Dizzy in the Shower

[Taylor Webster 28]

I am 6 days post op and have had the weirdest problem. Every time I take a shower, I feel dizzy, light-headed, confused, short of breath. Its like if I don't lay down, I will pass out. I am usually fine the first 5 minutes or so then all the sudden I feel tired, confused, sometimes my vision even gets blurry. I usually have to just get out of the shower, done or not, and lay down on the bathroom floor. It scares the crap out of me. Has anyone else experienced this or know what this could be?

[twinRN 10]

I'm an RN and it sounds like your BP is low, probably because your blood volume is down because you aren't able to take in as much Fluid. Take your pulse (if you know how) while your laying down then stand up and take it (quick before you get dizzy and see if if goes up by 10-20 beats. If it does then you're orthostatic, meaning your blood volume is low and you need Fluid and could be on your way to getting dehydrated.

Hope this helps...my best advice now would be to take in more fluid which I know is hard. Call your Doc if it continues.

[twinRN 10]

oh yeah and if it's happening only in the shower then the hot Water vasodilates you or in other words makes your blood vessels open wider so the blood volume you do have is going towards your feet so you may be able to handle the fact that your body is getting less volume at other times, but the shower w/ hot water (I'm guessing you use hot water ) is too much for you right now. You could do a bath or a shower chair?

[Richard Foor 655]

I agree that you need to increase your Fluid intake. If your having a hard time try drinking room temperature or warm drinks most find them easier to drink post op. Good Luck

[BlueOctoberGirl 111]

I had the same problem. I was told to get in more fluids and leave the bathroom door open. It made a big differance!

[Taylor Webster 28]

I'll try in take in more fluids and see if that helps! Thanks for your help!

[ckatie0709 24]

I had this happen even preop if i took my shower too hot, i do love a hot shower but that feeling sucks so i make sure I'm not turning the bathroom into a sauna, come to think of it the first time i showered at home postop i did start to get dizzy, but i turned the Water down, took a few deep breaths and was fine. On another now it seems odd to think a person as overweight as i an could have low bp lol

[Ruffus 66]

This happen to me the first few weeks postop

I only took showers when my husband was home. I made him sit on the toilet while I took a QUICK shower!

I am better now thank goodness!