Spinning Head...

[MaireC]

Weird question and I'm not really sure how to phrase it.

When I go low, my head feels like it's spinning, much like when I have a good bit to drink - not completely hammered, but past the slightly tipsy stage - .

Today, however, I've felt light-headed and sort of spinney, but my meter is telling me that I'm ok - well within the good range. My blood pressure is low, but not too low. I've eaten quite a bit today (not so good, had potato wedges, burger, sausage and a hash brown) but I only went up to 7.3, considering the amount I ate, that's not too bad.

My question is, does anyone else out there get that feeling for no reason? Could it be my BP dipping? Anyone else out there been like this?

[davef]

Maire,

A few weeks ago I spent the day convinced that I was low, kept testing and the meter kept saying I was smack dab in the middle of my comfort zone, around 5.1-5.4. I was so convinced the meter was wrong I opened a new pack of strips and washed my hands several times, nope still normal but still felt low, but a strange low. I would normally feel a little shakey/cold light headed with out being dizzy, but that it didn't all gel, nearly a litte hung over, which I wasn't it was midweek and I hadn't had a drink in nearly a week, no it wasn't the DTs either :D

Following day I felt fine, never worked out what it was, put it down to "one of those days".

[Lulika]

Hi Maire,'
This happens to me too, alot. I hate it and as yet I am not sure why it is happening, I am going to talk to my doctor about it next week on my check up visit. I think I may have sleep apnea..this could be contributing to the dizziness. If I get any answers I will share them with you :)

[MaireC]

I thought I'd replied to this - obviously not!

I've been a bad girl and stopped taking my blood pressure meds...and no more dizzy/fainting spells! Plus my blood pressure has stopped dipping past 100/50 which was really worrying me. If it continues to stay nice and low without the meds I will go see my doctor. If it doesn't, then I will go straight back on them and go see my doctor. But since it's been low the last couple of days I'll see what happens and just keep checking it myself. I know it will take a couple of days to get the drugs out of my system so I'll just hold off and see. I hope that it stays low. I'm so sick and tired of being, well, tired.

[thomaca77]

It is not just the air in Ireland, apparently (or China) :)

I am having this feeling this morning...I would swear I was low, but my number reads 110 (can't translate that into ireland numbers, no good at maths, besides, can't think with my head spinning like this!)

Although...I am leaving for Ireland in a week...strange coincidence?

-Carisa :)

[MaireC]

I am leaving for Ireland in a week...strange coincidence?

-Carisa :)

Nope, just lucky!:D

[morrisma]

Carisa,
Divide by 18. When you head stops spinning. :D

Marie,
Not sure what size pill you are taking for BP but rather than all or nothing, can you cut it in half?
Mike

[MaireC]

I've actually gone back on them since today. My brothers chewed me out...I'm now taking note of it several times a day and if I get dizzy again I'll go to my GP. While I was off though, my BP didn't shoot up...didn't even go higher than it usually was (I've checked it on five different meters). I'm also taking the precaution of not driving until my Doc can fit me in.

[Janlaton]

Ask your doc about the tilt-table test. These are early signs that turned out to be orthostatic hypotension and diabetic neuropathy of the cardiovascular system. Don't wait get it checked out. Because of the 4 yr delay in figuring out what was happening I have damage that can not be reversed!!!!

[Jocelyn25]

It could be that you were tipsy....lol

[davef]

It is not just the air in Ireland, apparently (or China) :)

I am having this feeling this morning...I would swear I was low, but my number reads 110 (can't translate that into ireland numbers, no good at maths, besides, can't think with my head spinning like this!)

Although...I am leaving for Ireland in a week...strange coincidence?

-Carisa :)

It's annoying isn't it! Don't worry about the numbers, I understand "American", in fact I'm so used the the numbers here on the forums sometimes I find myself translating the numbers on my meter :eek:

Enjoy yourself in Ireland, we are having lovely weather at the moment, where are you heading to?

[FTW]

If you've lost weight, it's possible your blood pressure meds need to be adjusted.

I now take half a pill. (If I didn't have D I'd be off them entirely, but the doc wants my blood pressure as low as possible.)

[mimianvy]

I get orthostatic hypotension really bad, especially when I'm gardening. Usually my SBP is in the 110's but when it goes down it goes into the 70's, my head spins, feel like I'm going to faint.

My MD says I have Diabetic Autonomic Neuropathy... scary stuff!:eek:

mimi

[Janlaton]

Very scary stuff. I recently saw the cardio guy and his exact words were "4 years and you're not bed fast yet. Maybe you'll live 2 more." My heart is fine its the nerves going to it that forget to say beat heart!:(

[Kim_in_TN]

Ask your doc about the tilt-table test. These are early signs that turned out to be orthostatic hypotension and diabetic neuropathy of the cardiovascular system. Don't wait get it checked out. Because of the 4 yr delay in figuring out what was happening I have damage that can not be reversed!!!!

I have been having quite a bit of dizziness lately myself. I just figured it was inner ear or something. It seems to be more when I look over my right shoulder or have my head tilted back just a bit and kind of looking overhead. It seems like being tilted with your head down would make anyone dizzy! LOL! Do you think my dizziness is something to be concerned about? If so, then I will mention it at my next check-up.

Very scary stuff. I recently saw the cardio guy and his exact words were "4 years and you're not bed fast yet. Maybe you'll live 2 more." My heart is fine its the nerves going to it that forget to say beat heart!:(


I hate it when doctors are so blunt or blunt-sarcastic! :mad: Did he say whether he was kidding, exaggerating or serious??? You have been very taken back by what he said! :(

EDITED: I just found this and I think it explains the recent increase in dizziness! I really noticed it when I was laid up with my foot injuries! I would look back over my shoulder to turn my lamp on / off and get really dizzy! I think that's all it is at this point! ;)

Orthostatic hypotension may be caused by hypovolemia (a decreased amount of blood in the body), resulting from bleeding, the excessive use of diuretics, vasodilators, or other types of drugs, dehydration, or prolonged bed rest. It also occurs in people with anemia.

[Janlaton]

I spent time with my PCP she did more research and seems to think given my overall health conditions that I probably have more like 10 years maybe 12.

I was very angry and depressed at first and that is how I came to the forum. Looking for more info on the neuropathy of the cardio nerves. I have found more than I want to know so I am just trying to tell others to be aware and don't assume dizziness is nothing. You may have only an inner ear problem but please get it checked out!

Since I do not have neuropathy in my hands or feet the docs did not look for that any where else until a last resort. It also affects the digestion, kidneys and sex function. Gee, I just have cardio problems!:)

[mimianvy]

Exactly. Diabetic autonomic neuropathy is scary stuff. When my MD told me, she encouraged me to read about it...in a way I wish I didn't. This is also what causes silent MI (heart attach) in diabetics and also hypoglycemic unawareness.

Janlaton, in your reading of this did you come across what they do about the dizziness? That is what I suffer from and I did get those compression stockings but unfortunately, they don't seem to help too much. I also drink quite a bit of liquid though out the day so I don't think I can do more of that. Played around with the dosage of Lisinopril but my BP goes up a bit too high after a few days, so now I'm on 15mg (MD knows about this).

I was just wondering how others are coping with this.

mimi

[jacobsam622]

Weird question and I'm not really sure how to phrase it.

When I go low, my head feels like it's spinning, much like when I have a good bit to drink - not completely hammered, but past the slightly tipsy stage - .

Today, however, I've felt light-headed and sort of spinney, but my meter is telling me that I'm ok - well within the good range. My blood pressure is low, but not too low. I've eaten quite a bit today (not so good, had potato wedges, burger, sausage and a hash brown) but I only went up to 7.3, considering the amount I ate, that's not too bad.

My question is, does anyone else out there get that feeling for no reason? Could it be my BP dipping? Anyone else out there been like this? every time I see this post I think that Linda Blair is reprsing her role.:D

[Janlaton]

I take 5 mg of midodrine at 8 am, noon and 4 pm. This really helps the dizziness and blackouts. During the week I set an alarm on my computer so I do not forget any doses. Saturdays & Sundays I tend to forget the 4pm doses and I can really tell a big differance. This is a generic med. Without insurance the 90 a month would be about $180. Walmart does not have it on their $4 list! HA,HA.