Just checking in and seeing how your test went today? I hope all is well and you get some answer's soon. I am praying for you.

Bec :wave:

Hi Bec,
Thanks for asking. :)
Unfortunatly, I still have no answers. My cardio came to the hospital where I had the test, so I was able to find out the results right away. The tilt table test didn't cause me to pass out, so my Cardio can't confirm that I have neurocardiogenic syncope. He said tilt table tests are only 50-60% accurate when the patient doesn't have any symptoms during the test (I was so anxious my bp stayed fairly normal). So, he says it's still possible I may have some type of dysautonomia. My hr rate did go way up when they tilted me upright, but he didn't say much about it. I go back to see him on the 26th to talk about what to do next. :rolleyes: I'm starting to wonder if I'm ever going to get any answers.

I will keep you in my prayers, as well. Does your Dr. have any ideas as to what may be causing your symptoms? Are you having any more tests done?
Keep in touch, :angel:
Hilery

I have had sooo many tests that I am not sure of what kind of test to do next. The thing is that I get lightheaded for no apparent reason anymore and I could swear it is my ears, b/c they always feel full. I don't know. I can't convince my doc that my blood pressure is low either. When I go to see him which isn't that often anymore, it is alway's 100/60 to 110/70. Go figure...I just don't even know anymore. I may go see him tomorrow...I am going to be off anyway.
I am glad that you visit was uneventful. What did your heart rate go up to? Glad that you are doing o.k.
Bec

My hr went from 80 to 128 within a couple minutes after they tilted me upright. I know that can't be normal, but my dr. didn't say anything about it.
Like you I've had so many tests, I'm not sure what's left. Some days I just want to give up. I'm so tired of going to Dr.'s all the time.
:angel:
Hilery

Hilery,
I actually made an appointment with my doc for tomorrow and actually I am not seeing him, his assistant. I may have better luck with her. I think that my doc has actually had it with me...because last year I was going through ALOT of emotional stuff (mother sick and passed away) but in general just a lot of stuff, and I think that he just tells me what I want to hear. BUT I am tired of just taking there word for it and brushing everything off to anxiety. I want some answers and what ever they need to do to get them is what they are going to do. I am so tired of just being off balance all the time for no good reason. I don't think that I have true vertigo...and when I say that I am dizzy (another things is that I can't seem to type or write sometimes without confussing letters and such) the room is not spinning, it just feels like my head is in a bucket of water...a few weeks ago I think that I had an experience with vertigo when I got out of the bed in the morning and the room did spin. But I managed to pull it off although it scared the poop out of me. I have CONSTANT pressure in my head and face area ... yes I have TMJ and have been fitted for a mouth guard to wear all the time. But this is been going on off and on for over 3 years. Been to a Cardiologist, Neurologist (because my doc thought that I had MS because of neurapathy in my leg), ENTs and anyone else you could think of and no one can find out anything...other than anxiety. OK, I buy that to a degree. I am a very axious person...but enough is enough. I just want some answers and I am tired of being treated like an idiot or just a panicky kind of person when I know my body. I am just VERY frustrated right now and don't know where to turn or what to do next. I spend most of my time in the bed when I get home, b/c I am sometimes afraid to do anything for fear of getting too dizzy or passing out (although I've never passed out) but the fear of it is terrible. I have had anxiety for years...long family history of it and with all that has been going on the last couple of years I can deal with it. But MOST of my anxiety is gone and have a wonderful husband and 2 fab children. I don't want to spend the rest of my life like this without any answers ... I have too much to do and look forward to ...my daughter will graduate High School in 3 years and my son is starting intermediate school. I used to be very active, on all the school boards, vice presidents of things and it has just all gone to h%^& in a hand basket. I pray to be healed and know that for God to help me I must try to help myself.

I am soooooooooooooooooooo sorry for rambling on...

Hilery I am so glad that things are kind of getting better for you. How do you feel after the tilt table test? Any woozieness feelings?

Do you have family to help when you feel lightheaded and pass out? How long have you been dealing with this?

Bec

Bec,
Don't be sorry for rambling...that's what this board is for! :)
Wow, you sound so much like me. I'm glad you have a supportive family. That helps so much. My husband is supportive most of the time, but I think it's hard for him to understand what I'm going through. I also have 2 little girls who help keep my spirits up. My husband works a lot, so I'm always worrying that I might pass out in front of my kids. My 4 year old did see my most recent episode and I regained consciousness to her laughing. I guess she thought I was playing around.
This all started for me about a year ago. I was in a car accident in May and then I was dx'd with thyroid cancer in June. All of my symptoms started around then. Of course, my dr. blamed all of my symptoms on stress and anxiety at first. I do have a long history of an anxiety disorder, but I truely believe some of my symptoms have to be more than anxiety. You mentioned that you experience head pressure...this was my worst symptom for a few months. My husband told me that I was grinding my teeth at night(which I didn't even realize I was doing). I started using a mouth guard and I noticed my head and jaw pain starting to go away within a week. My Dr. also prescribed me valium to take on an as needed basis for tension headaches. This also helps when I start to feel head pressure, but I don't take it much anymore because it makes my dizziness worse.

Good luck with your Dr.'s appt tomorrow. I hope everything goes well. Let me know how it goes.
Hilery

I don't mean to intrude on your conversation, but I couldn't believe how much you guys sound like me.
I too am an anxious person, but what I have is above and beyond anything anxiety would cause.
I have been dizzy since August. Dizzy 24/7 every single day, all day. I also feel like fainting too. Mostly when I'm out somewhere. Like in a store in the mall. I will suddenly feel like blacking out and I have to stop and stand still for a moment. I worry so much that I will actually pass out and someone will steal my purse! (That's what living in the big city will make you worry about :eek: )
My heart rate is always fast, real fast 120's. Even when I'm home alone just relaxing. I've had the EKG and even a Holter monitor, but it always shows that everything is fine. The doctor's always think I have hyperthyroidism, but that too is negative. I can't figure out what happened to me. I just don't want to be dizzy anymore. I pray to God all the time too. Hoping He will cure me. I have tried just about everything. I can't find any help and it is very depressing :confused:

sickintoronto,
I'm sorry you're in the same boat. I've noticed there are a lot of others on some of the other forums with many of these symptoms, as well. It's kind of strange.

When my symptoms first started a year ago, my heart rate was constantly fast. I went for several weeks straight with a heart rate that wouldn't drop below 115...no matter what I was doing. I've worn 24 holter monitors 3 different times now, but the results are always normal(other than saying I have tachycardia). Now, my hr is fine as long as I'm sitting down, but the minute I stand up it shoots up over 100. It will go up to 120-130 just doing light activity like cooking dinner. It's funny you mentioned hyperthyroidism because this is one of the things my Dr. thought was wrong with me. By accident I ended up finding out I had a tumor on my thyroid, but my actual hormone levels were normal.

Is your dizziness a feeling like the room is spinning or more of a lightheaded sensation? I don't usually feel like the room's spinning, but I constantly feel as if I could pass out. Sometimes, I'll also get a tingling or numb feeling over my face. I won't even go to the store by myself anymore because I'm scared I'll faint.

I hope things get better for you soon. Have faith and keep praying. I truely believe in the power of prayer. I know that things will eventually start to get better for all of us.
Hilery

Hilery,
I hope that you get some answers soon. I actually went to the doc today and was just honest...well guess what? I have eustation tube disfunction. I have a ton of fluid in my ears and she was really nice and actually sat down and looked deep in my ears and explained to me why we get the "dizzy" feeling. It is a vicious cycle, start feeling dizzy, panic, heart rate goes up and you feel like you are about to pass out. Although I am relieved, it really makes me mad. She put me on a nasal spray forever... :) and gave me a shot of steriods...so I will start my spray tonight. I asked her about the low blood pressure and slow heart rate. She stated that the b/p (90/50) is quite good and research has shown that you will live longer (i need to stop smoking first) and the brycardia is good to...it just puts you at greater risk with the low b/p, dizzyness and slow heart rate to pass out. I still have alot of chest pain, but I guess it is just GERD and Acid Reflux.

Hilery, you sound like you have been through the ringer. I pray for you and I do believe in the power of prayer and GOD ...

Hope to hear from you soon. :bouncing:

Bec,
I'm so glad to hear you got some answers at your Dr.'s appt. That's great! How do they check for eustation tube dysfunction?
My Dr. has also told me that low bp is a good thing. I just wish it didn't cause me to feel so lightheaded. :)

It sounds like you're on the road to recovery.:) Please keep me updated on how you're doing.

Have a good weekend!
:angel:
Hilery

Hilery,
How are things going with you? Did you get any results from your tilt table test?
Things are going ughh right now. I had an episode this morning like I was going to pass smooth out...it felt like my heart was raring up and I got that tingly cold feeling all over me and I just prayed and took some deep breathes. I am so tired of all of this and I guess it is anxiety. I just don't know anymore. We are going out of town this weekend and I alway's feel anxious when we go far from home, but I have some other issues that have come up and I guess with the fluid in my ears and what not, it is just too much for me right now and the only way my body knows how to deal with the stress is to panic. I just have to talk to myself everyday.

But hopefully, they can find out the cause of your problems. Please let me know how you are doing.
Bec :bouncing:

Hi again, I think I've chit-chatted with you both on another thread, I have had that horrible passing out, lightheaded feeling since last November. I have been through many tests though not near as many as you both have. I don't get dizzy(room spinning) its more off balance/drunk like staggering, and the feeling like your going to pass out. Ugh, I can deal with the off balance- I have been for a couple of years but the feeling faint has really got me down. Its nearly everyday, I am terrified to go anywhere for fear of fainting, and spend alot of time in bed. :(
I too have 2 children at home and a fairly supportive hubby who I am certain is sick and tired of all this. There has GOT to be something the Dr's are missing. Oddly enough though my BP is low as well- 100/60ish.
Anyway, I just wanted to pipe in here....by the way-I got the ANXIETY diagnosis too.
Hope we can figure this thing out soon-I am missing out on so much of my family's life(and my own too!!)
Take care
Abby

Hi Bec,
Things are going ok...about the same. No more fainting spells lately...thank goodness. :) I go back to my Cardio this afternoon to see what he wants to do next.

I hope things start getting better for you soon, now that they know the problem. I know that tingly, cold feeling all too well. That's usually what I feel before I pass out. My hands get all clammy, I start to tingle all over, I get extremly lightheaded, and then I usually start to see stars or specks of light. Lately, I go into panic mode as soon as I feel any of those symptoms coming on. I think that my anxiety then raises my bp, so I don't end up fainting.

I hope everything goes well with your trip this weekend. :angel:
Take care,
Hilery

Hi Abby,
I'm sorry you're going through this too. Lately, I've started feeling a little off-balance, as well. I'll be walking and I sort of fall to one side a little for no reason. I guess maybe it's part of my lightheadedness.

Are your children young? I have a 4 year old and a 15 month old. It's scary feeling spaced out and lightheaded being around kids. I'm always afraid I'll pass out while I'm walking, holding my 1 year old.

I know my husband is getting tired of all this, too. He has had to miss way too much work over the past year so I could go to Dr.'s appointments and tests. We just got into an agrument about it when he was home for lunch...I have yet another dr.'s appt today. He ended up taking the baby with him to work. :rolleyes:

Do you think anxiety is causing your symptoms? I keep going back and forth. I don't know what to think anymore...I just wish I could go back to having a "normal" active life.
Have a good weekend~ :angel:
Hilery

Hi, I have a 4yr old and a 12 yr old(both boys). My 12 yr old doesn't miss out on too much but my little guy spends alot of time at home because I am not up to taking him anywhere. That cold tingly feeling happens to me alot too. I have such a hard time describing some of the weird sensations I get...I just don't feel well. I have an app to see the cardiologist next Monday, so we'll see what he has to say.
Some days I think it could be caused by anxiety but then when I really start feeling faint and all the other symptoms I think there is NO WAY this can all be caused by anxiety. I know anxiety plays a role in all this, its just hard to convince myself HOW MUCH of a role its playing.
I was getting along fine-I was accustomed to the off-balance feeling and occassional lightheadedness then all of a sudden 6 months ago, everything got 100 times worse.
It sucks that our fate lies in the hands of Dr's who see you occassionally, tell you they don't know whats wrong and then send you home to live this this.
Sorry I rambled, today has been a lousy day....hope your having a good day though.
Take care,
Abby

I can relate to you guys too. I have never actually passed out or fainted, but I try and fight it so hard about every day- not to pass out. My dizziness is bad but I pass every test in the drs office. One i got form a health news letter I cannot pass for my age is to stand with one foot raised and close you eyes- I only last about 5 seconds which is equivalent to a 70+ year old. Hang in there guys!!!

dback-sorry you are suffering like us. I don't actually faint either(knock on wood) but I too fight it nearly everyday, it just about levels me, sometimes a few times a day. It happened again tonight as I was standing up talking on the phone. This is getting so frustrating. :(
I saw that test you mentioned and failed it too-I would think that would be an indication of SOMETHING!! I am too off balance to stand on one foot with or without my eyes closed-you should see me try to ride a bike. ;)
Does anyone else get jelly legs? I get them off and on, sometimes during a 'spell' and also at other times too. I feel like my legs won't carry me across the room.
Well I am off to bed for a much needed sleep...take care all.

Abby

Feeling like I'm going to faint never happens to me when I'm home, it is always when I'm out.
I have noticed that when I'm at the mall I will suddenly get this feeling like I'm walking in a ditch. It's hard to explain but I will suddenly feel like the floor is suddenly sinking. Then I will just have to stop. I swear, if I didn't stop in my tracks I'd pass out.

sickintoronto, sorry you have to go through that, its so tough. When it hits me I just get a sudden weakness throughout my whole body and I feel really lightheaded. The Dr's at the ER always asked me if I felt the room was getting dark. It doesn't for me, but I wonder what that means.
With me it happens when I am sitting, standing, walking, even laying down, although its much worse when standing.
Have you actually ever fainted? Sometimes I wish I would just to get the misery overwith, and perhaps it would give the Dr's something to work with. They don't do too much with complaining of 'feeling faint'. It has really disrupted my life in a big way.

Anyway I am going to try to get some sleep...AGAIN.
Take care,
Abby

Hi,

I cant believe how many people on this board are having similar symptoms. I have just been signed off work for near fainting episodes, but have suffered from dizziness and balance problems for 6 years with no proper diagnosis. Its just gotten much worse the past 3 or 4 weeks.

Abby I know what you mean about just wishing you would faint to give the docs something to go on. A nurse who was doing a hearing test on me years ago said why dont you just go to casualty and tell them you have fainted - they might do more for you. I never did do it, but sometimes wonder?

The fact that I couldnt stand with my eyes closed with BOTH feet on the floor led my neuro to believe my problems are inner ear related. I have read that you can fail this test with central causes of dizziness ie, brain related or cervical vertigo (neck) which I really feel is what I have.

Hope we can all get some answers - these problems are so disabling and miserable and the fact that no one else can see the problem and we cant get a diagnosis just make it all the worse. Keep searching for answers - its all we can do,

christine

Yes abby to the weak legs. Kind of like the fainting I feel like I wont make it form point A to point B, but I always do(knock on wood). Any face weakness?

Yes, I often feel too weak to even talk(or cry). I don't know if its specifically face weakness, I will watch for that one-all I know is I feel weak and faint ALL OVER...
Today was an alright day...how are you all doing today?

Take care
Abby

Today is ok for me. Im still not myself even on good days. I had a dr appt yesterday so Im a little relieved today which im sure helps.

i can relate to you guys too. everytime i go to the doctors and they take my pulse anywhere from 118-130.. i dont know why. they did 1,000 (lol not literally) tests on me and they came out fine. at first my doctor thought it was hyperthyriod too, and it made sense.. but it wasnt. they just finally said that my fast heart beat was just my normal. i still wonder sometimes though, i really do. BUT when i take my own pulse, i only get 80-90 bmp, which is normal. and i keep re-taking it and thats what it always is. its just weird