Pain + Rhythm Changes When Lying on Side

[PerChance]

Hoping to see if anyone shares this strange sensation...

When I lie on my left side especially or sometimes when I'm lying on my back in a certain way, I often experience pain on the left side, particularly in the left chest.  The pain spreads toward the center of my chest ("inside" -- not in the pectoral muscles, for example).  It kindof grows into a pressure feeling, escalating until the point that my heart itself seems to be pressured or pushed upon.  The heartbeats begin to feel different, and if I check my pulse, it has immediately changed from when I was lying in a different position.  My heart seems to be struggling more than usual and the rhythm seems unpredictable.  

I've been diagnosed with PVCs and a couple of instances of V-tach in the last 7 months.  Structurally, they say my heart is great.  When I mentioned this to my cardios, they've just said it sounds like a nerve pain issue or, more simply, that we are more "aware" of our heartbeats when lying down (but that doesn't account for the pain and the sudden *change* in rhythm).  

Any similar experiences?  Thoughts?  Thank you in advance!  

Greg        

[Jordanbrooke193]

Have any of you looked into Pericarditis? I have dealt with the same chest pain when I breathe deeply in. It hasnt happened in a few years but seeing this post made me do some research just in case it happens again. If youve already ruled out Pleurisy, definitely look up Pericarditis or ask your doctor about it. By the way Im a 24 year old female who smokes. I live in Montana USA. I know no one has responded to this post in 7 years but Im sure people are still reading it because I did ☺

[tmangerino]

I was stressed at a particular time in my life when I was 20 something.  I was diagnosed with Periarditis.  Since that time I have been to ER 3 times with extreme chest pain and it is always due to stress and the lining of my chest wall is letting me know through pain.  I have a tendency to "hold things in" and my reward is chest pain. Lately it is hurting a lot, but I have a high stress job so I try not to worry about it.

[PerChance]

Thanks for the reply.  

I definitely feel there is some connection.  I also came across something mentioning the vagus nerve.  I'm going to ask my cardiologist about it on Monday, but I'm sure he'll dismiss the idea.  

I understand we feel or perceive our heart beats when lying on our sides sometimes, but I also know that (for me, at least) changes occur when I'm in certain positions and then go away when I move to another one.  Strange, I know, but it's good to hear that at least one other person can relate.  Sorry to hear you're frustrated like me though!  Good luck!

[andrea2289]

I am sorry I don't have an answer for you, BUT, this happens to me too. My rhythm can be fine and as soon as I roll on my left side, it starts flip sloppig, skipping beats, etc... but as soon as I roll back over it goes away.

I have been told this can be related to the vagus nerve but there is not a whole lot of literature out there on this. I get SO frustrated when I tell doctors that this happens to me, and their response is 'that is not possible'...I fell like saying, "I didnt ASK you if it was, I am TELLING you it happened"

Doctors always say medicine is not a perfect science when they are justifying THEIR opinions and decisions, but the when WE have ideas of our own...then it is not possible and medicine suddenly becomes a pefect science...ugh