Waking up at 2 or 3 in the morning

[Patch]

       Has anyone experienced the problem of waking up at 2 or 3 in the morning most nights with their heart racing or pounding. I never noticed this until getting my an treated.  This has been going on for about 6 months now.

       If this is not related, any ideas of what it is or called.

Thanks  Mark

[Jim Scott]

Mark:

Just a guess, from a non-physician, mind you, but I would say that anxiety is the likely cause.  I would certainly mention it to your PCP and see if a mild sleep aid could help. 

Jim

[sabuck]

Mark,

I too am no medical professional but I would ditto what Jim suggested. I know whenever I am stressed about something, be it work related, family related, health related etc., I get the nighttime "wake-ups". It totally sucks. Sleep aids have taken the edge off for me in the past in helping to get an uninterrupted nights worth of zzz's. But always relay your concerns to your medical professional.

[Debbi]

Yep, sounds like anxiety to this non-medical person, too.  I've experienced it myself.  Talk to your PCP and see if there are things you can do to remedy this, either pharaceutical or natural.

Debbi, doing some of my best worrying at 3 AM...

[sgerrard]

Ditto, and maybe get your heart checked by the doctor as well, just to be sure there is no cardiology problem.

Steve

[HeadCase2]

Hi Mark,
  I once had this happen as a side affect of an anti-inflamitory medication.  My doctor said it "shouldn't" be a side affect of this drug, but the problem imediately stopped when I stopped taking it.   Check with your doctor about potential side affects of any meds you're on, especially any new prescriptions.
Regards,
  Rob

[Nancy Drew]

Hi Mark,

Probably enough dittos, but here is another vote for anxiety.  I am currently having episodes of waking up between 2:00 a.m. and 4:00a.m., and I am pretty sure it is anxiety.  I am also pretty sure it has to do with the fact that my AN has grown this past year. I also get anxiety attacks during the day--stinks.  Get it checked out like the others have said.  A lot of people end up in the emergency room thinking they are having a heart attack when in reality they are having an anxiety attack.  But, I think you should aways have the heart checked out no matter what so be cautious and take care of yourself. 

Nancy

[JulieE]

Hey Mark, I concur with the suggestion that you should see a Dr./Cardiologist about any other potential causes.  If ruled out, I do think there is some validity to the Anxiety suggestions.  I had similar "alarmist waking" (without the alarm) after diagnosis.  The simple fact that it swelled to larger than the original size (a common and expected reaction to your treatment, but just because you know something doesn't mean you have to like it) would cause anxiety in most folks. I'm gonna add my two cents because everyone is different, and I don't know your physical conditions or limitations - but I bought into the take a pill to counteract the anxiety, and I found I would crash later.  Then I found running would help immensely, or other phsical exsursion.  Somebody else in this thread mentioned natural, and had the jogging not fixed it, I was considereing accupuncture as my Drs. even seemed to give it credance.
Good Luck, Jules

[claire1]

Hi Mark

I,too, have had pre morning wake-ups with heart paplpatations. BTW---> Non-medical here, but get checked out with your PCP ,he can rule out cardiac problems and probably talk to you about your  anxiety levels. I was given a sleep aid for a week and after that never needed them again.  Also it might help to talk to a professional that deals with anxiety.  First=PCP=R/O cardiac

Best Wishes
Claire                                                                                   

[goinbatty]

I definitely agree with having your doc check for medical issues.  Since diagnosis, I've had intermittent periods of waking ups around 3AM.  This peaked out when I went to DC for consults in 11/07.  I was so stressed that I splurged for a massage before going to the airport.  I thought I was handling it all well but hind sight, I just hid it well from others.  In the hotel, they had TAZO calming tea.  Maybe I was just exhausted but for whatever reason, that helped out greatly. 
Sandra