Dyspnea

Greetings All,Had my initial PM changed after 13 yrs and now on my second year with the new one. No problems.At age 86 am still active,play golf,workout at least four times a week.
What is frustrating is that I have had complete cardio-pulmonary workups at Duke Med and no one can explain my exertional dyspnea.No problem riding an exercise bike for 30 minutes but get short of breath after one minute on the treadmill.Mild pulmonary obstructive disease secondary to GERD.Anybody have breathing problems? Never really smoked.
Be thankful for your PM.

1 Comments

Dyspnea

by SMITTY - 2008-11-16 01:11:22


Hello Troon,

The only one of your questions I can offer anything on is "Anybody have breathing problems?"

I do whenever I exercise, or do anything physical. For example I moved a dang flower pot that weighed about 15 lbs. inside last night because we were having our first freeze of the year. Afterward I had to sit down for a few minutes I was so SOB.

To compound the problem my heart rate will drop into the mid-40s 90% of the time with anything physical although my pacemaker has settings are 70 to 120. Let me sit on my rump for a while and the HR will be a steady 70. Talk about incentive to be lazy, I have a perfect one. Pacemaker docs and regular cardiologists have been useless in getting me an answer.

One other thing on the SOB, "my" cardiologist sent me to a pulmonologist for a check on the SOB. After several months and many tests it has been determined that I have a paralyzed diaphragm on the right size. That is pressing on the bottom of my lung and reducing my breathing capacity. If there is a connection between that and my exercise induced SOB, no one will venture a guess. The nonfuncting diaphragm is a real problem when I bend over as it let lets other internal organs press on the bottom of my lungs.

One other piece of good news on the paralyzed diaphragm, it most often happens to people over 60 years of age. I notice you are about 7 years older than me so that is a possibility for you to think about.

I wish you good luck in finding the cause of your problem.

Smitty

You know you're wired when...

You need to be re-booted each morning.

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Since I got my pacemaker, I don't pass out anymore! That's a blessing in itself.