Dizzy spells

[LeeLee]

I've had brief head-spinning moments with darkened peripheral vision several times today just after standing up.

I don't feel ill, or even fighting anything
I'm not dehydrated (drinking loads of non-alcoholic liquids, normal wee)
BG is fine (just had an 'episode' 2 hours after eating, tested at 5.8)
Blood pressure last time I got it checked was normal at 114/80 (I take lisinopril to keep it down)
It's quite warm in my flat but not baking hot
I gave blood yesterday, felt no ill effects at the time, or when cycling home, or on any previous occasions.

Any ideas?

 

[Mark T]

Have you been taking extra salt into your diet as well as the same extra fluids?

 

[AJLang]

Sorry to hear this. I don't know what to suggest but I'm sending you big hugs x

 

[AlisonM]

It may just be a cold or an ear infection but, is it possible your BP has dropped too low, or could it be a side effect of one of your meds? If it persists I reckon you should talk to your doctor. I hope it goes away soon, I have dizzy spells quite often and it's horrid.

 

[LeeLee]

Have you been taking extra salt into your diet as well as the same extra fluids?

No... but I never cut it down as directed when my BP was higher (tut). My sodium levels dropped a bit low before I came off the diuretic, at which point I was told to add more salt to my diet. Never experienced any symptoms though.

 

[Mark T]

Low salt levels can do some weird things and your body does lose salt in warm weather. However, from experience its more of a generally feeling unwell then a sudden onset .

 

[Redkite]

Since it's happening just after standing up, it does sound as though it may be low blood pressure. Are you drinking plenty of water? Dehydration reduces the BP. Could be a reason if you gave blood yesterday. Do you have a home BP monitor? Do go and see your GP if it keeps happening.

 

[LeeLee]

Thanks all. I'll see how it goes. Maybe a hot summer blood donation was a bad idea. Still polishing my halo.

 

[Highlander]

Sounds very much like low BP to me. I take Bisoprolol 2.5mg twice a day. I used to take one 5mg and this gave me similar effects to this. Suggest you drink plenty of water and see how it goes.

 

[lucy123]

Hope you feel better today LeeLee.🙂

 

[Caroline]

A couple of people in the office experienced something similar. They phoned NHS Direct and were advised keep up with the fluids and stay out of the sunshine, if it happens again keep a note pf it and see your doctor.

I hope you feel better soon, having had a couple I know dizzy spells are not nice. I sometimes getthem first thing in the morning on getting out of bed if I do it too fast.

 

[LeeLee]

I did a bit of research last night. When giving blood, it can take 2-3 days to make up the volume of plasma (I had been under the impression that this was a matter of hours). The low volume, unsurprisingly, can cause the blood pressure to drop and salt levels to be depleted. Phew! I'll live!

 

[Copepod]

Sorry, only just seen this. Although it's many years since I gave blood (a couple of years before I got T1D, as I was overseas when diagnosed), I can still remember needed to drink more and take more salt than more than usual for a couple of days after giving a donation of blood or plasma, and that after giving whole blood, the depletion of red blood cells meant I felt a bit breathless when running up stairs to my third floor room for a few days - usually I could do that with no bother.

LeeLee's last post shows the value of internet research over forums, for some issues. 🙂