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!
Posted by WhitneyS (Member # 25666) on :
Air hunger is a classic Babs symptom....I have never heard of it oriented with thyroid, and I'm hypo thyroid.
Do some searches on air hunger
Posted by katiebobatie (Member # 28753) on :
i agree with whitney...
i have hypothyroidism, but babesia is definitely to blame for my breathing problems.
when i treat for bartonella, my babesia takes over, and it feels like someone is standing on my chest.
it feels like my lungs just won't expand!
are you on anything for bartonella? if so, the babesia could be taking over...
if you are on meds for babesia, then of course it could also be a herx..
Posted by joysie (Member # 11063) on :
Breathlessness can also be symptomatic of hypothyroidism. So as always, investigate both.
Posted by angelp (Member # 36878) on :
I have hypothyroid and I have the same problem with the breathing..just going upstairs knocks me out.
I started treating for Lyme 6 months ago, but just for Borrelia B... I never was like this till I started getting treated.
I think I will ask to see about co infections...thanks to the other posts, I always thought it was from being treated for Borrelia.
Looking for new doctor in mean time...
Posted by fourwinds (Member # 14114) on :
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.
Posted by nefferdun (Member # 20157) on :
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,
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.
Posted by katiebobatie (Member # 28753) on :
manybites,
i am interested in treating for fl1953...
turns out i have pretty much every symptom.
is there anything specific i can take?
feel free to pm me.
Posted by aiden424 (Member # 7633) on :
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
Posted by farraday (Member # 21494) on :
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).
Posted by linky123 (Member # 19974) on :
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.
Posted by katiebobatie (Member # 28753) on :
farrahday,
i know fry's lab will test for it.
i'm wanting to test for it myself..
Posted by farraday (Member # 21494) on :
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!!! Posted by katiebobatie (Member # 28753) on :
thanks for all the info many bites!
im noticing all the drugs used to treat fl1953 are the ones ive responded to the most in the past!
i think im gonna try a non-fat diet this week.
low carb doesnt seem to be helping me anyway
Posted by Maryland Mom (Member # 2043) on :
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.
Posted by farraday (Member # 21494) on :
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.
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