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Waking up with breathing trouble
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
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
Yes, I am glad it is not sleep apnea. That is good to know, especially since it runs in the family.
By the way, I forgot to mention that I found out my EKG done in the hospital showed non-specific changes. The doctor told me that yesterday. I am glad they are running the echo tomorrow; I am curious what it will show, not show or lead to next. Same with the VQ scan.
K
By the way, I forgot to mention that I found out my EKG done in the hospital showed non-specific changes. The doctor told me that yesterday. I am glad they are running the echo tomorrow; I am curious what it will show, not show or lead to next. Same with the VQ scan.
K
Negative results do give you information about what the problem is not, so that's good, as far as it goes. Looks like you're working through the possibilities.
Yesterday, I saw the pulmonologist for a follow up. My sleep study was normal. Since I am having breathing issues still, he ordered a VQ scan and an echocardiogram to check my heart and lungs. The echo is tomorrow and I am awaiting a call from the hospital for the VQ scan.
My breathing issues happen in the day, too. Sometimes, they are brought on by eating and I get lightheaded, too. I can lo longer do the things I used to, like carry a few bags of groceries up a flight of stairs without great difficulty. I can actually do less than I could when I was 100 lbs heavier! Yuck!
K
My breathing issues happen in the day, too. Sometimes, they are brought on by eating and I get lightheaded, too. I can lo longer do the things I used to, like carry a few bags of groceries up a flight of stairs without great difficulty. I can actually do less than I could when I was 100 lbs heavier! Yuck!
K
Thank you. They said I would get a summary results letter in two weeks, though the doctor's office could call me before then to order more testing. Hmmm.
K
K
Doctor thinks it is sleep apnea, I go for a study tonight!
I will keep you posted.
K
I will keep you posted.
K
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