This is what I was talking about. Here is a quote from the book Neuromuscular Junction Disorders: Diagnosis and Treatment, by Dr. Meriggioli, Dr. Howard and Dr. Harper:
“Arterial blood gas measurements are a relatively
insensitive measure of impending respiratory
decompensation in MG since the initial changes are
consistent with hyperventilation and are usually
attributed to anxiety. By the time CO2 retention
occurs, the respiratory muscles have already
begun to decompensate.”
And when they do the arterial blood gas, like they did with me during my crisis, while you have oxygen on, the readings are completely inaccurate!
I was decompensating big time. 2/5 muscle strength and O2 sats dipping into the 70's. MIP average of -24. I was "fine" though, right? They didn't really need to put me in the ICU where my breathing could be monitored. They didn't really need to give me more than oxygen. And so what if I waited four days for any other treatment?
I must've just been anxious.
Ally/Alice and Alice/?, this is a good discussion. I know that it's complicated for a lot of people. Metabolic acidosis and respiratory alkalosis? It makes even doctors' heads spin. And the fluid issues I went through with diabetes insipidus going undiagnosed . . . I swear they couldn't figure it out if it was pointed out.
My real nickname is Annie.
Annie