Rapid Sternum Tapping

[grounded]

Ok this one makes me think I’m losing my mind. Not every night but it’s happened at least half a dozen times now where I’ll wake up due to feeling like someone is hard-tapping on the bottom of my sternum, frequency of about 5 Hz, for a few seconds. I also sometimes wake up sometimes with a mild soreness toward the bottom of my lungs, in the same area under the lowest part of my sternum.

Anyone have any clue what the heck is happening with my chest here?

[rcobourn]

Ok this one makes me think I’m losing my mind. Not every night but it’s happened at least half a dozen times now where I’ll wake up due to feeling like someone is hard-tapping on the bottom of my sternum, frequency of about 5 Hz, for a few seconds. I also sometimes wake up sometimes with a mild soreness toward the bottom of my lungs, in the same area under the lowest part of my sternum.

Anyone have any clue what the heck is happening with my chest here?

I'm thinking you're pregnant, but my physician spouse says arrhythmia. She's a psychiatrist though, so you might just be crazy.

[rcobourn]

If you do suspect arrhythmia, consider purchasing one of these:

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07RQW6SD5/ ... kFbD8K8NKW

[rcobourn]

Oh, you haven't recently examined any alien eggs, have you?

[Julie]

I wonder if a doctor might know the answer... or is that too silly?

[kteague]

Interesting. Especially since you say it happens at night. Is it only in one position? I have a hiatal hernia that causes weird sensations in the area you describe. If you do find out what it is, please do let us know. I'm curious. Oh, and if I were you I'd listen to a doctor before listening to me.

[grounded]

If you do suspect arrhythmia, consider purchasing one of these:

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07RQW6SD5/ ... kFbD8K8NKW

I have an Apple Watch with a built-in ECG. When awake it shows sinus rhythm. Maybe I'll start sleeping with it on....

[grounded]

Oh, you haven't recently examined any alien eggs, have you?

Well yeah, sure, had a harrowing experience with this big mouth grabbing on to my head for a bit but judging by my huge appetite now I say I'm just fine....

[grounded]

I'm thinking you're pregnant

This is gunna be a tough one to explain to my wife & daughters. I want my money back for that vasectomy!

[CynthiaR]

I'm thinking arrhythmia too. An electronic monitor would be good. You can also easily monitor your heart beats by putting a finger on your temple, right in front of the bump at the front of your ear. The heart beat can be easily felt there.

[rcobourn]

If you do suspect arrhythmia, consider purchasing one of these:

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07RQW6SD5/ ... kFbD8K8NKW

I have an Apple Watch with a built-in ECG. When awake it shows sinus rhythm. Maybe I'll start sleeping with it on....

Good idea. The fancier version of the Kardia can supposedly emulate a six-wire ECG as opposed to the three-wire of the Apple Watch, for whatever that's worth.

[Janknitz]

If you do suspect arrhythmia, consider purchasing one of these:

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07RQW6SD5/ ... kFbD8K8NKW

I have an Apple Watch with a built-in ECG. When awake it shows sinus rhythm. Maybe I'll start sleeping with it on....

I've heard several stories now about Apple Watches flagging cardiac arrhythmias. Go into your watch app on your iPhone and select "Heart Health". There's a button you have to use to permit the the watch to flag irregular rhythms. However, even if your watch isn't flagging these events, you should contact your doctor. Not sure how reliable the watch is, especially in Series 3 and below.

[Julie]

And in any case, what happens when you're awake may have little bearing on when you're asleep (or just woken up).

[grounded]

So now I’m experiencing a mild but sharp pain right under my sternum when I inhale deeply. Nothing to do with the heart obviously. It’s almost as if my diaphragm is sore. I’m seeing most every night my ResMed going to a pressure level of 20 several times at least. Could that be injuring the diaphragm?

[rcobourn]

So now I’m experiencing a mild but sharp pain right under my sternum when I inhale deeply. Nothing to do with the heart obviously. It’s almost as if my diaphragm is sore. I’m seeing most every night my ResMed going to a pressure level of 20 several times at least. Could that be injuring the diaphragm?

Are you having unusual belching or flatulence? You might be swallowing air when your pressure gets high.