Pacemaker technology- amazing

It was great to get feedback from the technician at the BHI confirming what I felt over recent months. After I did a brief download they called me back to tell me when and for how long I was in AF in the last months.

….and confirmed the two episodes I’ve had in the last 48 hours were not AF as I was in NSR since mid - July and not even tachycardia but I’ve had unusually high BP currently being investigated together with chronic insomnia. I do worry about insomnia triggering a PAF but so far ……. I’ve just felt rubbish.

[jeanjeannie50]

Might stressful happenings have caused your high BP? Or were they too long to be that?

Jean

[Hidden in reply to jeanjeannie50]

It’s highly possible - emotional stress exacerbated by insomnia- I crave restorative sleep and haven’t had any for months / years due to busy head , anxiety and I’m surprised that in the last 3 months I’ve only had 17 seconds of AF according to my dual chamber pacemaker and the technician. So positive news amongst everything else. I’ve been prescribed melatonin and been advised to try Sleepio which is an app free in Scotland and some parts of England. I need to get an improvement otherwise I’ll see an uptick in my PAF

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Hidden]

My doc prescribes sleeping pills for me now. It's so good to have a deep sleep. I didn't sleep properly for years, made me feel like I had flu most days, but still went to work. It's hell not to sleep I know, do feel for you.

Jean

[Hidden in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thanks for your message- I’ve got melatonin on prescription but he’s reluctant to go further at present. I’ll see how these work (my fingers are crossed ) . I feel hollow

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

HiAsk for a scan of your carotid arteries and to check your thyroid.

Under E.N.T you get in quicker.

Trouble with your thyroid can give you high BP.

Take care. JOY. 73. (NZ)

[Hidden in reply to JOY2THEWORLD49]

Thanks Joy. I’ve been prodded, scanned and tested and all clear which is great but still leaves me with the “ why” . BP today an un medicated 110/65 - my normal. I need sleep but not the really long one - yet 😀

[Ppiman]

I have awful insomnia and it does seem to upset my heart. If all else fails, perhaps your GP will prescribe zolpidem to help?

Steve

[Hidden in reply to Ppiman]

He might but only as a last ditch effort - and then on three days worth …. I hope I don’t need it !

[Ppiman in reply to Hidden]

I think doctors - unless they, too, suffer from insomnia - are unreasonably cautious with zolpidem and zopiclone, although they do cause some people real problems, I’m sure.

Steve

[Islandee]

I had terrible insomnia due to palpitations that were worse when I lie down. I felt like I was going to have a nervous breakdown and was very emotional due to lack of sleep. My doctor finally gave me a prescription for zolpidem and now I get between 5 and 6 hours of sleep a night. I started to feel human again. If you take melatonin for too long your body stops making it.

[Hidden in reply to Islandee]

Lack of restorative sleep is ghastly I agree and I’m glad you’re improving and long may it last ! I have no wish to be a long term user of melatonin or anything else for that matter …. But the next few weeks will tell. The best night’s sleep I had in my life was in a Scottish forest in a small hollow in the ground I filled with a cushion of bracken under a ground sheet … a bivvy sheet above like a tent. It was January yet I slept warm for 9 hours and woke full of energy - the experience has stayed with me and I’d rather do that again than any drug…. But that was a long time ago when dinosaurs roamed the earth !

[Dr-Gohan]

You are wonderful OldGrit! The military has a trick. They tell the troops good sleep follows relaxing all of the facial muscles.

I use it and everything I think about will cause muscles in my face to start tightening. It seems that think cause the body to prepare for action.

I certainly will say that for me it works most (80 percent) of the time. I give it 45 minutes to an hour. If it's not working, I get up and read until I can't keep my eyes open.

"A doctor who withholds medication is asleep on the job. "