Exploring the Link Between Presyncope Symptoms and Breathing Difficulties
For the last three years, I’ve been encountering sporadic episodes reminiscent of presyncope. These episodes manifest as blurred vision, cognitive fog, feelings of faintness, fatigue, and irregular breathing patterns. Over time, the frequency, duration, and severity of these experiences have notably increased. Recently, I sought the expertise of a cardiologist. Both the electrocardiogram (ECG) and echocardiogram returned normal results. Additionally, the doctor conducted a carotid ultrasound to assess cervical blood flow, which also yielded nothing significant. Just a few days after that, I participated in tests concerning my autonomic nervous system. During this assessment, my heart rate and blood pressure were recorded under various conditions and positions. The physician observed a pronounced rise in my heart rate upon standing up and mentioned that she would need time to analyze the comprehensive results. I'm scheduled to return today for a detailed discussion regarding those findings. While I await those results, I’ve been contemplating whether it would be prudent to request a **transcranial Doppler ultrasound** along with an **arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis**. I suspect that I might be experiencing episodes of under-breathing or hypoventilation, which could lead to increased levels of CO₂. This, in turn, might impact cerebral blood flow and contribute to the symptoms I’ve been facing. Does this line of inquiry seem valid? Are there alternative tests that might offer more insight into my situation?
Answers (1)
7/28/2025, 10:20:46 AM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandable that you're seeking clarity regarding your symptoms of presyncope and irregular breathing patterns, especially after extensive testing has resulted in normal findings. Monitoring every angle of these episodes is crucial, and your intuition about potential underlying issues is valid. Let's break this down.
Main Points:
- Your symptoms—blurred vision, cognitive fog, faintness, fatigue, and irregular breathing—could have multiple causes.
- Normal results from ECG, echocardiogram, and carotid ultrasound suggest a primary cardiac issue is less likely.
- Increasing heart rate upon standing could indicate autonomic dysfunction, which might link to your symptoms.
Explanation:
Your experience sounds distressing, and the combination of symptoms could be related to various factors, including nervous system dysregulation or breathing patterns. In autonomic testing, a significant heart rate increase upon standing suggests orthostatic intolerance, where your body has trouble regulating blood flow with changes in position. This dysregulation could potentially lead to the presyncope-like symptoms you're experiencing.
Regarding your suggestion of requesting a transcranial Doppler ultrasound and arterial blood gas analysis:
- Transcranial Doppler Ultrasound: This test assesses blood flow in the brain and may provide insight into cerebral circulation, especially during episodes.
- Arterial Blood Gas (ABG): This test measures oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in your blood, which can help determine if breathing issues are contributing to your symptoms.
Next Steps:
-
Discuss Pending Results: First, attend your scheduled discussion with your physician regarding the autonomic testing results. Understanding their analysis will be crucial before pursuing further tests.
-
Request Further Investigations: Consider bringing up your concerns about breathing patterns and potential hypoventilation during your meeting. Ask specifically about the transcranial Doppler ultrasound and ABG analysis.
-
Maintain a Symptom Diary: Keep track of your episodes, noting when they occur, duration, any associated movements or activities, and how you’re feeling before and after. This can provide valuable information for your healthcare team.
-
Focus on Breathing Techniques: While awaiting results, practice deep breathing exercises to potentially help with your breathing irregularities. Techniques such as diaphragmatic breathing can enhance oxygen intake and help stabilize your breathing pattern.
-
Monitor Hydration and Physical Activity: Ensure you’re well-hydrated and consider gentle activities that won’t exacerbate your symptoms but will promote cardiovascular health.
Your proactive approach to understanding and managing your health is commendable. Taking these steps may help both in discussions with your healthcare provider and in monitoring your symptoms.
Related Questions
One Week Post-Ear Reconstruction Surgery: Seeking Pain Relief Advice
Age: 28, Height: 5'5", Weight: 150 lbs, Location: England Current Medication: Morphine 10mg/5ml Health Background: Experiencing moderate to severe bilateral hearing loss, reliant on hearing aids. Hello everyone, I wanted to share an update following my significant surgery in May. For those interested in my earlier experiences, feel free to check out my previous discussion with attached details. Since undergoing the procedure, I had the BIPP gauze taken out on June 2nd, which was quite an ordeal. The sensation was akin to having a plug pulled from my brain, accompanied by unexpected noises and considerable bleeding. On the bright side, the surgeon mentioned that the graft is healing well. Now, almost three months post-operation, I often experience ear fatigue characterized by a nerve-like burning sensation, especially when lying on my ear for too long or when using headphones that exert pressure on the area. Additionally, the right side of my tongue remains numb, and there’s some soreness around the top of my ear and at the scar site. I frequently feel a sense of “fullness” in my right ear, particularly when I’m lying on that side. It feels as if everything is draining toward that side, and I’ve been dealing with a persistent yellowish-white discharge. Unfortunately, I haven't had a chance to consult an ENT specialist yet, as the NHS system tends to be quite slow. I am currently awaiting an appointment for a hearing evaluation, but I’m not very hopeful about the outcomes. For those who are curious, I can share some images to illustrate my condition. Any insights as to whether I should be more proactive about seeing an ENT specialist based on this ear discharge or if this is just part of the regular healing process would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your support, Reddit!
Seeking a Second Opinion on Left Shoulder Issues
I am a 36-year-old Caucasian male, standing at 5'9" and weighing 160 pounds. I smoked roughly a pack a day for ten years but quit two and a half years ago. Recently, I was prescribed Adderall XR about eight days ago, and I occasionally indulge in maybe two to three alcoholic beverages weekly. My shoulder troubles began approximately two weeks ago when I made a conscious effort to target my shoulders more during workouts. Initially, I experienced a peculiar sensation while reaching for objects, but it was not accompanied by any pain or restricted movement. After about ten days, I spent roughly two hours playing the drums, not continuously, and felt relatively fine. I usually maintain an active lifestyle, engaging in walking, gym sessions, and kayak fishing at least three times a week. I pushed through my workout routine despite the initial odd feeling, which evolved into mild discomfort but was not enough to disrupt my exercise regimen. However, after about ten days, I noticed a slightly worsening discomfort. While playing the drums, which lasted a couple of hours, I did not encounter any pain. Yet, upon finishing, I experienced excruciating pain when reaching for a drink on the counter, and my shoulder seemed unresponsive. Three days into this issue, I took Ibuprofen, which provided some relief, yet pain persisted with specific restrictions in movement. When I keep my elbow close to my body, there is no issue, but if I turn my thumb down, I can move my arm through a full range. On the other hand, if my hand is level with the ground or my thumb is positioned upwards, I can only lift my arm to about a 90° angle. I can extend my elbow fully, but rotating my arm upward is limited to about 5 to 10 degrees. The rapid development of these symptoms seems atypical for what is generally described as a frozen shoulder condition. My evaluation did not include any physical range of motion assessments; I was only asked questions which led to a diagnosis. I have a physical therapy appointment scheduled, but I'm questioning whether I should seek another opinion given the lack of physical examinations during my initial assessment. An X-ray has been requested as part of the investigation.
Unusual Linear Bruising: A Concern with Vascular Implications?
Age: 30, Female Condition: POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) Diagnosis: Mitral Valve Prolapse with Moderate Regurgitation, plus minor regurgitation in other heart valves. Medications: Taking propranolol at a dosage of 40 mg twice daily, buspirone at 20 mg twice daily, Lamictal at 25 mg once daily, Pristiq at 100 mg once daily, and Ritalin Extended Release at 54 mg once daily. Additionally, supplementing with CoQ10 at 200 mg once or twice daily. Greetings! As indicated in my title, I have experienced peculiar bruising on my legs periodically over the past year or two. I have been diagnosed with POTS, and I may possibly have Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. I'm scheduled to consult with a rheumatologist soon. Notably, these bruises seem to align with my veins. I'm uncertain about the cause—there's been no trauma or injury involved. These occurrences tend to coincide with times when I’m more susceptible to bruising, such as developing dark marks from resting my elbow on my leg. I would appreciate any insight into this matter! Thank you!
Understanding Intramuscular Myxoma: Seeking Guidance
A 42-year-old male, standing at 6 feet 1 inch and weighing 210 pounds, currently has no medications and no known allergies. Recently, I was informed that I might have a benign tumor, specifically an intramuscular myxoma. This diagnosis has been quite distressing and has emerged after years of uncertainty. I find myself questioning the accuracy of this assessment and would greatly appreciate a second opinion or any insights. The main concern is a lump located in my temple area. It does not cause any pain, and there are no additional symptoms accompanying it. From what I’ve learned, myxomas are rather uncommon. Compounding this situation is the fact that this lump fluctuates in size, occasionally swelling and then reducing in dimension. Considering I’m a male with a hard consistency of the lump and its specific location, I am not entirely convinced by the current diagnosis. Any constructive feedback would be greatly valued. Thank you.
Seeking Guidance on ANA Test Results and Associated Health Concerns
I’m a 29-year-old woman seeking insights regarding some recent medical findings. After undergoing a biopsy, I received diagnoses of lichen simplex and early-stage lichen sclerosus. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to consult with my new primary physician until November. In the meantime, I am investigating whether my previous health issues could indicate an autoimmune condition, largely due to my mother's history with rheumatoid arthritis, as well as her experiences with oxalate troubles, hypothyroidism, osteoporosis, and debilitating migraines. My ANA titer results showed a reading of 1:40H with a nuclear, speckled pattern. While I am trying to remain calm and avoid jumping to any conclusions, I would appreciate guidance on how to discuss these findings with my healthcare provider. The impetus for these lab tests was a persistently low white blood cell (WBC) count over the last eight months. Interestingly, my most recent WBC levels returned to normal, though the absolute eosinophils were notably low at 8L, which I understand may not be a red flag. Additionally, my C-reactive protein (CRP) level was reported at less than 3.0. I’ve committed to repeating these lab tests in about a month as I’m currently on day seven of the Autoimmune Protocol diet. For context, I am a white female, standing 5'5" tall and weighing 137 pounds. I maintain an active lifestyle and am in the process of finding an effective stimulant for ADHD, with plans to start on 5mg of Focalin tomorrow. My daily supplements include collagen powder, Vitamin C, Omega-3, and Vitamin D3+K2. Occasionally, I apply mupirocin for MRSA flare-ups. Recently, I underwent a bilateral salpingectomy during which a small amount of endometriosis was excised. A recent bone scan revealed normal results, and earlier this year, hormone tests yielded typical values, apart from the aforementioned WBC concerns. I have previously battled Lyme disease and still contend with Epstein-Barr. Over the past few years, I've been experiencing various symptoms, including IBS-D, fatigue, swelling in my hands, newfound allergies to pets and adhesives, worsened seasonal allergies, headaches, upper abdominal pain, signs of hypoglycemia, acid reflux, and a general itchiness. This past year, I’ve noticed an increase in illnesses and longer-lasting symptoms, including a sinus infection at the start of this month that is only now beginning to resolve. My IBS symptoms have persisted for about seven years and seem to run in my family, as my mother, aunt, and maternal grandparents have similarly struggled. The MRSA infection in my nasal passages emerged years ago and tends to recur, particularly when allergies flare up and excessive tissue use leads to dryness and minor cuts. I would greatly appreciate any insights on whether these symptoms could indicate a specific condition. I expect additional tests may be required but would like to have some initial thoughts to guide my conversation with my doctor.