A question for the group

[Guest guest]

I have a question that may or may not be HIV related. Myself, and a small group of friends and acquaintances, have been suffering from a very strange problem. It goes something like this, and I'll phrase it from my perspective.

I'm going along, and then I start to feel a bit light headed. Then it progresses to a feeling that I'm going to pass out. Lying down helps, but then I break out into a sweat. Until I break the sweat, it's hard to communicate, both talking and hearing. It always passes in 5-10 minutes, and after breaking the sweat I feel fine.

I've been dealing with this since for the past 30 years, always very sporadically. Now a very close friend is also experiencing an increased frequency in these episodes. He is currently undergoing a battery of tests, including a sonogram for his heart, stress tests, etc. I've been through just about every test (granted these occurred a few years back) and we can't find anything that would cause/trigger these episodes. We all seem to experience very similar experiences.

So I'm putting it out there for the very experienced and knowledgeable group. My friend is going to be visiting in May so he's trying to get all his testing done before he arrives. I'm more than appreciative of any insights, and feel free to respond off list if that's more appropriate.

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[Guest guest]

Have you checked to see if it might be low blood sugar? The symptoms are compatible, but it would not resolve on its own without getting some fast acting carbs. Still, worth checking out.

Jerome

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[Guest guest]

wrote: " I'm going along, and then I start to feel a bit light headed.

Then it progresses to a feeling that I'm going to pass out. Lying down

helps, but then I break out into a sweat. Until I break the sweat, it's hard

to communicate, both talking and hearing. It always passes in 5-10 minutes,

and after breaking the sweat I feel fine. " .

,

Could it be a vasovagal reaction?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vasovagal_syncope

Maybe it does not progress to an actual syncope (fainting), but this

vasovagal-thing came to my mind immediately.

Regards,

[Guest guest]

HI,

It sounds like it may be hypoglycemia. Have you checked that out?

A question for the group

Posted by: "Cole@..." Cole@... bryancolesmith

Sun Mar 23, 2008 2:31 pm (PDT)

I have a question that may or may not be HIV related. Myself, and a small group of friends and acquaintances, have been suffering from a very strange problem. It goes something like this, and I'll phrase it from my perspective.I'm going along, and then I start to feel a bit light headed. Then it progresses to a feeling that I'm going to pass out. Lying down helps, but then I break out into a sweat. Until I break the sweat, it's hard to communicate, both talking and hearing. It always passes in 5-10 minutes, and after breaking the sweat I feel fine. I've been dealing with this since for the past 30 years, always very sporadically. Now a very close friend is also experiencing an increased frequency in these episodes. He is currently undergoing a battery of tests, including a sonogram for his heart, stress tests, etc. I've been through just about every test (granted these occurred a few years back) and we can't find anything that would cause/trigger these episodes. We all seem to experience very similar experiences.So I'm putting it out there for the very experienced and knowledgeable group. My friend is going to be visiting in May so he's trying to get all his testing done before he arrives. I'm more than appreciative of any insights, and feel free to respond off list if that's more appropriate.Create a Home Theater Like the Pros. Watch the video on AOL Home.

[Guest guest]

HI,

It sounds like it may be hypoglycemia. Have you checked that out?

A question for the group

Posted by: "Cole@..." Cole@... bryancolesmith

Sun Mar 23, 2008 2:31 pm (PDT)

I have a question that may or may not be HIV related. Myself, and a small group of friends and acquaintances, have been suffering from a very strange problem. It goes something like this, and I'll phrase it from my perspective.I'm going along, and then I start to feel a bit light headed. Then it progresses to a feeling that I'm going to pass out. Lying down helps, but then I break out into a sweat. Until I break the sweat, it's hard to communicate, both talking and hearing. It always passes in 5-10 minutes, and after breaking the sweat I feel fine. I've been dealing with this since for the past 30 years, always very sporadically. Now a very close friend is also experiencing an increased frequency in these episodes. He is currently undergoing a battery of tests, including a sonogram for his heart, stress tests, etc. I've been through just about every test (granted these occurred a few years back) and we can't find anything that would cause/trigger these episodes. We all seem to experience very similar experiences.So I'm putting it out there for the very experienced and knowledgeable group. My friend is going to be visiting in May so he's trying to get all his testing done before he arrives. I'm more than appreciative of any insights, and feel free to respond off list if that's more appropriate.Create a Home Theater Like the Pros. Watch the video on AOL Home.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/24/2008 3:45:14 PM Eastern Daylight Time, pozbod@... writes:

"I'm going along, and then I start to feel a bit light headed. Then it progresses to a feeling that I'm going to pass out. Lying down helps, but then I break out into a sweat. Until I break the sweat, it's hard to communicate, bothtalking and hearing. It always passes in 5-10 minutes, and after breaking the sweat I feel fine. "

, I think that you should see your physician immediately. There could be something serious underlying this, and may not be related to HIV at all. When you see your doc bring a list of ALL current meds, over the counter meds, and supplements.

This group is not a substitute for medical advice, At best we can provide hints based on person experience and in some cases based on professional experience. You need to see a good internist right away. Do NOT wait.

Jerome

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[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/24/2008 3:45:14 PM Eastern Daylight Time, pozbod@... writes:

"I'm going along, and then I start to feel a bit light headed. Then it progresses to a feeling that I'm going to pass out. Lying down helps, but then I break out into a sweat. Until I break the sweat, it's hard to communicate, bothtalking and hearing. It always passes in 5-10 minutes, and after breaking the sweat I feel fine. "

, I think that you should see your physician immediately. There could be something serious underlying this, and may not be related to HIV at all. When you see your doc bring a list of ALL current meds, over the counter meds, and supplements.

This group is not a substitute for medical advice, At best we can provide hints based on person experience and in some cases based on professional experience. You need to see a good internist right away. Do NOT wait.

Jerome

Create a Home Theater Like the Pros. Watch the video on AOL Home.

[Guest guest]

"I'm going along, and then I start to feel a bit light headed. Then it progresses to a feeling that I'm going to pass out. Lying down helps, but then I break out into a sweat. Until I break the sweat, it's hard to communicate, bothtalking and hearing. It always passes in 5-10 minutes, and after breaking the sweat I feel fine. ",The causes of such events are many. Some are easily dealt with, and others could be more serious. I think that you need to be evaluated, with appropriate tests. One thing I would strongly suggest is that you stop smoking, immediately.JB

[Guest guest]

"I'm going along, and then I start to feel a bit light headed. Then it progresses to a feeling that I'm going to pass out. Lying down helps, but then I break out into a sweat. Until I break the sweat, it's hard to communicate, bothtalking and hearing. It always passes in 5-10 minutes, and after breaking the sweat I feel fine. ",The causes of such events are many. Some are easily dealt with, and others could be more serious. I think that you need to be evaluated, with appropriate tests. One thing I would strongly suggest is that you stop smoking, immediately.JB

[Guest guest]

What ARVs and other meds are you and your friend on? Perhaps there is

an overlap (e.g., an unanticipated neurological response to efavirenz

or something).

Doctors tend to look for EVERYTHING else but medication effects or

interactions. Compare lists with your friend.

M.

[Guest guest]

What ARVs and other meds are you and your friend on? Perhaps there is

an overlap (e.g., an unanticipated neurological response to efavirenz

or something).

Doctors tend to look for EVERYTHING else but medication effects or

interactions. Compare lists with your friend.

M.

[Guest guest]

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In a message dated 3/24/2008 10:53:35 AM Eastern Daylight Time, Cole writes:

Thanks! I have had blood sugar checked but it's one of those things that catching it during an episode is hard. I do appreciate the input, and will pass it along to everyone.

What you need to do is carry a blood glucose meter with you so that you can measure your blood sugar while you are having one of those episodes. Some of the meter manufacturers and some drugstores provide them for free, although you have to buy the test strips. Unless you can get them through your health provider at a discount they cost about $50 for a box of 50 strips. As a diabetic I measure my blood sugar levels frequently during the day in order to control the levels.

If you are not sure if you are diabetic or not you can measure your fasting blood sugar level in the morning. If it is 125 or greater, that is an almost absolute diagnosis. If it is lower, that's good news but does not necessarily mean that you are not diabetic. However, several days of fasting BS levels below 125 (and preferably below 110) would suggest that you are not diabetic.

I have had episodes similar to those that you describe when my BS level has fallen below about 70.

Hope this helps.

Jerome

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[Guest guest]

Dear ,I'm not an expert, but any qualified medical person would need to know some more: i.e. are you on HIV meds? How long? What is your diet like? Do you drink a lot of caffiene? Alcohol?I'm no expert, but without knowing anything else, it's possible that you have an insulin problem and / or pre-diabetes, or low blood sugar episodes. This could be caused by your hiv meds but it may not be caused by your hiv meds. Please check that out when you go to the doctor. Good luck. Samguyinsouthala@...guyinsouthala@...

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[Guest guest]

Reminds me of sudden panic attacks I used to have. Turns out I was

hyperventilating and it caused a lot of similar symptoms. Of course the

answer to that too was to be evaluated. There are lots of other things that

can cause an episode like that, some more serious. And if it is anxiety, you

have something less to be anxious about once you have it figured out.

BG

RE: A question for the group

wrote: " I'm going along, and then I start to feel a bit light headed.

Then it progresses to a feeling that I'm going to pass out. Lying down

helps, but then I break out into a sweat. Until I break the sweat, it's hard

to communicate, both talking and hearing. It always passes in 5-10 minutes,

and after breaking the sweat I feel fine. " .

,

Could it be a vasovagal reaction?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vasovagal_syncope

Maybe it does not progress to an actual syncope (fainting), but this

vasovagal-thing came to my mind immediately.

Regards,

------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

I doubt anyone here could diagnose these episodes but there are some obvious possibilities. One is a panic attack, which can feel totally physical because if the alarm centers in the brain are activated, a cascade of "fight and flight" chemicals is released by your neurendocrine system into the bloodstream. Another is transient hypoglycemia, which can make you very shaky, weak, lightheaded and even feel incoherent. Usually that would respond within 20 minutes to eating something. Another is pheochromocytoma, an endocrine secreting tumor that is considered rare and is often only discovered on autopsy. The tumor secretes catecholamines like epinephrine and the effects are often mistaken for a panic attack. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PheochromocytomaBest of luck in finding out what's causing your problems. I"m curious to know what your doctor proposed as the possible reasons.ButchOriginal message:A

question for the group Posted by: "Cole@..." Cole@... bryancolesmith Date: Sun Mar 23, 2008 2:31 pm ((PDT))I have a question that may or may not be HIV related. Myself, and a small group of friends and acquaintances, have been suffering from a very strange problem. It goes something like this, and I'll phrase it from my perspective.I'm going along, and then I start to feel a bit light headed. Then it progresses to a feeling that I'm going to pass out. Lying down helps, but then I break out into a sweat. Until I break the sweat, it's hard to communicate, both talking and hearing. It always passes in 5-10 minutes, and after breaking the sweat I feel fine. I've been dealing with this since for the past 30 years, always very sporadically. Now a very

close friend is also experiencing an increased frequency in these episodes. He is currently undergoing a battery of tests, including a sonogram for his heart, stress tests, etc. I've been through just about every test (granted these occurred a few years back) and we can't find anything that would cause/trigger these episodes. We all seem to experience very similar experiences.So I'm putting it out there for the very experienced and knowledgeable group. My friend is going to be visiting in May so he's trying to get all his testing done before he arrives. I'm more than appreciative of any insights, and feel free to respond off list if that's more appropriate.

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[Guest guest]

I doubt anyone here could diagnose these episodes but there are some obvious possibilities. One is a panic attack, which can feel totally physical because if the alarm centers in the brain are activated, a cascade of "fight and flight" chemicals is released by your neurendocrine system into the bloodstream. Another is transient hypoglycemia, which can make you very shaky, weak, lightheaded and even feel incoherent. Usually that would respond within 20 minutes to eating something. Another is pheochromocytoma, an endocrine secreting tumor that is considered rare and is often only discovered on autopsy. The tumor secretes catecholamines like epinephrine and the effects are often mistaken for a panic attack. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PheochromocytomaBest of luck in finding out what's causing your problems. I"m curious to know what your doctor proposed as the possible reasons.ButchOriginal message:A

question for the group Posted by: "Cole@..." Cole@... bryancolesmith Date: Sun Mar 23, 2008 2:31 pm ((PDT))I have a question that may or may not be HIV related. Myself, and a small group of friends and acquaintances, have been suffering from a very strange problem. It goes something like this, and I'll phrase it from my perspective.I'm going along, and then I start to feel a bit light headed. Then it progresses to a feeling that I'm going to pass out. Lying down helps, but then I break out into a sweat. Until I break the sweat, it's hard to communicate, both talking and hearing. It always passes in 5-10 minutes, and after breaking the sweat I feel fine. I've been dealing with this since for the past 30 years, always very sporadically. Now a very

close friend is also experiencing an increased frequency in these episodes. He is currently undergoing a battery of tests, including a sonogram for his heart, stress tests, etc. I've been through just about every test (granted these occurred a few years back) and we can't find anything that would cause/trigger these episodes. We all seem to experience very similar experiences.So I'm putting it out there for the very experienced and knowledgeable group. My friend is going to be visiting in May so he's trying to get all his testing done before he arrives. I'm more than appreciative of any insights, and feel free to respond off list if that's more appropriate.

Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Search.

[Guest guest]

I'm voting more for the panic attack as I suffered from sever attacks for about ay year before getting professional help and starting Lexapro. The medication gave me my life back..I used to wake up thinking I was having a heart attack, go to the ER and nothing! I passed out at work one day, I became agoraphobic as well. I'd definitely seek medical attention!JimSan DiegoButch <longjohnmaniac@...> wrote: I doubt anyone here could diagnose these episodes but there are some obvious possibilities. One is a panic

attack, which can feel totally physical because if the alarm centers in the brain are activated, a cascade of "fight and flight" chemicals is released by your neurendocrine system into the bloodstream. Another is transient hypoglycemia, which can make you very shaky, weak, lightheaded and even feel incoherent. Usually that would respond within 20 minutes to eating something. Another is pheochromocytoma, an endocrine secreting tumor that is considered rare and is often only discovered on autopsy. The tumor secretes catecholamines like epinephrine and the effects are often mistaken for a panic attack. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PheochromocytomaBest of luck in finding out what's causing your problems. I"m curious to know what your doctor proposed as the possible reasons.ButchOriginal message:A question for the group Posted by: "Coleaol"

Coleaol bryancolesmith Date: Sun Mar 23, 2008 2:31 pm ((PDT))I have a question that may or may not be HIV related. Myself, and a small group of friends and acquaintances, have been suffering from a very strange problem. It goes something like this, and I'll phrase it from my perspective.I'm going along, and then I start to feel a bit light headed. Then it progresses to a feeling that I'm going to pass out. Lying down helps, but then I break out into a sweat. Until I break the sweat, it's hard to communicate, both talking and hearing. It always passes in 5-10 minutes, and after breaking the sweat I feel fine. I've been dealing with this since for the past 30 years, always very sporadically. Now a very close friend is also experiencing an increased frequency in

these episodes. He is currently undergoing a battery of tests, including a sonogram for his heart, stress tests, etc. I've been through just about every test (granted these occurred a few years back) and we can't find anything that would cause/trigger these episodes. We all seem to experience very similar experiences.So I'm putting it out there for the very experienced and knowledgeable group. My friend is going to be visiting in May so he's trying to get all his testing done before he arrives. I'm more than appreciative of any insights, and feel free to respond off list if that's more appropriate. Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast

with Search.

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[Guest guest]

I'm voting more for the panic attack as I suffered from sever attacks for about ay year before getting professional help and starting Lexapro. The medication gave me my life back..I used to wake up thinking I was having a heart attack, go to the ER and nothing! I passed out at work one day, I became agoraphobic as well. I'd definitely seek medical attention!JimSan DiegoButch <longjohnmaniac@...> wrote: I doubt anyone here could diagnose these episodes but there are some obvious possibilities. One is a panic

attack, which can feel totally physical because if the alarm centers in the brain are activated, a cascade of "fight and flight" chemicals is released by your neurendocrine system into the bloodstream. Another is transient hypoglycemia, which can make you very shaky, weak, lightheaded and even feel incoherent. Usually that would respond within 20 minutes to eating something. Another is pheochromocytoma, an endocrine secreting tumor that is considered rare and is often only discovered on autopsy. The tumor secretes catecholamines like epinephrine and the effects are often mistaken for a panic attack. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PheochromocytomaBest of luck in finding out what's causing your problems. I"m curious to know what your doctor proposed as the possible reasons.ButchOriginal message:A question for the group Posted by: "Coleaol"

Coleaol bryancolesmith Date: Sun Mar 23, 2008 2:31 pm ((PDT))I have a question that may or may not be HIV related. Myself, and a small group of friends and acquaintances, have been suffering from a very strange problem. It goes something like this, and I'll phrase it from my perspective.I'm going along, and then I start to feel a bit light headed. Then it progresses to a feeling that I'm going to pass out. Lying down helps, but then I break out into a sweat. Until I break the sweat, it's hard to communicate, both talking and hearing. It always passes in 5-10 minutes, and after breaking the sweat I feel fine. I've been dealing with this since for the past 30 years, always very sporadically. Now a very close friend is also experiencing an increased frequency in

these episodes. He is currently undergoing a battery of tests, including a sonogram for his heart, stress tests, etc. I've been through just about every test (granted these occurred a few years back) and we can't find anything that would cause/trigger these episodes. We all seem to experience very similar experiences.So I'm putting it out there for the very experienced and knowledgeable group. My friend is going to be visiting in May so he's trying to get all his testing done before he arrives. I'm more than appreciative of any insights, and feel free to respond off list if that's more appropriate. Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast

with Search.

Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Search.

[Guest guest]

First, I want to thank everyone for the myriad responses I received. Not only thoughtful, but compassionate and supportive. I must reassure everyone that I and my friends are NOT trying to self-diagnose, but was looking for anything and everything that we could present to our medical practitioners. I will let everyone know if we do find out anything, and some of the suggestions were things that we had not even heard of, so thank you all so much.

If I were born rich instead of pretty, I'd offer a prize for the person who hit the nail on the head. LOL But, you'll just have to accept my total gratitude and appreciation.

**************Create a Home Theater Like the Pros. Watch the video on AOL Home. (http://home.aol.com/diy/home-improvement-eric-stromer?video=15 & ncid=aolhom00030000000001)

[Guest guest]

First, I want to thank everyone for the myriad responses I received. Not only thoughtful, but compassionate and supportive. I must reassure everyone that I and my friends are NOT trying to self-diagnose, but was looking for anything and everything that we could present to our medical practitioners. I will let everyone know if we do find out anything, and some of the suggestions were things that we had not even heard of, so thank you all so much.

If I were born rich instead of pretty, I'd offer a prize for the person who hit the nail on the head. LOL But, you'll just have to accept my total gratitude and appreciation.

**************Create a Home Theater Like the Pros. Watch the video on AOL Home. (http://home.aol.com/diy/home-improvement-eric-stromer?video=15 & ncid=aolhom00030000000001)

[Guest guest]

Jon -Your symptoms sound very much like Hypoglycemia. Which is the bodies inability to "up" regulate it's blood sugar. This is the opposite of diabetes which is the inability to "down" regulate blood sugar. I only became Hypoglycemic after going onto triple therapy cocktail. I and a number of friends all went through a huge battery of tests only to find out it was a very simple problem. Like diabetics, hypos have to eat their meals at regular intervals. We don't need insulin , we need to carry some sort of snack around - tree nuts, fruit or some such work best in preventing attacks, hard candy or a soda if you are already getting light headed and shaky. It is believed that the increase stress placed on the liver is what triggers this hypoglycemia in cocktail patients. Normal people whose blood sugar drops regulate their blood by stimulating the liver to change some of its stored food into sugars and release said into the

blood stream. The more stressed or damaged the liver, the less responsive it becomes. This is the "elementary school" explanation of the process. What really happens involves a host of bodily systems, but I'm sure you get the picture.Dave L. wrote: L. Cincinnati, OH. http://360./alphadog415

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