Heart palpitations / "funny feeling" and sleep deprivation

[ABitCrapper]

Firstly I have seen my gp who has asked for some tests, so I'm not asking Mumsnet to be a doctor.

BUT I'm wondering if my symptoms are just coming from sleep deprivation?

I have a 2 year old who is a crap sleeper and often gets up for the day at 5.
My DH suffers from chronic severe insomnia so I don't often ask him to step in, as actually I cope ok.

So... I keep getting dizzy spells, spinny feeling on the top of my head, and also (not noticeably at the same time) sort of lurches in my chest then a galloping heart. Sometimes it's really uncomfortable.

When the gp listened to my chest she could hear something that she said was probably "ectopics". But is obviously sending me to get it checked out.

I've had this heart thing for years but it got noticeably worse when I had an anorexia relapse last year (now recovered). I also have a very low resting heart rate (normally 43-45 lowest 35, highest 55) despite doing little exercise.

Anyone know if it could just be down to being sleep deprived?

Gp measured my heart rate as 55 while sat there while trying to wrestle my 2yo at the same time, so I know it's not just me miss measuring

Yes! I get this when my sleep's been bad (I work grueling night shifts so usually after them). I've had my heart checked and they say they can't see anything, and it seems to be (with me) linked to drinking lots of coffee as well.

Thanks, that's reassuring :)

Just to add - I've had this for about 20 years!

Good that you are getting checked, op. I have the same thing occasionally and it is much worse if I have a cold or am sleep deprived. I wore a recorder for a few weeks, which recorded some "harmless" extra beats, but I wasn't totally reassured as I didn't have an episode while wearing the recorder (I can go months without one). However, I'm still here several year later, so that's reassuring in itself

In my experience sleep deprivation can cause all that stuff, yeah.

I was worried my EDs had caused heart problems, but knowing it could just be the chronic sleep deprivation is reassuring

Thyroid??

I get this - stress brings it on, and caffeine too in my case.

I drink about 3 pints of tea (3 X big mugs!) plus one instant coffee a day so possibly too much caffeine

I had this when my Vit D was low as well.

Yes I also get the palpitations when I am v sleep deprived and stressed. I’m sure it is all to do with raised cortisol and lower serotonin levels etc. I believe serotonin is a much more vital brain chemical than we realise - it is vital for a lot of the body systems’ functions.

When I went without literally no sleep for a whole week about 3 years ago, I had the most horrendous tingling and ‘fuzzy’ / odd feeling at the top of my head, almost like it had been separated from the lower half. I’m certain it was all to do with the nerves being over sensitive or something. You are not alone in your suffering!

When I am regularly up at 5am I find I need BIG mugs of tea

*NooNooHead" Yes! That head feeling description is spot on. When all 3 kids are tag teaming me at night I just get so out of it and buzzy headed. I also get flickering at the corners of my vision.

I suffer from ectopics and sleep deprivation definitely makes them worse.

Other triggers for me are caffeine; too much alcohol (not at the time but the day after); hormones (worse leading up to my period); adrenaline.

I got heart palpitations when I was pregnant and was really anaemic- it's a horrible feeling. Could it be that with the lack of sleep etc you are a bit low and maybe need some more iron?

I had this when I was very anaemic. Drinking tea can make anaemia worse too as the caffeine inhibits iron absorbtion (I’m a big tea drinker ...!)

Well hopefully the blood test results will say whether I'm anaemic or have a thyroid problem.

Had an awful day today with lots of "lift dropping" feelings followed by a galloping heart. Left me feeling very very tired! And I've been cutting right back on caffeine to see if it helps - it seems it doesn't!
Blood results are apparently all fine
Not sure what to do now!

My bloods always come back fine. i have cut back caffeine and its helped but then some stress has alleviated too so could be that.

Same when mine were that age + I was in the early stages of burnout/depression. Sleep deprived for years & tendency towards mania (perfectionist & loved my job). Was also borderline too slim at the time. Hope you get to the bottom of it OP, it's not nice at all.