HEALTH I had a VERY bad night last night

[FaithfulSkeptic]

Don't take that crap (tramadol). For some it does more harm than good. They gave that to my son after a surgery and it made him feel weird and sick. So, what did they do? They gave him another opioid to help with the sick feeling. A couple days of that and we opted out of all of them and just stuck with Tylenol.

As for the crappy night sleep, the pain will surely do that along with thinking about it too much. I currently have an L3/L4 & sacrum problem they're diagnosing and before the local anesthetic/steroid poke, I couldn't sleep for sh*t. No position comfortable = crappy night sleep. Said injection is wearing off and it's coming back. Yay!

In your case, I'd recommend a sleeping aid. You might still be sore in the morning, but it may help keep you from waking during the night worrying about it. Either a couple strong beers or some melatonin.

 

[Jackpine Savage]

No medical insurance (or paying work) now. Can’t afford it.

Dennis, have you looked at getting Obamacare? When you have a life changing event like losing a job I think you can enroll during the year. The last spending bill just added dollars to the tax credits so it could be more affordable. It looks like Texans use the federal site. Get 2021 health coverage. Health Insurance Marketplace®

 

[Dennis Olson]

are you eating anything with MSG in it?

No.

Most meds takes take 4-6 weeks. I have taken tramadol, and the only symptom I had was bubble guts. I am 42 and I am not sensitive to meds at all.

Depends on tolerance. Over the past 5-10 years, I’ve been increasingly sensitive to opioids. I react poorly to them and that has been accelerating over that period. And something like Vicodin? Forget it.

 

[Dennis Olson]

Dennis, have you looked at getting Obamacare?

No. I make too much money (at least I did last year.) I couldn’t qualify for subsidized care.

 

[Doc]

I've had heart issues for years, mainly afib. I discovered that when I was low in potassium, my afib would be worse. Besides the afib, I would have a pounding heart at night that would keep me awake, and at times, it would beat so hard that it would shake the bed. This is because the flow of potassium in and out of heart cells helps regulate your heartbeat. Low blood potassium levels can alter this flow, resulting in heart palpitations. I read that you took potassium, but different types of potassium are more effective than others. I take potassium citrate and it works for me.

 

[phloydius]

Tramadol did not work for me, but did cause all kinds of bad side effects, such as problems catching my breath, a pounding heartbeat, and an all over body shake. For me it was not a withdrawal symptom, but a side effect of taking the drug. Note, I am a odd case as Opioids do NOTHING for me.

What works for my pain is a mix of carisoprodol, pregabalin (high doses), ketoprofen, and toradol.

This probably doesn't help you, but figured I'd mention it in case it does.

 

[Dennis Olson]

Because I take furosemide, I take “prescription” potassium chloride, 10 MEQ ER x 2.

 

[hunybee]

No.


Depends on tolerance. Over the past 5-10 years, I’ve been increasingly sensitive to opioids. I react poorly to them and that has been accelerating over that period. And something like Vicodin? Forget it.

fezzik has a real big problem with Vicodin! it is severe. they gave it to him after a surgery once, and he had a bad reaction, but they were not sure if that was the reason. they gave it to him after some other medical thing another time, and thank God he was already in the ER. that went real bad real fast. he cannot have it ever again.

 

[hunybee]

Because I take furosemide, I take “prescription” potassium chloride, 10 MEQ ER x 2.

Furosemide and Gastroesophageal reflux disease - a phase IV clinical study of FDA data | eHealthMe

There are 297,001 people reported to have side effects when taking Furosemide. Among them, 3,516 (1.18%) have gastroesophageal reflux disease. These people tend to be female, 60+ old, have been taking the drug for 2 - 5 years, also take medication Nexium, and have Pain

www.ehealthme.com

Furosemide and Gastroesophageal reflux disease - a phase IV clinical study of FDA data
Summary:
Gastroesophageal reflux disease is found among people who take Furosemide, especially for people who are female, 60+ old, have been taking the drug for 1 - 2 years.
The phase IV clinical study analyzes which people take Furosemide and have Gastroesophageal reflux disease. It is created by eHealthMe based on reports of 223,688 people who have side effects when taking Furosemide from the FDA, and is updated regularly.
Phase IV clinical trials are used to detect and monitor side effects and drug interactions. Before they could be run only by pharma companies and the FDA because of complexity and costs. With medical big data and AI algorithms, eHealthMe now enables everyone to run phase IV clinical trial. Start now.


Number of Furosemide and Gastroesophageal reflux disease reports submitted per year:

Time on Furosemide when people have Gastroesophageal reflux disease *:

• < 1 month: 12.65 %
• 1 - 6 months: 18.67 %
• 6 - 12 months: 9.64 %
• 1 - 2 years: 21.08 %
• 2 - 5 years: 19.88 %
• 5 - 10 years: 10.24 %
• 10+ years: 7.83 %

Furosemide Side Effects: Common, Severe, Long Term

Learn about the side effects of furosemide, from common to rare, for consumers and healthcare professionals.

www.drugs.com

maybe something to do with it?

 

[Jackpine Savage]

No. I make too much money (at least I did last year.) I couldn’t qualify for subsidized care.

Like I say, they just added more dollars in the last spending bill and reopened enrollment. Might be worth a look.

 

[et2]

Just putting it here for thought. When I had CV19 one of the symtoms was a rapid heavy heartbeat & palpitations. The palpitations went on for some time ... off and on for months.

I know you just received the vaccine. Maybe it’s your body reacting to it. Maybe you were exposed to the CV19 and your body is responding to it.

 

[hunybee]

Just putting it here for thought. When I had CV19 one of the symtoms was a rapid heavy heartbeat & palpitations. The palpitations went on for some time ... off and on for months.

I know you just received the vaccine. Maybe it’s your body reacting to it. Maybe you were exposed to the CV19 and your body is responding to it.

hmm...that is actually a valid thing to at least contemplate. good point.

 

[Squib]

Praying for you, Dennis.

 

[hunybee]

dennis, i really hope you are able to get this all figured out. the poor sleep becomes like the chicken and egg. one begets the other. if you don't get good sleep, lots of other things start to happen. those other things lead to poor sleep. and on and on it goes.

 

[Dennis Olson]

My ECG showed a normal sinus rhythm @ 60-65 bpm. Evidently the “pounding” was just perceived. Again, my pulse-ox meter showed 98% and 65 bpm.

 

[Walrus Whisperer]

Valerian root capsules before bed can greatly decrease worry and anxiety.

That stuff smells like rotting cat pee

 

[Dennis Olson]

That stuff smells like rotting cat pee

I’m sorry, but I don’t drink Budweiser...

 

[Kathy in FL]

Praying for you and a couple of thoughts ...

Tramadol makes me feel like I'm having a severe panic attack. I dream horribly. I get the sweats. My heart races and then slows way down and pounds like it wants to come out of my chest. My BP is freaking all over the place. I cannot take opioids or epinephrine for the same reason. Going to the dentist for anything other than a teeth cleaning is a miserable experience for me.

Dennis, watch out for that crap. It takes me days to recover when I've had a bad reaction to some type of med. The older I get the more like my mom I become in terms of her reaction to medications. Praying for you. Being anxious over your current circumstances is not going to help either. I can't tell you to stop worrying but you need to find something that will help you at least put it to the side for a bit at a time. Maybe take some action such as start the application process for disability, find something "active" you can do even if it is just walking to the end of the driveway and back, knock one or two things off of your to-do list and then have a mental celebration, etc. Also, employing relaxation techniques could help with the feelings of anxiety. I know it sounds corny but it can help.

And the idea that you could be experiencing some latent Covid19 reaction from the vaccine isn't unreasonable either.

 

[quar]

No.


Depends on tolerance. Over the past 5-10 years, I’ve been increasingly sensitive to opioids. I react poorly to them and that has been accelerating over that period. And something like Vicodin? Forget it.

You may want to have your live and kidneys checked. That is where it is metabolize.

 

[ShyGirl]

I hate to even write this because of all the different diagnosis being given here which could all be wrong but I get this very often and it scares the shit out of me. Here lately I have been chalking it up to anxiety. I wake up in the middle of the night with my heart pounding and feeling very anxious and afraid.

Some background info; I have always had heart arrhythmias of some type. From the time I was a kid I had Supra Ventricular Tachycardia and my heart would zoom up to over 200 and sometimes last for a hour or 2 especially when I was already stressed with life events like during my divorce or job loss. Doctors said it wasn't really life threatening but could put a real strain on my heart as I aged. When I was about 50 I had RF ablation to stop the tachycardia which pretty much did the trick. These attacks at night are not the same and the heart rate is definitely not as fast but it is a heavy, slightly elevated beat and I am not dizzy like the other tachycardia would make me. Was told that my heart was beating so fast that the blood didn't have enough time to keep me oxygenated.

I also have a gastric bypass and GERD. I cannot sleep on my back so I usually sleep on my left side. I am almost sure it is anxiety. I know most of you would not agree with my treatment and that is ok, but for me it works. I take a Xanax and lay back down until it calms down and I can go back to sleep. I have always been overly sensitive so I would not suggest this to anyone else. I do think that for me, sometimes I have to break the cycle in my head that is telling me I'm dying so I can get out of the panic attack and relax.

 

[FireDance]

I would use the pain regimen Dobbin suggested for awhile. See what happens.

Tramadol is not my favorite drug although I have never taken it to my knowledge.

 

[etdeb]

This is exactly what I have and my acupuncture doctor said its scar tissue from gastric surgery in 1993 near Vagus nerve. I can go months with no occurrence or have multiple attacks in hours. It depends on movements that effect the scar near the nerve.
Sleeping I can turn over from one side to the other. I can bend over too long or too often. I can sit hunched over too long.
The doctor proved this to me by placing a needle in a certain spot beside the nerve and it caused immediate attack. Heart pounding sensation, short or breath ect. I have Chinese herb pills that I put under my tongue to dissolve and it stops it. Taste like creosote but its worth it because it works everytime.

 

[Mrsmonty]

This is exactly what I have and my acupuncture doctor said its scar tissue from gastric surgery in 1993 near Vagus nerve. I can go months with no occurrence or have multiple attacks in hours. It depends on movements that effect the scar near the nerve.
Sleeping I can turn over from one side to the other. I can bend over too long or too often. I can sit hunched over too long.
The doctor proved this to me by placing a needle in a certain spot beside the nerve and it caused immediate attack. Heart pounding sensation, short or breath ect. I have Chinese herb pills that I put under my tongue to dissolve and it stops it. Taste like creosote but its worth it because it works everytime.

Chinese herb pills...name please and where to get them if you can.
My adult son has GERD and suffers anxiety attacks at nite.
His doctor prescribed xanax low dose to be taken only when necessary but I would like to suggest alternatives.

 

[Mary Contrary]

My husband had a horrible time after taking Tramadol and he wasn't on it long. Quite possible you were having an anxiety attack, sure sounds like one.

Sounds like panic attack. In the years past I had them out of the blue resting nice in bed. They come on fast. Whole body shaking and teeth chattering. Heart racing and pounding. Haven't had em in 6 yrs.

 

[intothatgoodnight]

Point is, there was nothing physiologically wrong with me.

I may have missed your response, elsewhere.

Have you had a COMPLETE workup by a cardiologist - to include a stress test? Echo cardiogram? Any MRI studies? Other?

Dennis - you are at that age where a cardio problem can develop - perhaps slowly over some number of months or years - avail yourself of the fabulous magic that a skilled cardiologist can bring to bear, if need be. Today's cardio folks have a multitude of great treatment options, pharmaceuticals, easily implemented stents and valve replacements, and implantable devices - the last ten years has made many heart conditions quite treatable/manageable/survivable, with a good to great future prognosis.

Time is the potential enemy, however.

The sooner that cardio problems are identified, if any, the sooner an effective treatment can begin, and the earlier any slowly developing cardio damages can be stopped/effectively managed.


intothegoodnight

 

[willowlady]

Don’t know about electrolytes. Water intake yesterday was about 64 ozs over the course of awake-time. Took two potassium supps over the course of the day.

You might have gotten too much potassium into your system. Just like many other things, too little or too much can cause serious problems.

 

[willowlady]

You may want to have your live and kidneys checked. That is where it is metabolize.

If your kidneys are acting up, excess potassium can kill you. Reduced kidney function inhibits the ability of the kidney to get rid of potassium. Before my kidneys went south I used to take potassium, too. Not anymore.

 

[Dennis Olson]

I had everything except a stress test. I’ll talk to the VA doc about it.

 

[Galoutofdixie]

Dennis, if you don't have one, get a blood pressure monitor. Check your pressure twice a day, and keep track of it. And of course when you're having these weird symptoms like you've been having. You may begin to see a pattern. The wrist ones are easy to use, and there are some pretty good prices on the Omron ones on Amazon. Also, next time this happens, check your blood sugar. Day or night. Diabetics often dip very low at night while sleeping. Hence the use of insulin pumps for a lot of folks. That's just my uneducated guess. I get similar symptoms to yours at night, at about 2 or 3 in the morning, but I am usually up and awake, as I'm a night owl. My symptoms are usually do to my blood pressure either spiking/or about to spike. Sometimes my heart rate goes up as well, but sometimes it doesn't. I don't have Afib. Just, hard to control BP. I take 4 different meds, and have clonodine on hand in case I have a huge spike that my regular meds aren't handling. I only take the clonodine kind of as an emergency med. Good luck to you. I also live alone, and it's scary when things aren't feeling right, even without a couple of pups to worry over. Good luck, and take care.

Edited to add: Also as you mentioned you take Potassium, if your levels are either to low, or to high, that can cause similar symptoms. Potassium levels are a pretty tight and finite range, and when taking a water pill can get out of that range pretty fast.

 

[Bones]

Take 1mg Xanax/alprazolam.

I'd be done dead and long gone by now, had I not gotten that tool on my toolbox to use as needed. Anxiety attacks are inexplicable, and will make you believe you're dying.

Ask your Dr for a script of 1 x 1mg/day. When you sleep well, most everything else can function correctly. Anxiety is the devil.

 

[ShyGirl]

Dennis,
What instruments do you use to monitor your heartrate, O2 and blood pressure? I've been thinking that it might make me feel mentally better if I could monitor my responses better. I've spent most of my life having my heart bound all around and fearing what was happening.

 

[Dennis Olson]

I have an Apple Watch series 4 as well as a finger pulse-ox meter. I use an older ReliOn 780-REL arm cuff blood pressure device. I recently picked up a contour nextOne blood glucose meter.

Current bp is 129/75 pulse 65.

 

[Redcat]

Dennis, please don't take this wrong, I am just curious why you take Tramadol? It's definately not a nice drug and maybe the VA doctor will switch you to something else?

My honest (but I don't play a doctor even on TV) opinion is you're having anxiety attacks. Your life situation has changed dramatically with the job insecurity. It's only reasonable that you are stressed. See what the doctor says.

 

[joannita]

Since I started taking ginger pills in the AM, my acid reflux has vanished.

 

[Dennis Olson]

I take it on an “as needed” basis for deep hip and/or knee pain (left leg). Sometimes I don’t take it for a month or more, while at other times (like this past week) two nights out of three. If I don’t, I’m writhing in pain all night.

 

[summerthyme]

Dennis... make sure whoever you see is aware of your recent surgery. Etdeb is right on that the vagus nerve can cause all sorts of interesting symptoms. It could be part, or all, of your issues, especially as you seem to have a clean bill of cardiac health.

Summerthyme

 

[Texican]

No medical insurance (or paying work) now. Can’t afford it.

Dennis,

If this happens again, a quick checkup is warranted.

Do you have the dollars for your funeral? The number of guys that are buried due to their own stupidity is unknown, but greater than we believe.

Texican....

 

[Dennis Olson]

I don’t need dollars for my funeral. I won’t care at that point.

Let’s say that I call EMS one night. The ride to the hospital and the ER stay would cost $5-$10,000. I don’t have that, and at this point can’t be saddled with a medical bill of that size.

 

[Oscar Wilde]

I had a small snack at about 9:30 pm. Went to bed at 11.

Yeah, don't do this. If you get a hankerin for somethin drink a glass of water ... yeah I know, then ya gotta get up later ....
and speaking of which, what color is your urine (rhetorical)?

If ya just gotta, chew on a bite size chunk of roast, swallow the juice and when the flavor is gone spit it out.

O.W.

 

[Sid Vicious]

Try this for a week. Eat greens for dinner (i.e. salad). Don't eat heavy. Drink a liquid IV once a day for electrolytes, and drink plenty of water otherwise. Do a little yoga (DDPY works real good).