Waking up with breathing trouble

[KodeMaster]

Hello,

When I was in the hospital last month for elevated lover counts, I had an episode of what I believe was paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea. I woke up in a total panic, unable to breathe and had to get up to breathe again. I believe it happened about four times in a row. I told the hospital staff and they repeated my chest X-ray, which came back normal both times.

I had an EKG while in the ER (before admitted) and was not told results; I assume they were OK.

Since released, I am still having breathing problems at night. I was awoken twice like I was in the hospital and also wake up but not as dramatically. The less dramatic episodes involve waking up and having to adjust my position to breathe better.

Considering my my strong family history of heart disease, should I call the doctor? Because I see the doctor for a lot of things, I don't want to bug them unnecessarily, especially since the CXR came back OK.

Please advise.

Thank you,

K

[KodeMaster]

Hi. Tomorrow I will call during my lunch for the results. I don't like to bug, however my symptoms have been getting worse. I find that it is not the food, but the activity of eating that brings it on. Chewing gum, which isn't actually eating, will bring on my symptoms. Any slight activity will, really. I have had enough. Eating a small meal brought out the worst this afternoon and I had to take an hour nap to sleep off the symptoms. Sigh...

[KodeMaster]

Thank you. I will check it out.

K

[skydnsr]

Trace regurgitation of a heart valve will rarely, if ever, cause symptoms.  Trace regurge is something that a lot of people have and never know it.  Have you been following Pomask's thread?  Because his symptoms are kind of similar to yours, and he's had a hard time getting a diagnosis also.

[KodeMaster]

Today, I had a terrible exacerbation of my symptoms. :( I called the doctor's office and requested results. The echo showed a "trace" of regurgitation, though it will be up to the doctor to determine if it is considered significant or not. He is only in half a day today and may not read it until next week. The full VQ report is not out yet.

Now, I am home on the couch because my shortness of breath got to be too much, along with the chest pains and fatigue. :(

[KodeMaster]

Thank you. My VQ scan returned a "low probability" (of a Pulmonary Embolism.) Since my test results did not require an immediate hospital stay, my doctor said I could go home. I suspect he will review the results of both tests next week and proceed from there.

K

[Flycaster305]

The Echo will determine many details about your heart function, such as valve function and heart size, and the VQ will show lung function.  An Angiogram is the gold standard to determine if you have a heart arterial blockage, but it is usual for a stress test to precede an Angiogram.  Keep us informed.