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Cat Forum / Cat Anecdotes / July 2005Ping Howard B.
Got a question for you. Background: I've had asthma in the past, but haven't needed an inhaler in about 5 - 6 years. Lately, since the weight loss, I've been in excellent health. Last Wednesday I had a check-up with the doctor and my BP was 110 over 70. Lungs and heart sounded great. I had more lab work which I haven't got the results of yet, but just in April had lab work done and triglycerides were 103 (<150 is normal), total cholesterol was 136 (<200 is normal), HDL cholesterol was 40 (> or = 40 is normal), LDL cholesterol was 75 (< 130 is normal), and cholesterol/HDLC ratio was 3.4 (< 4.4 is normal). All this to say that, although I do have right branch bunch blockage, I think my heart is absolutely sound. I normally bicycle, very vigorously, for 2 hours every day! (The only thing that has changed lately is that I started taking Maxide, a diuretic, last Friday because I've had some swelling in my hands - but, because of below - haven't taken one today.) But for the last three days I've been having trouble breathing, last night to the point that I had to cut my ride short after 15 minutes, and today to the point that I'm feeling weak and dizzy (and have some tingling in both arms) just sitting in my desk chair. I've made an appointment with my doctor, but couldn't get in until tomorrow morning. I don't feel any pain, so haven't thought about going to the ER. My question is, even though I'm not wheezing, do you think this could be an asthma attack? Would swollen sinuses from allergies cause something similar? I know you can't diagnose anything over the 'net, but I just wanted to be reassured that not rushing to the ER and waiting to see the doctor tomorrow was OK - or whether this could be something that *should* be seen to immediately. Hugs, CatNipped Catnipped sorry to intrude on a Ping But yes it could be an asthma attack you should go and get checked out. My daughter has asthma and has had symptoms EXACTLEY like yours, it was an attack. Even the swelling could come from the attack. Please get it looked at. Skritches and purrs, KittyLady > Catnipped sorry to intrude on a Ping > But yes it could be an asthma attack you should go and get checked out. [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > Skritches and purrs, > KittyLady Thanks, that's what I thought. I'm seeing the doctor tomorrow morning. Hugs, CatNipped > Got a question for you. > [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > 75 (< 130 is normal), and cholesterol/HDLC ratio was 3.4 (< 4.4 is > normal). Translation: you will die of something other than atherosclerotic heart disease! A 3.4 ratio is quite good; unless there's been a recent change, I'd think a 5.0 was normal. > All this to say that, although I do have right branch bunch blockage, I > think my heart is absolutely sound. I normally bicycle, very vigorously, [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > pain, > so haven't thought about going to the ER. My first thought is that it's metabolic -- oxygen demand, or possibly electrolytes. Hyperventilation comes more to mind than a cardiac cause. Maxzide is a combination drug with one drug intended to limit potassium loss -- otherwise I'd think more likely low potassium. > My question is, even though I'm not wheezing, do you think this could be > an > asthma attack? Would swollen sinuses from allergies cause something > similar? Either your not getting enough air, or your hyperventilating to get air. Were you aware of breathing faster than usual? > I know you can't diagnose anything over the 'net, but I just wanted to be > reassured that not rushing to the ER and waiting to see the doctor [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > CatNipped > Either your not getting enough air, or your hyperventilating to get > air. > Were you aware of breathing faster than usual? What would hyperventilating to get air indicate? I just did a google search on that phrase and found references to asthma. And also a surprising one, gastro-intestinal problems? This particular term you've used interests me because I've seen my cat do this and since it isn't coughing, and it almost seems like sneezing, but could now be considered "hyperventilating for air", I'm concerned. Based on my description to the vet, she didn't find any indication of asthma or heart trouble, but said it could be early signs of asthma. Now that I have your term of "hyperventilating to get air" it might indicate to the vet something else? > > Either your not getting enough air, or your hyperventilating to get > > air. > > Were you aware of breathing faster than usual? > > > What would hyperventilating to get air indicate? In this context, "to get air" was added for some clarity, which I made more confusing. The correct term is just hyperventilation. In people, hyperventilation can be caused by physical or emotional reasons. A lack of oxygen doesn't as much cause fast breathing but gasping. Excitement can lead to hyperventilation. >I just did a google > search on that phrase and found references to asthma. And also a [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > have your term of "hyperventilating to get air" it might indicate to > the vet something else? Hyperventilation can be due to a very wide range of causes. Paradoxically, a high carbon dioxide (technically, bicarbonate ion) in the blood will stimulate fast respiration, but fast enough respiration will wash out much of the bicarbonate. The resulting state can leave one dizzy, tingling, etc. At some point in explaining this, things get fairly complicated, in that you need to understand the acid-base balance of the body. Let me merely suggest that the stomach has a good deal of acid, but the acidity can change. Unfortunately, I can't picture any way to give a cat some of the screening tests for asthma. Does anyone have an idea how to put a mask over a cat's face and tell the cat to blow out as hard as possible? I think not! A note of practicality here: I'm not as learned as Howard but 30 years of seeing and hearing things in ER's adds up to a few things sticking in your mind: hyperventilating can produce - yes - tingling in extremities, "gasping" rapid breathing and the next thing possible is dizziness and/or PASSING OUT! If I were 'Nipped I'd stay the h*** off that bike till informed doc gives okay to ride it....or in spite of doing so good on a "health test" it may not matter a rat's *** how you did or how "good" you feel, if your hyperventilating causes you to pass out @ the wheel OR IN YOUR CAR.. I don't need to take tests to see how my health is: 2 cardiologists and 1 internal med doc tell me all I need to know. I live more than a mile above sea level, have mild COPD (smoked 21 years) and do not "hyperventilate"because of it. If the temps in Houston are anything like what's been going on here, you couldn't pay me to get on a bike in this heat. Duh. >> > Either your not getting enough air, or your hyperventilating to get >> > air. [quoted text clipped - 35 lines] > over a cat's face and tell the cat to blow out as hard as possible? I > think not! > A note of practicality here: I'm not as learned as Howard but 30 years of > seeing and hearing things in ER's adds up to a few things sticking in your [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > what's been going on here, you couldn't pay me to get on a bike in this > heat. Duh. Well, temps are over 100F and humidity is about 10000000%. But I only bike in the evenings after it has cooled off a bit, and this is also happening inside my air-conditioned house just sitting at my desk. I'm seeing the doctor tomorrow and won't be riding my bike until after that. However, having lived on the gulf coast all of my life, I dont' think the weather would suddenly cause something like this out of the blue. I'm thinking probably asthma since I've had that in the past and it feels the same (but strangely, I don't have any "wheezing" that's normally associated with asthma, just a feeling like I'm not getting enough oxygen). Hugs, CatNipped > >> > Either your not getting enough air, or your hyperventilating to get > >> > air. [quoted text clipped - 35 lines] > > over a cat's face and tell the cat to blow out as hard as possible? I > > think not! > Well, temps are over 100F and humidity is about 10000000%. But I > only bike in the evenings after it has cooled off a bit, and this is [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > "wheezing" that's normally associated with asthma, just a feeling > like I'm not getting enough oxygen). It sure is ungodly hot here in Colorado, but that wouldn't keep me from being active if my wrist weren't sprained ... Anyway, I had a thought, and the symptoms don't really match up, but I'll mention it anyway. There's a condition called overtraining that can occur when you push your body too hard for an extended period of time. Didn't you only recently (last few months) start biking regularly? I overtrained last year, riding my bike every day in addition to some other stuff, and got all the classic symptoms -- poor sleep, weakness, increased chance of illness and injury. Again, it doesn't sound like this is what you're experiencing at all, but here's a link anyway: http://www.exrx.net/ExInfo/Overtraining.html  Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca > > Well, temps are over 100F and humidity is about 10000000%. But I > > only bike in the evenings after it has cooled off a bit, and this is [quoted text clipped - 26 lines] > > http://www.exrx.net/ExInfo/Overtraining.html Yeah, I just got my bike for Mother's day this past May. And being the little obsessive/compulsive that I am I tend to push myself further and further (one day I'll do 10 miles - then the next day I *have* to do at least ten miles and preferrably 15 miles, and so on and so on). So in just a few months I went from not biking at all to biking 2 hours a day. I'll have a look at the link and I'll be sure to mention this to my doctor tomorrow - thanks! Hugs, CatNipped Sorry, just now got back from a business dinner. > > Got a question for you. > > [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > disease! A 3.4 ratio is quite good; unless there's been a recent change, > I'd think a 5.0 was normal. Yep, thank you mom for the good genes! ;> > > All this to say that, although I do have right branch bunch blockage, I > > think my heart is absolutely sound. I normally bicycle, very vigorously, [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > Maxzide is a combination drug with one drug intended to limit potassium > loss -- otherwise I'd think more likely low potassium. I thought hyperventilation also - since I feel like I'm not getting enough oxygen I keep breathing heavier and faster. I just don't know why I feel like I can't get enough oxygen. Could that be caused by the asthma? The only reason I didn't think that is because I thought with asthma you really weren't getting enough oxygen so breathing harder/faster would just make up for the oxygen you're not getting. I'm also having a bad allergy attack, my sinuses are swollen, so that could contribute to me feeling like I can't get enough air. Hugs, CatNipped > > My question is, even though I'm not wheezing, do you think this could be > > an [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > > > > CatNipped > > My first thought is that it's metabolic -- oxygen demand, or possibly > > electrolytes. Hyperventilation comes more to mind than a cardiac [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > oxygen I keep breathing heavier and faster. I just don't know why I feel > like I can't get enough oxygen. Could that be caused by the asthma? Asthma certainly can cause lack of oxygen. I've never heard an asthmatic having an attack serious enough to reduce oxygen not say that they feel "tight" or can't get enough air. To me, the clue is the tingling in both arms, following exercise. That sounds like hyperventilation. If it happens again, try rebreathing into a paper, not plastic bag, which will raise your carbon dioxide levels. If the tingling stops quickly, that's the likely cause. It's still an open issue why you are hyperventilating. The tingling, however, doesn't go with asthma, because asthmatic breathing isn't moving a lot of air and getting rid of CO2. >The > only reason I didn't think that is because I thought with asthma you > really > weren't getting enough oxygen so breathing harder/faster would just make > up > for the oxygen you're not getting. this isn't all that scientific, but I'd say that the work of breathing in a significant asthmatic attack would be too great to sustain hyperventilation. >I'm also having a bad allergy attack, > my > sinuses are swollen, so that could contribute to me feeling like I can't > get > enough air. Catnipped, I am not a doctor or medical professional, but I live with an asthmatic. We have an agreement, based on experience - any difficulty breathing means an immediate trip to the emergency room. We were told by nurses at the Urgent Care center (kind of a not-so-emergency room) to tell the triage nurse at the emergency room that Carol had difficulty breathing. That would get us in IMMEDIATELY. Difficulty breathing and chest pains are two of the conditions that are taken very seriously at emergency rooms. I don't know you, or your situation. But please take a good look at what is happening to you, and decide if you are really OK to wait until tomorrow. If you have any doubt, please consider a trip to the emergency room. We really want to keep getting Sammy-the-huge-kittencat stories :-) Kalynnda, who gets really nervous when someone is having trouble breathing. > I thought hyperventilation also - since I feel like I'm not getting enough > oxygen I keep breathing heavier and faster. I just don't know why I feel [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > CatNipped > Catnipped, > I am not a doctor or medical professional, but I live with an [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > > Kalynnda, who gets really nervous when someone is having trouble breathing. Thank you! I'm OK, and I really think it's just that I've been hyperventilating - I just need to find out *why* I'm hyperventilating (I'm not under stress at *all* - in fact I've been really happy lately). If I hadn't seen a doctor just last Wednesday I would have gone to the ER. But my heart and lungs were fine just 6 days ago, so I don't think I need immediate treatment. BTW, I've written the first two paragraphs of "Working at Home With Mommy" but RL keeps getting in the way of me finishing it. ;> Hugs, CatNipped > > I thought hyperventilation also - since I feel like I'm not getting enough > > oxygen I keep breathing heavier and faster. I just don't know why I feel [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > > > CatNipped One....more.....time: *how* are you *getting* to your doc tomorrow?! Because of what is going on (*not* because of *why*!) I'm concerned that your problem *might* cause you to lose consciousness if you *drive* - especially *alone*. I used to xray these people @ work in ER's, as pointed out, the symptoms, w/exception of the extremity "tingling" mimic those of an acute M.I. (heart attack). Heat here, unlike FL, where a/c is not a given, is making me very grouchy (cats are bellyup all day & night, once in awhile I poke one just to see if they're ok! - in FL they lived in a/c) - Denver's heat record since 1934 broke today @ 101o and next 2 days promise @ least 102o tv says. Please don't drive alone tomorrow till you get checked out by doc!!!!! >> Catnipped, >> I am not a doctor or medical professional, but I live with an [quoted text clipped - 48 lines] >> > >> > CatNipped > One....more.....time: *how* are you *getting* to your doc tomorrow?! Because > of what is going on (*not* because of *why*!) I'm concerned that your [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > and next 2 days promise @ least 102o tv says. > Please don't drive alone tomorrow till you get checked out by doc!!!!! Oh, sorry, I didn't get that, I thought you were just fussing at me about biking. ;> I *am* going to drive - I don't have any other way to get there - but I'm not dizzy to the point of passing out or losing control or anything that would affect my driving - just to to point that it's bothering me and I feel like I can't catch my breath and making me feel nauseous. Hugs, CatNipped > >> Catnipped, > >> I am not a doctor or medical professional, but I live with an [quoted text clipped - 49 lines] > >> > > >> > CatNipped > Denver's heat record since 1934 broke today @ 101o > and next 2 days promise @ least 102o tv says. That explains a lot. Also, at work, my area hasn't had proper A/C -- the sun shines right on us and apparently, the A/C is only operating at 50%. They're trying to get it fixed ASAP; in the meantime, it's almost impossible to get any real work done in the afternoon. I guess I'm spoiled. We have A/C at home, but I keep asking DH when we can get a second A/C unit for the upstairs. On the plus side, if it ever gets truly awful, our basement is always cool. Not really suitable as a living area, though. OMG -- Oscar the Sock Cat is double-fisting -- she has two socks in her paws, not just one, and is taking turns licking both! If I get up to get a camera, she'll freak out =/ Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca Please sneak up on Oscar w/socks in paws (don't you have a camera phone?) I would like to see that! >> Denver's heat record since 1934 broke today @ 101o >> and next 2 days promise @ least 102o tv says. [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > her paws, not just one, and is taking turns licking both! If I get up > to get a camera, she'll freak out =/ > Please sneak up on Oscar w/socks in paws (don't you have a camera > phone?) I would like to see that! I had to get going this morning and didn't snap a picture of her ... I'll try to do better in the future. Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca > > Catnipped, > > I am not a doctor or medical professional, but I live with an [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] > my heart and lungs were fine just 6 days ago, so I don't think I need > immediate treatment. Any dietary changes? Coffee, tea, chocolate? Well now I feel silly. Of course I was having trouble breathing - not only do a have a sever sinus infection, I have a touch of pneumonia! I spent the whole morning at the doctor's office - they did a pulmonary test, got chest x-rays, gave me a respiratory treatment, and got sent home with Augmentin, Albuterol, a respiratory therapy thingy and a bunch of other meds. In my defense, however, I never run a fever no matter how sick I get (my "normal" temp is 96.8F - I joke that this is because I'm dyslexic) - and with the fibromyalgia, the aches and pains are SOP, so I didn't realize I was this sick. I'm just bummed 'cause they told me I couldn't ride my bike for a week!!!! Hugs, CatNipped > Well now I feel silly. Of course I was having trouble breathing - > not only do a have a sever sinus infection, I have a touch of [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > I'm just bummed 'cause they told me I couldn't ride my bike for a > week!!!! Doh! That sucks, but at least it's not a long-term condition. Take care of yourself and don't hop on that bike until your body is ready! Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca > > Well now I feel silly. Of course I was having trouble breathing - > > not only do a have a sever sinus infection, I have a touch of [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > Take care of yourself and don't hop on that bike until your body is > ready! Yeah, but it's going to be hard - I have a serious endorphin addiction! Tell, me, why do they call it "walking pneumonia when they want you to stay in bed when you have it? ;> Hugs, CatNipped <snip> > Yeah, but it's going to be hard - I have a serious endorphin addiction! > Tell, me, why do they call it "walking pneumonia when they want you to stay > in bed when you have it? ;> Because it's not as bad as the kind where you can't get out of bed and walk around? Take it easy until you have the all-clear from the doctor. I had pneumonia once - they stuck me in hospital, I missed a family trip because the doctor thought it would be too much for me, and I was more susceptible to chest infections than I had been for years! SignatureCheryl Please take care of yourself, CN, this is serious! Lots of purrs and best wishes, SignaturePolonca & Soncek > Well now I feel silly. Of course I was having trouble breathing - not only > do a have a sever sinus infection, I have a touch of pneumonia! [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > > CatNipped >Well now I feel silly. Of course I was having trouble breathing - not only >do a have a sever sinus infection, I have a touch of pneumonia! [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > >I'm just bummed 'cause they told me I couldn't ride my bike for a week!!!! Ack! Now REST! Lesson - if you feel like you're having trouble breathing, it's because you ARE having trouble breathing! You're not prone to panic attacks, so take those sort of symptoms seriously. Signature~Karen aka Kajikit Crafts, cats, and chocolate - the three essentials of life http://www.kajikitscorner.com >Well now I feel silly. Of course I was having trouble breathing - not only >do a have a sever sinus infection, I have a touch of pneumonia! [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > >CatNipped Watch for any signs of a secondary infection, such as strep throat, and, once you have reached the point where the doctor said that you could go back to exercising, do so by steps. Your body will be weaker from having had to fight the infection. I have had pneumonia a couple of times, and each time it left me feeling drained of energy for some time afterwards. It took a while to get my stamina back. SignatureJohn F. Eldredge -- john@jfeldredge.com PGP key available from http://pgp.mit.edu "Reserve your right to think, for even to think wrongly is better than not to think at all." -- Hypatia of Alexandria > >Well now I feel silly. Of course I was having trouble breathing - not only > >do a have a sever sinus infection, I have a touch of pneumonia! [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > of times, and each time it left me feeling drained of energy for some > time afterwards. It took a while to get my stamina back. Yeah, I feel like I've been rolled over a cople of times by an 18-wheeler! Problem here is that with fibro, I *always* feel that way and have to ignore it most of the time if I'm going to lead a normal life - so it's hard to know when I should pay attention to my body. Hugs, CatNipped > > >Well now I feel silly. Of course I was having trouble breathing - not > only > > >do a have a sever sinus infection, I have a touch of pneumonia! <snipped> Ah Lori, purrs that you feel better soon! Charleen Mr. Pumpkin Aggie Marble Victor Velcro >> >Well now I feel silly. Of course I was having trouble breathing - not > only [quoted text clipped - 39 lines] >> http://pgp.mit.edu "Reserve your right to think, for even to think >> wrongly is better than not to think at all." -- Hypatia of Alexandria This is my definition of fibromyalgia "Everything hurts and what doesn't hurt doesn't work". Purrs for some relief. MLB > >> >Well now I feel silly. Of course I was having trouble breathing - not > > only [quoted text clipped - 43 lines] > "Everything hurts and what doesn't hurt doesn't work". > Purrs for some relief. MLB LOL! Yep. I don't remember a single minute during the last 10 years or so that I haven't had pain in every part of my body. Hugs, CatNipped |
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