dizzy and vision blurred

I haven't posted much lately...but now I have a question. For the past 2 days my eyes have been blurry and unable to focus...I need to blink a lot to actually see clearly at times. I get dizzy when I am just sitting at my desk and it gets worse when I stand up. I FEEL fine otherwise....I'm taking my vitamins, I get all my protein and plenty of water ... I can't imagine what is causing this. Any suggestions? oh...I called my doctor to ask him and was told to go to the ER and have them page him when I get there...I truly don't want to waste an entire day in the ER if it's nothing serious ... I would also have to leave work for it and if I'm dizzy I can't exactly drive to the ER (the hospital that he is out of is 30 mins away)... thanx for any input! Linda

Linda, It could be nothing but go to the ER and make sure. I have sycope (dizziness) and blurry vision when I sit too long or stand up or just stand for too long. My BP drops too low. I let it sit for almost a year before I had to be rushed to the ER. Go, do not play with your health. Sandra

Linda, Maybe it is low blood pressure? but I would go to your PCP and see, if they think you should go to the ER then you should go.. ~Hugs~ Keep us posted....I wish you all the best Debra P

Linda, This happens to me when my blood pressure drops low. Good luck and feel better soon!! Tavia

Linda: I suppose it could be MANY things such as: *Hypotension (low Blood Pressure) (Did you have BP issues preop? highor low?) *Reactive HYPOGLYCEMIA comes to mind too, MANY RNYers develop this (meaning BS drops after eating especially any carbs w/o protein). HOW long inbetween your meals? For some they need to eat every 3-4 hrs (protein+complex carb) to avoid this....I have a personal friend whose BS dropped dangerously low (40's which can be coma/seizure time****il she figured out the cause and treats it with eating better combos of food choices and more frequently! NOW if so beware of having a Glucose Tolerance test. Most surgeons say: Some important points from this study: http://www.gastricbypass.com/images/GBP%20-%20Pregnancy.pdf Pregnancy Following Gastric Bypass for Morbid Obesity. Wittgrove AC, Jester L, Wittgrove P & Clark GW. Obesity Surgery 8, 1998:461-464. Copyright F-D Communications, Inc. Published by permission. a.. Glucose Tolerance Testing should not be performed. The test is potentially VERY dangerous after GBP, and the results are uninterpretable and useless. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hypoglycemia/DS00198/DSECTION=2 Signs and symptoms Your brain needs a steady supply of glucose, for it neither stores nor manufactures its own energy supply. Hypoglycemia can have these effects on your brain: Confusion, abnormal behavior or both, such as the inability to complete routine tasks Visual disturbances, such as double vision and blurred vision Seizures, uncommonly Loss of consciousness, uncommonly Hypoglycemia may also cause these other signs and symptoms: Heart palpitations Tremor Anxiety Sweating Hunger These signs and symptoms aren't specific to hypoglycemia. There may be other causes. The only way to know for sure that hypoglycemia is the cause is by having your blood sugar level measured. http://www.webmd.com/content/article/5/1680_51025.htm What Are the Symptoms of Hypoglycemia? A person with hypoglycemia may feel weak, drowsy, confused, hungry, and dizzy. Paleness, headache, irritability, trembling, sweating, rapid heart beat, and a cold, clammy feeling are also signs of low blood sugar. In severe cases, a person can lose consciousness and even lapse into a coma. The symptoms associated with hypoglycemia are sometimes mistaken for symptoms caused by conditions not related to blood sugar. For example, unusual stress and anxiety can cause excess production of catecholamines, resulting in symptoms similar to those caused by hypoglycemia but having no relation to blood sugar levels. http://www.merck.com/mmhe/au/sec13/ch166/ch166a.html Some Trade Names HUMULIN NOVOLIN than is needed. After certain types of stomach surgery, such as removal of part of the stomach, sugars are absorbed very quickly, stimulating excess insulin. Problems with digestion of some sugars (fructose and galactose) and amino acids (leucine) may also cause reactive hypoglycemia. An uncommon form of reactive hypoglycemia can occur after drinking alcohol in combination with sugar (for example, a gin and tonic). Symptoms The symptoms of hypoglycemia rarely develop until the level of sugar in the blood falls below 60 milligrams per deciliter of blood. Some people develop symptoms at slightly higher levels, especially when blood sugar levels fall quickly, and some do not develop symptoms until the sugar levels in their blood are much lower. The body first responds to a fall in the level of sugar in the blood by releasing epinephrineSome Trade Names ADRENALIN (adrenaline) from the adrenal glands. EpinephrineSome Trade Names ADRENALIN stimulates the release of sugar from body stores but also causes symptoms similar to those of an anxiety attack: sweating, nervousness, shaking, faintness, palpitations, and hunger. More severe hypoglycemia reduces the sugar supply to the brain, causing dizziness, fatigue, weakness, headaches, inability to concentrate, confusion, inappropriate behavior that can be mistaken for drunkenness, slurred speech, blurred vision, seizures, and coma. Prolonged hypoglycemia may permanently damage the brain. Symptoms can begin slowly or suddenly, progressing from mild discomfort to severe confusion or panic within minutes. On the infrequent occasions when people who have well-controlled diabetes develop hypoglycemia, awareness of the symptoms of hypoglycemia may be lost, and faintness or even coma may develop without any other warning. In a person with an insulinSome Trade Names HUMULIN NOVOLIN -producing pancreatic tumor, symptoms are likely to occur early in the morning after an overnight fast, especially if the sugar stores in the blood are further depleted by exercise before breakfast. At first, people with a tumor usually have only occasional episodes of hypoglycemia, but over months or years, episodes become more frequent and severe. *Dumping of sorts? Do you do protein shakes? IF so what kind? Many say the Whey isolate powders (nectar, IDS brand esp.) cause this due to such RAPID absorbtion. *Reaction/side-effect of a medication your on? *Are you/were you (preop) diabetic? *How are your labs? Just because your taking vits doesn't mean your getting enough for your body/surgery malabsorbtion! Many if us wlsers need extra of certain things.... CBC, Comprehensive electrolyte panel, Parathyroid test, HGB A1c (tells BS over 2-3mo period) IRON PANEL W/:Iron, Ferritin, TIBC, %Sat Vitamins: B12, folate, Thiamine, Zinc, Magnesium, Vit A&D, selenium Vit A has to do with vision, B12/Thiamine etc are all neurologically connected and low can cause issues permanently if not treated... What vits do u take? amoounts etc? *Inner ear issue (dizziness) *Some neurologic cause? Combo of all? Anyways we can't diagnose you of course you know but best to be seen I agree! Keep us posted! ****I am leaning to reactive hypoglycemia myself though!!!*** Wishing you well. Take Care, Jamie Lap RNY 10/9/02 Dr. Singh 320/163 5'9'' (lost 45# before surgery) Plastics 6/9/04 & 11/11/2005 Dr. King "Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect, it just means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections!"