posted
I have been having shortness of breath much more severe than usual. I have had it for a long time whenever I try to do something too active (like loading the dishwasher). My kids say it is just because I am out of condition.
But lately it is worse...even when resting. I had my thyroid removed years ago and take Armour for it. Doctors can never agree on dosage and in my reading I see that it is often way underprescribed and that breathlessness is a key to it.
Does anyone know a good endocrinologist who understands lyme disease? If so, please PM me. One of the first signs of illness was my rapidly expanding thyroid. My husband thinks it was due to lyme infection causing an "autoimmune" reaction. I also had two sinus surgeries....he says they were for the same reason.
I am concerned about long term cardiovascular problems developing by untreated breathlessness. I have always thought I did not take enough thyroid...doctors said that my rapid heart rate prevented my ability to take more of it. But maybe the reverse is true.
Anyone have experience with this? How did you resolve it?
I am always grateful for any input!
-------------------- DOCTOR: "I don't think you are sick." PATIENT: "We are all entitled to our opinions. I don't think you are a doctor." Posts: 697 | From Northern California | Registered: Jul 2009
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posted
Breathlessness can also be symptomatic of hypothyroidism. So as always, investigate both.
Posts: 520 | From Maryland | Registered: Jan 2007
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posted
I am in the same boat.. (no thyroid), breathing issues upon slight exertion... heart pounding.
I haven't had a thyroid since 1999..... with me (and it sounds like with you too) it's the Babs..started when I started treatment for it.
Posts: 396 | From EAPennsylvania | Registered: Dec 2007
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nefferdun
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 20157
posted
It is rare to not have co-infections so more than likely if you have breathlessness, air hunger, lack of stamina, extreme fatigue, it is babesia. The second culprit for shortness of breath and fatigue is FL1953.
I am hypothyroid and take armour. Look for symptoms specific to low thyroid function like puffy eyes, lack of outer third of eyebrows, dry scaly skin, brittle fingernails. . .
Not being able to load the dishwasher is extreme fatigue. I am sorry your children are blaming you for being out of condition. It isn't your fault.
Here are some other symptoms of babesia: cramps in large muscles of the thighs and buttocks and back; hot flashes, sweating, brain fog/confusion/ memory loss/ losing train of thought; low grade fever (it's in the morning or afternoon - can't remember which); pin head size red dots like blood blisters on skin; depression; headaches; dizziness. .
Here are some symptoms more specific to FL1953; voice is hoarse now and then; dry cough now and then; profound fatigue; headaches behind the eyes; heart palpitations; shortness of breath; cold hands and feet, scalp sores, sinus congestion,
-------------------- old joke: idiopathic means the patient is pathological and the the doctor is an idiot Posts: 4676 | From western Montana | Registered: Apr 2009
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sammy
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 13952
posted
Anemia can also cause severe shortness of breath, weakness, fatigue, activity intolerance, headaches, dizziness, etc... I know from experience.
So you should talk with your doctor and try to get some labwork ordered to see what's really going on. It's hard to figure this stuff out sometimes when you have multiple things going on that could cause the same symptoms.
Posts: 5237 | From here | Registered: Nov 2007
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posted
When I need to lower my dose of synthroid because my tsh is too low one of my first symptoms is shortness of breath.
Kathy
-------------------- You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have. Posts: 807 | From South Dakota | Registered: Jul 2005
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posted
Thank you so very much for all the great input. I am currently on Flagyl/Ketek and I don't know if that is for Babesia.
I did have better luck with Armour thyroid than Sythroid (which is the only drug paid for by Medicare...it's amazing what the drug companies get away with!)
I never heard of FI1953. I wonder if Igenex can test for it. If not, I imagine they will know who does.
I have all of the above symptoms. Anyone have luck with IV's getting rid of breathlessness and fatigue? We hesitate seeing my cardiologist because he knows nothing about lyme disease. He was so shocked at my speech problems last visit that I felt sorry for him. I just have not the energy to educate doctors.
Another thing to watch is your blood pressure. Mine will plummet in the afternoon and breathing is even more difficult. I drink Gatorade and sometimes take salt tablets to get pressure up. I take Bystolic...my doc assures me that it regulates pressure and is not responsible for drops (or elevations).
-------------------- DOCTOR: "I don't think you are sick." PATIENT: "We are all entitled to our opinions. I don't think you are a doctor." Posts: 697 | From Northern California | Registered: Jul 2009
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linky123
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19974
posted
My breathing has improved since I got off Klonopin, a benzodiazepine prescribed for sleep.
My chemical sensitivities are much better too.
I no longer have to hold my breath at the gas pump.
Also survived our whole church service yesterday while sitting behind some very strong 'old lady' perfume.
So, I think if some of the meds we take can cause this side effect.
-------------------- 'Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.' Matthew 11:28 Posts: 2607 | From Hooterville | Registered: Apr 2009
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posted
Well, guess what my physical therapist (IMT) said today. She felt that my breathing was seriously compromised and urged me to see my cardiologist. She could feel the tightness and possible swelling around heart and lung and she worked for an hour on it and helped ease it a lot.
She pointed out that periocarditis can occur from infections, viruses and fungal infections, as well as from medicine side effects. It is an inflammation of the sacs around the heart. There are treatments for it, but it can become serious.
I worried that my cardiologist is lyme ignorant. She pointed out that he could take a look to see if there is a problem and then he and my LLMD could decide together what to do.
I have so much swelling in my legs and lower abdomen that is accumulated lymph and she is working on getting rid of it for me. She said that it follows that the swelling can move upwards toward the heart.
I do seem to have many symptoms of periocarditis so we better check it out. We will call the LLMD first to see if he wants to order additional tests and perhaps send me to a specialist who understands lyme.
More money, more time, more tests and no parties. Bummer!!!
-------------------- DOCTOR: "I don't think you are sick." PATIENT: "We are all entitled to our opinions. I don't think you are a doctor." Posts: 697 | From Northern California | Registered: Jul 2009
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posted
Pericarditis can develop as a result of chronic Lyme. If and when it does, it usually presents in pretty much the same way as pericarditis from other pathogens. Any cardiologist worth his salt should be able to recognize and treat it if it is acute... even if they're not Lyme literate. An echo and CT of the chest would tell if pericarditis is the culprit. Typically, people with this experience chest pain, shortness of breath, and feel the most relief from their symptoms sitting up and leaning forward, their face towards their knees...
Have you had labs drawn recently? I would still consider thyroid as a possible cause of symptoms: low BP, rapid pulse, shortness of breath, increased intolerance to physical activity usually means you have too much thyroid supplementation. Find out what your TSH and T4 levels are; maybe your dosage needs to be lowered.
Posts: 962 | From Charleston | Registered: Jan 2002
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posted
Thanks everyone. I did see my cardiologist yesterday and he ordered an echo, stress test and carotid study. But I think he felt my "severe deconditioning" was more to blame than lyme disease, which he pronounced to be "very complex". My physical therapist laughed at the thought of my doing exercises....just walking down the stairs is my exercise!
He did give me the name of a top rated endocrinologist. Since I have had my thyroid removed in 1993 I have not been able to find a way to keep my levels even. Armour works better than Synthroid, but, of course Medicare won't pay for it so I do.
Another interesting point is that he had heard of IV Rocephan and he did not think there was a problem with my taking it. But he was glad that I showed up to be tested before starting it.
I did cut back my Flagyl/Ketek dosage and the breathing is a bit easier. So I am pretty sure that herxing is to blame. But better safe than sorry.
-------------------- DOCTOR: "I don't think you are sick." PATIENT: "We are all entitled to our opinions. I don't think you are a doctor." Posts: 697 | From Northern California | Registered: Jul 2009
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