Hmmm....you have been on the Lunesta for a few months and the heart palps just started with the flare? I know allergic reactions can happen at anytime but I really don't feel this is an allergic reaction to the Lunesta. I went and googled the side effects and adverse reactions/side effects for Lunesta and the palpitations are not one of them in the 3 sites I checked.
I am not wondering if this is not a flare but maybe endocarditis? Flu like symptoms...achiness...fatigue...all similar symptoms. Call your doc Lorster and get in to get those palps checked out. Call it one of those intuitive feelings to get into the doc.
If your heart is being affected by caffeine, and most people haave a reaction, that may be the cause. My cardiologist said, 'no more caffeine, no more chocolate'! I hate her already, but that really did it!
I have my own stethoscope and can really hear it, especially at night. (thought it was because of my resent heart valve repair,,) but my husband had his skipping beats today, after drinking DECAFE, Yes, decafe has caffeine. He also eats chocolate.
sarah
I hate when mine does this. I can especially have problems at night when I lay down and the room is very quiet. I am trying to wean myself off pred., however, I didn't think about coffee. I am pretty addicted to a very large cup each day. I better start weaning myself off.Hi Lorster
I read your post about palpitations and wanted to share this with you. I have had r/a for 21 years and I've had palps on and off for about 10 years. For the past three years I have had palps just about every day, and two cardiologists say I have an ectopic heartbeat, but that the heart is "normal." I do know that prednisone has been linked to arrythmias, and it definitelycauses me palpitations whenever I take it, so I've stopped taking prednisone. I have just started taking Lunesta, but I really don't think it causes palpitations; if anything, it's lessened them by helping me relax more.
Hope this helps. Tim
I have a benign arrythmia; I take metoprolol for it. I've had ,000 worth of tests to prove that it's an annoyance. This may sound stupid but you posted you don't have rheumy anymore. How does one get rid of this? This is all so new to me sorry if I sound like a dingbat.
I've also had some problems with palpitations, though not recently. I did the whole monitoring routine etc with the conclusion that it was benign. I'm convinced, in my case, it was just a side effect of the overall inflammation that RA causes, as is the fatigue, aches and pains, low fever, etc. It was reassuring however to go through the tests just to know that everything was OK...heartwise. (I hope). I did notice that taking NSAIDS reduced the symptoms...one reason why I think the inflammation was the source of the problem...but who really knows.
Robin: the "rheumy" Lorie referred to is her rheumatologist, not the disease...unfortunately it's easier to get rid of a doctor than an incurable illness
Alan
Thanks Alan
Now I feel like a real dingbat. lol *insert red face*
Too bad it wasn't easy to get rid of or at least can get rid of huh?
Hm.
Lori - I have sinus tach, confirmed with a 24-hour halter monitor and EKG. I was on a beta blocker for a long time (almost a decade) and a couple of years ago when we were so desperate for a diagnosis other than "depression", my wonderful hubby was reading the leaflet on my Synthroid that beta blockers were counter-indicated. We immediately stopped the beta blocker and I haven't missed it.
But I took the beta blocker because I couldn't take the pounding in my ears when I laid down, and my heart skipping around. It scares you, so I really relate. I guess it has to be part of our disease process because I have had a ECHO and some other tests, and they all come out normal for heart problems. Keep us informed.
I've had an irregular heartbeat for approx. 20 years. It was only caught on an EKG one time. It doesn't show up if I can't feel it.
It is truly unnerving to have your heart beat like a percolator
I have been taking 20 mg of propranolol, twice a day for about 18 years. One MD decided to add digoxin a while back, but all that did was raise my blood pressure and make my heart beat faster. I only tried that for about 2 months.
I have recently started Lunesta, too. Haven't noticed any more strange heart activity, but if I do, at least I'll have a clue as to what might be causing it.
Hope it gets controlled soon. It can make you crazy after a while.
Be well, Nini
K~I know I'm just learning about the B12 thing due to my personal experience; but my Aunt has been through it for many years. The heart palpatations were one of her first symtoms.
I think I'm going to be advising everyone to make sure they've been checked for this. I don't know yet if I've ever even been tested for this B12 thing before or not.....but it was one of the first things my new neruo wanted to look at.
Hope you find the cause of your problems soon. I know that's got to be scary.
Lovie - tha's really interesting because when I was told I had "inflammation anemia", I asked to be tested for the other types of anemia - lack of iron, B12 defiency, etc. I tested out very HIGH for B12, which is really abnormal. No advice about it though, but I have to agree with you to get it tested.
About 5 years ago I had some palps that drove me crazy. I felt like I do when I'm really nervous about something or like I just got done with a short jog. I had a hard time breathing at times (usually deep breaths) and I went to a cardiologists. They had me on a heart monitor for a day and did some tests but nothing came back. It went away after a bit and I haven't really had it since. I did have it about a week ago tho, not quite the same but weird pressure in my chest. It only stuck around for a few days and then left.
I drink caffeine on a pretty regular basis so I wouldn't think that would be the cause? Maybe I should use that as my official excuse to quit since I can't seem to stay away for more than a week or two...