Fainting spells?

Hey Dudes, I haven't been here in months (new job, stress etc) but this was the first place I wanted to go to with this queston. A buddy had GBS in 2003 and kept off 250 so far -and since has fainted 4 times over the years..gym, home shower and grocery. Dr's can't find anything I had GBS in 2004 and kept off 175...I fainted in the middle of DC's busiest street yesterday morning with 12 STAPLES in the back of my head to prove it. Drs dont have an answer. test continue today. We are both on blood pressure meds but not the same ones. I am just throwing this out there. Have this happened to you or anyone you know. Thanks RobDC

How did you feel prior to fainting?  I developed panic attacks after WLS - felt like I was gonna pass out or die... no kidding.

Possibly a rapid blood sugar drop?

Needs to be checked out for sure (with more informed docs) but assuming it's nothing serious, I agree with Bama that it could be low blood sugar. I've passed out a couple of times when I've exercised strenuously without having eaten properly so I bonked. Had you or your friend eaten recently prior to your fainting spells? The docs should be able to figure it out with the additional tests.

Hey Rob, i too have come very close to fainting on more than one occasion just after WLS.   The only thing they explained to me is that this happens from low blood pressure.  So being on the meds and cuting the dose didnt help i was taken off the meds and drank plenty of fluids since.  I no longer have this fainting feeling, i guess it was a mix of dehaydration, and low blood pressure.  It may be possible the meds are dropping your pressure too low but im not a dr.  Ask your Dr. if coming off the meds or dropping the dose to try it out and see if that helps.  Good Luck. Uncle Baccala

Two common conditions come to mind, both at least hinted at already. The first is low blood sugar, the second orthostatic hypotension (blood pressure drops with a sudden change in posture). Both happen during rapid weight loss. There a similar and more chronic form of OH called orthostatic intolerance that happens when weight is stable. All three require advice of a doc. The blood sugar requires dietary adjustment, and both orthostatic syndromes are treated  by adjusting BP meds, or taking something new to keep pressure up.

Rob, I am 15 months post surgery and have spells of light headedness but not fainting.  My doc did some simple in office tests -- bp sitting, lying and then standing from a sitting or lying position.  My bp dropped considerably when rising.   Eventually, he took me off all my bp meds and had my cardiologist change some of my heart meds (stopped 2 and decresed the other one).  In addition to the low bp my heart rate as too low from the meds.  I no longer needed them.  Since these changes have been made, I have been free from any episodes. I hope you docs can find an answer.  That can be rather disconcerting. Rich

Thanks guys for the posting! At the time of the event my blood sugar was 97 but  cause of teh batwings and the normal cup my blood pressure showed high but was low at the hospital?? My primary has me seeing a cardiologist and neuro later in the week as a precaution. Funny note: I passed out 3 blocks fron Dubya's house - so first responders were secret service..lol One of my BIGGEST fears in life has always been if I ever need assistance from the firedept will they need a crane to pick me up (you've seen the news vids) THAT was the scariest part..LOL -Rob

I mention this one alot...Don't know if it true or not.  Since we are eating less process food, I wonder if you might be lacking in salt.  Esp if your sip sip sipping and peeing the sodium out of your system?  When I started to get lightheaded (during rapid weightloss), I would just have a taste of salt...It was gone within minutes.  It wouldn't hurt, esp if you have low blood pressure.  Brian