Readers Respond: Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Symptoms

Did you have carbon monoxide poisoning? Share your story here so others may benefit from your experience.

Not sure if I have poisoning

Ha pneumonia sept 1 n had breathing probs since it's dec10th n have n having a tired weakness in heart for a few weeks n also been having pain veins blulging in my head.

—Guest Lisa

Carbon Monoxide while exercising

I was swimming laps at the YMCA pool. At first I just felt sluggish. After half an hour, I was short of breath and my heart was beating unusually fast. After getting out of the water I started to feel dizzy. I sat in the locker room and took deep breaths. Unfortunately, the carbon monoxide level was also high in the locker room. My pulse was 124 beats per minute (my normal is 62). After getting outside and getting fresh air, my heart rate dropped to about 90, but increased rapidly with any exertion. I was still short of breath and dizzy. I went to the hospital and was given oxygen for several hours. Three weeks later I still have chest pain when exercising, stair climbing, etc. I did not have any health problems prior to the carbon monoxide exposure.

—Guest Sandra

Effects of Long-term Low level CO poison

I have been posioned w/CO 4 times via inside heating including woodstove and propane. The main sympton I have as a red flag is that I am very tired and cold inside but when I go outside, even if it is in frigid weather, I feel warmer. I am currently correcting a CO problem. I have a home office and am not outside often. I have CO detectors but they are not sensitive enought to read the amount that affects my body. I do not know what the outcome will be this time, but it is frustrating because after being outside, levels drop, hence I have been misdiagnosed for the last 7 yrs. Become knowledgeable and use your own body symptoms as a meter! Rmember, the feeling colder inside the heated house and feeling better & warmer outside in freezing weather is a pretty good indicator

—Guest eva

burning and tingling in extremities

Hi, my furnace block was cracked and leaking carbon monoxide for awhile before it was discovered. Many months later I am having intermittent tingling and burning in my extremities. It could be a leg one day, two days later an arm or ankle etc. I'm wondering if the carbon monoxide poisoning have caused this and what should I do. I am being checked for MS, but it is not presenting itself as that.

—Guest cindy

A blessing from above

When my sister and I were younger she had an old car with a lot of problems and one night we were on our way home and neither one of us could stay awake we were extrememly sleepy and had severe headaches when we were expose to fresh air

—Guest Symphony