paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea?

I am 39 y old male and i experienced strange episode few weeks ago never happened to me befoe. I did wake up with a feeling that my lings are gone. I wasn't even able to gasp air. It was feeling like one feels when does fell flat on ground and is breathless a few seconds. I had same feelings and it did resolved after some 10 - 15 seconds and then my ability to breath fully returned.

Should i go doctor ASAP cause probable health failure? I feel myself pretty good, but i did read that paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea is quiet firm sign of heart failure.

I also have a reflux disease, i burp often, i have post nasal drip and i experienced quiet severe pitting edema in legs 4 years ago when i was taking NSAID's.

[gmachris518]

With all of the symptoms you have, YES see a doctor, ASAP.

The Reflux, alone, is reason enough to seek medical advice.  The swelling is indicative of Congestvie Heart Failure, but can also be caused by the NSAIDs.  

In any event, if you think you need to see a doctor, then most likely you do need to, so don't hesitate.

I hope this helps.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
From the symptoms that you have mentioned definitely paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea needs to be ruled out. It is true that major ones are the cardiac and pulmonary causes. Cardiac or pulmonary causes include an accumulation of fluid in either the lung tissue (pleural effusion) or around the heart itself. Other causes are anemia, anxiety, asthma or chronic bronchitis.

You need to get an urgent ECG, lung function tests, chest X-ray and CT scan and an evaluation of the oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the blood. I suggest you to consult a physician and get it done.
It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[regula22]

Lyme disease diagnosed, it is chronic and exists probably since 2006. Also going to antidepressants EKG showed arrhythmias, going to echo.

[regula22]

Did get 2 diagnosis today from EKG, one i did expected and one i did not...

I had Lyme disease since 2006 november and treated it recently with antibiotics, so diagnosis of right bundle branch block is was not surprise to me since heart block is one of Lyme symptom and it should reverse after treatment. I mentioned it to cardiologist but he shook head and did not believed it will reverse after 5 years, he said it is (or may be) caused by scarring that developed from Lyme myocarditis  (which is EXTREMELY rare!).

But Sick Sinus Syndrome is from another world. First i did read that it cannot be diagnosed by one EKG only but it does need more thorough inquiry, secondary he did mentioned it only once while it is serious disease and third is that Lyme can mime Sick Sinus Syndrome (i knew it, but since Lyme carditis is very rare maybe he did not?), and i have slow heart beat (asymptomatic bradycardia) when resting, i knew it, i monitored it myself over months and  that developed during my long fitness training (half a year now) that includes 25-40 km and sometimes more bicycle riding on day. I TOLD HIM that i did everyday training and i am fit...still there remains diagnosis of Sick Sinus Syndrome i had never felt or suspected...

Whats going on?! Should i be afraid, should i be question diagnosis, should i get another cardiologist...

I did indeed had to pauses heart rhythm during EKG but is that enough for diagnosis, also do EKG show scarring of tissue? Why he did not send me further test like holter, stress test or ehho?