I tried doing this test this afternoon. I couldn't do it. What the hell is wrong with me?
You start out by doing two simple breathing tests where they clip your nose closed and you breathe into a tube. The first involved three consecutive attempts to blow out air as hard as possible for as long as possible and then suck it in as much as possible. This was hard, but I did it.
The next part was where you had to pant hard for 12 breaths in a row. I did for 8-9 and the room started spinning. I had to stop. The tech said people can get dizzy, but it looked like my eyes were rolling back and I was going to pass out. I couldn't handle it. It was like my oxygen was depleted. It took 10 min to regain my composure.
Next I had to go on an exercise bike and they try to push you to your limit and make you hit an aerobic threshold. They take arterial blood gases too. You have to wear a mask, nose clips and EKG monitor and a bunch more.
I did OK in the beginning, but as the tension increased on the bike, I started getting lightheaded. my starting blood pressure was 164/90 and within 3-4 minutes I was up to 190/100. They were concerned how fast it elevated and said if my diastolic hit 110, they stop the test. I had to stop the test because I started feeling funny and my legs were getting heavy and my ears/head felt pressurized badly.
I guess they didn't get enough info to have a productive test as my vitals didn't get to where they need to be.
They asked about medical conditions and I told them Lyme/Babesiosis. The doc said you have BOTH and was shocked. He said Babesia was only found on the East Coast he thought when I told him WA-1. We didn't get into it much. lol.
Well, I learned I'm in very poor shape. Back in 1998, I finished this same test and did well. I was told I had above average exercise abilities for my age. Now, 12 years later I'm a failure and can't even walk in a store. I feel pretty bad about myself and my condition now.
This disease can go F### itself. lol.
Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
i understand how you feel. you can imagine my surprise when i was told i had an enlarged heart.
duh....didn't expect that one
Posted by seekhelp (Member # 15067) on :
Yeah, I can imagine. The real downer for me is trying to understand if my limitations are 100% due to being overweight/de-conditioned or TBIs or both or ,,,,,, I'm fed up with this stupid guessing game. Sick of telling doctors about the mysterious Babesia WA-1 and being looked at like some stupid moron.
I've just about had it with watching life go by all the time. I always ask myself if I 'push' enough.
Posted by feelfit (Member # 12770) on :
What about the CPN angle? this is strting to make a lot of sense to me...esp the oxygen part...related to lung function. Since you are positive for CPN...do some reading...
or could be from our positive Babesia WA-1 too....either way, combination meds is the way out...
think there really may be something to the CPN though.
hey, i think you 'push' enough if you feel on the verge of passing out and you register BP's like you did...my opinion, FWIW.
Posted by BoxerMom (Member # 25251) on :
Seek! Don't beat yourself up over this. Any doctor who would put someone in y/our condition through that battery of tests is insane!
We have thick blood and poorly oxygenated tissues. We don't make adequate ATP, and are FULL of pathogens, biofilm and neurotoxins. We're lucky we can walk across the floor! And that's on a good day!
You are more ill than deconditioned. Treat the Lyme, co's, and opportunistics. You can get back in shape when you are well.
Sheeesh. Doctors. Posted by Oriole (Member # 19191) on :
You'll do better when you get rid of the babesia. That made a big difference for me. Try not to let yourself be discouraged.
![[Frown]](frown.gif)
The tech said people can get dizzy, but it looked like my eyes were rolling back and I was going to pass out. I couldn't handle it. It was like my oxygen was depleted. It took 10 min to regain my composure.![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif)