[KarlaC]

So I'm 30 weeks today(yay closer). Anyway the last 3 nights when I go to sleep I get woke up in a few hours feeling like I can't breathe & my heart is racing.

I'm used to the racing heart..the feeling like something is keeping me from getting air seems not so cool.

Anyway I'm not getting much sleep at all now, I've tried left & right side..couch, bed, etc.

The strange part is if I take some benedryl I can sleep for 4-5 hours no problem, making me thing it's not something to worry about so much. Any ideas on this?

Oh & I'm not sleeping on my back fwiw, dh watched me nap yesterday & I still woke up feeling the same. He said I never moved off my left side.

 

[JD5351]

I actually went to go get checked out, I was having the same problem. I was told it's just the baby stretching up into your diaphram pressing on your lungs.

Mine does it whether I'm on my back or my side.

 

[Chamomile Girl]

I've found that if I prop myself up on pillows I can breathe a bit easier. Plus it helps with the heartburn/acid reflux.

 

[KarlaC]

Thanks ladies. I'm starting to wonder if I'm not coming down with something on top of it.

I just can't stay awake, I'm too hot even though it's 69 in the house, my lips are puffy(which is some weird thing my body does when I'm sick) & I feel somewhat dizzy at times just for fun I guess.

I'm not however having high bps, high blood sugars, weight gain or edema. Idk, hopefully I feel better soon. I have a dr's appt on Wed so there is that to fall back on at least.

 

[JD5351]

Yeah, sounds like you got a little bug. Make sure to stay hydrated, and get plenty of rest. Hope you feel better soon.

 

[guestmama9916]

I had those symptoms but I did have elevated blood pressure and eventually pre-e. It started at 32 weeks. Your BP can be within normal limits but still considered pre-e depending on what your BP was before pregnancy. For example if you started out with BPs in the 100/60s and are now 125/75, that can be a big enough jump to qualify you as pre-e. Swelling in the face (I would be concerned about your lips swelling) can also be a sign of pre-e. Definitely voice your concerns with your caregiver at your next appt if not sooner. Other signs to watch for are right sided pain, headaches, and visual disturbances such as seeing stars. Another possible problem that could be causing your racing heart and dizziness is a lack of potassium. Bananas, raisins and dried apricots are a good source of potassium.

 

[KarlaC]

Quote:

Originally Posted by saving_grace I had those symptoms but I did have elevated blood pressure and eventually pre-e. It started at 32 weeks. Your BP can be within normal limits but still considered pre-e depending on what your BP was before pregnancy. For example if you started out with BPs in the 100/60s and are now 125/75, that can be a big enough jump to qualify you as pre-e. Swelling in the face (I would be concerned about your lips swelling) can also be a sign of pre-e. Definitely voice your concerns with your caregiver at your next appt if not sooner. Other signs to watch for are right sided pain, headaches, and visual disturbances such as seeing stars. Another possible problem that could be causing your racing heart and dizziness is a lack of potassium. Bananas, raisins and dried apricots are a good source of potassium.

Thanks, my bp is still running 100/60 every day which is even lower than it was before I got pg. I will bring it up to my dr when I go, the slight puffiness which I wouldn't even swelling is gone & I haven't had any of the other symptoms you listed.

I'd love to eat more potassium foods like bananas & raisins but they gork my blood sugar too much so atm I'm just avoiding most all fruits.

Thanks again

 

[KarlaC]

Heh dr claims it's 'normal' & told me to take benedryl?? I'll be glad to be done being pregnant, I hate this drs office..unfortunately the alternative is even worse(on post drs).

 

[avivaelona]

I had this, midwife kept saying it was normal, I never had any issues with this pregnancy other than GD, but I had GD with the previous pregnancy and didn't have the racing heart or trouble breathing. Anyway I gave birth and it went away.

 

[snowmom5]

What is your resting heartrate? Have you counted your pulse during these episodes of your heart racing?

I had tachycardia in a prior pregnancy (resting heartrate over 100). It required a cardiology workup (echo, ekg, holter test) to rule out heart defects. Everything turned out to be normal in my case. The reason for the testing is that some heart defects do not become apparent until the stress of pregnancy.

That said, I do sometimes have more brief episodes that feel like I have a racing heart, and it's hard to breathe. Usually it's at a busy time of day, when I'm tired and probably haven't had quite enough food/water. Interestingly, usually at those times my heartrate is below 100.

Anyway, just check your heartrate. If you don't like counting your pulse (I hate it, gives me the willies), one thing I sometimes do is use a heartrate monitor (like the kind for running).

 

[KarlaC]

Quote:

Originally Posted by snowmom5 What is your resting heartrate? Have you counted your pulse during these episodes of your heart racing? I had tachycardia in a prior pregnancy (resting heartrate over 100). It required a cardiology workup (echo, ekg, holter test) to rule out heart defects. Everything turned out to be normal in my case. The reason for the testing is that some heart defects do not become apparent until the stress of pregnancy. That said, I do sometimes have more brief episodes that feel like I have a racing heart, and it's hard to breathe. Usually it's at a busy time of day, when I'm tired and probably haven't had quite enough food/water. Interestingly, usually at those times my heartrate is below 100. Anyway, just check your heartrate. If you don't like counting your pulse (I hate it, gives me the willies), one thing I sometimes do is use a heartrate monitor (like the kind for running).

Oh I check it, it runs from 110 to 120 when it's racing. It seems to happen more when I'm at rest than anything, along with the s.o.b.

I remember back with my first pg my dr thought he was hearing a something 'off' with my heart during the last month but he never had any tests done, just tsk tsked about it. I assume it had to do with my having medicaid instead of real insurance.

I'm still confused as to what benedryl is supposed to do for my waking up feeling like a brick is on my chest & my pulse is racing..I really miss having a choice in my dr

 

[jenjenl18]

He needs to listen to your lungs and heart at least. Not to scare you but some women develop cardiomyopathy of pregnancy because of the extra stress on the heart of pumping all of that blood. I would make sure he rules that out at least. Sorry you don't feel well and your doc stinks! GL...

 

[snowmom5]

Quote:

Originally Posted by KarlaC Oh I check it, it runs from 110 to 120 when it's racing. It seems to happen more when I'm at rest than anything, along with the s.o.b. I remember back with my first pg my dr thought he was hearing a something 'off' with my heart during the last month but he never had any tests done, just tsk tsked about it. I assume it had to do with my having medicaid instead of real insurance. I'm still confused as to what benedryl is supposed to do for my waking up feeling like a brick is on my chest & my pulse is racing..I really miss having a choice in my dr

If you can, you may want to consider seeing an internist or general practicioner, if possible. When I had my tests run, they were ordered by an internist (who my OB referred me to). The internist consulted with a cardiologist on the test results, but I didn't have to actually see the cardiologist.

Other than that, I have found that I get the heart racing and shortness of breath when I need to eat more (of everything, protein/carbs) or drink more. Besides the late afternoon/evening, sometimes that happens to me early in the morning, like 5 am, making it really hard to get back to sleep. I find that if I get up and eat something, I have an easier time relaxing enough to get back to sleep (usually I'll just drink a half bottle of Boost Plus or something - not the best solution, because it has a lot of sugar, but it's quick and since I don't have to chew I don't wake up so much. Plus it's quick). So eating/drinking more may be something to try. (when I had my tachychardia, it was in my twin pregnancy, and was caused merely by my body working so hard to get nutrients to the babies; though my resting heartrate was elevated during all my waking hours).

I have no idea what the benadryl and I don't think I'd be too comfortable with that idea as a long-term solution - it sounds more like he just is trying to get you some sleep rather than deal with checking on the underlying issue.

 

[KarlaC]

Quote:

Originally Posted by snowmom5 If you can, you may want to consider seeing an internist or general practicioner, if possible. When I had my tests run, they were ordered by an internist (who my OB referred me to). The internist consulted with a cardiologist on the test results, but I didn't have to actually see the cardiologist. Other than that, I have found that I get the heart racing and shortness of breath when I need to eat more (of everything, protein/carbs) or drink more. Besides the late afternoon/evening, sometimes that happens to me early in the morning, like 5 am, making it really hard to get back to sleep. I find that if I get up and eat something, I have an easier time relaxing enough to get back to sleep (usually I'll just drink a half bottle of Boost Plus or something - not the best solution, because it has a lot of sugar, but it's quick and since I don't have to chew I don't wake up so much. Plus it's quick). So eating/drinking more may be something to try. (when I had my tachychardia, it was in my twin pregnancy, and was caused merely by my body working so hard to get nutrients to the babies; though my resting heartrate was elevated during all my waking hours). I have no idea what the benadryl and I don't think I'd be too comfortable with that idea as a long-term solution - it sounds more like he just is trying to get you some sleep rather than deal with checking on the underlying issue.

I'll try & see if I can get into my pcm. Military insurance is so fickle & since they approved me for off post care idk if I'll be allowed back on base until I'm released for it.

I could make a trip to the e.r. if I can't I suppose, that's covered no matter what..hmm.