Heart skips .. feels like I'm falling??

TroynCAli · Post by **TroynCAli** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 9:35 am

Hey everyone! I've been lurking for quite a while and find this forum a great help when I am dealing with my anxiety. It helps to know there are others out there dealing with the same issues. For the past 4 years I've been dealing with my physical symptoms, otherwise known as my descent into hell, but there is one I don't read about that much so wondered if others have had this happen to them...

This usually happens just as I'm falling asleep. When I'm almost to the point of drifting off to sleep I get that same rush that it feels like when you are dreaming that you are falling. It actually takes my breath away and it's just for one second. It's actually a very scary feeling. Almost feels like you are suddenly floating as if you are leaving your body or are going to pass out.

About 2 years ago I figured out what is actually happening. When I was obsessed with my heartrate I had my finger on my pulse and all of a sudden as I'm counting the beats my pulse stopped. Just for one second and I got that same dropping, rush or falling feeling. You almost become light headed and as I said it's the same rush you would feel as if you were falling in a dream. It really takes your breath away and for that second you feel like you are floating almost.

So of course my question is... Do others get this feeling? It pretty much isolates itself to late at night just as I'm falling to sleep.

This program has really challenged me not to FREAK about symptoms and I've come a long way but it's always nice to get some assurance that maybe someone else deals with it as well.

I won't lie... I hate the thought that my heart is literally stopping and then starting again. I still worry sometimes I have some fatal heart problem because when I first started dealing with Panic and Anxiety my heart would race for hours freaking me out. I was one of those minute by minute pulse checkers. I've done fantastic over the last 4 years controling that obsession, but still our minds try very hard to get us all freaked about things.

Thanks to all those who take the time to respond.

jbzelliott · Post by **jbzelliott** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 2:47 am

Hi, I've had that feeling when fallng asleep. I don't think your heart stops; it just skips a beat. That happens all the time, but most people don't notice it. The cardiologist (who I went to see because of my heart-related body symptoms) calls them GOKs. God only knows why they happen, but they are not harmful. I hope this gives you some comfort.

If you haven't had a heart check-up, I would encourage you to have one just to ease your mind.

altj · Post by **altj** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 9:33 am

im so glad someone posted this feeling. i have the same thing happen to me usually when im falling asleep. i will usually feel for my heart beat and wont feel it then jump out of bed then my heart will start to race. its a really awful feeling and i wish it would go away

carson · Post by **carson** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 7:51 am

My heart feels like it skips beats and also it feels like it jumps up
in my throat. I know it sounds crazy.

*D* · Post by ***D*** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 8:10 am

DO THE BREATING EXERCISE BEFORE YOU GO TO BED AND DO NOT CHECK YOUR PULSE.IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE PROBLEM GET IT CHECKED..
LAY DOWN AND BREATH DEEPLY AND RELAX AND LISTEN TO THE RELAXITATION CD WHILE IN BED. IT HELPS. TAKE CARE AND HOPE IT HELPED. GOD BLESS.
DON
ONCE I HAD MY PULSE TAKEN. THEY HAVE TO FEEL FOR IT AND THEN DO IT .AND THEN CAN'T FIND IT AND THERE IT IS...

Deborah Henry · Post by **Deborah Henry** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 2:00 pm

You are probably having heart palpitations. They are not harmful, but you should have your heart checked just to be sure that it is only anxiety. My problems with anxiety started that way 3.5 years ago. While lying in bed trying to fall asleep, I could feel my heart pounding and racing, and even skip beats. It totally freaked me out, made me very scared and fed my anxiety. Eventually I began to have panic attacks, even in the middle of the night. I had to go on medication and it did alleviate the symptoms. I now realize that my fear was causing those symptoms and causing my panic attacks. I agree with the deep breathing. Definitely do the relaxation cd before bed. Cut out all stimulants in your diet - caffeine, chocolate, sugar, etc.

Debbie