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What Causes Palpitations On Lying Down Straight?

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Posted on Fri, 26 Sep 2014
Question: Hi
My name is XXXX and I keep getting this uneasy feeling in my chest it's worse when I lie down and it usually affects me at night. I have had palpitations in the past but was told nothing to worry about. This started when I took an anti depressant my muscles started to spasm and I got a ice cold feeling in my chest that then seemed to travel down my arms it felt like I had been given and intravenous drip of ice. My doctor seems to think I have a thyroid problem as my pulse rate is quite slow at times and my temperatures are also low but my tests have come back ok. This feeling is quite frightening do you have any ideas
doctor
Answered by Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (49 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Hello

Detailed Answer:
Good day,
Noted your concern.
Let me tell you first that, palpitation on lying down straight and on your left is quite common and normal. This is more so when one is anxious and observe their body more than usual.
I would like to know what antidepressant you are using and would appreciate if you could attach the Thyroid function reports. You have mentioned about thyroid medications. Are you on Synthroid? what dose?
Would appreciate a reply
Regards XXXXXXX
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (1 hour later)
I was on Zoloft I don't have my thyroid results but was told my autoimmune function was good also t3 and rt3 not sure about t4 but I think they where within the normal range. The medication for my thyroid is thyroid USP 90mg I take 60 in the morning and 30 at night. I refused to try any other anti depressants. And although I do get anxious at times I am not anxious when this happens but it makes me anxious when it won't go away.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (5 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Hi

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for the reply,
Zoloft doesn't cause the symptoms which you mentioned. . Since Thyroid blood work is normal, that too is not responsible for the symptoms.

It may be worthwhile to do an ECG ( EKG). I noticed that you are not anxious when these symptoms start. But often the panic episode starts like this. We get a rushing feeling in chest and cold feeling in hands. Some people get "butterflies in stomach" kind of sensations. This is a trigger which is followed by anxiety. From the description I feel this is part of your depression itself. Anxiety co exists with depression. You may have to discuss this with your psychiatrist.
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai

Endocrinologist

Practicing since :2003

Answered : 1439 Questions

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What Causes Palpitations On Lying Down Straight?

Brief Answer: Hello Detailed Answer: Good day, Noted your concern. Let me tell you first that, palpitation on lying down straight and on your left is quite common and normal. This is more so when one is anxious and observe their body more than usual. I would like to know what antidepressant you are using and would appreciate if you could attach the Thyroid function reports. You have mentioned about thyroid medications. Are you on Synthroid? what dose? Would appreciate a reply Regards XXXXXXX