Palpitations, generally feeling crap - any ideas?

[knowmyrights]

Since having ds3 16m ago (actually started while I was pregnant with him) I've had spells of palpitations - it feels like my heart is slowing down, then I get a big thump and it races back to normal.

They generally come in the evenings when I've sat down and sometimes wake me up at night - I do sometimes get them during the day but only if I've had coffee or alcohol (both rarely). Or maybe I only notice them when I sit down?

Other than that, I feel generally crap and lacking in energy, find it very difficult to get up in the mornings and feel slow and lethargic most of the time. The only time I don't funny enough is when I'm having a palpitation when I feel wide awake and jittery!

I was very fit and healthy before I had ds3, could happily run 25+ miles a week, but now I'm struggling terribly. I didn't struggle like this after my other pregnancies.

Could this be hormone related in some way? The mw suggested this when I was pregnant but said they would ease after the birth (they did for a while but came back and I'm now getting them every day). I'm still bf but I gave blood a few months ago, my iron was tested and it was fine.

Any ideas would be really appreciated - should I go to my GP or is this all pretty normal?

Firstly, are you drinking plenty of fluids? Dehydration can cause some of these symptoms. I would definitely go to the GP and get it checked out. Ask for a referral for a 24hr tape to try and catch the palpitations and rule out any irregular heart rhythm causing the lethargy. Hope you get some answers.

Dehydration definitely possible, considering running around all day and also bf. I'll try upping the water - thanks.

do you get any other symptoms, eg short of breath or puffy ankles?

No, nothing like that, just feeling generally crap. Although interestingly they've been especially bad today, which has coincided with looking after two sick children so maybe stress is a factor too.

palpitations can be due to an over active thyroid gland, also stress (anxiety) related too - definitely advise going to see GP.

Thanks purple, DH has been nagging me to go so I think I will.

Do you mean it's like you have a normal hearbeat, then there's what seems to be longer pause and the next beat afterward seems to be much stronger?
It's called 'skipped heartbeat' and I had it since late pg and it got quite bad after birth.
I googled and it's something ventricular xxxxx, not dangerous normally, but always good to get it checked out to rule out any serious problems.
I'm going to see a doctor within next few weeks as it can be v.annoying sometimes.

Yes - it kind of feels like my heart is falling in my chest while it seems to pause, then I get a big thump and it races for a bit - sounds exactly like what you mean. It went through a spell of being every so often but now it's every day.

Seeing a GP later this week, I'll update you.

I had s'th a bit like this and the GP said it was 'extra-sistals' (I think - wasn't in UK so hope I'm not translating wrong), and to give up all caffeine. Tbh though I'd go for the 24hr tape option if you can. If you feel like your heart's not working it's so worrying that you make it worse by stressing out about it, so better to have some information you can rely on.

Thanks Romanarama - I know I'm sensitive to caffeine and alcohol - always the worse things, eh?

knowmyrights - I had similiar symptoms to you after having dc3. Blood tests showed that my thyroid gland was packing up. Am now on thyroxine and absolutely fine (most of the time). Do ask your GP about it. It's very common and very easily treated.

Right, just saw GP who was very helpful - he has suggested thyroid blood test and also an ECG, though he said it's quite common for the ECG to be normal. fatsatsuma, thank you for the info, in what way was your thyroid abnormal if you don't mind me asking? I googled thyroid disorders and it seemed to suggest palpitations were linked to hyperthyroidism.

Well, I have hypothyroidism (Hashimoto's disease), but it was palpitations that made me see the GP in the first place.

There is such a huge range of possible symptoms with thryoid disorders, and weirdly there seems to be some overlap between symptoms of hypo/hyperthyroid.

Glad your GP was helpful. Let us know how you get on