1. < Aging Well

Periodic dizziness, fainting and feeling like passing out

Posted by rjtx @rjtx, Apr 26, 2021

I wonder if this is even the right forum? Please point out the right one if it's not. My wife (age 52) has had this symptom many years. She would feel dizzy, faint and almost passing out (not to a point to lose consciousness completely yet). But when it comes, it's pretty severe and she feel she would pass out. This happens every a few months. She has gone MRI for brain and blood testing. All test numbers are normal (except low Iron). She has been taking Iron pills and try to raise her number. Other than Iron, what kind of tests should we ask doctor to further diagnose?

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Mentor
Becky, Volunteer Mentor | @becsbuddy | Apr 27, 2021

@jakedduck1 Please listen to your friends! If the doctor says you need a home care nurse, then you need one! @artist01 and @ess77 and @hopeful33250 and many others worry about you. Maybe this discussion will also give you some great tips. And I can tell you about the newest cookies at Trader Joe’s! Becky

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1 reply
Valerie | @lacy2 | Apr 27, 2021
In reply to @becsbuddy "@lacy2 I think many people think like you do. It’s the “White Coat” Syndrome. When you..." + (show)
@becsbuddy

@lacy2 I think many people think like you do. It’s the “White
Coat” Syndrome. When you walk into the doctors office, either your blood pressure spikes or you’re suddenly well! But really, symptoms aren’t in our imagination and you surely don’t want to diagnose yourself! I’ve had several virtual visits with my doctor and they go very well and you get more time (at least I have so far).
You might also see if the doctors office has a waiting list. If someone cancels, maybe you can get in earlier.
Keep up the positive attitude!

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Becky.... my positive attitude is fake! And if I say something funny that's fake too.... reverse, reverse psychology!
But you are right about white coat syndrome, but I can even "feel it" (the coat) over the phone! Often downplay my symptoms, not sure why I do it though. Maybe cos I am truthful with my family, who by now have had enough, even tho they still love me! I just cant keep my aches and pains to myself with them
..but they say a trouble shared is a trouble halved, just maybe I shouldnht keep sharing with same people!
Take care, J. 🌷🌷🌷

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2 replies
Valerie | @lacy2 | Apr 28, 2021

...same people meaning my poor spouse and 2 adult children... J.

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artist01 | @artist01 | Apr 28, 2021
In reply to @becsbuddy "@jakedduck1 Please listen to your friends! If the doctor says you need a home care nurse,..." + (show)
@becsbuddy

@jakedduck1 Please listen to your friends! If the doctor says you need a home care nurse, then you need one! @artist01 and @ess77 and @hopeful33250 and many others worry about you. Maybe this discussion will also give you some great tips. And I can tell you about the newest cookies at Trader Joe’s! Becky

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@becsbuddy Yes @jakedduck1, please do agree to have a home care nurse visit you if the doc has suggested it. I've had a daily home care nurse visit for several years now. No big deal!
At first, I bucked the idea like you're doing, but after some more bad episodes I relented to the idea. An RN regularly comes for 10 to 30 minutes daily and records blood glucose numbers, does your blood pressure, sees to your insulin injection, answers many questions you might have, sends weekly reports to your doctor, and, (I've found), becomes someone you look forward to seeing every day. Since my hospital stay, they've cut me off insulin for now so the nurse only comes twice a week for all the other stuff the doc wants reported.
I MISS HER!!! Waaa!

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lioness | @lioness | Apr 28, 2021

@rjtx Weicome to our forum we can't diagnose but help where we can Has your wife gone to see a cardiologist for these symptoms ? There might be something that hasn't be found yet by the test . A good place to start would be this Dr to find the cause, as it could just be her blood pressure . Please come back and let us know we care here

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Mentor
Becky, Volunteer Mentor | @becsbuddy | Apr 29, 2021
In reply to @lacy2 "Becky.... my positive attitude is fake! And if I say something funny that's fake too.... reverse,..." + (show)
@lacy2

Becky.... my positive attitude is fake! And if I say something funny that's fake too.... reverse, reverse psychology!
But you are right about white coat syndrome, but I can even "feel it" (the coat) over the phone! Often downplay my symptoms, not sure why I do it though. Maybe cos I am truthful with my family, who by now have had enough, even tho they still love me! I just cant keep my aches and pains to myself with them
..but they say a trouble shared is a trouble halved, just maybe I shouldnht keep sharing with same people!
Take care, J. 🌷🌷🌷

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@lacy2 Oh, I’m sorry to hear that your positive attitude is fake. Have you given any thought to getting help to work on your negative attitude? Counselors/therapists can be so good! I had one when I first got sick. I felt useless and like my life was over. The therapist helped me adjust to a ‘new normal’.
You say that you downplay your symptoms and also, that your family is tired of hearing your complaints. So, what can you do? You can complain to a good therapist who will then help you help yourself! Ask your doctor, or friends, or the hospital, or local agency on aging for names. Or Google. Look for a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.
I’m so glad that I agreed to see a therapist! Best present I gave myself!
What do you think? Might a therapist be helpful! Will you think about it and let me know? Becky

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1 reply
Valerie | @lacy2 | Apr 29, 2021
In reply to @becsbuddy "@lacy2 Oh, I’m sorry to hear that your positive attitude is fake. Have you given any..." + (show)
@becsbuddy

@lacy2 Oh, I’m sorry to hear that your positive attitude is fake. Have you given any thought to getting help to work on your negative attitude? Counselors/therapists can be so good! I had one when I first got sick. I felt useless and like my life was over. The therapist helped me adjust to a ‘new normal’.
You say that you downplay your symptoms and also, that your family is tired of hearing your complaints. So, what can you do? You can complain to a good therapist who will then help you help yourself! Ask your doctor, or friends, or the hospital, or local agency on aging for names. Or Google. Look for a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.
I’m so glad that I agreed to see a therapist! Best present I gave myself!
What do you think? Might a therapist be helpful! Will you think about it and let me know? Becky

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@becky that is very nice of you to care about me, and its been on and off for a long time..... what i find now is, like many, so many physical problems kick start the mental.... and I would encourage anyone who is down in the dumps so to speak to get help... mine is a long story and I have this weird sense of humour and can often put in a funny few words at the worst of times; bless you for being so nice and whereas your advise is totally correct, am sort of "been there done that" and now at 77 its a bit much, especially with no family dr and I am going around to clinics and emerge etc. and its just not the same as one home base.... I have a low pain tolerance and also many med reactions so its an uphill battle, thats why I am in awe of those who post on here and still make it through the darkest of times and still be positive. June 🌸🌸🌸

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Soledad02 | @soledad02 | May 3, 2021
In reply to @loribmt "@rjtx I’m sure these dizzy/fainting spells are troubling for both your wife and you. I’m going..." + (show)
@loribmt

@rjtx I’m sure these dizzy/fainting spells are troubling for both your wife and you.
I’m going to throw a bunch of questions your way in hopes of getting some answers for you.
There are a number of conversations in the Connect forum related to dizziness and fainting but it would be like grasping at straws to know where your wife’s symptoms fall in line with these.

She gets dizzy but doesn’t actually faint or pass out. At first thought it sounds like low blood pressure. Has her blood pressure been taken at the time of an event? It wouldn’t be a bad idea to purchase a home blood pressure cuff and take readings on a regular basis, same time of the day. Then if she has a recurrence you can check her BP at that time and see if it has dropped.

Does she have allergies which can give her vertigo?

You’ve mentioned she has low iron in her blood. Has she also been checked for thyroid issues?
Is there a pattern to when these symptoms occur? Is she sitting or lying down and it happens when she stands up?

Is she on any medications which can affect her blood pressure?

She’s had an MRI of her brain and blood tests, but has she been to a cardiologist for a full cardio work up to check for things like A-fib or HCM?

Have your wife keep a little diary of these occurrences such as what’s she’s doing when it happens. Time of the day, etc. Then a consultation with her doctor might yield some answers.

Some thoughts... Lori.

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Also low sodium can cause dizziness.

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bbeebe1943 | @bbeebe1943 | Dec 16, 2021
In reply to @lacy2 "Becky.... my positive attitude is fake! And if I say something funny that's fake too.... reverse,..." + (show)
@lacy2

Becky.... my positive attitude is fake! And if I say something funny that's fake too.... reverse, reverse psychology!
But you are right about white coat syndrome, but I can even "feel it" (the coat) over the phone! Often downplay my symptoms, not sure why I do it though. Maybe cos I am truthful with my family, who by now have had enough, even tho they still love me! I just cant keep my aches and pains to myself with them
..but they say a trouble shared is a trouble halved, just maybe I shouldnht keep sharing with same people!
Take care, J. 🌷🌷🌷

Jump to this post

I suppose dehydration has been ruled out. That can definitely cause those symptoms. Don't be insulted by such a simplistic suggestion...just a thought.

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1 reply
bbeebe1943 | @bbeebe1943 | Dec 16, 2021
In reply to @bbeebe1943 "I suppose dehydration has been ruled out. That can definitely cause those symptoms. Don't be insulted..." + (show)
@bbeebe1943

I suppose dehydration has been ruled out. That can definitely cause those symptoms. Don't be insulted by such a simplistic suggestion...just a thought.

Jump to this post

Also, I agree about talking to a therapist, altho it's very hard to find one who's taking new patients now, with the pandemic, etc., but my health insurance company (Tufts) was able to help me find a good social worker. Good luck...

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