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Original poster

Constantly lightheaded - experienced, diagnosis?

43 replies

Anonymousxo · 23/10/2021 16:49

Hi everyone, I'm just looking for some advice and maybe if anyone's been through this and what the outcome was - I have had near fainting spells and palpitations for a few months now and it's very debilitating to say the least, it scares me when I leave the house I worry I'm going to faint, I was initially referred to the balance clinic with an upcoming appointment very soon however doctors are 90% this has nothing to do with my ear and potentially could be my heart, so I have been referred for a 24 hour ecg with a very long waiting list :/
I bought a Fitbit recently and my resting heart rate is very low reaching 45bpm and my walking heart rate is extremely high going to 150/160.
I don't think I have pots as when I stand up my heart rate does not increase more than 30bpm the most it has increased by is 25 and that only happened once out of the 5/6 times I tried it, I really thought it could have been pots but it's very clearly not so now I'm back to stage 1 with 'what's wrong with me?' It's such a miserable thing to have and I'm just looking for any experiences or anyone who has experienced this? I'm 26 years old for reference.

OP posts:
GoodnightGrandma · 23/10/2021 16:52

Have you had your iron checked ?

Original poster
Anonymousxo · 23/10/2021 17:07

@GoodnightGrandma

Have you had your iron checked ?
Yep I've had a lot of bloods done the only thing that came of it was a high ish tsh thyroid level but t3 and t4 were completely normal so they said that wouldn't be causing my symptoms
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Justilou1 · 23/10/2021 17:08

It could be your thyroid, it could be your blood pressure. Do you find you feel worse when you have been seated or lying down then stand up?

supercritter · 23/10/2021 17:09

Orthostatic intolerance or vasovagal syncope?

Original poster
Anonymousxo · 23/10/2021 17:15

@Justilou1

It could be your thyroid, it could be your blood pressure. Do you find you feel worse when you have been seated or lying down then stand up?
I get a bit dizzy when I first stand up but it goes away very quickly so I assume it's because I stood up too quick, but i feel incredibly awful if I am stood still in one place such as doing the dishes or stood waiting at traffic lights I will feel like a head rush??? I will get a feeling as if I'm going to faint and that's when it's the worst for me, also I can't be active for too long like walks etc as it enhances my symptoms and makes them worse :/
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Original poster
Anonymousxo · 23/10/2021 17:19

@supercritter

Orthostatic intolerance or vasovagal syncope?
Orthostatic intolerance is very similar to my symptoms in regards to how I feel laying down, I feel so much better laid down than sitting or standing, this is why I have been referred to cardiologist for potential pots but I know how it is hot pots
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FleasInMyKnees · 23/10/2021 17:20

If there is a long waiting list for a 24hr ecgI would go to hospital walk in to have it checked, a low pulse and palpitations could have several causes which can be treated.

onelastgoatthis · 23/10/2021 17:22

I've been having similar for last couple of months, I'm actually getting the 48 hour ecg next week (ive wrote a post on here today asking about the ecg)

Original poster
Anonymousxo · 23/10/2021 17:23

@FleasInMyKnees

If there is a long waiting list for a 24hr ecgI would go to hospital walk in to have it checked, a low pulse and palpitations could have several causes which can be treated.
I have been to a&e a few weeks back that's why I was referred for a 24 ecg by doctor, the a&e doctor told me I was slight tachycardia but nothing they would be concerned about there and then and that doctor will refer me - I wish it was that easy honestly, I've had this for months now.
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Original poster
Anonymousxo · 23/10/2021 17:24

@onelastgoatthis

I've been having similar for last couple of months, I'm actually getting the 48 hour ecg next week (ive wrote a post on here today asking about the ecg)
Really? What came of the 24 hour one?
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onelastgoatthis · 23/10/2021 17:25

@Anonymousxo I've not had a 24 hour one, cardiologist said to have a 48 hour one, I waited about 8 weeks for this appointment

Original poster
Anonymousxo · 23/10/2021 17:26

[quote onelastgoatthis]@Anonymousxo I've not had a 24 hour one, cardiologist said to have a 48 hour one, I waited about 8 weeks for this appointment [/quote]
Oh! Okay, see they aren't referring me to see a cardiologist which I don't understand why, they said they spoke to cardiologist who said they want the ecg before any kind of referral.

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onelastgoatthis · 23/10/2021 19:18

@Anonymousxo who has requested your ecg? Is it your gp?
My gp has been really good, I've had a telephone call with cardiologist and now I'm booked for this, I'll keep you updated with how I get on

Original poster
Anonymousxo · 23/10/2021 19:49

[quote onelastgoatthis]@Anonymousxo who has requested your ecg? Is it your gp?
My gp has been really good, I've had a telephone call with cardiologist and now I'm booked for this, I'll keep you updated with how I get on[/quote]
Yes my gp put the referral through for an ecg, thank you so much, can I ask what your main symptoms? Do they have some kind of idea what could be causing it?

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onelastgoatthis · 23/10/2021 20:02

My main symptoms are light headedness and dizzy. For example the other day I got up from my seat walked across the room and went really lightheaded and kind of tripped up with it. I had to hold the side. It only lasts for seconds and then I'm ok. Cardiologists thinks it is heart related and to do with the rhythms I think he said.
What are your symptoms?

Original poster
Anonymousxo · 23/10/2021 20:34

@onelastgoatthis

My main symptoms are light headedness and dizzy. For example the other day I got up from my seat walked across the room and went really lightheaded and kind of tripped up with it. I had to hold the side. It only lasts for seconds and then I'm ok. Cardiologists thinks it is heart related and to do with the rhythms I think he said. What are your symptoms?
My main one is lightheaded and feeling like I'm going to faint, basically exactly what you just said! It's debilitating i get scared to leave the house! :( I do get palpitations from time to time aswell which worries me especially with the way my heart rate fluctuates on my Fitbit but I'm trying to keep calm about it - I have a ear appointment at the balance clinic that they made for me so I think I'm just going to mention my heart rate there (just to put my mind at rest) and then explain my symptoms hopefully they will be able to tell me there and then if it's ear related or not (which I'm pretty sure it isn't and doctor thinks so aswell) don't know why I was referred to ent first now tbh :( would much rather it be a cardiology appointment than anything
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arrangeyourface · 23/10/2021 20:50

Have you had covid? I ask because your symptoms sound identical to those my MiL had. She had covid fairly early last year. Everything you are describing is the same as what she has had. She had numerous tests and they found nothing untoward. The doctor said he thought she was suffering from long covid symptoms.

Original poster
Anonymousxo · 23/10/2021 20:52

@arrangeyourface

Have you had covid? I ask because your symptoms sound identical to those my MiL had. She had covid fairly early last year. Everything you are describing is the same as what she has had. She had numerous tests and they found nothing untoward. The doctor said he thought she was suffering from long covid symptoms.
I haven't had covid that I know of
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arrangeyourface · 23/10/2021 20:55

Ok, maybe not then. It was just that everything you described sounded like what MiL described so I wondered.

Original poster
Anonymousxo · 23/10/2021 21:12

@arrangeyourface

Ok, maybe not then. It was just that everything you described sounded like what MiL described so I wondered.
Honestly if only it was that simple :(
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Ancientmale · 23/10/2021 22:17

Mine was caused by low blood pressure. Fitbit, Apple Watches, etc., are not reliable for BP. I’ve bought a good quality Braun arm wrapping device and take Blood pressure readings most days. A nurse at our surgery did my ECG. I've had lots of ECG's and heart monitors, never anything wrong.

There are many reasons for feeling faint.

BlackeyedSusan · 23/10/2021 23:46

signing in...

with dizziness and lightheadedness...which is particularly bad at the moment.

interesting to read the ideas of causes.
random stuff I have come across in reading:
PoTS (already mentioned)
orthostatic intolertance...
csf leak.

Also waiting for a cardiology appointment.

Justilou1 · 24/10/2021 00:19

I definitely think a cardiology appointment is a good idea. It might be orthostatic hypotension. (Fairly benign but annoying condition, but can signal other underlying issues) or it could be something else.

WLAH · 24/10/2021 00:30

What vit d levels like? I had very similar symptoms when mine were extremely low

Original poster
Anonymousxo · 24/10/2021 08:03

@Ancientmale

Mine was caused by low blood pressure. Fitbit, Apple Watches, etc., are not reliable for BP. I’ve bought a good quality Braun arm wrapping device and take Blood pressure readings most days. A nurse at our surgery did my ECG. I've had lots of ECG's and heart monitors, never anything wrong.

There are many reasons for feeling faint.

Doctor at a&e told me I had low blood pressure but it was within the normal range, he said it was healthy
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