Is There A real Dr. HOUSE? URGENT!!!!?

Question

I have been dealing with an epsodic attacks. This has left me with a tracheostomy. I was a 32 year old healthy nurse. In may of last year I fell to the ground at my sons baseball game unable to breath. I have since experienced over 30 simular attacks. I can not breath dispite the trach. unless assisted by ventaliton. Breaking every blood vessel in my face while having this attack is the newest of symptoms. These attacks last from hours to a day. Usuallyx-ray revelies fluid in lungs. I have seen every speciality Dr. I know of and no one has a clue. This past week I was in Teneseee Visiting my mom, while being air lifted to Nashville no one there still knows what could be causing what i consider to be life threating respitory failure attacks. I am awaiting an appointment at the mayo clinic, hoping for some anwsers. I just wish there was a real life House who would take my case.

Answer 1

Michelle, I really feel and empathize with you. The fear of the unknown. I'm sure you're getting frustrated by the minute-- searching for the right Dr. and right answer or the right diagnosis for this malady of yours. I totally agree with you. Is there a Dr. House in real life? I also wish that there was Dr. Casey or Marcus Welby and Perry Mason to boot.

Initially, I thought your syncopal episodes were attributable to cardiac problems or TIA. As you describe your symptoms... I tend to suspect the following: ARDS, Myasthenia Gravis, ALS, Guillain-Barre Syndrome, Hopkins Syndrome with acute Asthma.; COPD,Pneumoniocosis, Pleurisy, TB, and the Hanta Virus Syndrome.

Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome
epidemiology: Hantavirus is transmitted via inhalation of aerosolized deer mouse urine, feces or saliva; prevalent in Southeast Asia, where it causes ~100,000 cases each year; new strains emerged in southwestern US (four corners area) in 1993; since then, there have been more than 180 cases of HPS in the US ... with ~50% mortality
pathogenesis: respiratory infection leads to development of fever, muscle aches, mild respiratory distress; complications include ARDS that develops about 5-6 days after initial onset of symptoms and causes sudden death due to fluid accumulation in the lungs (10-70% death rate)
treatment: TLC ... symptomatic relief; minimize fluid accumulation in lungs
prevention: avoid contact with deer mouse urine, feces or saliva .

It's worth looking into the latest as you live in the southwestern state.

Now, let me tell you about my own health prob.:

In 1999, I woke up from a deep sleep unable to breathe. I thought I would died that day without any air exchange at all. Eventually, my diagnosis confirm my suspicions of asthma. You see, the funny thing about it. The onset was so sudden and there were warnings and no wheezes and no prior hx. Subsequently, the asthmatic attacks came quite often and seem to be directly associated to stress. At one point, I had to use the breathing machine for my inhalation therapy.I had to use humidifier in my room. I had the electric fan on standby; in case I have the asthmatic attacks which disable me from breathing appropriately. Now, after several years, my asthma and multiple allergies are abated or controlled with asthmatic and antihistamincs; meds like Singulair and Allegra and Zurtex. When my sinuses get so full, I immediately resort to Chlortrimetron before the symptoms get exacebated.

I'm glad you'll be going to Mayo Clinic for proper evaluation. They have a good reputation and a success rate for [roper diagnosis and tx esp of difficult cases such as yours. I spent a considerable time surfing the internet trying to possibly put a label to your problem. I wish you gave more information as to related symptoms.
I notice you post this same questions about 5 times. I'll try to view the rest.