Feel like my heart might stop in Sleep. Also strange sensations

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My issue for maybe 5 years now is that i feel like when im sleeping my heart may stop, so i wake up in a panic and then concentrate until im ok, usually like 10 seconds.

Recently my bottom stomach muscle was also going really tense as i fall asleep, like as if my stomach went hard or bloated.

2 weeks ago i woke up with a numb left hand, and tingles in my arm, face, and a bit in my leg, all the left side. I ended up in A and E, having tests, an MRI etc, and all came back clear.

Since then i have had tingles all over which seem to have gone now. I have weak legs when i think about it, and my both wrists are now sore and forearms, like i have been lifting something. Also still a little numbness feeling in my left hand.

I have worried about all the possibilities, and i think its likely i may have some trapped nerve, but it could also just be the anxiety.

Can anxiety cause sore forearms and wrists, and also like a slight loss of control in the little finger. I know when i stress about it, i get a foggy head, racing heart and giddyness, im trying to figure out if i have an arm issue or is it all just anxiety. My doctor tested for carpal tunnel too ( im a software developer) but that was clear too, and when i left the doctors i felt ok for 10 mins.

I dont know its is so weird what the mind can do.

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2 Replies

  • Posted

    yes it’s amazing the symptoms that anxiety can cause and how the brain is tied into the whole thing! your symptoms are very common with anxiety. anxiety and stress take a huge toll on the body and it’s not surprising that you have the sore for arms and wrists. The MRI was normal which is huge! The main thing is don’t overthink all of this because the symptoms can get worse. That’s because when you overthink you’re telling your brain that something is wrong and the brain will believe whatever you tell it. So it’s important to just work on anxiety management. Speak with a counselor because this is difficult to do alone. I do virtual appointments once a week and it works great! Do things that make you laugh and smile. Or that bring you joy. go for a nice walk and enjoy nature, spend time with family and friends, etc.

    the other thing is that your heart will definitely not stop in your sleep! That’s not how it works. The heart is an automatic function and will not stop just because you have anxiety. You can completely relax about that! Focus on the positive things. I do hope you feel better soon. Take care

  • Edited

    I too suffer from extreme health anxiety. my symptoms are blurry vision, lightheadedness, numb toes, numb hands and arms, hot areas, cold toes sometimes and dry mouth. they all very in intensity and sometimes they don't happen at all. I always felt like it a blood flow problem. My therapist has diagnosed my with GAD. it all started with a deer tick bite four months ago. first I thought it was lyme then diabetes ,heart, ms, now multiple myeloma. numerous tests, mri, brain scan. and nothing wrong. normal bloodwork all good, waiting for protein bloodwork to come back. that is the big one. tried anxiety meds, made symptoms worse. health anxiety sucks.

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