How interesting.

[Chris Hobson]

I posted at the start of 2018 under the heading "Slightly troubling news" about a problem that I had with feeling faint while exercising. My GP suspected a heart problem and I have since had various tests and scans which have proved negative. The problem has gradually cleared up and is now almost gone, I was resigned to the fact that I would probably never know what it was.

On the recommended books section of this forum I came across 'Reverse your diabetes' by Dr. David Cavan and acquired it. On page 43 of this book is a chart listing some of the symptoms that can be caused by neuropathy which is a potential complication of diabetes. The last item on the chart is fainting, light-headedness caused by low blood pressure. The treatment is a drug called fludrocortisone.

 

[Pumper_Sue]

fludrocortisone.

Fludrocortisone is a form of steroid so unless needed best avoided.
I take the drug as part of my Addison's treatment.

You also have to take note of the statement "can be" as the symptoms you describe could be anything.
My 82 year old mother has the same symptoms her cure is to eat some pork scratchings as so much salt in them they hep with the BP.

 

[Chris Hobson]

At present it hasn't even been properly diagnosed so it might not even be that. If it is caused by neuropathy then I think that the best way to deal with it is to maintain good control of my blood glucose levels. At present I'm not having the problem so I'm hopeful that it won't come back.

 

[Ralph-YK]

Has your BP been taken at any point? I'd be surprised if they haven't. Chase it up with the Dr.

 

[Chris Hobson]

Yes, my blood pressure is checked when I have my six monthly reviews and I also have my own tester that I use on a regular basis. My blood pressure is nearly always in the ideal or high normal zone. The problem that I had was always quite temporary, I would have to ease off on whichever exercise I was doing and it would pass. I did a treadmill test with ECG monitors and a BP cuff on but the symptoms didn't occur. I suspect that if I could have done a BP test at the moment that it was happening it would have been low but Obviously I can't know for sure.