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Original poster

Something weird happened to me in middle of the night :(

219 replies

AddictedToLuv · 19/10/2021 06:32

I woke up at 3am and my heart started racing madly. It was like I had just ran a sprint. I then had a weird feeling and then it happened again about 10 mins later and then a short one after that. Then I had a burning sensation, like heartburn to the left.

I was really, really scared. At first I thought OMG I am having a panic attack, but I am not worried about anything or I wasn't panicking about anything at the time aside from the racing heart.

I couldn't get back to sleep and now I am really worried about what this was.

OP posts:
Original poster
AddictedToLuv · 19/10/2021 06:55

I am going to call my GP at 0800 because the heartburn has gone but I have a pain in the middle of the front of my shoulder now.

OP posts:
AdelindSchade · 19/10/2021 06:56

It could be any of the things people have said. I posted on here earlier in the yesr asking about my 'heartburn' and someone was concerned and told me to get it checked. I thought they were over reacting and didnt. Well it did turn out to be something more serious they were right. I'm only saying this to persude you to get it checked. You are probably fine but should rule out anything heart related. Yes as pp said, I imagine they will want to do ecg (which is very quick and easy) in the first instance.

ComDummings · 19/10/2021 07:00

I think you should call 111 if you have shoulder pain still OP. It’s probably something minor but I know heart attacks present differently in women than they do men.

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Namechangedforspooky · 19/10/2021 07:03

I would go to A&E (I work there) if you have ongoing pain. Don’t wait for the gp if you have ongoing pain. You need an ecg and set of bloods. It’s probably all fine but that’s what I’d advise

Namechangedforspooky · 19/10/2021 07:04

Sorry, didn’t mean to repeat myself there. Really need to proof read!

Ostryga · 19/10/2021 07:04

If you still have shoulder pain I’d call 111 and probably go get checked out.

It’s probably fine, but heart attacks can present very differently in women - racing heart, indigestion, panic, stomach ache rather than the traditional male symptoms.

Bagelsandbrie · 19/10/2021 07:06

Needs checking - could be anything from gas, to menopause to a heart attack.

doubleshotcappuccino · 19/10/2021 07:09

Menopause or low carb .. either way very normal but very scary x

Ostryga · 19/10/2021 07:11

@doubleshotcappuccino

Menopause or low carb .. either way very normal but very scary x
You cannot say with absolute certainty that it is this. You cannot diagnose someone over the internet you’ve never seen. It’s so incredibly dangerous to say “very normal” when you have got zero idea.
Dollywilde · 19/10/2021 07:11

Is it sleep paralysis? I get it quite often.

pegasus78 · 19/10/2021 07:12

I agree with phoning 111

The same thing has been happening to me the last 3 weeks. The doctor booked me in for ECG and blood pressure check. But before this could be done, It got worse and I ended up in hospital.

ECG, bloods and chest x-ray all fine.
They have put it down to stress, I am not stressed over anything, other than the racing heart.

I spoke to the doctor last year saying I think I'm perimenopausal, and was just told no way I'm to young at 42.
After doing some research the last couple of weeks, I've again said I'm convinced it's hormonal, I want to try HRT, and been sent away with antidepressants!

Hope you're feeling a bit better now OP, it is scary!

Original poster
AddictedToLuv · 19/10/2021 07:14

Not sure if relevant but I didn't wake up with a racing heart. I was awake as my DH was snoring and then about10 mins later I got the racing heart.

It seems to have calmed down now but I am calling the GP at 0800.

OP posts:
MamsellMarie · 19/10/2021 07:14

? some sort of reaction to acid reflux.
Stay off alcohol, coffee, fatty food for evening meal and then don't eat for 3 hours before bed. Have extra pillows so you are semi sitting up in case it is acid reflux.
But as it's heart see a doctor.

Original poster
AddictedToLuv · 19/10/2021 07:19

I also couldn't stop the racing heart by calming myself down. I am very good at breathing techniques to calm myself down and this did nothing, as I wasn't stressed out about anything. I just had to wait till my heart stopped racing.

OP posts:
Malin52 · 19/10/2021 07:21

I have the same reaction when I eat something with lots of MSG so Thai or Chinese food.

All fine when I go to bed but wake up a few hours later once it's metabolised with a racing heart. Then then that triggers a bit of panic and anxiety and ends up with heartburn. Been happening since I was mid thirties but have to avoid takeaways.

Tickledtrout · 19/10/2021 07:21

Google menopause meerkat moments. Adrenaline surges linked to erratic oestrogen levels.
Can definitely be exacerbated by a heavy meal, alcohol, caffeine

olympicsrock · 19/10/2021 07:22

I’m a doctor. You need to be seen today for an ecg. Sounds to me like you were having runs of a fast heart rate probably atrial fibrillation if you have been hitting the booze. Women often get shoulder pain instead of chest pain with heart issues. They may ask to go to an emergency department of they can’t do face to face today.

Tickledtrout · 19/10/2021 07:22

Yes MSG too.

starfishmummy · 19/10/2021 07:26

It could be Atrial Fibrillation. Get it checked out

andyoldlabour · 19/10/2021 07:28

OP, years ago, my DW and I went to France. One day we had a midday meal down in the Camargue. She had an incredibly rich dish - Daube de Bouef - and afterwards felt really uncomfortable - raised heartbeat, chest pains etc, - I was really worried about her, but gradually the pain and discomfort went away.
I think you should talk to /see a doctor though to be on the safe side.

WhiskyXray · 19/10/2021 07:29

Poor you. I get disturbed sleep and similar to this around the full moon. Perhaps that's a factor for you?

SummerOrAutumn · 19/10/2021 07:29

Don't know if this might work for you OP, but whenever I get palpitations (menopause too) I splash my face with cold water and run my wrists under the cold tap for a few seconds. It helps me - seems to calm them down.

tocas · 19/10/2021 07:30

Your GP cannot rule out a heart attack you need A&E if you've still got pain op. Take care.

Iampicklerick · 19/10/2021 07:30

Did you have any feeling in your stomach or ringing in your ears?

I often have this when I have a sleep seizure. With temporal lobe epilepsy you don’t always lose consciousness, sometimes they feel like panic attacks? If you had like a rising feeling in your stomach etc through the chest to the head, maybe mention that to the doc.

I remember having a weird feeling and writing on here about it and someone said epilepsy to me then and I was like absolutely not, but seizures aren’t always what people think they are. Take care op Flowers

madisonbridges · 19/10/2021 07:31

@AddictedToLuv

I also couldn't stop the racing heart by calming myself down. I am very good at breathing techniques to calm myself down and this did nothing, as I wasn't stressed out about anything. I just had to wait till my heart stopped racing.
That's the problem with panic attacks. There's often no clear reason so they're difficult to try and manage. It is by far the most likely reason and maybe for some people a burning sensation goes with them. However, better to get it checked out and put your mind at rest or you'll be waking up with panic attacks about having panic attacks!