trails
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1620
posted
I have these episodes that really scare me. Some are worse than others. I have them while on meds and while not on meds. I am not on any ABX right now. I have been having them about once every 2-3 days recently while NOT on ABX. with less severe episodes several times a day.
here's what happens: I feel like a cant swallow. I have to realllllly concentrate and sometimes put my hand on my throat and push to swallow.
Then I get afraid, which doesnt help a dang thing.
And I get very very dizzy/lightheaded feeling. Like woozy....not vertigo. Like my head is too heavy.
Then my eyes feel like they are rolling back into my head and I have to try my hardest to stay conscious.
My muslces feel like they are TOTALLY sapped of energy. It is almost impossible to raise my arm or do anything.
Last time this happened my blood pressure was VERY high for me---130 over 89 or something. I usually run 100 over 60 or so. very low.
ANy ideas what this could be??
I havent talked to my LLMD about it. Too many other factors to discuss at this point.
thanks, trails
Posts: 1950 | From New Mexico | Registered: Sep 2001
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Michelle M
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7200
posted
Trailsey.
You're scarin me.
I don't know 'nuff about bart to opine properly.
But I think you oughta be getting all over this ASAP.
I might even revise my opinion about postponing treatment in favor of that trip.
Alright, consider it REVISED.
I might even call up my favorite doc on the weekend. Heck, I did it a coupla weeks ago. They love to hear from us Michelle's, right?
Love,
Michelle
Posts: 3193 | From Northern California | Registered: Apr 2005
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posted
Hi trails, So sorry you're having this to deal with.
Even though you say there are a lot of other factors you need to discuss, please give all these details to your LLMD. Let him(her) decide how serious it is.
It could be a very important part of the "Lyme puzzle."
It sounds as if it could be a seizure, but I really don't know much about them.
I know that Lyme can cause TIAs (mini strokes), but I don't know how they differ from seizures or if they're pretty much the same.
I know you're concerned, so please call your LLMD - ASAP.
If it's important, the sooner the LLMD knows, the better. If it's not important, then you won't have to worry. Either way, you get peace of mind.
Keep in touch & let us know what you find out.
Posts: 4638 | From South Carolina | Registered: Mar 2001
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Tincup
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5829
posted
Hey ho trails...
I have NO clue what I am talking about here.. so don't listen.. ok? I'm just thinking out loud.
It kinda sounds like.. the beginning is like a panic attack. But the aftermath or later part doesn't sound right?
I am TOTALLY GUESSING.
A rush of adrenalin.. then drop off? A thyroid or adrenal gland issue? A pinched nerve or facial palsy and/or other palsy? Sugar- hypo- hyper? Muscle spasm tightening neck down towards body, pinching nerve or blood vessel to brain? A clot? A side-effect from med or supplement? Or a mild seizure?
Sorry trails.. I have NO clue. I do feel you should check it out with your doctor.
And don't feel bad about "bothering them".
They NEED to know these things.. especially any "unexplained symptoms". How else will they get the whole picture to be able to help you?
posted
Doesn't quite sound like a seizure. Hubby has what I call seizure-like episodes and then sometimes he has the real thing. Only an EEG can truly diagnose a seziure and they aren't all that accurate.
The swallowing thing sounds like a cranial nerve problem -- hubby has this and there are many others here on LymeNet that have this problem as well.
Do you ever have acid reflux? Hubby has problems with dry heaves (reverse peristalsis) and this frequently affects his swallowing.
The getting dizzy part sounds like maybe you are holding your breath? Or it could be a nerve thing as well -- when hubby has some of his spells the diaphraghm muscles are affected as well as the swallowing muscles. This is usually obvious because he is having myoclonus and his arms are jerking evry which way which affects the chest muscles.
I guess you could always try the old standby of breathing into a paperbag -- this never did seem to help hubby any though.
I think what you are describing is one of those crazy unexplainable Lyme things, but only your doc can say for sure.
Hubby doesn't like it when I tell him to calm down so I won't tell you that!
Keep us informed.
Bea Seibert
Posts: 7306 | From Martinsville,VA,USA | Registered: Oct 2004
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trails
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1620
posted
Thanks everyone!!!!
I really appreciate your time and energy trying to help me out---you guys are all superstars!
I have told the LLMD about these sorts of episodes way in the past, but it seems like every symptom I have he says---"yep, sounds like everyone else I see." Sometimes he has me stop meds if I am on them when things get bad, but I am NOT on any meds right now. So I dont know what he could possibly do.
It does seem much like a panic attack tincup---my mother suffers from them, but---I feel no panic really, and I dont have ANY trouble breathing. I am breathing normally throughout, and usually very calm.
I think it is a cranial nerve thing as siebert proposes. But I as far as the dizzies go---again, breathing totally normally. I dont have any air hunger or anything.
I think the swallowing thing is the most worrisome and the most constant followed by the dizzies. I also have lots of pressure facial pain---like sinuses blowing up but they arent. This is def something to do with facial nerves. It HURTS and then goes numb. I am having this more than usual lately. maybe a connection with the swallowing I hadnt thought of before.
I am glad to know it DOESNT sound like a siezure. I was trying to figure that one out.
It does come on stronger and stronger throughout the day. I very rarely feel it in the a.m. and around now--lunchtimeish it starts and it gets really bad in the late afternoon and early evening.
This cyclical-ness makes me think BABS. But I dont know. I have tested pos for babs, bart, HME and Bb. I have treated Bb and babs without much success. I will begin bart treatment in 3 weeks or so.
If it gets worse I will call the doc or email to let them know this is going on.
Just wish I knew why why why. again thank you for your thoughts and replies! Trails
Posts: 1950 | From New Mexico | Registered: Sep 2001
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Carol B
Unregistered
posted
Seems similiar to what I have experienced. I have even been to the hospital a couple of times for it- and wind up staying overnight on the cardiac floor. They also evaluate me for mini strokes (TMI'S).
But usually every test turns out normal. My husband thinks we should just set up an anxiety room in the house.
Last Doc said if it happens again, they were going to suggest having a heart catheterization done.So now when these sensations come over me I just go to bed and wait it out. Scary
These episodes for me feel more like panic attacks than seizures.
lymemomtooo
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5396
posted
Ok Trails, I am worried about this now.. I am currently batting zero in the mom success category so not sure I am a good one for any suggestions but when did that stop me?
What if you are out on that fun canoe ride and you have a really bad one of these? Will you have friends with you and are any of them EMT trained?
HOW far would the hike, carry or drag be to the nearest duck motel?
WOULD you please check in with your Dr and tell him about all of this before you go out pioneering? Or I will be worried about ya'..
Hugs..lmt.
Posts: 2360 | From SE PA | Registered: Mar 2004
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With the exception of the swallowing part this sounds exactly what triggered my husband going to the doc and getting dx with MS.
It was cyclical (I think he even timed them)and began as a strange radiating feeling from his right eye, down his face, around his lips, down into his chest and back up into his left eye which felt (did not look) like it was being pulled downward.
It was accompanied by a feeling of euphoria. He indeed did feel like they were mini-strokes or seizures.
This lasted in varying degrees for about a month. Very Scary!! Thankfully, we used nothing to treat it--I mean no steroids that the neuro would have loved to give.
I agree, I think it is cranial nerve involvement. Of course, one should always consult their doc, but I think it's a Lyme thing.
Posts: 554 | From Naples, Italy | Registered: Jun 2006
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