vonnag

Hi all,

I just spent about an hour writing a detailed message to update everyone on my situation. Then, my computer shut down.

I have some specific questions, but wanted to give some background so you could better help with the question. Anyway, I don't have what it takes to re-type the whole message.

I'll just spit out the question and explain from there if I need to.

I was in the hospital for six days and was given IV Steriods for MS relapse. The last two days in the hospital were Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. The nurse noted an unusual heart rate of 50 on two occasions. Those last two nights in the hospital, I would literally wake myself up just taking in a very deep breath. The breath would be so deep, it would wake me from sleep. Of course, now I wonder if the low heart rate and the deep breaths were related. I would imagine so.

Anyway, the released me, so they must not have thought too much about it. I never reported to them the deep breaths.

Wednesday night of this week was my first night home from the hospital. I noticed the deep breaths continuing. I felt it might me the muscle relaxant they had me on, so I stopped taking it. I was lightheaded all day yesterday, and had a heaviness in my chest and all over my head and ears. Sort of like being in a pressure tunnel, but with pain involved. I found it hard to concentrate, and spoke outloud to myself.

At 10:00 last night, I took Hydrocodone. The deep breaths started almost immediately. I timed them, and my body was requiring a deep breath about every 3 1/2 minutes. I researched this pain reliever and found that it can cause such breathing problems associated with death, especially when taken with a muscle relaxer. That scared me, even though I had taken it less than the doctor had even prescribed.

I stayed up all night, not wanting to fall asleep and stop breathing. Through the night, my body was requiring these breaths every 1-3 minutes. I felt certain that once the medication wore off, the side effects would stop. That hasn't happened all day. I am still having deep breaths, and my chest is now feeling heavy with a little pain. I still feel lightheaded and there is pressure in my head and ears.

I know you all are going to say to call the doctor, and I promise I will. I just don't want to have to worry my family again, especially if there is no need. Do any of you have any suggestions for what is going on?

Thanks in advance,
Lavonna