posted
Okay, so maybe I should have known better, it being a fast day and all. But about a week and a half ago, we'd gone to a bike shop and looked at a used bicycle that they were talking about fixing up.
So today, they called and said it was ready, so Havah and I went down to look at it. It's an old Sears bike, and still quite rideable. And yes, I haven't ridden a bike for a very long time. But as they say, it's like riding a bicycle...
So I tested it out by riding down to the corner and back. And it seemed fine. I went inside, and we were standing at the counter, when I realized that I was out of breath. I mean, badly out of breath. I hadn't been when I got off the bike, but suddenly I was. I made a joke to Havah about, "Boy, that's out of shape, when I'm out of breath after that." And I realized it was getting worse. And I was getting dizzy. So I sat down (on the floor, which was the only place available).
And the dizziness got worse, and I was suddenly pouring sweat all over. The bike shop guy asked if I wanted some water, and at first, I figured no, since it's a fast day, but after a little while, I changed my mind, and figured maybe it would help. Two sips, and I felt like I needed to lay down. The bike guy and Havah said my lips were blue, and I could hardly move. My vision was all stars, mostly, and my right ear... when they talked, it sounded like I was underwater.
Havah says I was laying down for about 10 minutes, which is way longer than I remember. I was finally able to get up and leave.
I ate something when I got home, fast or no fast. I was afraid it'd happen again. And I've e-mailed my doctor. But that was horribly frightening. While I was out, Havah apparently finished buying the bike, but the bike shop guy said as we were leaving that if it turned out I couldn't ride, I could bring it back. Very nice of him.
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posted
Oh, wow. Get that checked. Something simular happened to me at a job I was at. I broke into a cold sweet, there was a lacy pattern in front of my eyes, it sounded like I was underwater and I nearly passed out. It happened again on several occasions. Could be a panic attack or something. Feel better.
Posts: 9942 | Registered: Mar 2003
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Lisa, how are you feeling right now, after you've had something to eat and drink? Normal? If not, then get yourself some medical attention (like the ER) now. If you do feel better, then pick up the phone and call your doctor. That sounds like more than a hypoglycemic reaction. The dizziness and sweats might be hypoglycemia, but the severe shortness of breath and cyanosis doesn't fit that. I'm worried about you. Get yourself checked, dear.
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Havah was going to take me to the ER at first, but I'm better. I had a pudding when I got home, figuring that it might be a blood sugar thing.
I can't really call my doctor, because he's probably at home fasting. But he does check the hospital e-mail system.
I've had panic attacks... this wasn't like that. The only panic I was feeling was about the attack. I was afraid I was having a heart attack or something.
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posted
So this is what I got back from my doctor today:
quote:Lisa, It all could be a drop in blood pressure from the fast. If the symptoms continue, you should probably come in for a checkup, check your blood count and do an EKG.
posted
I really think to be safe you need to go in. That is an unusual reaction and to still feel tired is a warning sign you shouldn't ignore!!
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I hate to be all doom-and-gloomy and alarmist, but I also think that your health and well-being is worth making a fuss over. You really ought to go in to get checked -- EKG, blood work, yadda yadda ya. If there turns out to be nothing wrong, well, then, wonderful. But if you are having some kind of problem, you want to get it diagnosed and taken care of before it becomes a big problem.
Lisa, your Shvester Esther cares about you. You take care of yourself, hear?
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'Kay. I mentioned this to a friend yesterday (and got a panic reaction when I told her that I felt a tightness around my jaw during the whole thing -- and for a while after). There's apparently a local hospital that does a cardiac risk assessment thing for like $45, off insurance and off the record. So I may go and do that.
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posted
Please do, Shvester. This sounds less and less like a hypoglycemic episode. I don't know what a "cardiac risk assessment" entails, but I would feel better knowing that you are getting medical attention for this, and soon (like, yesterday).
In your correspondence with your doctor, you mentioned the tightness around your jaw? Does your doctor know about the lingering fatigue?
For crying out loud, Lisa! Don't make me come down there and get rough with you.
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Actually, I called them, and it turns out they haven't had this program for over a year.
And the fatigue is gone. I just hadn't slept that well for a couple of days because the cervical disks I stupidly herniated about 5 years ago were troubling me.
No, I hadn't mentioned the tightness around my jaw to my doctor. I didn't realize it was any big deal.
But I'll call the doc and ask him if I can get some test stuff done. I doubt it'll amount to much, but better safe than sorry.
My daughter (the one in Israel that I haven't been allowed to see for 13 years or contact for 12 years) friended my sister on Facebook.
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He thinks maybe it was a hypotensive thing. A rapid drop in blood pressure because of the fast. Which it may be. But I didn't start feeling faint until a minute or two after the feeling of being badly out of breath hit. And it came on gradually while I was still trying to pull air. So I'm doubtful.
He wants me to go for a treadmill test. Which I'm going to do.
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quote:Originally posted by Lisa: He thinks maybe it was a hypotensive thing. A rapid drop in blood pressure because of the fast. Which it may be. But I didn't start feeling faint until a minute or two after the feeling of being badly out of breath hit. And it came on gradually while I was still trying to pull air. So I'm doubtful.
He wants me to go for a treadmill test. Which I'm going to do.
Yeah, let me know too. I haven't had that feeling in ages, but it's terrifyingly scary.
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I hope you are OK, and I am glad you are getting checked out as well. A lot of people end up seriously hurting themselves because they think that whatever their symptoms are aren't a big deal.
Hopefully it was nothing serious.
Posts: 15082 | Registered: Jul 2001
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That sounds like an episode I had in college, when I hadn't been eating properly and was on my period, and I just sort of collapsed in the bookstore one day. I was taken to the ER and they found nothing. Of course, I was only 20. Right around that time, my Russian instructor had a neighbor, also a college student, that died of apparent malnutrition -- he never ate anything but candy bars evidently. I have all kinds of questions now, but at the time I just thought "how scary!"
I'm also interested to know how your exam turns up.
Posts: 11017 | Registered: Apr 2003
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The good news is, we went on a family bike ride today. About 2 miles, then a small picnic, then another quarter mile or so, and then we turned around. That's about 4.5 miles. So I don't think I have a heart problem. The bad news is, my front brake fell off half way home. Heh. And while dealing with that, I accidentally switched from middle gear (it's a 3 speed) to high gear, and didn't even notice it until I was almost home.
Yesterday was our 10 anniversary, though (from our commitment ceremony), and for the rest of the day, we have a baby sitter for Tova, and Havah and I are going out for massages, dinner, and a movie (either Iron Man or Dark Knight; we haven't decided yet).
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