Health Scare

[CMJ]

First off, not looking for sympathy...but maybe someone went through something similar one time (the doctors seemed sorta clueless).

I don't post about personal matters here much, as I am kinda private. But I had what I thought major health scare last night. Went to the hospital and everything (which for me is....an act of God). After some tests where they couldn't find anything wrong with me), I started feeling better. They gave me a sedative and sent me home. I'm "almost" normal right now, but still a little dizzy.

It was just the worst dizziness of my life....my entire left side went numb and I had like these rolling electrical charges going up and down my body. I have always been healthy, so I think when I initially was dizzy and sorta having trouble keeping my self vertical, I had a panic attack. I literally couldn't breath and had about a thousand thoughts going on all at the same time.

One of those (along with what's happening, how do i call my folks, etc) was how the phuck is GMG gonna find out of I died. In retrospect, that amuses me, but man....I was mortified and had thousands of thoughts going through my mind. Everything from wastes of money from my past, to favorite movies, to being ticked off I wasn't gonna see next basketball season.

It was just so bizarre. It started out a a small pain in my forehead, and immediately I felt like I was gonna pass out. Then I got up really fast, and you know that feeling of light headedness you get after standing too quick? It was that times 10. I stumbled towards the kitchen, but by then I was sorta seeing black with white outlines instead of everything in color. I stumbled to try and get some water, and then the left side of my body was numb to the point of near unresponsiveness, and that's when I really started to freak out.

After stumbling in circles for a few seconds I was able to get outside and call for help from my neighbor, who rang an ambulance and my folks.

I've just never really had health issues like this before. Most I normally get is some heartburn if I eat too much. I run everyday and stuff, so all the while I was wondering how this could be a stroke or a heart attack if I am in great shape and just 34 years old.

Hospital folks didn't seem to have any idea what it could be, saw 3-4 people. I slowly started to feel better. They performed a test or two, gave me a sedative and sent me home. I don't know what initially set it off the dizzyness, but once I hit the freak out stage, I think I gave myself a *really* severe panic attack. I could barely breath for about an hour and was seeing spots at times. It was almost like it wasn't happening to me. They said that was normal.

[Rudy]

I'm glad you're ok. You definitely gave yourself a panic attack, but the other symptoms sound like a cross between a heart attack and a stroke. I'd try to see a specialist based on thos sypmtoms.

As for being a runner and having a heart attack. There have been cops in great physical shape drop from a heart attack during training. May I suggest jogging and working out, keeping your heart rate in a target zone. You may already do that, but just throwing it out there.

Hope you feel better and there is nothing serious.

[GreenBat]

Courtland,

I had a similar situation when I was around 27 or 28, It was an equilibrem (sp) problem. It lasted for two or three days. I did not go to the hospital, but went to the doctor the next day. They told me take it easy for a week and come back if needed. If you think it is a heart or a blood flow problem, I'd recommend getting it checked out. You worrid "how the phuck is GMG gonna find out of I died." because we are all family. Hope you discover the problem and things get better. You are in my prayers, as are all my MEAN GREEN Brethren.

[CMJ]

After giving me an EKG, they didn't seem to feel it was heart related. But who knows? The docs were actually kinda perplexed.

[GreenMachine]

After giving me an EKG, they didn't seem to feel it was heart related. But who knows? The docs were actually kinda perplexed.

Man, what a scare. Take care of yourself and keep us updated.

[greenminer]

If you want to go the extra mile on the running awareness, get a heart rate monitor. A lot of the runners I train with use one: a simple strap that sends signals to a compatible watch.

Head over to runnersworld and peruse the site for great info about where your rate should be.

I went through a "freak out" stretch when I was first experiencing heart burn. Eating better, dropping 20lbs and changing careers have put that behind me but I did find out (so randomly) I have a Vitamin B deficiency related to my digestive system.

I hope you figure this out.

**EDIT: late 20s/early 30s seems to be a ripe age for health shifts/awareness.

Edited October 6, 2012 by greenminer

[cwb]

As for the extreme dizzines, you might want to have the doctor check your ears if you go back to one. Lot of balance control in that region. As for going in for some water, might I suggest Gray Goose next time?

I only make light of this since you are alright.

[Rudy]

If you want to go the extra mile on the running awareness, get a heart rate monitor. A lot of the runners I train with use one: a simple strap that sends signals to a compatible watch.

Recommend a heart rate monitor 110% I don't workout with out one. Polar has good ones. They used to be the only ones medically certified.

[UNTFan23]

I have a Garmin heart monitor/GPS that I use for running/working out. It also tracks your calorie burn plus you can post your stats online.

[CMJ]

My honest guess now is, I just had a really bad rush of blood to my head, got dizzy, freaked the hell out, and then it cycled in on itself until I got a panic attack. I was reading up on them today, and many of the descriptions are very close to what I experienced.

[Green Mean]

CMJ,

My GF experienced something similar to this for about 2-3 months last year and went to the emergency probably 2 or 3 times and they first did a blood test and found nothing. This kept on happening and yet they ordered yet another blood test to test for more things and they found out that her iron levels were severely low and that was the root cause of what she was going through so they gave her iron pills and to eat certain foods that would boost her iron levels. Obviously I'm not saying that is what you have but from what you described it isn't completely far off from what my GF experienced. Just thought I'd pass it on to you fyi but I am glad you are well now.

[CMJ]

CMJ,

My GF experienced something similar to this for about 2-3 months last year and went to the emergency probably 2 or 3 times and they first did a blood test and found nothing. This kept on happening and yet they ordered yet another blood test to test for more things and they found out that her iron levels were severely low and that was the root cause of what she was going through so they gave her iron pills and to eat certain foods that would boost her iron levels. Obviously I'm not saying that is what you have but from what you described it isn't completely far off from what my GF experienced. Just thought I'd pass it on to you fyi but I am glad you are well now.

Thanks, I am just gathering as much info from people as I can.

[Rudy]

If it's an iron deficiency, chew some nails. Show LA who's boss.

[UNT Five&Dime]

I'll throw out Iron deficiency as well. Usually you'd tire easily if that was the case but the headache could be a symptom. Definitely get some routine bloodwork done - your physician might be able to figure something out from that. I had no idea I had high cholesterol until I got my first physical earlier this year. A few bucks (on insurance) and a little of my time was all it took. I feel stupid for waiting so long to have one done, especially since I had a slight health issue that needed attention.

Glad you're okay. Go Mean Green!

[RushnStudies]

That sounds scary just reading it. I hope they figure out what's going on and I'm glad to hear you're ok.

[UNT90]

I'll throw out Iron deficiency as well. Usually you'd tire easily if that was the case but the headache could be a symptom. Definitely get some routine bloodwork done - your physician might be able to figure something out from that. I had no idea I had high cholesterol until I got my first physical earlier this year. A few bucks (on insurance) and a little of my time was all it took. I feel stupid for waiting so long to have one done, especially since I had a slight health issue that needed attention.

Glad you're okay. Go Mean Green!

I would third this.

Especially if you are on any type of low iron diet.

Either way, get to a specialist. Get blood work done. Dont fool around with it.

Hot Springs is but 6 months away. Need you in top form :-)

[houstonmeangreen]

CMJ...this is classic panic attack...did you wake up feeling this way?...do you have a cardiac family history?..did you have chest pain, breaking out in sweats (diaphoresis), arm or jaw pain, palpatations, etc.?..what tests were done in the ER?...did they do cardiac enzymes, cbc, chem panel..I'm sure they did....you probably don't need a holter monitor if you were symptomatic at the time your ekg was done and it was neg. Probably the reason you feel the docs at the ER didn't have a clue was because you symptoms are too diverse to be attributed to a certain disease or condition...other than panic attack...Im sure they did a physical exam...checked your ears, etc to r/o BPV...as to iron def...not likely in you unless you have a GI bleed...women have it because of menstruration..often DUB...men don't want extra iron..this is why you will not find iron in men's multiple vits....the CBC will show if you have anemia..if so, then you need add'l labs for w/u for iron def...if so you need a workup to find the source (ie EGD and colonoscopy)

you should follow up with you primary care doc, he may want to put you on a short course of anti anxiety meds, get a stress test and cardiac doppler and discuss what might be the cause of your anxiety....from what i know here, I think anxiety is probably the right dx....good luck my friend.

This in no way constitutes medical advise.