Dizzyness

Well Hello Everyone its been awhile since I have posted. It has been 2 years since any problems since the insertion of my pacemaker.
Well on Monday I was in the library doing a Legal Research assignment, I felt completely fine the entire time doing it. Then I sat down and became very dizzy. I figured maybe it was because I had not eaten or drank anything that morning so I decided to leave and go get some food and go home and rest. When I got home I ate and Layed down where the dizziness persisted. I got up a while later to use the restroom and almost passed out. This was the same feel and sensations I got previous to having my pacer installed. I called my primary doctor at the University who then informed me to call my Cardiologist. And of course we all know there is no quick way to call the cardiologist lol.... So as my last resort I called my dad.. During all this the dizziness continued and was getting worse... When my dad answered I told him something was wrong and he told me he was calling 911....
Now for the best part, this is what 911 told my dad who called 911 from west palm and I was located in Orlando at the University... " Sir you need to hang up and call Information for the number for 911 in Orlando" my dads response " You are worthless" and he hung up and told me that I had to call... So I call and of course they are asking 100 questions and I can barely understand whats going on... My dad stayed on the phone with me till Finally the fire department gets to my house and comes rushing in.. All 8 of them lol who knew they were gonna send so many... They got me in the rescue, talked to my dad who im sure was panicking on the phone and got me going to the hospital...
At the hospital as you know they ran all my blood work and lots of test... Everything came back fine except for my potassium levels were a little low and they gave me this nasty potassium drink.. Blah.... And I waiting for the Doctor... They kept me over night so the next morning the Doc and the Pacer people came to check to make sure my pacer was working fine and everything came back normal. I now have to go have a Echocardiogram today and will get the results back from that on the 15th so fingers crossed that goes okie. Other then that it was a huge scare for my parents who live 2 1/2 hours away who drove up on a drive that took them 4 hours due to the highway being shut down who made my mother panic like crazy...and my Poor boyfriend who is 45 mins away and got my frantic call from the back of the Fire Rescue while he was working... but he was great drove over and was at the hospital an hour after I called and he stayed with me the whole time... Even managed to get him to cuddle in the hospital bed... But in all nothing showed up on the pacer check or blood work so it looks like im in for more test!!! Yay!!! Just when I thought I was going on spring break...

7 Comments

Wonder, Too ~ ~

by Carolyn65 - 2010-03-04 06:03:34

I did not have any Pre-PM symptons as most of the PM members speak of. Now, Post-PM, sometime I get light headed, feel short of breath occasionally for a minute or two after doing nothing, incision "tugs", etc.

I too wonder what would have been had I said, "No" to the Cardiologist who suggested the PM. Of course, now with the ablation, there is not wondering, "what IF" and/or "turning around". According to the latest medical statement I recieved just for the surgical ablation, implant, etc. was ONLY short $6.00 of being $54,000.00 and that is not the over niter costs, etc. at the Heart Hospital. Costly lil' energizer bunny, huh?

Hugs to all and Take Care,
Carolyn G. of TEXAS Bear Hugs 2 U

Dizziness

by Pookie - 2010-03-05 10:03:14

Here is something I posted awhile ago.

Dizziness is very common and hard for doctors to diagnose.

Perhaps you could ask your doctor for a blood pressure monitor for 24 hrs if your dizziness continues. Another thing you might want to consider if it persists is to be referred to an ENT or a Neurologist.

Here's what I posted:

Dizziness
Posted by Pookie on 2008-07-19 21:14

Hi everyone!

I was doing some research on dizziness here on this website and found the following information. I find it very interesting as a lot of members seem to mention dizziness. Hope this helps.

Dizziness is the second most common complaint heard in doctors' offices (after lower back pain). Dizziness has many causes other than inner ear dysfunction.

Visual disturbances can result in lightheadedness or dizziness. Some people feel dizzy while adjusting to bifocals or a new eyeglass prescription, or from reduced vision due to cataracts.

Hyperventilation can cause temporary dizziness. During rapid breathing, more carbon dioxide than normal is expelled and the level of carbon dioxide in the blood falls, which in turn affects the function of brain cells.

Decreased blood flow to the brain or brain stem can cause dizziness, because insufficient oxygen is reaching the cells. Conditions that can reduce blood flow to the brain include orthostatic hypotension (low blood pressure upon suddenly rising from a lying or sitting position), dehydration, vasovagal syndrome (a nervous-system response that causes sudden loss of muscle tone in peripheral blood vessels), arteriosclerosis (hardening or narrowing of blood vessels), and osteoarthritis (a joint disease that can narrow the openings in the neck vertebrae through which blood vessels flow).

Nervous-system disorders such as peripheral neuropathies (diminished nerve function in the legs or feet) can cause unsteadiness. A tumor may affect the brain stem, the cerebellum (the coordination center of the brain), or the part of the cerebral cortex that controls voluntary muscle movements.

Even stress, tension, or fatigue may cause dizziness. Under these conditions, the brain stem functions less efficiently, resulting in some loss of automatic reflex control of balance. This leads to elevated levels of activity for the cerebral cortex, as conscious energy is used to help maintain balance by controlling voluntary muscle movements. Lightheadedness and unsteadiness can result.

Pookie

Dizziness Questionnaire.

by Pookie - 2010-03-05 10:03:46

And this is the questionnaire I had to fill out when I went to see the ENT before he performed several tests...

Dizziness
Posted by Pookie on 2010-01-22 12:59

Hi Everyone.

From time to time I see some members post about their dizziness. Dizziness can be so hard to describe to a doctor and dizziness can be a symptom to many many things.

Anyways, I was dizzy a lot (and still am to a degree as I have Hypotension Intolerance, Neurocardiogenic Syncope and a form of Meniere's Disease)...so, this questionnaire was given to me by my ENT and it helped him narrow down what tests to give me & I thought I could share this with you as sometimes doctors like to see things on paper. They can't remember everything you say to them!!!!!!!!

So, here is the questionnaire (with my answers in brackets cuz I'm too lazy to delete them all), just thought this might help someone:



Instructions: The purpose of this scale is to identify difficulties you may be experiencing because of your dizziness or unsteadiness. Please answer "yes" or "no" to each question. Answer each question as it pertains to your dizziness or unsteadiness problem only.

1. Does looking up increase your problem? (YES)

2. Because of your problem, do you feel frustrated? (YES)

3. Because of your problem, do you restrict your travel for business or recreation? (YES) ...but not any more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will not drive, my choice, as I wouldn't want to be the cause of a car accident.

4. Does walking down the aisle of a supermarket increase your problem? (YES)

5. Because of your problem, do you have difficulty getting into or out of bed? (NO)

6. Does your problem significantly restrict your participation in social activities such as going out to dinner, going to movies, dancing, or parties? (YES) ....not any more, I go anyways. For 2 yrs I let my dizziness/unsteadiness control my life, but then I just had to get living and get out of the house, so I just go. It's hard sometimes, but I do it anyways...it boosts me up if you know what I mean.

7. Because of your problem, do you have difficulty reading? (YES)

8. Does performing more ambitious activities like sports, dancing, household chores such as sweeping or putting dishes away increase your problem? (YES)

9. Because of your problem, are you afraid to leave your home without having somebody accompany you? (YES)

10. Because of your problem, have you been embarrassed in front of others? (NO) (I don't get embarrassed even when I'm so dizzy I have to go to the floor in a supermarket or Walmart for example).

11. Do quick movements of your head increase the problem? (YES)

12. Because of your problem, do you avoid heights? (NO)

13. Does turning over in your bed increase the problem? (YES)

14. Because of your problem, is it difficult for you to do strenuous housework or yard work? (YES)

15. Because of your problem, are you afraid people may think you are intoxicated? (YES) ~ but I don't care what others think.

16. Because of your problem, is it difficult for you to go for a walk by yourself? (YES)

17. Does walking down a sidewalk increase your problem? (YES) (sometimes I look like I'm intoxicated...lol)

18. Because of your problem, is it difficult for you to concentrate? (YES)

19. Because of your problem, is it difficult for you to walk around your house in the dark? (NO, cuz I turn on the lights!!!)

20. Because of your problem, are you afraid to stay home alone? (NO)

21. Because of your problem, do you feel handicapped? (YES, sometimes)

22. Has your problem placed stress on your relationships with members of your family or friends? (YES)

23. Because of your problem, are you depressed? (YES)

24. Does your problem interfere with your job or household responsibilities? (YES)

25. Does bending over increase your problem? (YES)

Hope this helps anyone who experiences dizziness or an unsteadiness ~

But don't let it do what it did to me to you...get out there and live your life. And if you're experiencing this regularly, discuss it with your family doctor, a neurologist or an ENT as there is always an answer, you just have to be persistant.

Pookie

Legal Research

by ted - 2010-03-05 11:03:06

As a lawyer, I can tell you that doing legal research has been known to cause the symptoms you describe.

Frank

by ted - 2010-03-06 05:03:31

Good question. All I know is that the law and all those involved with it cause a lot of headaches. The dizzyness is secondary.

Thanks Everyone

by OIMAPRINCESS2477 - 2010-03-06 11:03:50

Ted-I love your response...But this better not be the response i get every time I research lol cause Im in for alot more research once I hit law school :-) and at least now I know why the migraines have come back after so many years :-)

Frank- Lol No feeling of a law suit ... But damn I guess I should have passed out at school then maybe if I hit my head I would have been able to sue or something lol....

Ronaldo- I would suggest that you speak with your cardiologist about the dizziness you are more likely feeling dizzy because your settings are not right... I have many friends here at the PM Club that had to have their settings changed many times before they were perfect and even then they could ocassionally feel dizzy. Also when you go for your PM Check tell the person checking your PM how you feel. They know and understand what you are going through and are there to help. As for me this is the first time in 2 years that I have ever been dizzy. The Doctors believe that it was just a drop in blood pressure but I still have many test to go .

Carolyn- I know how you feel about the 54,000.... I think the total for my surgery plus the many over night hospital stays and test was about 100,000. All I have to say is thank god for Insurance and Deductiable lol...I was lucky and did not have to pay for a single thing for my surgery do to the fact that our deductiable had be met earlier in the year. But I think its outragious that someone that is there to save us cost soo much money where as a twinkie that is terriable for our health only cost 50 cents.

I hope all of you are doing well and I wish you the best of luck... I will keep you updated. Love and hugs!!!

<3 Britt

Ted

by ElectricFrank - 2010-03-06 12:03:30

Was the legal research symptoms followed by feeling a law suit coming on? LOL

frank

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I have an ICD which is both a pacer/defib. I have no problems with mine and it has saved my life.