I have been reading the mHBOT threads. Noting Phoiph has mentioned hypoxia. That got me to thinking.........
My two latest BP readings: Nov. 87/58 Heart rate 56 Dec. 94/63 Heart rate 66
It's been a couple of years since I have had a pulse-ox test - and they were always normal. (the finger thingie)
I am starting to wonder........I feel so awful.
Maybe my brain, joints/muscles and organs not getting enough oxygen?
How is this best tested?
FWIW I have an appt. with a hematologist next week.
Oh - would any basic blood tests I have done in the past hint at low oxygen levels - or whatever?
TIA.
Posted by Jordana (Member # 45305) on :
What is your cbc like? Last time you got your blood tested -- are you anemic? What is your hemoglobin number?
Posted by susank (Member # 22150) on :
Not anemic. H and H in normal range. I do have macrocytic anemia, though. Thoughts?
Posted by Phoiph (Member # 41238) on :
In general terms, Lyme (and other diseases such as cancer) prefers a low oxygen environment, and will strive to keep your body in this state so it can better thrive.
Lyme causes "hypoperfusion". "Hypo" means low, and "perfusion" refers to blood flow, resulting in an inadequate supply of oxygen and nutrients to the body's tissues. This deficit impacts functions down to the cellular level, in the mitochondria, where energy is produced.
Here's an article that generally explains the impact of low oxygen levels in the body:
If your red blood cells have enough hemoglobin, that means they potentially have enough oxygen to deliver to cells.
Low blood pressure can be caused by a lot of things. One of them is SEPSIS which is unlikely since you are treating, so there shouldn't be much uncontrolled bacteremia.
The other thing that can cause it is POTS. POTS causes low blood volume and it's usually because an illness has caused you to lose control of the salt managing mechanisms in your blood.
No one really knows what to do about this generally. But things that help are things that pump up blood volume, like lots and lots of SALT. Salt pushes up blood volume and that makes it easier for your blood to be pumped through to your heart.
Next time you see a doctor, ask him about medications that increase blood volume. The hematologist can help with that too.
In the meantime, add salt, and when you hydrate hydrate with a tons of electrolytes, see if that doesn't help a little bit.
Posted by Phoiph (Member # 41238) on :
Be sure to use quality sea salt...NOT table salt...
Posted by glm1111 (Member # 16556) on :
Totally agree about needing salt. Sea salt like Himalayan or Real salt. You may be dehydrated so make sure you drink a lot of water.
Coconut water would also be good to add and will give you the potassium needed to balance your electrolytes. I also drank a lot of kefir when my bp was low and that really helped balance my blood sugar as well.