Posts by Thomas Jackson9

Michael Phillips8 said:Is anyone else here using a smartwatch to keep an eye on their blood oxygen levels? My Apple has been tracking it non-stop, and I’ve found the data to be quite fascinating, if a bit peculiar. During the night, my levels consistently dip down to about 93%, sometimes even hitting 88%, before they start climbing again as morning approaches. In the mornings, I might see a reading of 93%, then by lunchtime, it settles up to around 96-98%, only to start sliding back down in the evening until it hits about 94% by 8 or 9 PM.
Or perhaps I'm just experiencing a glitch where it stays at a steady 98-99% all day from 1 PM to 9 PM, but then I take the watch off for thirty minutes to hop in the shower, put it right back on, and suddenly it tells me I'm at 90%.

I certainly realize that how the watch sits on my wrist and how much I'm moving around can throw things off, and I know this isn't some heavy-duty medical device, but for those of you using a proper Pulse Oximeter, do you find your saturation levels staying relatively consistent throughout the day?

Generally speaking, your oxygen should be lower during physical exertion and higher while you're resting or sleeping through the night. It wouldn't hurt to schedule a checkup with your doctor just to be safe.

swifteagle32 said:As a lingering effect from COVID, my doctor suggested I start keeping an eye on my blood oxygen levels, especially since I’m quite active and get out for runs pretty often, so I’ve been diving into my options for monitoring this kind of data...

Does anyone here have any firsthand experience with this? I managed to stumble upon this one:

Any pro tips or advice before I pull the trigger on a purchase? 🙂

I’ve actually had mine for over five years now, and honestly, it’s been a lifesaver for me since I deal with chronic lung issues. It’s incredibly helpful because my treatment plan includes supplemental oxygen when needed, so whenever my levels dip, I just hook myself up to my oxygen tank. If you ask me, I say go for it—just please, don't settle for those dirt-cheap ones you see being flashed in random internet ads for twenty bucks. Those aren't worth the headache.

Megan Jones27 said:So, how did you actually manage to get rid of those symptoms, specifically that hiatal hernia issue?

Hey there! Well, my journey started with a six-week course of Emanera, and then I really focused on getting my gut health right with probiotics and a solid vitamin regimen. I also had to make some pretty big shifts in my eating habits—switching over to five smaller meals throughout the day instead of the usual heavy lifting. One of the biggest things was actually cutting out coffee, which I realized was a huge trigger for me, along with greasy foods and all that processed sugar. It’s been a bit of a slow burn, honestly; the improvement didn't happen overnight, but things have finally stabilized and I'm feeling much better now. I've just been leaning heavily into more fresh fruits and vegetables, and that seems to be doing the trick!

Joseph Green12 said:During my endoscopy, the doctor noted on my report that a hiatal hernia is starting to form. He just gave me the usual routine advice about eating smaller meals and things like that, but he didn't mention at all that it could actually trigger symptoms like yours. I haven't noticed any racing heart or anything; I actually wear a smartwatch that keeps an eye on my heart rate for me.

.Honestly, you should do a little digging on Google to see everything that can stem from that, because it truly cost me three months of my life... I was dealing with almost the exact same symptoms you're describing now. Some people even call it the "mother of all illnesses." I had to change my whole diet and switch to several small meals throughout the day, and during that whole stretch, I ended up losing quite a bit of weight. My doctors were just as stumped as anyone else, too—they even tried sending me to a psychiatrist, suggesting I was just imagining the whole thing, but eventually, we finally got this diagnosis.

Joseph Green12 said:Hi everyone,

this might sound a bit dramatic, but honestly, it feels pretty close to the truth, so I’m reaching out hoping someone might have some advice on what to do next.

For months now, I’ve felt like my body is just... shutting down. It’s been progressively getting worse. I have this total lack of energy, and I even feel like I'm losing my cognitive edge—it's hard to concentrate on anything at all.

I can sleep for ten hours straight, yet I wake up feeling completely drained; I’ll manage to get one tiny thing done for work, and then I have to go right back to bed, which has basically become my whole day. Thankfully, since the pandemic hit, I've been working from home, because if I were in an office, I probably would have been let go by now. This isn't just that typical kind of tired where you think, "Man, I had a long day at the office and I'm wiped"—it's a complete physiological shutdown. Even blinking feels like an exhausting chore.

Back when I was actually feeling like myself, I used to train quite regularly, but now, I’ll show up to the gym, force myself through ten minutes of movement, and then I'm just a lifeless husk for the rest of the day. My aerobic capacity is also pretty terrible lately (I haven't quite recovered from COVID 😁).

On top of that, I've started getting these paresthesias—pins and needles sensations—in my legs. When I had bloodwork done a few months ago, my B12 and folate levels (7) were sitting right on the lower limit. There might be a connection there, but I haven't started supplementing because my primary care physician insists they aren't technically "below" the threshold. 🕺
Also, my Vitamin D levels were significantly below the healthy range, so I've been supplementing that until my latest labs showed it finally returned to normal.

A few months back, I went through the ringer with testing: I had a brain MRI, a CT scan, an abdominal ultrasound, and a full thyroid panel—nothing really stood out as abnormal.
My ferritin is elevated, TIBC is below the limit, MCH and MCHC are low, and my MPV is high.
An endocrinologist did find some mild insulin resistance, but again, nothing major.
Around the time these symptoms started manifesting, I was dealing with an H. pylori infection. I had a gastroscopy, and while follow-up tests show the infection is gone, the stomach issues persist daily—mostly constant nausea. Gluten antibodies came back negative, though.

And now, I've developed this brutal tinnitus; it's constant, 24/7, and I've never dealt with anything like it before.

My doctor is adamant that this is just depression and wants to put me on antidepressants. He doesn't seem interested in running any more tests. Look, I get it—the brain is an organ too, and maybe he's right, and I certainly won't deny that I'm experiencing elements of depression and anxiety right now. But I personally view those as secondary effects; they're happening because my body feels like it's "dying" and I see myself failing to function every single day.

Does anyone have any ideas on what else I should look into? Any "Dr. House" style suggestions? I'm willing to go the private route and pay whatever it takes at this point; I just want to feel normal again.
I'm 29 years old, but I feel like I'm 92.

I'd truly appreciate any insight. I was thinking about looking into the MTHFR mutation and re-testing my B vitamins to see if anything has shifted over the last few months. Beyond that, I'm a bit stumped.
Maybe an immunologist?

Hi there, did your gastroenterologist happen to mention a hiatal hernia? I dealt with very similar symptoms last summer, and it turned out to be a hiatal hernia (a bulge in the stomach area). It's such a nagging issue and it affects everything. You mentioned so many things—the tingling, the nausea, the foggy vision, and that crushing fatigue—so you might want to do a little digging on that. I spent three months stuck in that same frustrating loop before I got a diagnosis. Also, have you had any heart issues, like a racing pulse or anything? That might be worth checking out too. Best of luck.

Maria Fisher46 said:It’s definitely worth looking closely at the protein electrophoresis pattern, though one could reasonably suspect polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia based on what we're seeing here. Honestly, the list of potential culprits behind this kind of thing is quite extensive—we're talking everything from lingering infections (especially those chronic ones that just won't quit) to liver issues, systemic connective tissue diseases, or even various hematological disorders and malignancies. It really takes some careful, methodical detective work to untangle all those possibilities and figure out what might be going on in your specific situation.

Thanks so much for getting back to me!! My total protein levels came back at 75, and since the standard range is usually between 66 and 81, it seems to be right where it should be, plus my entire CBC looks absolutely fantastic. I was wondering, though—is there any chance this could be linked to the fact that I tested positive for COVID-19 just a few days before these results came in?

Keith Gonzalez said:What kind of day hospital are we talking about here, and what was the specific reason they ordered an electrophoresis test?

It was a day hospital clinic over near Jordan, specifically for pulmonary issues, though I have to admit I'm a bit in the dark regarding why they requested the electrophoresis. It was just part of my standard three-month follow-up appointment.

Hi there, I was wondering if someone might be able to help me make sense of some lab results from a routine checkup I had at the outpatient clinic recently...
Albumin 55.7%55.8 - 66.1(S) Albumin41.8g/L41.0 - 48.6(S) Alfa 1 globulini 3.2%2.9 - 4.9(S) Alfa 1 globulini2.4g/L2.1 - 3.6(S) Alfa 2 globulini 7.3%7.1 - 11.8(S) Alfa 2 globulini5.5g/L5.2 - 8.7(S) Beta globulini 10.0%8.4 - 13.1(S) Beta globulini7.5g/L6.2 - 9.6(S) Gama globulini 23.8%11.1 - 18.8(S) Gama globulini17.9g/L8.2 - 13.8
I’m mostly curious about those elevated gamma globulins—could anyone explain what that might mean? Thanks so much!

wiredmaker10 said:So, my heart MRI results finally landed on my desk, but honestly, being a total layperson, I'm staring at a mountain of data and numbers that look pretty much like my previous ones without offering any clear-cut diagnosis or "bottom line" conclusion.
The main findings go something like this:

Dilatation of the right atrium, dilatation of the left atrium (diameter 50mm, area 27cm2), LV dilatation (width up to 60mm during diastole), normal wall thickness, and the myocardium shows normal signal intensity.
There are no signs of intra-cardiac tumors or pericardial effusion.
In Cine mode, myocardial contractility is normal, with mild mitral regurgitation. No signs of a shunt.
Myocardial perfusion testing at rest appears normal.
On delayed sequences following the IV administration of contrast agent, the myocardium displays normal signal intensity.

LV volumetry and function: EF: 46.1%...

I really appreciate all the info and explanations provided here; thanks to you all, I managed to untangle a few of the confusing bits and contradictions.

"No signs of a shunt"—that basically means there’s no communication between the two atria or the two ventricles, meaning no ASD or VSD, or essentially no holes in the heart, which is fantastic news! Did they happen to mention anything regarding pulmonary pressures anywhere in the report?

swiftscout2 said:So, does anyone here actually have tricuspid regurgitation? How long have you been managing it, and how are you holding up? From everything I've been reading, you seem like an incredibly positive and upbeat person, thank God! 👍

Well, I actually do have mild tricuspid regurgitation myself; it was first diagnosed back in 2007, so I've been living with this diagnosis for about twelve years now, and goodness, I have certainly been through quite a journey, including heart surgery at one point. For the last five years, I've been receiving my care over at the Mayo Clinic. Despite everything I've faced, I truly try to remain an upbeat, sunny, and optimistic person! 🙂

swiftscout2 said:How long did it take you guys to actually get a diagnosis? Did they catch the regurgitation before the hypertension, or was it the other way around?

Well, looking back at my very first ultrasound, the doctors told me right away that my pulmonary pressures were incredibly high, even though they couldn't clearly see the valve issues just yet. It’s a bit of a complicated story because my Pulmonary Hypertension actually developed because a congenital heart defect wasn't caught early enough in my life. They ended up sending me in for a cardiac ultrasound primarily because I was dealing with this overwhelming, bone-deep exhaustion and fatigue—I didn't really have any other symptoms to report at the time.

swiftscout2 said:I get all that, but I’m asking specifically about what tricuspid regurgitation actually entails. I know the PG refers to the peak gradient, but those mmHg numbers are what's sticking in my mind.
We've already been to see the cardiologist three times now. He gave us the prescription, and we're just waiting for the follow-up in a few months.

Anyway, please do keep us posted on how everything turns out... take care!

swiftscout2 said:Yeah, fair point. During his last checkup, the cardiologist told him there wasn't any pulmonary regurgitation.
Does anyone know for sure what "TR max PG" actually refers to on an echocardiogram? Is that specifically pulmonary pressure, or am I misreading this?

Well, you see, tricuspid regurgitation can sometimes pop up whenever there's any kind of underlying heart damage, though it doesn't necessarily mean pulmonary hypertension is present. Honestly, I always find it's best to just sit down and have a real conversation with the cardiologist; they're the ones who can walk you through the specifics and make sure the treatment plan and medications are headed in the right direction.

swiftscout2 said:Dear Mirjana, they listed some numbers, but I have absolutely no clue how to make sense of them. For the tricuspid regurgitation (TR max PG), it shows 29.2 mmHg. I'm lost—what does that actually mean or signify?

Well, typically, we start looking at pulmonary pressure once those numbers climb above 30 mmHg, and since yours is sitting right there at 29.2, I don't think we're looking at a pH issue either—if that were the case, your doctor would have likely flagged it immediately during the scan. That being said, it really would be a good idea to track down a cardiologist who can sit down and walk you through the full report, because in my experience, having tricuspid regurgitation isn't exactly considered "normal." Sending you my best!

swiftscout2 said:Dear Mirjana, thanks for getting back to me.
Someone very dear to me just had an echocardiogram, and the results showed pulmonary regurgitation, mitral regurgitation, tricuspid regurgitation, and an S3 heart murmur.
I’m wondering if this is typical for pulmonary hypertension—should I be worried? They haven't done an exercise stress test yet, but they did go through with a coronary angiogram (which came back clean, no stenosis found).

Thanks,

Hi there! Honestly, if that coronary angiography came back looking normal, then everything should be fine, really. I was wondering, did the echo report mention anything about the pressure levels in the lungs? If it didn't specifically note any elevated pressures, then it’s likely everything is within a normal range. Just remember, regurgitation simply means the valves aren't closing perfectly, which doesn't necessarily point toward pulmonary hypertension.

swiftscout2 said:Is there anyone else on here who might be able to help me out? I’ve got a few questions for anyone willing to weigh in. There’s a fellow member here who’s pretty worried because she suspects a dear friend might be dealing with dg PH.
Thanks

Go ahead and ask, I'll certainly try my best to help if I can! 🙂

Hi there! I was just wondering, have you had a chance to get your heart checked out lately? Or maybe you’ve been feeling unusually wiped out, like you’re pushing yourself way past your limit? I know, I know—it sounds a bit out of left field, and honestly, it sounded just as nonsensical to me when it first happened. I actually went through something remarkably similar where I kept feeling this strange discomfort on the right side of my abdomen; it wasn't even sharp pain, just this persistent, nagging pressure in that area. After running what felt like an endless marathon of tests and doctor visits, it turned out to be a heart issue. They explained that the pressure I was feeling was actually my liver pulsing because it wasn't getting quite enough oxygen from my heart. It’s a bit of a wild connection, but please, do check in with a doctor just to be safe. Best wishes!

steeleagle152 said:So, I went in for my radio-cardiogram today, and honestly, I wanted to let you all know that the whole procedure was completely painless. I was actually quite nervous about the needle in the neck part, but I didn't feel a thing! The staff at the hospital were just wonderful—so professional and friendly, they took the time to walk me through everything so there were no surprises. They hit the mark on the very first try, which was such a relief.
Just figured I'd share in case anyone else is feeling a bit anxious about going in.
P.S. I had the scan done over at the Mayo Clinic.
Best,

Sent from my iPhone using Reddit

I actually had my scan done at the Mayo Clinic too, though my experience wasn't quite as smooth as yours. I am truly happy to hear that everything went well for you, though, and I really hope you get some good news with your results soon... Best wishes!

steeleagle152 said:Well, I just wrote down exactly what was listed in the medical report. It’s asking for a cardiologist.

Sent from my iPhone using Reddit

Oh, okay—my bad! That’s actually what I was suspecting, too... I just had this little hope that there might be a specific diagnosis already on hand, or at least a strong suspicion of one.

Kimberly Ward said:I was just wondering, would it be okay to take something to help calm down beforehand? Maybe it might make things a little easier to handle?

Well, I personally feel like it’s perfectly fine to combine therapy with something to help ease the anxiety, though I do believe there should be a bit of a gap between them—I can't quite recall the exact timing, if I remember correctly, but I went through something very similar a few years back.