Today, while driving to see my dentist, I needed to make a call to look into an insurance matter. I'd hoped to call before leaving home, as I typically don't use my cell phone when driving. But, I was running late and needed an answer before my dental appointment. So, once on the interstate, I placed the call.
After a couple of minutes speaking to the insurance representative, I started feeling a bit dizzy and somewhat faint. Not a great thing to happen, when driving a 3,000 pound vehicle down the highway at 70 mph with no exit for a few miles. I quickly brought the conversation to a close and ended the call.
At the first opportunity, I did exit the interstate and pulled into a gas station/convenience store. By this time, I was a bit anxious, too. I went into the store, purchased a bottle of water, and sat quietly in the car for a few minutes and sipped on the water. It didn't really help, unfortunately.
Since I didn't have much time to waste, I got back on the road. For the rest of the drive to the dentist's office, I continued to feel a bit dizzy/faint, but less than when I was talking on the phone. As much as possible, I used non-interstate roads to get to the dentist's office, so I could drive at lower speeds.
This is similar to what's happened to me previously, when driving and having my girlfriend in the car with me. As was the case with the cell phone call today, when talking to my girlfriend, I had to talk louder, in order to be heard over the usual road noise. That happened a couple of times.
I'm not 100% sure, but it *seems* like the issue is related to the amount of breath I'm expending. I don't know if it's simply my talking more (as compared to being alone), talking a bit louder, or a combination of the two. But, it seems that increasing the output of my breath makes me feel dizzy/faint.
Since I've repeated this a few times, now, and had the same outcome, I feel reasonably sure there's some cause-and-effect. But, I'm not sure why it's happening or what may be contributing to the issue.
Over the last year or so, I've had a few blood tests that show my Carbon Monoxide (CO) is slightly elevated, but neither my family doctor nor I understand why. It's elevated for my being a non-smoker. My lab values were way under the range for smokers. So, my doctor, while puzzled, wasn't too worried.
Has anyone else had a similar issue? Any ideas to what may be causing the issue?
My apologies for the long explanation. Thanks for taking the time to read this post.
Sincerely,
The Dude
UPDATE: Adding more details. The following is from my reply to WalkingbyFaith."I did purchase a digital Carbon Monoxide meter and carried it with me in the car. The readout remained at 0.0 the entire time. I also brought it into my apartment and tested each room (despite my apartment being all-electric) and I obtained the same 0.0 readout.
But, I'll be due for an oil change soon and will see if the dealer can check it for leaks.
Thinking about
it more, I remembered having the same dizzy/faint issue, standing outside talking to my neighbor. After several minutes of continued output of breath, the symptoms start and I have to come inside and sit/lie down.
So, it's not just when in my car. Though, it would still be prudent to get the car checked.
Since I live alone, am no longer dating, and I'm home alone most of the time, I don't do much talking. (If only I could quiet the chatter in my head, too.) So, any "prolonged" conversation -- beyond, perhaps five minutes -- seems to cause me the problem.
At least, when standing. Or, like today, when sitting in my car, I was talking longer AND louder. So, the total output of breath was much more than usual."
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Post Edited (The Dude Abides) : 6/21/2018 8:39:01 PM (GMT-6)