Tips for lightheaded/dizzy?

[Anonymousxo]

Just wondering if anyone knows of any tips that can help reduce lightheaded/fainting episodes?
I constantly feel like I'm going to faint and I'm on a 10 week waiting list for a cardio referral, however I can't even walk for long without feeling faint, I've researched that compression socks can potentially help if blood pressure/heart related so I've ordered a few but just curious what else worked for people who suffered with dizziness?
Travel tablets haven't worked for me and I was also prescribed betahistine with no effect - however doctor has stopped the ear route now as they think it's definitely heart related.

I would go back to the doctor and tell them how much this is affecting you, you can also go to hospital for heart tests. Getting up slowly, not exerting yourself, drinking plenty may ease your dizziness but you need the tests to see what's going on.

Sounds like it could be PoTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) Does your hear rate increase on standing? Or your BP drop? If so, you need a tilt table test. In the meantime, stay hydrated, find some electrolyte drinks to see if they help (you can get tubes of tablets that you drop in water like the effervescent vit c ones)

@FleasInMyKnees

I would go back to the doctor and tell them how much this is affecting you, you can also go to hospital for heart tests. Getting up slowly, not exerting yourself, drinking plenty may ease your dizziness but you need the tests to see what's going on.

They do know it's affecting me, I told them this, I can't even go out for walks without feeling faint but I imagine everyone waiting for a referral is going through a similar scenario so unless I go private I don't think there's much the doctor can do, I just wanted to know if anyone had any tips to alleviate my symptoms until probably jan I imagine :/

@RainbowZebraWarrior

Sounds like it could be PoTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) Does your hear rate increase on standing? Or your BP drop? If so, you need a tilt table test. In the meantime, stay hydrated, find some electrolyte drinks to see if they help (you can get tubes of tablets that you drop in water like the effervescent vit c ones)

Yes doctor did say POTs is a possibility but said the only way to find out for sure is an overnight heart monitor which I'm on waiting list for, okay! Fab, I will look into that

Also, if it is a drop in BP causing the dizziness, then upping salt intake is usually recommended. I'd visit PoTS uk website to check symptoms and for more advice.

I buy these from Boots and found they helped me massively when the weather was too warm and made my symptoms worse (I have PoTS)

@RainbowZebraWarrior

I buy these from Boots and found they helped me massively when the weather was too warm and made my symptoms worse (I have PoTS)

Thank you! If I may ask, did you suffer everyday? I haven't had a break from it now for about two months - I feel like I can't even leave the house without suffering with horrible dizzy episodes, it's really getting me down, I was such a lover of long walks and the outside before this happened to me:/

I do suffer every day, yes but I have a lot of other symptoms and different conditions going on too. I found that I had to change my lifestyle and expectations quite a bit - but that is probably more down to my other diagnoses. I wear a smart watch and am aware of heart rate fluctuations etc. I also had to make a lot of changes to my diet because of other conditions, so I think they may have helped too. Compression socks or stockings really do help too. I can't use them unfortunately because of bad arthritis in my hands meaning I can't get them on. But I found a good alternative for me was sports compression leggings. They are a bit easier to get on, as not quite so tight, but still help. I'm a member of PoTS UK and they have a group on facebook that is really helpful. Lots of people with similar symptoms / awaiting diagnosis or similar conditions. Loads of great advice. There are medications which help if you are diagnosed with it or a similar condition. Fingers crossed it doesn't take that long. I actually rang up about my appointment and politely asked to check the length of time the waiting list was. I was told I was at a certain place on the list and it would be January, but that they had a cancellation and would I like to take it (this was July) I made it known I was in no way trying to jump the queue. They just replied that if I was ringing, it must be bothering me. So I took the appt. I'm still waiting for a few referrals etc. It seems some departments are way more under pressure than others. Might be worth a try for you.

One last thing, I also booked in for an eye appointment to get thoroughly checked out. Prescription had changed and I had very dry eyes, so got that sorted. I suppose what I'm trying to say is get yourself as much of an MOT as possible and really look after yourself. Oh, and keep a diary to notice any patterns (patterns, when worst episodes occur, food diary, log your water intake, night time palpitations etc)

@RainbowZebraWarrior

I do suffer every day, yes but I have a lot of other symptoms and different conditions going on too. I found that I had to change my lifestyle and expectations quite a bit - but that is probably more down to my other diagnoses. I wear a smart watch and am aware of heart rate fluctuations etc. I also had to make a lot of changes to my diet because of other conditions, so I think they may have helped too. Compression socks or stockings really do help too. I can't use them unfortunately because of bad arthritis in my hands meaning I can't get them on. But I found a good alternative for me was sports compression leggings. They are a bit easier to get on, as not quite so tight, but still help. I'm a member of PoTS UK and they have a group on facebook that is really helpful. Lots of people with similar symptoms / awaiting diagnosis or similar conditions. Loads of great advice. There are medications which help if you are diagnosed with it or a similar condition. Fingers crossed it doesn't take that long. I actually rang up about my appointment and politely asked to check the length of time the waiting list was. I was told I was at a certain place on the list and it would be January, but that they had a cancellation and would I like to take it (this was July) I made it known I was in no way trying to jump the queue. They just replied that if I was ringing, it must be bothering me. So I took the appt. I'm still waiting for a few referrals etc. It seems some departments are way more under pressure than others. Might be worth a try for you.

One last thing, I also booked in for an eye appointment to get thoroughly checked out. Prescription had changed and I had very dry eyes, so got that sorted. I suppose what I'm trying to say is get yourself as much of an MOT as possible and really look after yourself. Oh, and keep a diary to notice any patterns (patterns, when worst episodes occur, food diary, log your water intake, night time palpitations etc)

Thank you this is very insightful, I have ordered compression socks so they are on the way, I'm going to go and buy those hydration tablets. I did call today and was told it was a 10 week wait which did a result in me becoming a bit teary, I know so many people are waiting for a diagnosis of some kind but it's such a debilitating thing to have, I just miss my outdoor activities and things :( I've been investigated for my ear and was told that was all normal in the mri however I just had a call from the ENT saying they would like to discuss my mri results over the phone so I confirmed that appointment today, doctor I spoke to the other day seems convinced this is a heart issue as my dizziness is not a spinning, it's literally feeling like I'm going to faint, it's horrible. I really, really hope I will get seen this year

Oh bless you @Anonymousxo I really feel for you. And I've been there feeling tearful at the end of the phone (and in person when I turned up to an appointment and was told nope, sorry, not today, wires crossed) The PoTS website has been such a help to me as well as the Facebook group - and I can't stand facebook. But yes, I also mourne my lost activities and limited current lifestyle. However, I remain optimistic that with the right support and balance of meds, I will get my life back. Facebook group is good for this. Lots of success stories, not just a load of folk bemoaning their problems iyswim.

Gentle hugs and to you

@RainbowZebraWarrior

Oh bless you *@Anonymousxo* I really feel for you. And I've been there feeling tearful at the end of the phone (and in person when I turned up to an appointment and was told nope, sorry, not today, wires crossed) The PoTS website has been such a help to me as well as the Facebook group - and I can't stand facebook. But yes, I also mourne my lost activities and limited current lifestyle. However, I remain optimistic that with the right support and balance of meds, I will get my life back. Facebook group is good for this. Lots of success stories, not just a load of folk bemoaning their problems iyswim.

Gentle hugs and to you

Thank you! I will look into this, thank you so much xx

Ooh. Final point... if you are able to check your own heart rate (fitbit, pulse oximeter etc) then try taking it while lying down, sitting down and standing up. If your results show an increase from sitting to standing of +30 bpm, that's an indicator for PoTS. Hope you get some answers soon and the MRI discussion is helpful xx

@Anonymousxo how are things now ? Ive been the same for
so
long xx