With having RSD and all that goes with it, of course I've been fatigued and fog-headed for years. But the last several days, it has been so much worse! In the early afternoon, I've been having these "spells" where I am really weak, extremely fog-headed, nausiated, and have slowed-down breathing (so slow, it fact, I feel as though I have to consciously put out the effort to keep breathing; caught myself stopping breathing a couple of times -- and it's not anxiety). Haven't changed my diet or meds. I have 2 SCS and take percocet. When I have these spells, I'm (mentally, not physically) afraid of falling asleep because I'm afraid I will stop breathing. I'm assuming this is just really low blood pressure. Does that sound right? Anyone else relate to which I'm speaking of?

Thanks!!! Vanna

Vanna...

So sorry to read what you are having to endure.. My guess.. completely.. possibly sleep apenea????..as I have heard RSD can be related to that..possibly not getting your right rest due to invariable breathing and your body is needing more rest...Bad enough RSD takes all of our energy out of us as is..... plx. call your Dr. and spill this on them as we love ya here and don't want you to take any chances for anything else happening..We know our bodys the best and you should take good notes of your current symptoms and share with your Dr. first..then us to let us know you are okay!!!

KS

Hi Vanna, I'm sorry you are having this fatique, weakness, etc. I would get into the Dr. right away Because RSD is an autonomic disorder, we can have high blood pressure from the sympathetic nervous system AND low blood presure from the para sympathetic nervous system. When I was into RSD in 9th-10th year, I woke up weak, stumbling and passed out for some length-hr-1 1/2 hr. Couldn't get up, when I woke up- but got husband attention and called 911. One paramedic thought I was dead, couldn't find pulse-was in semi icu for 4 days. blood pressure was 60/40 I bought a home unit at Costco and take my presure regular. I can tell when it drops,physically It's serious. I try to keep my pressure even, through healthy diet, I eat a high antioxidant diet. I eat healthy chocolate, fresh fruits and veggies, fish- mostly vegetarian. small, short periods of light exercise.
Please let us know how you are, and what the Dr. says. Take care, loretta with soft hugs

KS, sleep apnea had crossed my mind about something that may be going on while I'm sleeping; but these episodes occur while I am awake. Or, barely awake I should say.

Loretta, I wouldn't be surprised if it's a dangerously low episode of blood pressure, since you noted it's part of the sympathetic nervous system that controls it (and it's been noted that I have severe nerve damage). My episode today was so bad, I felt I needed to go to the ER, but was too weak to make a move and initiate going. I was home alone with my 2 young sons, unable to get off the couch and found it difficult to focus on what was going on with them. When my husband came home, I mentioned to him how weak I was, but he is the type not to care - it's only an issue if it's him with the boo-boos. Too fearful of trying to drive myself, I asked my 4 year-old son to get me a glass of water and the salt shaker and drank myself some salt water in the hopes of getting my blood pressure up. I also quickly soaked in a hot bath with Epsom salts and eventually felt a bit better.

My next doctor appointment isn't for another 3 weeks, I hope I can hold out until then! Also, wanted to make note, I remember episodes like this a couple of years ago, before I started Cymbalta. After taking the Cymbalta, I felt much better! Because of finances and side-effects I didn't like, I went off of Cymbalta a few months ago. I believe the Cymbalta raises blood pressure -- not good for some, but was probably good for me!!

Vanna,

First, you need to see a doctor ASAP...If your blood pressure is low, it is dangerous. My daughter has RSD and she also has very low blood pressure, and takes meds to raise her blood pressure. Like Loretta her blood pressure dropped so low, pretty close to where Loretta's was, She had many of the same symptoms and she was only 11 years old. Low blood pressure can be just as dangerous as high blood pressure. the autonomic nervous system is involved with RSD and yes it can cause your blood pressure to drop. but, any time there are new symptoms that continue, they need to be check out by a doctor. Go to a walk in clinic and get your blood pressure checked if need be. Be careful you sound like you need to be seen by a doctor and I wouldn't wait for two or three weeks. Go soon...NOW!

Sandy

Hi Vanna Did I mention I bought a blood pressure kit with cuff. It is accurate and also has the blood pulse. I have a notebook and my internist has me keeping a dailey record. I think it was about $30 at Costco.
My Dr. said it's important not to keep my lead lowered, like when I'm shoppping and looking at clothes on a bottom shelf. Also, I wash my hair at a sink, rather than in shower-head is lowered too long and get dizzy. My Dr. says usually if this happens once, it often happens a 2nd or 3rd time. Not me, but a friend with RSD has had 3 episodes. They are really scary.I directed the ambulance to a good hospital-the one where we had our RSDSA annual meeting of '09. The para sympathetic nervous system controls lowering of our blood pressure.
Could you call your Dr. and get a cancellation appt.? Wish you well. loretta with soft hugs. Have you looked up rsd.rx.com? It's a Florida Dr. Hooshmands website. He's retired now, but kept the website up. Under the section called puzzles, he has a list of 146 questions from patients with his answers. It would be good for your husband to get educated. His compassion can only go up with knowledge of this devasting disease. Men like to be the ones taken care of, and less likely to like being a caretaker. Our daughter is 30 and a court reporter. She does medical malpractice depositions, and has done RSD depo. She and my husband have also gone to my Dr. with me and asked questions. They both have benefited from reading, and researching on their own. I'm grateful for that. They also don't let me be lazy, but encourage light exercise and invited me walking with them.
Have you taught your children about 911 and their address, just in case you were to pass out? Thinking of you, loretta with soft hugs

Hey there!

Lowly nursing student here, but my first thought is narcotics. Some people can be very sensitive to them, and the major major side effect is a lower respiratory rate. With that comes increased CO2 levels, and with that can come fogginess and lightheaded weirdness. And sometimes we know what's wrong on a subconscious level- and if you think that you're going to stop breathing, I would look at something that correlates with that. Sometimes it's beneficial to look at the side effect of something you're already taking, or a condition you already have, rather than something new. Cause usually that's the case. Not always of course, but more often than not. Have you noticed yourself to be sensitive to narcotics? Does this happen if you don't take the percocet? And are you eating enough? I used to pass out and it was totally due to the fact that I had disordered eating. Try to plan meals at regular intervals and see if that makes a difference. Hopefully this will help you to put some clues or hints together that you haven't seen previously!

And if it gets bad and you are worried, listen to that instinct and see someone who can help!

Lynn

okay KS here..I am ditching my first thought of sleep apnea..great advice here... Sounds like RSD is knocking at your door in some form again... I really like having the Bp kit on hand at home..track your own pressure..call your doc. for a cancellation and need be... head for an ER before this gets too dangeriously scarey.. it could be an interaction with your meds...we are our own best advocate...all I can say is until one walks in our shoes..that have no stinkin idea..... Plz. Vanna..get to the bottom of this!!!

Vanna
I agree with all the above,and would see your Dr or ER immediatly,,Some heart attack symptoms carry the same signature or The culprit may well be the meds,,opiods are well known to cause shallow breathing,,I use percocet at times as well,and 50% of the time, I have the same reaction,,if you want to know[field test] for sure,,,,ask yourself this question, " Does the shallow breathing happen soon after taking the percocet{within 15-40 minutes??? thats when it hits me,,} please be carefull,and get checked out and let us know what the Dr says,,,,,,bobber ,,I dont think its wise to wait 3 weeks to see your Dr and Dont worry about what your familiy thinks,,please go to the E.R

Go to the ER. Serious side effects of percocet can be respiratory depression which is slowing of breathing. It can also make you dizzy and drowsy. Don't chance something happening go get checked out. momof4