Lightheaded?

[Bagaof4]

4 days ago, coming home at dark as I started to walk up the two steps of my deck and consciously thinking about being careful, I fell to the ground. Didn't trip, just became off balance.

Yesterday in class at around 11:00 AM I started feeling very lightheaded and thought I would pass out. I felt like I was going "to the side" if that makes sense. Had to sit down and put my head low. I had eaten cheese and half a cup of Greek yogurt about an hour earlier.

Getting in at least 120gr of protein, 100+gr fat and usually 100+ gr carbs every day. Hydration is well over 80 oz per day. Faithfully taking the full Vitalady regime.
No cold, no allergies, no other symptoms.
Has this happened to anyone?
I AM quite the klutz, it's just a weird and different feeling that's perhaps not even DS or nutritionally related. My weight is at the low end of anything I ever thought it would ever be, but other than being tired at the end of the day, I feel fine.
Previous labs have been good and 18 month labs to be drawn April 1st.

Anyone experience this?

 

[newanatomy]

When my blood pressure drops, I get dizzy or lightheaded. I used to black out and fall down. Since putting on weight raised my blood pressure, it stopped happening. Now that my weight is dropping, I am having these again. Usually, it's when I go from a sitting position to standing or when I crouch down in the grocery store to see something on the bottom shelf then stand again.

Is this similar to what is happening to you?

 

[Bagaof4]

Each time it happened, I was already standing (actually walking). Maybe it does have something to do with BP. Any way to know other than using a cuff?

 

[newanatomy]

I am not sure about knowing without a cuff. I do know that the drop in pressure is not "immediately" felt. It takes a few seconds. Sit for a while, get comfy and relax for a few minutes, then stand up quick. Stay by the chair or couch (in case you fall), just stand there. Anything?

 

[Bagaof4]

Nope. Not this morning. I will try it throughout the day, but near something to hold on to. Thanks!

 

[huneypie]

I had this too, just light headed when standing. Dioralyte helped fix the issue for me although I'm sure Powerade Zero would work quite well too as I think the former one is a UK only thing.

I'm not sure taking your BP would help much if it's anything like mine as the BP just drops in the moment. My BP runs on the lower end of the normal range.

 

[Bagaof4]

I will try PowerAde Zero. Thank you!

 

[Elizabeth N.]

Have you had a cold or congestion recently? You might be having a bit of grumpy inner ear.

 

[Bagaof4]

Thanks EN. No cold or congestion. Grumpy brain???? I have been rather 'dingy' lately. But maybe that's just age....

 

[DianaCox]

I have been having low bp issues. Had a cardiology work up, just in case. Ultimate prescription was to eat more salt and wear support hose. I'm eating more salt.

ETA: Just out of curiosity, because I hadn't checked for a while, took my bp: 93/49, pulse 52. Not feeling particularly light-headed.

 

[hilary1617]

I've been prescribed 4 bottles of Gatorade a day by my GP due to fainting combined with overall low blood pressure. It seems to be helping. I'd recommend checking BP sitting and then stand and take it again to see if it drops when you stand to rule out orthostatic / positional hypotension, which was the first thing my doctor screened me for in light of my fainting spells...

 

[Bagaof4]

Thanks, Hilary. I am going to get PowerAde or Gatorade and see if it helps. Do you own a BP cuff or are you in the medical field? Guess I'll just wait till I see my PCP. I appreciate the input!

 

[hilary1617]

Definitely not in the medical profession - only a patient. I recently obtained a BP cuff after I started having fainting spells and my GP/PCP noticed how low my BP was running (90/50) when it had historically been around 110/70. My BP has been running low steadily. It hasn't been dropping when I stand up, but apparently given the fainting he wanted to rule out orthostatic hypotension. With the addition of Gatorade, my BP has risen a bit and the fainting has become much less frequent. I'm malnourished and have ascites and some swollen/angry organs due to cancer surgery issues, so my fainting could be due to that, dehydration, or a number of issues, but whatever the cause, Gatorade seems to work like a charm.