Light headed when laying down

Hello all!

Over the last week I have experienced light headedness when I lay down in bed. I have a dual lead due to an AV node ablation and just finished a 30 day monitor for IST which I have not received results other than a brief message of frequent sinus Tachycardia which we already knew. For the last week when I lay down I get really hot, and feel the tingling in my body that builds just like I feel right before I pass out. I check my BP which will be high but my pulse is fine. I am on pain meds for my back and asked my GP if that could be from the meds and she said it was doubtful. Anyone experience the feeling of going to pass out while laying down? Not sure if related to my heart.

Thank you for any advice!
Heidi

7 Comments

Thanks Frank!

by Heidiglassmeyer - 2010-09-20 01:09:39

After reading more about nerve damage it did explain how any type of nerve damage can interfere with the signals from your brain. Since this started after my lower back injury I am assuming it could be related. I have my CT scan on Wednesday and hopefully will answer my question and get back to the road to recovery. Unfortunately I'm not past the point of fear when something is not normal, I blame
It on my heart. I'm sure in time
I will get over that. Thanks again I always appreciate your feedback and hope you respond to my posts!

Heidi

Thoughts

by ElectricFrank - 2010-09-20 02:09:49

A couple of thoughts:

It could be related to pressure on nerves in your spine from your back problem. That can cause all sorts of things.

Is it possible that you are experiencing vertigo, which is becoming dizzy from inner ear problem. I've found that I get an episode of vertigo when I lay down if I'm a bit dehydrated. The effect is having the world spin, but the anxiety can cause tingling and light headedness.

frank

Heart related

by ElectricFrank - 2010-09-20 07:09:54

My take on it is that fear is a natural and important part of life. It is a mistake to try to avoid fear. My approach when I feel fearful is to allow myself to really feel it. There is almost always a message there and when I listen to it the fear turns to excitement.

Keep in mind that people pay good money to jump out of airplanes, ride roller coasters, and who knows what else to feel the excitement of fear. I get mine for free!!!!

best,

frank

i say meds

by tedlutz3 - 2010-09-20 11:09:17

i imagine you're taking all sorts of drugs (i am).
i wouldn't be surprised if the meds are causing you to become dizzy when lying down. try taking the meds with food several hours before going to bed. may be they'll wear off by time you lie down. i had similar issues.

Thanks for helping me feel at ease!

by Heidiglassmeyer - 2010-09-21 01:09:27

I have never been one to be over sensitive until my PM which has not resolved all of my heart issues. As result I have become hyper sensitive with sometimes a very valid concern. Thank you for your advise especially tedlutz3 , yes a variety of meds including pain meds, steroid, muscle relaxers, and valume (sp) in addition to my heart/stomach meds. Hopefully I can get off the meds for my back soon and get back to my normal routine. I will take your advice and take earlier. Hard to avoid needing to go pass on after taking them:). I am only on them till Wed till we have a better idea of how bad my herniated disc is and should cut back then. He just wanted me out all weekend prior to assess the nerve damage. Did you by chance have a CT scan
done? I was a little confused when I was told our local (large) hospital could not perform the type of scan I needed and sent me to a large hospital in DT Houston for it? I have had several CT scans for my back at the local hospital and not sure what the difference is? Sorry for the lengthy post, currently under the influence :) lol!

Heidi

Herniated disk

by ElectricFrank - 2010-09-21 01:09:56

For what it is worth, I had back surgery for a L5-S1 herniated disk back in 1984. I had a very good surgeon who told me from the outset that he wouldn't operate until he was absolutely certain about the problem. I had a CT at that time which was misread. That lead to having a mylogram. I didn't look forward to having a needle stuck into my spine, but it turned out to be easy. That test identified the bulged disk which was giving me constant pain down my right leg.

In my case the surgery went very well. I had surgery at 5:30AM and was up walking around at around 4PM. Oddly, I had very littlem pain from the whole thing and needed no pain shots afterwards.. I was back teaching with a full release in 10 days.

It doesn't always go that way, but it certainly can. One of the most important things I did was to ask the surgeon in advance if any pain I had while moving was a sign I was damaging tissue. He assured me that as long as I didn't try to pick up a nurse or something that I couldn't do any harm. I put that into my memory bank and afterwards pretty well put those small twinges aside. Most of the pain comes from tensing the muscles trying to avoid injury.

good luck with it all,

frank

Frank

by Heidiglassmeyer - 2010-09-21 06:09:02

Thank you! As you may have read from my previous posts I am a very active 41 yr old with 4&6 yr old, work 50 hours a week and the thought of meds, PT for many weeks just does not work for me. (this is the second issue I have had since May) You are the second person who told me that surgery was the best thing they ever did. Simple procedure and fast recovery. I am not sure what the procedure is called that I am having on Wed but know it is not a regular CT scan since I had one in May that only showed a slight degeneration. So, thank you for sharing your experience. Were you able to resume exercise shortly after the surgery? Thanks again for the response!

Heidi

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