Almost passed out...

[TeacherMommy 35]

Have any of you guys experienced this?? When I stand up, I feel light headed and this morning, I almost passed out in the shower. Ideas??

[Thinkingthinner1109 485]

I get light headed a lot when I get up out of bed at night a lot. I often have to stop and hold on to something to keep my balance.

Edited October 13, 2014 by Thinkingthinner1109

[Bufflehead 6,358]

Try pumping your legs like you are riding a bicycle and scissoring your legs over each other for 30 seconds before you stand up. You may want to have your doctor check you out for orthostatic hypotension.

[Turk 8]

Yes, I just have to get up in the morning in stages. 1st I sit up in bed for 30 seconds or so then stand up. If I just hop out of bed I get lightheaded.

[KayleeC14 159]

I have experienced this before on very random occasions, usually if I get that way I go grab a cheese stick and munch on it in case its because my blood sugar dropped for whatever reason. My issue I get now is at times I get like the "dumping" syndrome even though I have the sleeve to food but not to super sweet food. Last night when I was out to dinner with my boyfriend I had it right after I ate some chicken. I would consult with your doctor if you are truly worried about it. I will be when I have my appointment in November.

[BitterSweet* 835]

That does sound like orthostatic or positional hypotension. A good way to determine if that's the case (until you go to see your surgeon / PCP), is to check your heart rate in different positions; lying down, sitting on the edge of the bed, and then standing.

If your heart rate varies a great deal (like a 30 beat difference between positions), it's likely positional hypotension. Usual cause is dehydration, especially if you don't take meds for hypertension. If you do take meds, they may need to be adjusted.

[BitterSweet* 835]

That does sound like orthostatic or positional hypotension. A good way to determine if that's the case (until you go to see your surgeon / PCP), is to check your heart rate in different positions; lying down, sitting on the edge of the bed, and then standing.

If your heart rate varies a great deal (like a 30 beat difference between positions), it's likely positional hypotension. Usual cause is dehydration, especially if you don't take meds for hypertension. If you do take meds, they may need to be adjusted.

[VSGAnn2014 12,992]

Thanks for this thread and the comments.

This lightheadedness started happening to me the first few months prior to WLS. (I had then put myself on a 1200-1400 calorie diet to lose some weight pre-op.)

It's still happening, but (maybe?) less so than it used to right after WLS surgery.

First time I have EVER had this problem.

I'll keep an eye on this and, if it doesn't resolve in a month or so see my PCP about it.

Thank again.

[bikrchk 1,313]

Check your blood pressure, laying down, sitting and standing. Dehydration can lead to low BP which can cause what you're experiencing. More fluids adding some G2 into the mix can help. It IS a strange experience for sure, particularly for one who was previously on 3 meds for high BP that were not completely controlling it! I had to set an alarm to drink at night for the first couple of weeks. You should see your doc if you can't improve it with more fluids quickly.

Edited October 13, 2014 by bikrchk

[TeacherMommy 35]

Thanks everyone for the great feedback. I am on BP meds and it was my first thought. I called my surgeon's office and the nurse suggested I call my GP to be seen about possibly backing off the meds or stopping them altogether (ultimate goal). My GP checked my BP this aftermoon and it was great without having taken my meds this morning, so he backed it down. He was concerned more with my pulse/heart rate being high. He said it can be caused from either dehydration or anemia. My thoughts are it's dehydration. I'm trying hard to get fluids in, but as u guys know, it's tough. I may have to set an alarm. I do take Sips, if I happen to wake up. Hopefully I'll know the results of the blood work tomorrow. Thanks again!!

[familyof6 1]

I got dizzy and lightheaded several times after surgery. The days I drank a lot I noticed it didn't happen.

[JCP 619]

When did you last have lab work? My Iron is very low again so am having some issues like this. They put me back on 120mg iron a day.

[BitterSweet* 835]

The findings at your appointment are precisely what I thought and mentioned earlier. I'm happy for you that your BP meds were decreased and as you progress on your journey you may no longer need them anymore. That would be fantastic! Keep pushing your fluids as best as you can and move slowly when changing positions.

[TeacherMommy 35]

My blood work came back negative for anemia and I wasn't dehydrated. The doctor said my dizziness was mostly likely attributed to BP meds and low caloric intake. He said continue to be patient with the process and remember that my body has been through a lot the last month. He's right, I'm just glad it was nothing worse. I've felt better today.

[Tammylb 174]

Happens to me also! I figure it's from low calorie diet ! It's disappears after a few seconds of standing