Protein powder and pounding heart?

fresh_start59

Four days ago, I added protein powder to my diet to increase my protein to 30 percent of my calories.

Day one: 1-scoop shake in the evening. No problem.

Day two: 1-scoop shake in the day, one in the evening. Again, no problem.

Day three: 1-scoop shake in the morning, 1-scoop in the afternoon, 1-scoop right before bed. Next morning, I woke up with a racing heart. I thought it might have been triggered by a nightmare since I don't normally get panic attacks while sleeping.

Day four: 1-scoop in the morning, 1.5-scoops at bedtime. Felt light headed and dizzy, but no pounding heart almost immediately after drinking it. Thought maybe I was coming down with something. This morning, I again woke with a racing heart. Obviously I did not get enough rest the past two nights because I ended up taking a 3-hour midday nap, which is very unusual for me.

Today: 1-scoop early evening. So far, so good, except for the pounding heart (ie: mild panic attack) I got after reading about one of the protein powder ingredients (creatine):

"According to MayoClinic.com, athletes who use creatine should undergo medical monitoring because the supplements can cause abnormal heart palpitations, dizziness, fatigue, seizures and nervousness."

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/302532-creatine-heart-palpitations/#ixzz2HS6e5wNG

BTW I'm drinking Body Fortress Super Advanced Whey Protein Power. According to the manufacturer it is a "Whey Protein Blend". It contains whey protein, crystalline taurine, glutamine (all which are listed on the front) and creatine (which is listed in much smaller print in the ingredients section.

Anyone else have similar problems with protein supplements?

Heather_Rider

Livestrong is NOT a great website.

You said you are having "panic attacks" and those, are NOT caused from protein powder. Panic Attacks are a mental disorder. I have them and have for 20 years.

If the protein powder seem to "trigger" your panic attacks because you are reading whats in them, and THAT is bothering you to the point its causing you to have these panic attacks, then stop using it... but the powder itself isnt causing it.

fresh_start59

I have dealt with panic attacks for two decades. Thankfully, the ones I get now and mild and far and few between. They tend to be triggered by stress and (sadly) exercise. It could very well lbe that I'm having some suppressed anxiety now that I'm trying to eat healthy and slowly (very, very slowly) work exercise back into my life.

Oddly enough, I've never woken up with a pounding heart, much less two days in a row. I guess that's what caused me to take a look at what I was doing differently in the hours before going to bed.

But I agree that today's pounding episode, the one after reading about creatine, was more typical of my panic attacks and, thankfully, a very short and very mild one. ;-)

Terasome

I'm not 100% but I dont think you should be taking it before bed, especially if this is the only time you are experiencing these sensations.

fresh_start59

Took a two-day break from the protein shakes. All was fine. Had one midday on day 3 and had mild heart pounding.

So ... I talked to a nurse and learned that some people (me!) are sensitive to creatine and caffeine and other stimulating substances, such as those found in Sudafed (anti-histamine).

Luckily, the creatine in the shakes is not near as bad as a cup of coffee or a Sudafed. Still, I think I'm going to shop for a protein powder with NO creatine.