Not sleeping well at night, I suffer from Atrial fibbrelation, I take Digoxin, Beta Pace, to slow and regulate my heart,these meds are now at the maximum possible dosage and I started having brief bouts of a-fib again I take .1 milligrams of xanax 3 times a day to slow me down so I dont overtax my heart,my heart rate runs 40 to 60 B.P.M. during last bout of full blown a-fib heart rates hit 326 B.P.M.... I thought that I should sleep like a rock but only average 4 to 5 hours sleep a night and it is restless sleep. I also take Vytorin to lower high cholesterol, this leaves me constantly tired and with severe muscle and joint pain and often headaches. I am going back to Doctor but wanted feedback from anyone else who may be having same problem.
199542
I do not have the same problem, but you should ask your doctor if too much medication could be it.
55310
Sometimes it's not worth while to try and keep it in sinus rhythm.  Presumably you have been checked for hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland) which can cause A.F. High blood pressure is another treatable cause of A.F.  I hope your blood is now thinned with Coumadin (Warfarin------so called rat poison).  When the left atrium is in fibrillation for awhile, it may build up blood clots within its chamber.  Then especially if your heart goes into sinus rhythm (normal rhythm) for a bit, the normal contractions of the atrium can kick this clot out into the left ventricle and on up the aorta and to the brain, where it causes a major stroke.  Staying on blood thinner Coumadin will allow no more clot to build, and any old clot stabilizes so it isn't likely to get lose.  \n\nAmiodarone seems to be a miracle drug at keeping alot of people out of atrial fibrillation.  The only problem is, if you look at the list of possible side effects, it can scare you to death.  LOL  Many people don't have any problem with it at all though.  Check it out.\n\nYes, you can go to radio frequency ablation therapy from a cardiologist who does that.  Or you can have surgical ablation.  And you can wind up with an atrio-ventricular sequential pacemaker.  The treatment can get complicated.  Many people just learn to live in atrial fibrillation.  If you keep the rate down to a normal level, perhaps with digoxin, and keep your blood thinned with coumadin to prevent strokes, you will probably do fairly well.  There is always a small risk of strokes, even when on coumadin, and your cardiac output may be decreased somewhat from not having the normal atrial kick (the atria aren't beating in atrial fibrillation.  they are just quivering).  These are the main reasons some people go to great lengths to restore normal sinus rhythm.
418187
Bet you physically jump when startled, too, don't you? I used to do it. Type A personality, very tense, jumpy, rattled easily, emotional? The only thing that worked was slowing down my metabolism, extra Vit. B compounds, and anti-depressants. Recently I started taking a new cholesterol med and the jumpy and shaking the leg is back. I will be asking for a change in meds but you could cut back on sugar, caffeine, nicotine, and find lots of activity to keep you moving, until you can start to get your sleep regularly. Continue to pay attention to what your body is telling you, try to slow down (take longer to eat, walk slower, dress slower), anything you can slow down enough and long enough for it to become a habit. Sorry, but the cure truly is a long hard road, and you'll probable get there when you get old anyway.
523540
Xanax is an anti-depressant and anti-anxiety compound. It does not alter your metabolism but rather works on your central nervous system\n\nIt is not dangerous to do physical activities with Xanax in your system but it might be harder to perform on them. The "Pounding" sensation you experienced was probably more of a panic attack, not directly brought on by the drug.\n\nIf your daily regimen involves strenuous dancing then I would bet that your heart is healthy.\n\nIf you are really concerned it might be advisable to have your physician order an ECG to put your mind at ease.\nSo get back on stage and break a leg.
657630
PLEASE DO NOT LISTEN TO VK!!! I Have tachycardia and have had to deal with it since 1997, at least that is when it was diagnosed,and it has to do with your sinus node , your hearts electrical system. It is usually treated with beta blockers that have to be taken daily to slow and strengthen the heart. If the problem continues, then there is a procedure called cardiac ablation that will "burn" all of your bad electrical path ways and usually your cured!!
588822
My guess is you're taking Ambien? It's a great medication but sleepwalking a bad side effect. \nTry taking a Benedryl on some night but don't take the other one every night.\nThere's also the usual advice you'll get on how to sleep better:\n1. no caffeine\n2. don't exercise too late in the day (but exercising earlieris a great way to help sleep)\n3. Try warm lavender baths to relax\n4. don't eat a heavy meal before bed but don't get to bed hungry either\n5. Alcohol can actually disrupt your sleep patterns.\nThats all I can think of right now.\nGood luck!
435391
Please follow your doctors orders, and do not exceed the recommended daily dosage originally prescribed. If you need something to help you sleep, ask your doctor. There are many prescription medications available. And the drugs name is Fioricet.\n\nGood luck.
256517
Beta blockers (like Lopressor) commonly cause people to feel tired and can precipitate shortness of breath.  \n\nIt sounds like you are very focused on your B/P which in some respects is great but you can over kill it too.  Sometimes just stepping back and relaxing a little can be useful.  If you are healthy enough, adding vigorous physical exercise like swimming laps or playing tennis can be helpful in reducing you blood pressure.  \n\nUnless you have some dangerous condition, like an aneurysm, then taking a few months to get the B/P under control is okay.  Most people require two and often three medications to adequately treat the condition.  You are probably saying "Three medicines???"  Taking modest doses of two or three medicines can often produce great results with no side effects.  ACE inhibitors (or ARB's are a newer generation but are more expensive), diuretics (HCTZ) and B-blocker or Calcium Channel Blockers as a third adjunct...these choices can be influenced, however, by other conditions that you are at risk for that might benefit from these medications too.\n\nContinue to work with your medical provider and you will achieve your goal...good luck.
666275
There are people that have taken Welbutrin and have had an elevated heart rate. I saw a story on http://www.rxlist.com/rxboard/wellbutrin.pl?noframes;read=3160 where someone has experienced what you are going through with this. I am sure that there are many others that are experiencing it. \n\nAlso, you said that your doctor dismissed it. If you feel like he is not listening you may want to get a new one or reapproach the subject and ask him why he skipped over it. \n\nI have listed some places where you can do some reading into this and see what you feel about and hopefully may answer some questions you have about these drugs.
121142
Talk to your doctor.  Herbal medications can be dangerous, too, so be careful.  My wife takes Valerian to sleep, but she was told not to use it too often.  Check with the doc.
659139
Yes, common with me.  I lay down and try to be completely still, close my eyes, try to sleep and relax all my muscles.  At times I need to take Excedrin.
60805
It would be very unusual for a 19 y.o. to be having coronary problems.  You say your chest feels tight when you lie down at night.  I wonder if it isn't just chest wall pain from your workouts.  You say you get short of breath when you run, and you develop a pain in your lower left chest then.  I don't know how bad your shortness of breath is.  You can simply be short of breath running, because you are overweight or out of shape.  Chest pain of a heart attack or angina usually presents right in the middle of your chest as a pressure type pain, not off on the left side like you describe.  I would be more concerned about a valvular heart defect, than coronary disease.  Have you ever had a heart murmer?  I'd recommend you go and get a good physical.  He should listen to your heart carefully for any murmur.  He should get a chest xray and a resting EKG.  If there is any question of a murmur, I would get an echocardiogram.  The chest xray as well as the echo, together with the physical exam would make sure you got a normal size heart and no valve abnormalities.  The other thing he might want to get is a treadmill EKG, to see if when you have those symptoms running, there is any change in the EKG to indicate ischemia. You didn't say what your weight was. If you are overweight, I would recommend walking, rather than running, at least until you take off some pounds.
353576
I have the same problem... I can fall alseep once 7am comes around but never at night, I feel like night time wake something up inside of me.  I took Ambien for 10 days and it only worked like 7 out of the ten but i stopped because i didnt want to become relient on them.  Anywho what works for me but sucks at the same time is just staying up... Meaning if you normally go to bed say at 7am and wake at 2 pm... dont do it and just stay up till the next night, without any naps.  I find this helps me sometimes and if i dont get tired i will stay up even longer till the next night to sleep and if you keep doing this then your body will adjust.  Staying up just for 1 night can make your body clock out of wack... thats what usually happens when i do that. :)
193134
Is that the only symptom? After my father died, it was a stressful time, I started having panic attacks. I was told that AFTER a bad time is usually when they might appear. And out of nowhere. I worked with someone once and she had them too.  I said "man, you feel like you're going to die" and she said "no, you KNOW you are going to die" -- her husband took her to ER everytime. Mine were about 3 times a day - got hooked on Xanax but it worked. Had to get help to get off of it.  If the panic came back, I would chance that addiction again. I went to counseling which lessened the fear but not the feelings. Mine would happen in the car a lot. Like at a stop sign. My foot would shake badly on the brake and I would almost just go through. I felt like I was "melting" into the seat (oh, not afraid to drive either so that wasn't it), my heart would race. It's too many bad feelings at once. This is one of those things I swear - no one would understand unless they went through it. Mine lasted about 5 years.  My heart goes out to you if this is happening. But see your doctor. They aren't so prone to giving out Xanax anymore though. I guess I understand but it helped me big time. I was able to cope and go to work.
88374
I've been plauged with insomnia since as far back as I can recall. My mom always had problems getting me up for school in the morning, mainly b/c I didn't get much sleep at night. I've been a night owl ever since. I went through a time where I did speed/meth to stay up all night so I didn't have to worry about fighting to fall asleep. that was the first sign for me, I was always fighting to go to sleep. My mind just didn't seem to want to shut off. so, I had read never to stay in bed when you can't sleep after about 15 minutes....to do something relaxing, like read, or take a bath, or watch tv. but don't stay in bed. your not supposed to associate your bed with anything else but sleep. nothing helped me, even did a sleep study. I only slept 4 hours so they could only come to the conclusion that I had insomnia....gee, ya think!! well, I can only sleep with the help of prescribed meds now. good luck!!
51482
Athletes sometimes have some thickening of their heart wall and some wierd EKG changes, but it may still be within the range of normal for them.  If they are able to perform well, it is hard to say they have a problem.  But occasionally when we thought they were OK, they drop dead during performance.  Its best that they be evaluated by a cardiologist. They don't always know for sure either, but they know more than the rest of us.  As far as the older guy who can't get around well, he has a problem.  He needs a thorough evaluation by a cardiologist.  Needs to make sure he doesn't have any heart attacks to further weaken his heart.  If he has a valve problem, it may need to be corrected surgically.  Most of them are on ACE inhibitors or ARB drugs to dilate the arterioles and reduce "afterload" on the heart.  Most are on a low salt diet.  Digoxin (Lanoxin), which is originally a derivative from the foxglove plant, helps alot of these folks, helps their heart to beat stronger.  If they swell up with fluid, they need Lasix (furosemide), a diuretic, and then they will need potassium because the lasix knocks out the potassium.  Many will live a fairly long life this way, but if it gets progressive, they will need a heart transplant, which is hard to come by.  They need to walk to get some exercise, but they need to get plenty of rest and not overexert.  Big feasts on the holidays tends to stress them out and overload them with salt, which often puts them into overt pulmonary edema and in the ER.  Eating too much stresses them just as much as exercising too much.
340215
You can take the B-Vites in the A.M..Most do this because that is where You are getting the energy. Just read instructions on bottle to determine how much B's are safe. Mine(Nature Made Brand) say...One caplet daily w/ a Meal (or You'll get jittery like You drank too much  coffee) . Mine has Vitamin C also. This helps Your body absorb Iron better. B-Vites are great.  They boost the Immune system.I also take Nature Made  Omega3 Fish Oil capsules. These soften brain receptor cells to improve thought processes. I take at night, so when I awake, I am refreshed and ready for the day. Get the odorless kind. The don't break down until in lower intestine so You cannot taste or burp or even smell the fishy taste You get when using the regular kind. Fish oil also helps prevent coronary heart disease, and promotes cellular regeneration!!!! 60 soft gels @ Rite-Aid are only $9.99. It may sound gross, but believe me, It helps tremendously. Also helps keep u regular...if u get My drift. I hope this helps!!!! Any vitamin in excess is as bad as anything else in excess. You are wise for asking!!!! Great Luck to You and God  Bless!!! J ~  P.S. Skip the B-12 @ 4th meal because You are getting enough W/ the complex. Too much can cause health problems! You are taking B-12 in the complex. You can also see a Dr. for Vit B shots to lose weight if heavy. My mother-in -law gets these and they give her tons of energy to burn fat. 100.00 a pop though!!!