Dizzy spells

Other conditions
1

Hello all. I am hoping to find someone who suffers from something similar to me.

I get severe dizzy spells upon standing. This has been put down to low blood pressure. My blood pressure is not massively low, but close enough for the doctors to link it as its probably their best bet.

However, i do not get them from a sitting to standing position. It is always if i am bent down to pick something up, or if i am getting down to a childs level. So wheb my knees are bent, basically.

It doesnt matter how slowly i bring myself back up, i still get them.

During one, i cant communicate. My whole body feels weak, and has had full body shake/jerks. I can see what is going on around me but everything feels really odd. Sometimes i get tunnel vision, but mostly i just hear like a string sound of blood flowing around my head. That is the best way i can describe it, it doesnt sound like a pulse. It sounds like a swooshing.

I have found that they can be more intense after i have eaten.

I have collapsed a few times due to these. I now lower myself to the ground or sit down if i can, when i feel one coming.

The times i have collapsed due to them, my body has been in full jerks - very much like a seizure, only i have been aware. I just have no control at all, not even so much as to say one word.

I am getting my heart checked on thursday due to this, but i am concerned as the doctors said if that comes back alright, then there is nothing else they can look in to. I feel my brain should maybe be checked.

I am hoping someone out there can ease my mind by sharing their experiences on this matter, and hopefully have already been down this route with their GP and found answes.

Thanks in advance.

2

You need comprehensive testing by a neurologist which includes a brain scan.

3

I second what lester said. I looked at the thread because i too have low blood pressure and had dizziness and vertigo for months. Finally managed to figure out it was due to my spine and tension so some chiropractic realignment and deep tissue massage and i was fixed. But your symptoms are rather notable. Not sure why you haven't been referred to the neurologist already by your GP!

4

My symptoms were similar to yours and so I underwent comprehensive neurological testing and everything came back normal. So I figured out that the eye drops I was taking for glaucoma was causing my problem. I changed my opthalmologist and my eye drops and I have not had any more problems for the past 2 years.

5

it is good when there is a simple solution. Good to hear. I hope claire gets to the bottom of it too. Sounds very unpleasant with the spasms and all.

6

Thank you all. I have had my eyes tested (for migraines) and my eyes are fine.

As for the spinal issue someone mentioned - i have a slight curve in my spine which i was sent to radiotherapy for. It didnt do much, as it wasnt going to straighten it so i left it when the pain went. Thankfully it only hurts if i knock it on something now. My lower back has been sore lately. So i dont know if the issue could be due to my spine.

Though i have suffered with these dizzy spells far longer than my back.

I never bothered seeing about my lower back and just deal with it as i dont feel any of my issues are dealt with correctly. I leave with more questions than i went in with ha.

The brain scan feels like common sense to me.

7

Hi Claire. What i meant was that our GPs sent us for tests based on our symptoms. It doesn't sound to me like your issue is similar to mine, i was just contrasting. Sending you to check your heart is a good call. But it shouldn't stop there if it comes back clear. Your symptoms are way more intense than ours. Neurologist assessment should definitely be recommended by GP. I am surprised it wasn't that's all. Let us know how it goes after the heart tests pls. Sending best wishes.

 

8

Oh right ha. Yes i am very surprised i havent been sent for further testing. Especially considering it is clearly worsening.

They just keep telling me to stand up slowly. Only i can spring up out of a chair without any issues. I mean, there are times i do feel dizzy upon standing from sitting - but that does feel like a typical dizzy spell caused by a drop in low blood pressure, and it happens rarely.

I will pop back to update after my ecg on thursday. I am not sure if they can see there and then if there is an issue?

Either way, i have a review appointment with the doctor the following week regarding another issue, so i will push for more tests if it is not resolved.

My niece has coeliac disease, and thinks i should ask to be tested for that, as she fainted frequently before being diagnosed.

Thank you all for your replies

9

I don't think an ecg alone is sufficient. You would need echo/colour doppler U/S too...whatever the case keep pushing if nothing comes of it. If you start looking at possible causes....it could be anything LOL. Hope it gets sorted fast!

10

Hello Claire, Your symptoms are very similar to that of my wife. She went for months without any positive results until our GP decided to send her to an Ear specialist... result was believe it or not "Ear Stones" which float in a gel but sometimes become lodged. If all else fails give an ENT man a look in..

Good luck.

11

Hello Claire, Your symptoms are very similar to that of my wife. She went for months without any positive results until our GP decided to send her to an Ear specialist... result was believe it or not "Ear Stones" which float in a gel but sometimes become lodged. If all else fails give an ENT man a look in..

Also there are other possibilities ie: Meniere's disease and Tinnitus. Discuss these options with your doctor.

once again good luck and best wishes..

JohnEdna..;-)

12

Thank you all.

The ear issue is very interesting. I have had my ears checked out, but maybe not well enough?

My ecg results were fine according to the person who did them. Though she said the doctor will know better. My follow up appointment (mainly a review for meds) is on thursday, so i will find out what she thinks.

I will be pushing for more testing. I have been paying more attention to these episodes and i am definitely having myoclonic jerks during them.

I also feel what is best described as a slight pins and needles feel throughout my entire body.

I go weak and drop whatever i have in my hands and if i dont (sometimes i cant) lower myself to the ground, i struggle to stay up.