Hello doctor,I am preparing for a competitive exam. For the last one year, I can hear my heartbeat (initially all the time) later mostly when I try to sleep. I have since started yoga, running, which helped me tremendously, but for a couple of months, I have not gotten back to running (with the exam approaching, in fact, I have one on day after tomorrow) and whenever I try to sleep, I cannot because I can hear my heartbeat. I am also worried about not getting enough sleep before the exam. Last year, the doctor prescribed an anti-anxiety tablet but I did not take, took up yoga, meditation instead. I have Melzap .25 (prescribed to my father by a doctor). I do not want to take it without the expert's advice.
Hello. You are possibly describing palpitation (when you are able to feel your heartbeat). It may be related to excessive anxiety. It is not uncommon for stress and anxiety to increase when you are preparing for a competitive exam. You are already following the right approach- yoga, running, regular exercise helps. You can also try a progressive muscle relaxation exercise. It may take 5 to 10 minutes. You can try it twice a day during the exam period. Avoid too much coffee, tea, and soft drinks. It can make your anxiety worse. Ensure you drink enough water, eat regularly and sleep enough. Melzap .25 (Clonazepam) can be used for a short term used to manage anxiety. It should not be taken for a longer period. It can make you feel drowsy sometimes. So do not take it for the first time just before exam day. Try it earlier and see whether it helps. Do not use Melzap regularly. Also, you mentioned marginally increased thyroid. Is T3, T4 increased or TSH increased? It is better to get it checked since hyperthyroidism itself can cause palpitations.