Super long story cut short>>>>>>

[searay]

Several yrs ago I started having minor shortness of breath 1-2 x wk. Out of nowhere I would breath in and it would feel like half a breath, I would then take in a long deep breath and no more issues. Over the past 2 yrs or so it got worse little by little. About 6 mo. ago it got really bad to the point I could not sleep. A week of no sleep and constantly having to take in deep breaths I went to the emergency room. After about 6 hrs. of blood tests, x-rays, cat scan, stress test, etc. etc. they found zero issues with my heart. Doc thinks it's anxiety and is hoping a good nites sleep will get it under control and to contact my primary. He gives me a script for Benadryl which I gave back to him letting him know I already tried it and it didn't help and never has. He would not give me anything stronger. I left and got some Xanax from a friend which did the trick. I then upped my Lexapro from 10m day to 20mg. That did get my short breath under control to a point I can sleep but am extremely tired all the time. Went to see my primary and my oxygen levels were at 87 and I had an abnormal EKG. Back to the ER and they said I have something with the word 'gib' in it ? Did all the tests again in addition to an overnite stay with blood draws every couple of hrs., w/ a heart monitor attached, and B.P., heart rate, and oxy levels, checked every couple hrs. also. All that was fine so I was sent home and told to see my primary to get referred to a heart specialist. So far I have a sleep study set up for June 6.

 

[rawdeal]

. . . . Back to the ER and they said I have something with the word 'gib' in it ? . . . .

This is a wild guess, but did they say "gib" out loud, or did you notice it in something they'd written?

"GIB" (might) be medical shorthand for Gastro Intestinal Bleeding. I don't know much, but I did a little googling, and GIB is one of many possible causes of shortness of breath. My uneducated guess is that it is one of the less likely causes, but that may be one possible suspect the Pro's are considering, or else trying to rule out.

 

[tommyguns2]

If you had an abnormal EKG, perhaps they said A-fib, and not GIB. If you've got A-fib, that's easy for them to see on the EKG. Just seems odd that it would be elusive, as that's pretty easy for medical personnel to spot.

If you're heavily muscled due to years of training, you also likely have sleep apnea, which will readily be detected in your sleep study. I've been using a CPAP for at least the last 6-7 years, and I'm glad to be using it. My wife isn't dealing with me snoring anymore, and I'm getting much better sleep. I sleep with the full mask over my face. I look kinda dorky, but that's pretty consistent with the rest of me, and at this point in my life, I'll take a good night's sleep over looking cool while sleeping! LOL

 

[searay]

I heard them use the word gib several times. It has something to do with my heart rhythm, 1 beat up, 1 beat down. They said it's a common condition many people live with. Problem is if the down beat continues its over. They said a part of my heart has been irritated and is causing this. I bought a oxygen monitor, one of those things you put on the end of your finger, and it's been 94 consistently. I'm thinking a cpap will fix it. If not, it's either too much caffeine or a combination of my meds.

 

[bigrobbie]

I heard them use the word gib several times. It has something to do with my heart rhythm, 1 beat up, 1 beat down. They said it's a common condition many people live with. Problem is if the down beat continues its over. They said a part of my heart has been irritated and is causing this. I bought a oxygen monitor, one of those things you put on the end of your finger, and it's been 94 consistently. I'm thinking a cpap will fix it. If not, it's either too much caffeine or a combination of my meds.

Do you have heartburn often and often severe? Any type of reflux or food regurgitation (partially digested)?
I had a bleeding ulcer and I often felt as though I couldn’t get a good or full breath at times due to the underlying pain

 

[JackD]

Did you have any life changes that you are going through?

change any food habits?

Do you have high blood pressure or cholesterol?

 

[Warhead14]

The good news is, you are on top of it. That is great that you are proactive, it makes all the difference.

 

[DungeonDweller]

If you had an abnormal EKG, perhaps they said A-fib, and not GIB. If you've got A-fib, that's easy for them to see on the EKG. Just seems odd that it would be elusive, as that's pretty easy for medical personnel to spot.

If you're heavily muscled due to years of training, you also likely have sleep apnea, which will readily be detected in your sleep study. I've been using a CPAP for at least the last 6-7 years, and I'm glad to be using it. My wife isn't dealing with me snoring anymore, and I'm getting much better sleep. I sleep with the full mask over my face. I look kinda dorky, but that's pretty consistent with the rest of me, and at this point in my life, I'll take a good night's sleep over looking cool while sleeping! LOL

 

[searay]

Saw my doctor yesterday and the diagnosis is 'bi jeminy' (sp). A part of my heart has been irritated and is causing my heart rythem to be off. I have an appointment to see a heart specialist along with a sleep study and blood draws. Thanks for all the inputs.

 

[searay]

WOW !!! I hope I can get a c-pap like that. I showed my doctor and he's not sure they have any that can do a roll but will definitely check into it as long as I let him play with it should he get one.

 

[Tuffoldman]

It's called bigeminy it's when one of the chambers beats at the wrong rhythm (prematurely).. Premature Ventricular Contraction.

In most cases people can have it and it doesn't have any affect on them at all it is fairly treatable in most cases. You're getting a shortness of breath probably due to an oxygenated blood to the lungs.

"During each heartbeat, your right ventricle pumps blood to your lungs to exchange carbon dioxide for oxygen. Your left ventricle pumps blood through your aorta to the rest of your body. While this is happening, your atria fill with blood and then move it down into the ventricles to get ready for the next heartbeat. Blood moves into your ventricles in between each heartbeat."


Lots of good information. Just stay on top of it like I said most cases it is not life threatening but they do want to make sure that there are no underlying conditions that are causing it all of a sudden.

 

[searay]

It's called bigeminy it's when one of the chambers beats at the wrong rhythm (prematurely).. Premature Ventricular Contraction.

In most cases people can have it and it doesn't have any affect on them at all it is fairly treatable in most cases. You're getting a shortness of breath probably due to an oxygenated blood to the lungs.

"During each heartbeat, your right ventricle pumps blood to your lungs to exchange carbon dioxide for oxygen. Your left ventricle pumps blood through your aorta to the rest of your body. While this is happening, your atria fill with blood and then move it down into the ventricles to get ready for the next heartbeat. Blood moves into your ventricles in between each heartbeat."


Lots of good information. Just stay on top of it like I said most cases it is not life threatening but they do want to make sure that there are no underlying conditions that are causing it all of a sudden.

Thanks bro, your info. makes me feel better about this. Been reading up on it and can't find any definitive info. other than info. that concerns me. What does 'oxygenated blood to the lungs mean'? The other issue I'm having is a heart rate of 30-35 at times. Any idea why my heart rate gets so low?
I called a cardiologist my Dr referred me to and they don't take my ins., AARP United Health Care, WTF ??? I guess U.H.C. don't pay them enough to keep me alive!