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Draining sensation

Cherrelleford profile image
14 Replies

Hey all.

Just wondering if anyone else has ever had this. Every now and then at night I get a draining sensation, like a wave passing through my body. It hard to explain, but it runs from top to bottom and leaves a massive feeling or weakness/heaviness. I mentioned it to my heart nurse and she isn't sure what it could be. Just wondering if anyone has experienced this or just me being weird ha ha.

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Cherrelleford profile image
Cherrelleford
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14 Replies
Cruiser25 profile image
Cruiser25

Hi Cherrelleford,This may not be relevant but immediately after my heart attack and stents, once settled, I kept getting very similar sensations, as though I was drifting away, disappearing almost. A really scary feeling, I could combat this by breathing deeper and quicker, this I now understand raised my blood pressure. After a bit of toing and froing, my meds were adjusted to stop me going too low BP wise, I could regularly hit low 80's over v low 50's. Now 4 months on much has settled down and although I'm mostly 98-105/59-65, this seems to be a far more comfortable area for me. But it was the meds that seemed to be the culprit.

But please do keep on investigating and get to the reason, a very disconcerting and scary feeling all the same, good luck.

Cherrelleford profile image
Cherrelleford in reply toCruiser25

Thank you for your reply. Yes my body doesn't agree with a lot of my medication and I have a new one so it might be that I will speak to my heart nurse. Thanks again x

pasigal profile image
pasigal

Yes! You've described it better than I could to my doctors. It's horrible, thought I was having another HA a few times and that set off a full-on panic attack. To me it feels like a wave of fuzziness and a warm rush of blood + dizziness.

I assume it has something to do with blood pressure or low heart rate (as well as potentially over exertion + dehydradation). It would wipe me out for 2-3 days afterward.

I still don't quite know what it is. It happens less and less over time, and I've learned whenever the feeling begins to stop, breathe, drink, rest, and it usually doesnt get any worse.

Cherrelleford profile image
Cherrelleford

Thank you for your reply. So glad I'm not the only one. It wipes me out for a few days too. X

didntexpectthat profile image
didntexpectthat

Hi...yes!!!! Ive had this a few times since my HA in July last year. Really difficult to explain and very very weird. Seem to be when im lying down mostly and getting less often. I have mentioned it to medics and no one seems to know...possibly meds?

Cherrelleford profile image
Cherrelleford in reply todidntexpectthat

Thank you. A few have had this after HAs, I've not had one but get this feeling from time to time. I think it may be my meds but no one knows the cause. Thank you for replying x

Irisolley profile image
Irisolley

Yes, I get it - know it sounds morbid - but i hate it- it's a sort of unreal - just isolated feeling - of what seems i am dying - and this is what it feels like. !!! I am on lots heart medication though.

Cherrelleford profile image
Cherrelleford in reply toIrisolley

Yes it's not nice. I'm on lots of heart medication too. Thank you for your reply x

Hi Cherrelleford,

you have just described the feeling I have been having from time to time ever since having an ICD fitted. It usually occurs when I am sitting down or just slumping, especially when or after eating. It starts with what feels like a rush of blood to the head, immediately coursing down my whole body.

With a sense of urgency, I take a deep breath and shift my position by sitting up straight.

Sometimes when this happens I use my wrist BP monitor, and it reads low .

So in my own mind, I associate this feeling with low blood pressure, maybe caused by the usual medication I have been on since my HA when the ICD was fitted.

I also suspect this feeling may be responsible for some of the anomalies found whenever the ICD is interrogated. (The last time it happened to me it came on so suddenly that my ICD fired)

As I say, these are only my own, unqualified opinions. I hope this can 'ring any bells' with you.

Cherrelleford profile image
Cherrelleford in reply to

I have an ICD too fitted because of dilated cardiomyopathy. My BP machine picks up arrthymias when it happens but not all the time. I'm going to mention it to my heart and transplant team. Thank you for your reply x

Hdev profile image
Hdev

I can’t thank all of you enough for mentioning this weird set of symptoms,,,I had these maybe 20 years ago at age 55 when dealing with a son who is a drug addict,,,many trips to the ER thinking it was my heart,,,never any answers,,,a general feeling it was some form of a panic attack,,,after a long gap of years,,here it is again,,I am now an afib patient on meds for that and blood pressure,,,this feeling of weird,,,losing contact of where I am ,,heaviness of limbs,difficult to breathe,,loss of power in all 4 limbs,,tingling feet and arms,,just the most horrid experience I would not wish on anyone,,,it lasts 10-15 minutes but feels like forever,,,like I am dying,,,I spent 8 hrs in the ER and again,no answers,,,I pray this is not starting up again like 20 yrs ago,,,we all have stress,,,but I don’t feel stressed about anything in particular beyond what the average person lives with,,have a loving hubby and good retirement,,,bad spinal stenosis and a pacemaker for the afib,,,just wishing the best for all who jumped in on this topic,,,hoping answers are out there and someone actually has a plausible explanation,,,just want desperately NOT to experience this ever again,,,be well everyone!

Cherrelleford profile image
Cherrelleford

Thank you for replying. Yes fingers crossed we all get an answer x

Hephzibar profile image
Hephzibar

Have been reading this thread with interest as I can tick many of the symptoms - woozy and jittery feeling, strange feeling of a wave going up through my body, heart rate up, tingling etc. I find it very disconcerting and can feel unsettled for the rest of the day. It tends to be first thing in the morning ? dehydration, so reach for a glass of water before I get up. If I catch it time deep breathing and concentrating helps it pass. Recently caught it on my Kardia and my heart was all over the place and am now waiting for cardiologist to get back to me. He wants to check my fast heart rate re AF, but is not concerned about the random ectopics.

Sometimes I think it is linked to a panic attack - I had one after my mother died last year and had ECGs, holter test and echo, but there were no concerns.

Would really want to get this sorted out as there is always a slight worry in the back of my mind!

Cherrelleford profile image
Cherrelleford

Fingers crossed. No one knows what it could be. I have a transplant meeting in September so I'm going to ask them. Thanks for the reply x

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