PLEASE HELP. Fainting after meals and snacks. GP has no idea what’s wrong with me

[HannahMontana101]

This is seriously SERIOUSLY affecting my quality of life

No matter how tiny the meal or snack is, I faint. And it’s not just fainting, I then I’m unable to get up for hours!!! Feel very confused, drowsy, blurry vision, lightheaded, weak, disorientated, unable to move my arms or body

like if you told me “if you get up now I’ll give you 1 million pounds”, I wouldn’t be able to

these episodes last for at least an hour

I’ve tried protein only no carb very clean gluten free diet, every diet under the sun, nothing helps

One tiny string/babybel cheese, or one apple slice, I pass out.

I noticed my blood pressure drops very low, as low as 70/40 and/or my heart rate jumps up to 150bpm

Having 3 strong cups of coffee every time I eat with 3 huge glasses of water is the only thing I noticed that helps a little, even my heart rate goes down when I do this, but still faint and lasts for an hour

tried waist length stockings, barely helps

GP says it’s just stress and anxiety, doctors don’t know what’s wrong with me

I am very underweight and losing crazy amount of weight because I am scared to eat now and am shaking from all the coffee I have to drink, it’s getting ridiculous, I can’t have one slice of apple without being unable to get up for hours!

(also don’t know if related or not, but I’m bloated all the time)

PLEASE HELP

Go to A&E
and crazy as it sounds. Eat in the waiting room

They will hopefully do tests on you and if they refuse, eat something else and tell them to watch

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dumping-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20371915

Definitely go to a&e - explain you're losing weight fast and scared. And stay until they see what happens

https://www.healthline.com/health/postprandial-hypotension#symptoms

Full blood test, genetic tests also

Symptoms

DH had this but it was a one off a couple of months ago. He knocked himself unconscious unfortunately and cut his head open and hurt his arm so he was blue lighted to hospital, we were in a busy pub at the time and it was awful. It was a very big meal and he has always felt quite tired after eating. They diagnosed post prandial hypertension. I’m not saying that is what you have but sounds similar. It hasn’t happened again and was not notifiable to DVLA.

Swallow syncope?

my gp took this seriously after just one episode. Is there someone else you can see?

What exactly are 'full blood tests, genetic tests'????

It sounds like postprandial hypotension. You need more serious causes excluded but it may just be something you have and drinking water before meals (low carb) is supposed to help.

also get chest pain and heart rate 150 bpm lasts for hours

had heart checked also fine, Just tachycardia they say

Postprandial hypotension.

https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/eating-can-cause-low-blood-pressure

I have POTS and I suffer with this. It has improved over time with better management, I used to have to elevate my legs and wear an abdominal binder after eating. Lots of management advice on the website below.

https://www.potsuk.org/

Normally your heart rate goes up after eating so your body is able to divert blood to the stomach for digestion. If that doesn’t happen your blood pressure drops and you can faint. It’s called postprandial hypotension.

The doctor needs to check your blood sugar and blood pressure. There are numerous possible causes that need to be investigated - high blood pressure, diabetes, etc. Anxiety does not cause this imo.

I have this. GP practice stumped and seemingly indifferent.

I've been passed out on my own bloody doorstep before now, fainted at home and lacerated my arms and mouth (permanently scarred now as a result), and banged my head many times.

I have been looking at vasovagal syncopy as a possible explanation with transient migraine, but appreciate the interesting links above.

I don't know what this is OP but me and my brothers get the same thing after eating a big meal, though not as severe as you. I just always get dizzy and occasionally pass out. Doctors have always dismissed me/my siblings so tell me if you find out what it is! I'd love to know what can help

I also get dizzy & a crash after any tiny amount of exercise for about 24 hours after. Not sure if that's related, but thought I'd mention it in case you get the same. Always been underweight-normal weight BMI

I don't have full on POTS but found the website for POTS UK incredibly helpful, and found my specialist there.

No, my GP didn't have a clue. While dropping your BP makes you look anxious, it isn't anxiety and I got pissed off at being dismissed as a mad flaky woman for years.

My grandmother had postprandial hypotension - would lose consciousness after eating a lot. It's commoner in older people apparently.

Worth asking your GP about Addison's disease maybe as well?