Awful, awful, awful, awful night--but there is always hope!

LoQ,

I have a doctor's appointment next Friday, and I will bring that up with him. The only two heart conditions that I know of that mimic or cause a panic attack are PVST (Paroxysmal Ventricular Supraventricular Tachycardia) and MVP (Mitral Valve Prolapse). I know my mother and grandmother have/had MVP, so I will be sure to mention that. I don't think my symptoms fit PVST as my heart rate rarely gets over 120 as opposed to 160-200+.

Any other conditions you know of I could ask my doc about?

(Thanks dels and Lee Ann for the encouragement!)

I could be wrong, but I think PSVT describes a number of different conditions, all resulting in superventricular tach.

If MVP runs in the family, then it is a stronger bet you have that.

tattooyu wrote:I don't think my symptoms fit PVST as my heart rate rarely gets over 120 as opposed to 160-200+.

Do you mean it doesn't get over 120 during an episode, that you describe as a panic attack?

tattooyu wrote:Any other conditions you know of I could ask my doc about?

This is just my way of dealing with doctors, but I try really hard not to go in with a diagnosis. MVP runs in your family, so obviously you need to tell the doctor that. I probably would not even mention PSVT--your doctor will already have that on his differential. Mentioning MVP running in the family will probably move it to the top of the list. But I don't think you need to come up with a list for him--that's what they spend a huge amount of time learning in medical school. Making the list of possible causes is the first thing your doctor has to do, and my personal preference, again, in these situations, is to be quiet and let him think after I've given him my symptoms, so he can ask me questions as he sorts through the possibilities. If I keep mentioning things to him, it causes him to have to spend time responding to my comments instead of figuring it out.

Maybe your sleeping position changed during the night to cause the greater apneas? My AI etc. readings and apneas skyrocket if I partially or completely slip onto my back, vs. my head being on it's side and I feel very tired the next day. I haven't been able to get a video camera to record my sleep positions, but I think like an oximeter, XPap with data and software, studying the videos might provide some valuable clues as to what one is doing? On my side, I can keep my pressure low, 7-10 and very few events, but on my back, I've tried pressures up to 13 to prevent apneas, but suffered from "centrals" or other events from the higher pressure.

I sleep with a tennis ball sewin into my T-shirt, but it seems that I'm sometimes getting used to that, as my body finding positions around it so that my head can be back on the pillow vs. on it's side.

Anyway, check your sleeping / head position if you can?

I could be wrong, but I think PSVT describes a number of different conditions, all resulting in superventricular tach.

If MVP runs in the family, then it is a stronger bet you have that. [/quote]

Agreed.

LoQ wrote: Do you mean it doesn't get over 120 during an episode, that you describe as a panic attack?

Correct.

LoQ wrote: This is just my way of dealing with doctors, but I try really hard not to go in with a diagnosis. MVP runs in your family, so obviously you need to tell the doctor that. I probably would not even mention PSVT--your doctor will already have that on his differential. Mentioning MVP running in the family will probably move it to the top of the list. But I don't think you need to come up with a list for him--that's what they spend a huge amount of time learning in medical school. Making the list of possible causes is the first thing your doctor has to do, and my personal preference, again, in these situations, is to be quiet and let him think after I've given him my symptoms, so he can ask me questions as he sorts through the possibilities. If I keep mentioning things to him, it causes him to have to spend time responding to my comments instead of figuring it out.

Well, my doctor is nice and is patient but is overwhelmed by too many patients. I really ended up diagnosing my gallbladder disease and apnea, and I think he really listens to my judgment now. Of course, I do it as the informed patient and never claim to be the doctor.

Guest wrote:Maybe your sleeping position changed during the night to cause the greater apneas? My AI etc. readings and apneas skyrocket if I partially or completely slip onto my back, vs. my head being on it's side and I feel very tired the next day. I haven't been able to get a video camera to record my sleep positions, but I think like an oximeter, XPap with data and software, studying the videos might provide some valuable clues as to what one is doing? On my side, I can keep my pressure low, 7-10 and very few events, but on my back, I've tried pressures up to 13 to prevent apneas, but suffered from "centrals" or other events from the higher pressure.
Anyway, check your sleeping / head position if you can?

You could be right, but I swear I woke up when I felt apneas happening on my side. Unusual for me. I think (and hope) it was just a fluke.

I'm finally over whatever it was that I had. Hooray! Thanks for all you well wishers. I felt like I was dying for a while. The following day I woke up with a very sore throat and then I pounded down megadoses of vitamin C (Emergen-C is great stuff!) and finally today I woke up and I was all better. I don't know what it was, but I'm sure glad it's gone. I'm so glad that Emergen_C packets don't hurt my stomach or give me bad GERD like tablets used to. They were a godsend when I could hardly swallow.

One good thing... trying to be optimistic... I think I finally went over the 30 pound weight loss! Three days of not eating will do that! I wonder what I had... I'm thinking a fibro flare up with a 24 bug on top of that. Whatever bug it was, I do not want it again! Ever!

Thanks everyone,
Karla

Just re-read my initial post. YIKES! I had a bad night last night. Thankfully, they are few and far between.

My usual numbers:
AHI: 1.4-1.8
AI: 0.0-0.2
HI: 1.5-2.0

My numbers last night:
AHI: 3.8
AI: 0.2
HI: 3.6
Leaks: 0.2 L/s

Not much difference except the leaks, right? Now, to some that may not seem like bad numbers, but for me... I FEEL IT. I feel like I got hit by a truck! It happens to the best of us.

I remember that post! It seems strange to me that anything under 5 is considered normal, as those of us who have become accustomed to low numbers would feel horrid with that number. Here's hoping tonight is back to usual. Good to see you around.

kteague wrote:I remember that post! It seems strange to me that anything under 5 is considered normal, as those of us who have become accustomed to low numbers would feel horrid with that number. Here's hoping tonight is back to usual. Good to see you around.

I'm still around just busy with the little one and trying to enjoy life now that I'm feeling better (mostly).

I know, right? I feel terrible with those numbers. Lightheaded, waves of very mild nausea/stomach upset, mild headache... you know.