Question:
HAS ANYONE HAD PROBLEMS WITH PASSING OUT AND DIZZY SPELLS

HELLO MY NAME IS TERRY...I AM 50 ...I HAD GASTRIC BYPASS SURGERY NOVEMBER OF 2000...I HAVE LOST 120 LBS...I NOW WEIGH ABOUT 138 LBS...RECENTLY IN DECEMBER I HAD 2 EPISODES OF PASSING OUT...WAS HOSPITALIZED....THEY RULED OUT CARDIAC....RULED OUT NEURO...I HAD A POSITIVE TILT TABLE TEST...PASSED OUT AFTER 3 MINUTES....THEY SAID I HAD A "HYPERSENSITIVE VASO-VAGAL RESPONSE"...PUT ME ON PINDOLOL....I HAVE NOT PASSED OUT ANYMORE...BUT CONTINUE TO HAVE "DIZZY SPELLS".....THEN THEY DECIDED I MIGHT BE HAVING PETIT MAL SEIZURES...PUT ME ON TRILEPTAL-MAX DOSE......THE DIZZY SPELLS GOT WORSE....GAIT WAS UNSTEADY....WAS HOSPITALIZED AGAIN FEB. 4-7 2002....NOW THEY SAY IT IS FOR SURE NOT NEURO AND NOT CARDIAC...THEY DON'T HAVE AN ANSWER...THEY HAVE WITNESSED THESE SPELLS...MY QUESTION IS "COULD THIS BE RELATED TO MY SURGERY AND THE WEIGHT LOSS...IS IT POSSIBLE THAT I AM HAVING SOME NUTRITIONAL DEFICEITS...AM I LACKING NUTRIENTS-CHEMICALS-VITAMINS....PLEASE IF YOU CAN MAKE ANY SUGGESTIONS I WOULD BE GREATFUL.....I AM A REGISTERED NURSE....BUT I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT IS HAPPENING TO ME.......THANK YOU FOR ANY HELP    — TERRY H. (posted on February 11, 2002)

February 11, 2002
I have noticed the same thing and wish I had some answers. I just pass out easier than I used to, and I get dizzy when I stand up. Last week, I had an emergency appendectomy and I passed out when trying to go to the bathroom after surgery. (13 stitches in my forehead!) My blood pressure then dropped to 70/40. My opinion: there's got to be something related to my RNY, because I never used to pass out when I was heavy. Please write me on the email if you find out what's causing this!!! THANKS!
   — Terissa R.

February 11, 2002
Terry- I can totally relate to what you're going through. This started happening to me several years ago when I was pre-op. I would pass out all over the place. I went through millions of tests. They also had me on seizure medication which made it worse. They've ruled out everything major and now three years later I still don't know what's going on. I had surgery in November, and it hasn't gotten any worse, but I still pass out all the time. I am due for some more neuro tests soon. For you it's obviously been a problem since surgery, and I can't help you there, but I just wanted to give you a big cyberhug and tell you you're not alone! I assume they've done bloodwork and ruled out malnutrition etc.? If not, that should be a top priority. I hope everything works out. Feel free to email me!
   — Deborah W.

February 11, 2002
I don't know if this will help anyone, but getting those "headrushes" when you stand is a sign of dehydration! When I start having them, I make sure to start drinking my water religiously! Hope maybe it helps a little!
   — [Anonymous]

February 11, 2002
I am not sure if any of this is related....I am 8 1/2 months post op and had a dizzy/blackout episode last week...I was at my girlfriend's....and everything blackedout, hearing became fuzzy...knees started to give...she is a nurse and was on it immediately...took my blood pressure and pulse both of which were normal...have had two other dizzy spells since....Good Luck
   — chance2lv

February 11, 2002
I never passed out but have come real close. Noted it was worse late in the afternoon. Told it was related to our circidian rythym. Pre op on prinivil my BP was 160 over 110. Now its around 110 over 70 with NO pills. It bottomed around 85 over 58. I quit taking the BP pills and touched base with my PCP who said dont take them again. He futher stated that our bodies take time to adjust because the loss is SO fast. My BP after 6 months appears stable, and I only get a bit of lightheadness if I havent had enough to drink.
   — bob-haller

February 12, 2002
I am almost 2 years postop RNY. I'[ve recently discovered that stomach surgery can set off low blood sugar. Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can exhibit itself as dizziness and in other ways. Please read up on it. Also, my hormones got WAY out of balance and I found I was unable to absorb my HRT orally or through the patch so now I'm giving myself monthly shots. This surgery does wreck havoc with our health as well as helping tremendously in many areas. I've been diagnosed with SVT also since my surgery. So, we move onward and upward. Best wishes.
   — Cindy H.