Recently, I went to the VA clinic for issues of extreme fatigue that has given way to despondency. The doctor ordered many tests that required them to draw blood. when they took the blood, I had an episode where my vision got all spotty and I felt like my chest was trying to implode. Then my tongue went numb and I couldn't talk correctly. My palms started to tingle so intensely that it felt like running water was flowing over them. when they stuck my finger to test my blood sugar levels, I didn't feel the stick at all. during this episode they monitored my blood pressure and blood oxygen levels. They said that my blood oxygen level was o.k. and my blood sugar was 104. my blood pressure taken before seeing the doctor was 130,80. during the episode it was down at 118, and something; I can't remember the second number. It did rise back up to 133,84. I was not upset about giving the blood and have never been effected by it before. I was calm when it came on me. I'm very sure it was a physical issue and not anxiety over giving the blood because I have seen some pretty horrific stuff in the Gulf and the blood doesn't bother me, just the human suffering. When I have given blood, it has never bothered me. The nurses kept acting as though I needed to calm down or something, but I didn't have any anxiety over giving the blood.The only other time I ever felt like this was when I was a young boy and was given some shot by a doctor. I think that was some sort of inoculation and I felt the same feeling that my chest was trying to implode; it was like all the energy had been sucked out of my body. The question is: what does this mean and does it indicate something off in my blood or my heart. Any help would be appreciated.The episode timing: It was intense for about five to ten minutes and subsided over the next fifteen to twenty minutes. afterwards, I felt off all day but not dizzy. My chest still feels a little fluttery like something is just a little off. My head felt tight as if on the edge of a headache all day Tuesday. The incident happened Monday morning.
Optional Information: Person's Gender: Male Person's Age: 43
HelloI read your question carefully. The symptoms that you describe sound like you had a surge of adrenaline. This causes the vision to change, palpitations or chest pain, numbness, tingling (usually from slow deep breathig). Now usually this is from an anxiety attack. You may have anxiety attacks, even if you don't 'feel anxious'. Since you are a vet, perhaps something about the needle cause the resurgence of a very deep memory of yours (one that you may not even recall now) and triggered an intense fight or flight response.Another possibility would be an adrenaline secreting tumor. These are quite rare and are called pheochromocytomas. If this is the case, then you may develop recurring symptoms and may need a medical work up. As well, hyperthyroidism can give you similar symptoms- I hope that they drew this blood work for you- TSH- it is generally done in patients who are suffering from fatigue, etc.. This does not sound like you had a heart attack or that there was something off with your blood. But it may take a week or so to feel normal again- when we suffer intense events, whether they are real or emotional, it can be draining on all of our organ systems from the surge in adrenaline. You may feel off for a few more days.
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HiI noted that you gave me negative feedback. Is there something I can answer so that this is a positive experience for you?
If you please, sir, can you tell me more about pheochromocytomas? I only ask because I felt these symptoms once before a long time ago. I would like to know how to rule out such a thing. Is there some specific test? Also if you could elaborate on the recurring symptoms, what I should be looking for, since this is not an event that happens often and in fact not before when giving blood which I would expect if it had to do with anxiety about the needle. I have given blood many times before without incident.
HiI am happy to answer this as a follow up question, but would you mind changing my feedback to positive?Pheochomocytomas are neuroendocrine tumors of the adrenal glands which over produce the adrenaline hormones.Symptoms include headache, sweating, palpitations, elevated blood pressure, anxiety, nausea, tremors.First, hormones such as catecholamines and metanephrines are measured in a 24 hour urine collection, and metanephrines may also be measured in the blood. If these are greater than 2 times the normal level, imaging studies are usually done to look at the adrenal glands (CT/MRI)
Experience: Training in cardiology emergencies