. I'm only 27 years old, I think I might look into seeing someone about sleep apnea.

Never done a stress test either, he seems to think that I am fit and healthy although none the less, this still recurs. I have gone a little bit hard into drinking alcohol over the last week and thinking it could be that, sometimes when these incidence happen I feel extremely tired even after 8 hours, 10 hours or 12 hours, it doesn't really matter how much rest I'm getting.
Think ill have to check into a sleep disorder clinic and get this figured out some how.

Hope your husband is well and healthy once again, thanks for the information.
Posted 8/16/2011 7:53 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Crackles

Sounds like a hypnic jerk I quite often get these as I am trying to get to sleep but im not a doctor so do go and get it checked out if it's worrying you.

A hypnic jerk, or hypnagogic massive jerk, usually occurs just as we are falling asleep. People often describe it as a falling sensation or an electric shock, and it is a completely normal experience. It most commonly occurs when sleeping uncomfortably or over-tired. There has been little research done on the subject, but there are some theories as to why hypnic jerks occur.

When we drift of into sleep, the body undergoes changes in temperature, breathing and muscle relaxation. The hypnic jerk may be a result of the muscles relaxing. The brain misinterprets this as a sign of falling and signals our limbs to wake up; hence the jerking legs or arms.

A hypnic jerk may also occur during the Rapid Eye Movement phase of sleep. The REM phase is the time when dreams happen and all voluntary muscular activity stops along with a complete drop in muscle tone. During REM, some individuals experience slight eye or ear twitching, and this is also when the hypnic jerk occurs. Some people with sleep disorders do not achieve muscular relaxation and have been known to act out their dreams.

In most people, a hypnic jerk usually occurs just once or twice a night. However, when a person is deprived of sleep or trying to fight sleep, it may happen more often. In extreme cases, the muscle twitches can happen every thirty seconds or more. This disorder is called periodic limb movement.

Hibee
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