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Original poster

Adrenaline rushes waking me up at night

44 replies

BlackInk · 04/12/2023 16:53

Does anyone know what could be causing this?

I'm being woken up multiple times a night most nights by racing heart, feeling of blood coursing through body, and general panicky feeling. Takes a while for it to ease off and fall back to sleep, and then it happens again, and again.

I'm knackered. I'm not anxious (although I'm starting to get stressed by the lack of sleep), I'm well past (an early) menopause and have lots of health issues that GP has never been able to get to the bottom of – thyroid nodules, low morning cortisol, stomach problems, joint pain, anaemia, weight-loss, to name but a few. I've had lots of tests for various things and everything seems to come back slightly off but inconclusive... all that's just for background.

Are there any medical causes of this 'adrenaline rush' feeling? I don't seem to get it in the day, although I do feel jittery a lot. Either jittery or dead tired.

Ty

OP posts:
tokesqueen · 04/12/2023 17:03

Following as I get exactly the same. Almost everything night really.
I could have written your post OP.
I have a cyst on my pituitary gland for which I need an annual MRI. Not sure if this is anything to do with it.
Almost dread going to bed.

Nonentity2023 · 04/12/2023 19:55

Sleep apnoea? Do you wake up with a headache? Lots of trips to the toilet during the night? Does the feeling you get make you sit up to take a deep breath?

Slidingsocks · 04/12/2023 20:06

I've had this! Not the multiple times per night, but at least once a night. Waking up in a panic, with a racing heart. It went on for several months but seems to have passed now. I put it down to stress - never thought it might have a physical cause.

Original poster
BlackInk · 04/12/2023 20:12

I don’t think so @Nonentity2023
I do often wake with a headache in the mornings but never get up in the night and don’t tend to snore, quite underweight. I sometimes gag/cough in my sleep but feel like that’s pressure from the nodules on my thyroid… although consultant was dismissive about that.

@tokesqueen It’s rubbish isn’t it :(
I’m sure I’ve read that pituitary tumours can cause problems with cortisol/adrenaline. Have you mentioned it to your dr? My mum had a pituitary tumour but hers was picked up when her vision became effected.

OP posts:
Watchkeys · 04/12/2023 20:18

Do you get much exercise?

MadamVastra · 04/12/2023 20:18

This was one of my first peri meno symptoms

cleowasmycat · 04/12/2023 20:24

MadamVastra · 04/12/2023 20:18

This was one of my first peri meno symptoms

I agree, how old are you OP?

Original poster
BlackInk · 04/12/2023 20:40

I’m just 50, but had sudden early menopause several years ago…

OP posts:
Helenahandkart · 04/12/2023 20:42

A low carb diet can cause this, if that’s relevant to you.

Original poster
BlackInk · 04/12/2023 20:47

Watchkeys · 04/12/2023 20:18

Do you get much exercise?

I’m busy and active but no exercise for exercise sake if you know what I mean. Walk dog, housework, rushing around etc. occasional yoga…

OP posts:
Original poster
BlackInk · 04/12/2023 20:48

Helenahandkart · 04/12/2023 20:42

A low carb diet can cause this, if that’s relevant to you.

No, no diet restrictions, just vegetarian.

OP posts:
Watchkeys · 04/12/2023 20:55

Drink coffee much? Or anything else caffeinated?

Moredarkchocolateplease · 04/12/2023 20:55

I get this, have done since my early 30s. Usually in conjunction with dreams about train and plane crashes. Panicky dreams.

I've been told its stress. Which makes sense really!

Watchkeys · 04/12/2023 20:55

Or much alcohol?

Original poster
BlackInk · 04/12/2023 21:04

I drink some tea and coffee but never after about 4pm. Moderate alcohol, never more than 1 or 2 glasses of wine.

OP posts:
Shinyandnew1 · 04/12/2023 21:05

I get this as well! I wasn’t sure if it was work-related stress or menopause?!

MrsMeg1 · 04/12/2023 21:15

Could your thyroid have become overactive?

Watchkeys · 04/12/2023 21:36

I have to stop drinking coffee before 2pm or it affects my nights. Small amounts of alcohol can disturb my nights too. Might be worth cutting them out for a bit to see if it helps.

Original poster
BlackInk · 04/12/2023 21:36

My TSH has been tested a few times and always near the bottom of normal range. T3 and T4 mid range, so I don’t think it can be that…

OP posts:
LuckyCharmz · 04/12/2023 21:39

Meno symptom for me too. Hrt has been a life saver.

Original poster
BlackInk · 04/12/2023 21:57

I don’t think I would start getting meno symptoms 7 years after last period?

OP posts:
ShazzaF · 04/12/2023 23:26

Ahh!! I had this a few years ago. I'd completely forgot about it until I read this, so obviously it stopped at some point. At the time it was happening, I was pregnant and very stressed so I assumed it was one or both of those causing it.

whatisheupto · 05/12/2023 04:18

Have you thought about gluten intolerance or allergy? Weight loss and anaemia and joint pain fit with that. Try cutting out gluten for a month snd see how you feel.
Also I would definitely stop tea and coffee if I were in your situation. maybe allow one cup of tea each morning.
Are you drinking enough water? Dehydration always makes me jittery and heart racy.

autienotnaughty · 05/12/2023 04:36

I have this it's like I can literally feel the adrenaline coming from my chest. My heart's pounding. For me it's anxiety

Moredarkchocolateplease · 05/12/2023 06:43

autienotnaughty · 05/12/2023 04:36

I have this it's like I can literally feel the adrenaline coming from my chest. My heart's pounding. For me it's anxiety

That's what my GP said, but I don't have 'anxiety', there isn't anything I'm especially anxious about, so I don't really understand it.

Can you pin it down to one thing you are worrying about?

It's just happened three times last night, with associated horrible dreams.