How Does Wearing a Cardiac Event Monitor Affect Insomnia?

During a recent visit to a cardiologist, the doctor asked me to wear a cardiac event monitor for 2 weeks. I knew it was going to be an annoyance, but I did not know how much of an annoyance it truly would be.

Cardiac event monitors are large enough to be in the way

The cardiac event monitor I am currently wearing is about the size of a key fob. It clicks into a port that is several inches long, making it even larger. It isn't terribly large, but it still seems in the way at times.

The strip it is attached to and the monitor is worn 24 hours a day and only removed to change the strip, if needed. The monitor is waterproof so it isn't even removed to shower. It's always there, and its presence is bothersome.

The adhesive strips are agitating

The strip is really stuck on there. The adhesive is strong enough that when I removed the first strip it took a bit of skin with it. Because of how strong the adhesive is, if I move in a way that catches the monitor on something it pulls the skin underneath it.

I toss and turn all night long almost every night. Every time I moved and tugged at the monitor, it woke me. I can feel the pulling on my skin, and every time I feel it I end up wide awake. It also itches around the edges and attempting to scratch without curling up the sides of the strip is tricky enough that it isn't very effective.

Fixating on keeping it securely attached keeps me awake

I have been so focused on not knocking it loose or pulling it off that I am fixated on it and cringe every time I feel the pulling. It wakes me even more often than normal. Every time I move, I feel it and instinctively check to make sure it is still secure.

Taking the time to check that the strip hasn't come loose in any area and it hasn't pulled the monitor out of the port requires me to be alert enough that I can't go right back to sleep. I have to check the phone wirelessly connected to the monitor because it alerts you if the strip isn't making good contact. Once I see the light on the phone, I am fully awake.

Discomfort keeps me awake

This monitor is a minor annoyance much of the time, but I have found it to be very disruptive to my sleep. I'm a side and stomach sleeper and most of my normal sleeping positions tug, pull, or put pressure on the monitor.

Sleeping in my normal positions causes discomfort. Putting pressure on the monitor digs into my chest. It also risks accidentally pressing the alert button in the center of the monitor. Tugging pulls at the skin and sometimes feels like it’s tearing the skin underneath the strip.

Being mindful of the monitor makes it harder to sleep

Trying to make sure I don't accidentally pull the strip loose or dislodge the monitor has caused me to lose a lot more sleep than normal. It has been a real pain in the rear. I hope to get a bit more sleep once I can remove it.

Have you ever had to wear a cardiac event monitor? How did it affect your sleep? I would love to hear about your experience.