My LLMD tried to explain to me why Babesiosis does not show on lung capacity tests or VO2 tests, which test the amount of oxygen in the blood. I must say that it makes no sense to me. If I am air hungry, why do more customary tests not show some oxygen-related issues? Does anyone understand this enough to explain it? Would very much appreciate learning more.
Posted by txgirl09 (Member # 21612) on :
I don't understand it either, and I even have one of those pulse-oximeter. My air hunger used to be so bad, and I would put that monitor on my finger....it would show my oxygen at 99 and I couldn't believe it. I was gasping for air!
Posted by Stacyb (Member # 13084) on :
Is a VO2 test an arterial blood gas test?
Also not sure what other tests were run
But many get diag. with asthma or CPD who have Babs.
I too have a pulse ox monitor and that is not really accurate for lung capacity I believe that is just showing blood concentrations. It always baffles me why most of what we have cannot/does not show up on most tests.
Posted by Lemon-Lyme (Member # 19229) on :
Not entirely sure either. I assumed certain breathing tests could possibly pick it up, but my ILADS doc said no.
However, there is some usefulness in getting checked for asthma, etc, using lung capacity tests. As if your lungs appear to function somewhat properly, yet you still feel as if you have breathing issues, it does strengthen the case for Babesia.
And I too have had a pulse-oximeter reading of 99-100%, yet still felt like I couldn't breathe.
Posted by 365SunnyDays (Member # 29969) on :
My LLMD said the same thing -- that there was only one test, with marginal accuracy -- that could test for the subtlety of the oxygen issues that cause the air hunger. I had a spirometry test, which tests lung capacity, and my lungs are better than normal. And I have a finger pulse-oximeter reading of 99-100 too. How crazy!
I do know that Doxy helps IMMENSELY, so that suggests a bacteria, even if it is not showing on my labs. Just frustrating, because my family does not believe that one can have air hunger or trouble breathing if it cannot be shown on a lung/oxygen test.
Posted by feelfit (Member # 12770) on :
a pulse ox only shows oxygen saturation in blood. A better test for lung function and breathing capacity is a pulmonary function test.
My pulse ox readings are always 97-99%. However, my pulmonary function test tells a completley different story.
breathing can also be affected by CPN, which I believe is my case.
still others have completely normal pulmonary function tests and STILL feel like they cannot breathe.
as always, everything is a mystery with this monster illness...
Posted by Maradona (Member # 24552) on :
Just do the co2 level on the blood and it will show high to all who have problems with breathing due to infection . Normal values are for non smokers 0.5-1.5 and for smokers up to 3. The problem is that O2 diffuses on the blood and is atached to erythrocytes(hemoglobin) but erythrocytes are not functioning well so some of them are not relesing O2 on tisues and also not taking all Co2 from the tissue.Pulse oxymetry shows normal value because hemoglobin is binding O2 but it does not show the high level of free CO2.And the other thing is that some of us have chest tightness due to lyme and Co so chest is not moving normal and is giving us trouble in breathing .
Posted by seekhelp (Member # 15067) on :
I pass all those tests with flying colors and still struggle to breathe. Interesting.
quote:Originally posted by feelfit: a pulse ox only shows oxygen saturation in blood. A better test for lung function and breathing capacity is a pulmonary function test.
My pulse ox readings are always 97-99%. However, my pulmonary function test tells a completley different story.
breathing can also be affected by CPN, which I believe is my case.
still others have completely normal pulmonary function tests and STILL feel like they cannot breathe.
as always, everything is a mystery with this monster illness...
Posted by Lemon-Lyme (Member # 19229) on :
If there was a simple (or not so simple) breathing test to diagnose babesia, I expect most LLMDs would use it by now, considering how inaccurate babesia blood testing can be. So I'd expect it simply cannot be tested via breathing tests. Or at least not the commonly used tests.
I've had spirometer, oximeter, and full pulmonary tests, incluiding a methycholine challenge... but the oddity is that my lung function doesn't match my symptoms.
I have mild asthma, so my full breathing test is slightly off... yet my spirometer (simple test) is close to normal. Yet, I cannot breathe sometmes -- like it feels I can barely breathe at all.
And the symptoms of chest tightness (without wheezing) would typically only be seen in severe asthma. According to the pulmonologist I saw, he said usually those with such symptoms would have very low oximeter readings and start to turn blue.
So... there could be other causes, such as heart issues, etc. but if a person passes their breathing tests (or symptoms don't match results), has been bitten by a tick, yet still can't breathe, then logically Babesia would be a prime suspect.