Help explaining symptom

[MandyMV]

Hi Everyone,
Last night my BF had another one of his episodes where as he is falling asleep his heart rate and Blood pressure spike and then he has a feeling of not being able to breathe. Usually he wakes up from it hyperventilating and then can not go to sleep again for a few hours. These episodes happen 1 to 2 times a week and we really haven't nailed done any particular triggers. We have told his cardiologist and primary doctor but I get the feeling they think we are over reacting. They did put him back on the beta blocker Atenolol 25mg as the episodes were more frequent when he wasn't taking anything. Also, we are getting a holter monitor on Monday that should record longer than 24hrs as it doesn't happen everyday. In addition, his six-month echo from the MVR surgery in August 07 is the following week so hopefully if there is anything to really worry about, it will show up there.

We learned last year that sometimes using medical terms for symptoms gets through the doctors better (example-chills vs. rigors, once we used rigors they all seemed to instanly know what endocarditis was but somehow chills was benign and just a sign of the flu

So has anyone else had anything similar or know a better way of relaying this to our doctors?
Thanks again for all your wonderful information!!
Theresa

 

[ALCapshaw2]

If I remember correctly, Fluid buildup in the Lungs (or chest cavity) can cause those symptoms. I'm surprised the cardio didn't pick up on that. It's worth asking about.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[designlady]

Hello!

I had the same problem as your BF. It is a scary feeling! My husband thought I was imaging the problem until I started waking up at night grasping for breath. I finally decided it wasn't a heart thing but a pulmonary problem. So far they have drained about 2 liters of fluid from around my lung. My doctor said they may have to drain fluid for up to 6 months. In fact I'm going in Monday to get more drained. It's a simple procedure that produces INSTANT relief! I would suggest that you talk to a pulmonary specialist. Good luck to you and your BF!

Jane

 

[MikeHeim]

The medical term for waking up out of breath is "nocturnal dyspnea". I had it a few times pre-surgery. Very scary.