I’m in hospital again for the 5th time in 6 weeks.
Woke up to my heart going crazy and rung 111 who called an ambulance.same old same old.
Ecgs normal except tachy.obs great etc etc.
I’m really getting to the point now that I’m fed up.
I wake up every night/morning with a racing heart and feeling of horrific dread and I can’t go on like this.its ridiculous!!
They wait for my heart to slow down and send me home!but this is happening everyday!
I’m at my wits end and have two small children to look after.just want this to all go away.
Written by
Minnie87
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15 Replies
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So sorry to hear you re in again. I went through this last fall and winter and couldn t cope anymore. My GP suggested beta blockers to treat my anxiety since I refuse all anti depressants after experiencing bad side effects. For me the beta blocker works. My HR is calm and steady and that relaxed me enormously and I finally was calm enough to start therapy. I don t panic often these days and my anxiety is at a lower level. What happened before was that I was overly aware of my HR. My sleep was never relaxed... always stressed. Waking up to a racing heart can be a breathing problem (apnoea) or dreams etc. Once awake it gets worse because we concentrate too much. Please, Minnie:do give yourself a chance to experience how you can bring down your HR yourself. The deep breathing does that. Stick to it for 5 mins and concentrate on THAT and not your HR. It works a treat. I know how debilitating a racing heartbeat is, pure panic, fear of dying. I chose 1 sentence:this too will pass. I said it to myself again and again while breathing in through nose for 4 secs (fill your lower part of lungs first like breathing into stomach , then the upper rip cage), hold for 3 secs and out through mouth for at least 5 secs. Please, try it. Hugs and speedy recoveryxx
I do take a beta blocker twice a day.but I think in the nighttime when I don’t take it for hours it’s having an effect.
Today I did have some good news.i saw the doctors at the hospital and after looking at all my tests etc he said that it’s definitely anxiety causing the problem,not my heart.i haven’t been told that by anyone in the 20+ years that I have suffered and I could have kissed him!!
Thank you so much for your great reply.it really really helps.and so good to know people that have been in my shoes and are better😊 xxx
I m absutely thrilled for you. What great news! And yes, YOU SHOULD VE KISSED HIM This news might give you the confidence to stick it out next time and do your breathing. I practised it several times a day and it helped me to see how positive the impact was on my HR. Then, when it hits you again at night:sit up, put one hand on your stomach and do your breathing. Make sure that your breath goes right deep down to where your stomach is. Your hand will rise with in breath, fall with out breath. Concentrate on this :it is counting and breathing.... Now that you know your heart is ok you don t have to concentrate on it. Keep me posted, my friend. Yes, I ve been there and am so much better. As for beta blockers: only the 3rd one worked for me and I needed a higher dose. Now I m OK.
Thank you so much!!as he was speaking I just couldn’t hold back the tears!
Now I have been told that,I definitely will try the breathing and know that it’s not my heart.i will keep your message so I know how to breath properly as to be honest I always catch myself holding my breath!
I’m going to pop to the doctors next week to discuss maybe a different beta blocker and the dosage.
I guess it’s just finding the right one isn’t it xxx
it is, yes. If they want to switch you try it. I had minor sideveffects:"cold hands and feet for a few hours and being out of breath eadily when climbing stairs. But this is just the whole system getting used to a slower heart beat. If they want to up your Propranolol try that. You have nothing to lose, you can only win now The breathing is sooooo very important. Flat breathing filling only upper part of lungs can cause palpitations, deep breathing works on the nervous system regulating you heart beat in a positive way:it calms the heart. Practice it again and again and again... and yes, mindful meditation. These 2 work together very well. You re on the right track now And if it happens again:Don t give up, we all have our ups and a few downs. What was wrong for so long needs time to heal
Even though the sensation is awful try to work with it. It is there with you but it is not dangerous. I agree deep breathing (guided meditation, I use app Calm) really helps. Give it a go.
I also have 2 young children and the best thing to do is use they enthusiasm to go outside and run around....
I am so very sorry you are going through this, especially on a daily basis & with children to look after. Do you take meds for anxiety? I totally understand about the fear you feel. Do you think it would help if you spoke to a therapist? Do they have CBT classes offered where you live? (cognitive behavioral therapy)? I have been to a cardiologist in the past for my racing heart and PVCs. He put me on a mild beta blocker. I asked my physciatrist and he confirmed that yes, they do use them for anxiety.
I find I sometimes have trouble going out alone. My crazy mind thinks, "what if something happens to me?", what if, what if....yet in reality I know if it did someone would call an ambulance. The mind is a powerful organ! To be honest I find the most "help" if with others who are suffering with the same issues. They are the ones who can truly understand. Can you find a support group to attend? Have you ever considered trying CBD oil? It did not help me, but I have heard others say it did them good. It doesn't have any THC in it. I think I've tried every suggested "cure" there is but here I am still struggling. We have to keep trying, don't give up!
If you are having any type of new symptoms, good or bad, you should always talk to your counselor/doctor. Never feel hesitant. The doctors are human too, they could diagnosis you wrong. Not on purpose, but there are so many diseases and diagnosis’s out there now, you never know. It could be something that’s not as hard to treat. It’s not that these things are not real, but you just have to learn how to get the negative thoughts out of your head and you will start feeling better. Negative thoughts from stress & anxiety can bring on real physical symptoms so learning how to switch your mind from negative to positive is tough to do, oh wow, does it help your mind & body. Try as hard as you can to say “I can” rather than “I can’t”. I went thru that & it’s so hard to do it. I had several people trying to hammer that into my head & it finally worked. One day the light came on & I feel much better. Another thing that was hard for me to do at first was listening to music with my earbuds on while I was walking outside or in the house. Put on some fun music and while you are listening think about the song ‘s words, think about what the artist looks like or imagine what they look like, what color of hair, what instrument are they playing, etc. etc. Look around at your surroundings, the trees, the birds, the dogs, cats, houses, color & texture of the roofs, or the brick or siding. Just think thoroughly about every thing around you, how it looks, feels, sounds, smells. Anything to take your mind away from bad things/anxiety. It may take a awhile and many tries, but you’ll finally get there and you’ll feel better.
Have you been prescribed a benzo for those attacks? Or Zoloft or anything
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This news might give you the confidence to stick it out next time and do your breathing. I practised it several times a day and it helped me to see how positive the impact was on my HR. Then, when it hits you again at night:sit up, put one hand on your stomach and do your breathing. Make sure that your breath goes right deep down to where your stomach is. Your hand will rise with in breath, fall with out breath. Concentrate on this :it is counting and breathing.... Now that you know your heart is ok you don t have to concentrate on it. Keep me posted, my friend. Yes, I ve been there and am so much better. As for beta blockers: only the 3rd one worked for me and I needed a higher dose. Now I m OK. 
It’s back again aggrrrr 
I want to be normal again
Feel so anxious again 
It’s happening again 
