Dizziness and near fainting upon standing

[ravenjeh 16]

I'm 10 days post op and on full liquids. Yesterday morning, I stood up too fast and nearly passed out. I had black spots in my vision and was very weak. The lethargy lasted all day. Now this morning, the same thing just happened. Vision got dark with a headache. What causes this? Low blood sugar? Low blood pressure?

[NikiS 31]

I'm sorry that you are experiencing this. A few times I felt light headed when I stood up too quickly and once I even the shakes. My doctor said I was doing things a little too fast -- eating, drinking and/or standing. You should contact your surgeon's office and let them know what's going on.

Please keep me posted.

All the best,

Niki

[Rootman 1,101]

Both things you mention can cause this, low BP and sugar. It can also be caused by dehydration. The simplest way to determine dehydration is to look back at how much you are urinating. If properly hydrated you should be urinating several times a day, say 3 or 4, and the urine should be clear to lightly golden colored, if you are NOT urinating or the urine is dark yellow to brown then you are dehydrated. I know it's tough but just start sipping Water all day.

Low BP can be checked sitting and standing with a home pressure testing kit and the results compared, a significant drop in pressure should not occur between the two. See the doc if it's low - say WAY below 120 / 80. It may be just the change in diet doing it but it could be caused by internal bleeding. See the ER doc if it tests way low, like less than 100 / 60.

Simple blood sugar testers are available cheaply too. Levels below 70 are what to watch for. Being post op you are not eating much and the results are low glucose levels. If you can drink some apple juice it may help. OJ is good too but quite acid and may upset your already traumatized stomach.

Regardless, see the doc if symptoms persist.

[Rev Me Up! 75]

You are less than 2 weeks out from MAJOR SURGERY. Some people have the surgery and are up and running in no time,but not everyone. I experienced extreme exhaustion for 8 weeks with diziness, etc. You have a major organ healing and you are barely giving your body enough food to survive. Please slow down. Talk to the doc about your concerns, but also get up slower, try to get in a few more Protein calories, and take care of yourself.

Good luck---

[kellyw74 258]

This is VERY normal. I do it quite often and yes, I have passed out. Hit my head really hard on the floor and my dr. said it was not a big deal. Just be careful getting up and to break my exercise up into shorter stints. Especially in the morning!

I have found on the days that I don't eat much, it is worse. The days when I can get at least 1000 calories or more, I don't do it so badly. When you are able to get those calories in, you will get better. Mine is diminishing alot now that I can eat more.

Hugs,

Kelly