My ongoing issues - Night sweats and AFIB - SleepyHead chart attached

[MyronH]

My first post here and short history. I'm 45yo, and started APAP on 8/3/2017. (ResMed Airsense 10 AutoSet). I have a history of some type of anxiety/panic attacks that happen during my sleep, which caused my heart rate to go up to 100-130bpm or so. This was somewhat "cured" by starting APAP therapy, but then back on 8/28, I woke up with racing HR and found I was in AFIB for the first time. Went to the E.R. where they confirmed I was in AFIB. Got put on Multaq(Anti-rhythm) and Bystolic(Beta Blocker) drug, and was sleeping great all month until last night again.

Last night, around 2:50am, woke up with night sweats, and caught myself breathing in/out faster then normal to catch my breath. Heart rate seemed higher but i didnt take my pulse. Then it felt like I was going to have one of my usual "anxiety/panic" attacks. I took off my mask, and got out of bed to calm down. Then went back to bed no problem until i woke up at my usual time.

Has anyone else experienced any type of "anxiety/panic" attacks like this in their sleep only? 
My doctors, including my Primary Doctor, and Sleep Doctor don't seem to know what is going on. My sleep doctor just says if my AHI is below 5, I am doing "great". I am frustrated and about to look for another doctor.

I am looking at my results using SleepyHead, and nothing really stands out to me, what could be causing the issue. 
As you can see in the screenshot, I stopped the machine twice at night, around 2:52am and 3:09am since I was not feeling well, and had this weird "anxiety/panic" feeling.

The only thing I see are two Hyponea events at 2:20am and 2:28am, which is close to the time of 2:52am when I was jolted awake with racing heart issue and anxiety attack.

[MyronH]

See screenshots of my results last night.

[PaulaO2]

We need more info from your SH reports. Follow this:
http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php...ganization (ignore the flying bats, sigh)

If you cannot post image links yet, this is how to get around that:
http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread-...New-Member

There are several things that could be going on. Bad dream you don't remember is one. Looking at more of the graphs would help determine what is happening. When you organize the graphs, include the respiratory rate one, please.

[SuperSleeper]

MODERATOR NOTE:

MyronH -- I merged your two threads together (this one is now merged with the one you posted in the Software Support Forum).  I also deleted the posts that were duplicates and two replies that we not relevant.

[kiwii]

Has anyone else experienced any type of "anxiety/panic" attacks like this in their sleep only? 

Yes, but only in relation to childhood trauma(s) that I cannot remember.

If not for a witness questioning me, I wouldn't have known that anything had happened to me (other than random emotional/ptsd things happening, and weird 'panic attacks' during the night).

[MyronH]

Here is the updated screenshot re-arranged. I will try to post to an image site later if still needed.


Also I had a complete cardiac physical and nuclear threadmill test in August and it was all good. My doctor ruled out anything cardiac related, except for the one AFIB episode I had. Otherwise, in the past, I've always had some issues with Tachycardia, especially at night in my sleep. I thought my APAP was helping for a couple of weeks, then had that AFIB episode. Then even after on AFIB medicine, still had an episode last night.

It's very frustrating. I just want to sleep in peace every night.

[kiwii]

Myron, is it possible that the heart rate being up may be the cause of the anxiety rather than the other way around? Perhaps the elevated heart rate is being perceived by your brain as a need to escape from something? Please forgive me if I've misunderstood the direction of your initial question. Evidence of some heart conditions (like PSVT) might only be seen/documented with long term monitoring.

[trish6hundred]

Hi MyronH,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
Hopefully, you find out what's causing your panicky feeling, and AFIB; good luck on your quest for better sleep.
Hang in there for help with interpreting your graphs.

[MyronH]

Myron, is it possible that the heart rate being up may be the cause of the anxiety rather than the other way around? Perhaps the elevated heart rate is being perceived by your brain as a need to escape from something? Please forgive me if I've misunderstood the direction of your initial question. Evidence of some heart conditions (like PSVT) might only be seen/documented with long term monitoring.

That is quite possible. I just came back from an appointment with my primary doctor. She told me I may need to try anti anxiety medicine again. Although I was on one in the past, it never helped. Perhaps another drug would or she also mentioned yoga.

[kiwii]

There is a phone app called Calm which might be helpful.

How are you at visualization? Perhaps try communicating peace, warmth/love and healing to your heart. Maybe express gratitude for the good job it is doing.

I know it sounds silly. Somehow, when I am focusing like this, I tend to fall into a very relaxed asleep.

Anything you can do to deflate the anxiety's power/influence would be good. I remember my therapist suggesting to make something into a joke, as if it were to be put into a ridiculous context, the negative influence would be diminished. It does work. [eta: if you can get your head into the right mindset]