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Hello Docs
I am a female, 16 years old, 5"3, and 112lbs. I exercise often, and I am in good health.
I believe I have episodes of orthostatic hypotension. When I stand up, I sometimes get very lightheaded-more of a headrush, really. My vision fades to black, and I lose my sense of balance/control of my body, and often have to grip onto things or sit down to prevent falling. In more severe "episodes," I can feel my heartbeat in my head, chest and neck, I have slight chest pressure (but not pain), and I have slight difficulty breathing for a short amount of time. Ocassionaly I have a slight numb-feeling in my head and fingertips. Metaphorically, it feels like somoeone has turned off my "power button," waited a few seconds, then turned it back on. I feel fine after the episodes, but during the episodes it can feel like I'm going to pass out, and it's not pleasant.
I have had numerous near-syncope episodes, but those only happen maybe 2-4 times a week. Regular episodes occur around 2-3 times a day, and usually after long periods of time sitting or lying down and then standing up. I have fainted, but only 2 or 3 times. Once, more than a year ago in the morning, and again a few months ago. The second time I fainted, I hit the back of my head on my mom's metal exercise bike. There were no problems due to the injury, other than a bump on the back of my head that was painful to touch. And I might have fainted a third time about a month ago, but I'm not positive if I actually lost conciousness or not.
My question is this: Do you think it's necessary to see doctor? I personally would like to, but my problem is my mom. My mom doesn't want me to "label" myself with a problem and make things like getting a driver's liscence more difficult if the doctors can't even do anything about it (which based on internet research, they can't). So, should I urge my mom to take me to the doctor's? Do you personally think my symptoms are serious?
With Thankful Regards,
Emily
Gender: Female
How tall are you (feet and inches)?: 5ft3
What is your weight in pounds?: 112lbs
How old are you?: 16
How long has this been going on?: More than a year
Check all symptoms you are currently experiencing: None of these
Describe associated symptoms not listed above: I am not CURRENTLY experiencing any of these symptoms, but lightheadedness, vision that fades to black, chest pressure (but not pain), slight difficulty breathing for a few moments (like a catch in my breath), and loss of balance occur in my "episodes," when I sometimes stand up from sitting or lying down after a period of time, and lasts from 15-30 seconds. The episodes have gotten more frequent and slightly more severe in the last few weeks.
What have you done so far to remedy this condition? Please include tests and relevant studies here.
I haven't been to a doctor about this specific problem. But when I went to an urgent care for a sinus problem (which is now gone), I experienced a very severe "episode," and possibly fainted. The nurse was pricking my finger for blood for a mono test (as I felt like I had no energy), and he asked me stand up and walk over to the near-by table. By when I stood up, I got extemely light-headed and mumbled that to the nurse before trying to catch myself on the table (because I had lost my vision and balance). The nurse caught me and had me lie down on those bed/chair-things in the room that patients sit on. The main doctor didn't think anything of it, other than getting more blood for a more detailed bloodtest (which come back normal), and telling me that some people just faint more than others. (By the way- I am not squeemish at blood).
So, long story short, I have done nothing other than drink more water and consume more salt, but my symptoms have gotten worse in the last few weeks.
Please list any chronic medical problems and also list any prior surgery (lacerations don't count!): none
Check all conditions present in your immediate family... : Cancer, History of Back Pain
Please list any medication allergies that you have : : None
Please list any medications you are currently taking (and dosage if known) :: None
When was your last menstrual cycle?: 2 weeks ago
Are you currently using or do you have a history of tobacco use?: No
Are you currently using or do you have a history of illegal drug use?: No
Please describe your alcohol consumption :: Never
HOW QUICKLY DO YOU NEED THIS TO BE ANSWERED?: As soon as possible
1. Do you personally think my symptoms are serious? Should I be worried?
2. Is it necessary to go to a doctor for my symptoms?
3. Is this just orthostatic hypotension, or could it be neurocardiogenic syncope (which one of my cousins has)?
Hello Docs
I am a female, 16 years old, 5"3, and 112lbs. I exercise often, and I am in good health.
I believe I have episodes of orthostatic hypotension. When I stand up, I sometimes get very lightheaded-more of a headrush, really. My vision fades to black, and I lose my sense of balance/control of my body, and often have to grip onto things or sit down to prevent falling. In more severe "episodes," I can feel my heartbeat in my head, chest and neck, I have slight chest pressure (but not pain), and I have slight difficulty breathing for a short amount of time. Ocassionaly I have a slight numb-feeling in my head and fingertips. Metaphorically, it feels like somoeone has turned off my "power button," waited a few seconds, then turned it back on. I feel fine after the episodes, but during the episodes it can feel like I'm going to pass out, and it's not pleasant.
I have had numerous near-syncope episodes, but those only happen maybe 2-4 times a week. Regular episodes occur around 2-3 times a day, and usually after long periods of time sitting or lying down and then standing up. I have fainted, but only 2 or 3 times. Once, more than a year ago in the morning, and again a few months ago. The second time I fainted, I hit the back of my head on my mom's metal exercise bike. There were no problems due to the injury, other than a bump on the back of my head that was painful to touch. And I might have fainted a third time about a month ago, but I'm not positive if I actually lost conciousness or not.
My question is this: Do you think it's necessary to see doctor? I personally would like to, but my problem is my mom. My mom doesn't want me to "label" myself with a problem and make things like getting a driver's liscence more difficult if the doctors can't even do anything about it (which based on internet research, they can't). So, should I urge my mom to take me to the doctor's? Do you personally think my symptoms are serious?
With Thankful Regards,
Emily
Gender: Female
How tall are you (feet and inches)?: 5ft3
What is your weight in pounds?: 112lbs
How old are you?: 16
How long has this been going on?: More than a year
Check all symptoms you are currently experiencing: None of these
Describe associated symptoms not listed above: I am not CURRENTLY experiencing any of these symptoms, but lightheadedness, vision that fades to black, chest pressure (but not pain), slight difficulty breathing for a few moments (like a catch in my breath), and loss of balance occur in my "episodes," when I sometimes stand up from sitting or lying down after a period of time, and lasts from 15-30 seconds. The episodes have gotten more frequent and slightly more severe in the last few weeks.
What have you done so far to remedy this condition? Please include tests and relevant studies here.
I haven't been to a doctor about this specific problem. But when I went to an urgent care for a sinus problem (which is now gone), I experienced a very severe "episode," and possibly fainted. The nurse was pricking my finger for blood for a mono test (as I felt like I had no energy), and he asked me stand up and walk over to the near-by table. By when I stood up, I got extemely light-headed and mumbled that to the nurse before trying to catch myself on the table (because I had lost my vision and balance). The nurse caught me and had me lie down on those bed/chair-things in the room that patients sit on. The main doctor didn't think anything of it, other than getting more blood for a more detailed bloodtest (which come back normal), and telling me that some people just faint more than others. (By the way- I am not squeemish at blood).
So, long story short, I have done nothing other than drink more water and consume more salt, but my symptoms have gotten worse in the last few weeks.
Please list any chronic medical problems and also list any prior surgery (lacerations don't count!): none
Check all conditions present in your immediate family... : Cancer, History of Back Pain
Please list any medication allergies that you have : : None
Please list any medications you are currently taking (and dosage if known) :: None
When was your last menstrual cycle?: 2 weeks ago
Are you currently using or do you have a history of tobacco use?: No
Are you currently using or do you have a history of illegal drug use?: No
Please describe your alcohol consumption :: Never
HOW QUICKLY DO YOU NEED THIS TO BE ANSWERED?: As soon as possible
1. Do you personally think my symptoms are serious? Should I be worried?
2. Is it necessary to go to a doctor for my symptoms?
3. Is this just orthostatic hypotension, or could it be neurocardiogenic syncope (which one of my cousins has)?
1 comment:
Dear Emily:
It does sound like orthostatic hypotension which in the majority of cases is a benign condition just requiring you to get up very slowly from a sitting or lying position and to sit down if this occurs and get your head at a level lower than your chest (such as putting your head down between your knees)
However, there are a number of other conditions such as heart irregular rhythms, anemia, dehydration , sensitivity to pressure on the carotid artery etc.
You did not mention what your blood pressure usually runs, but with you age, height, and weight , and being a regular exceriser I suspect it may be in the low normal range which would also make it very easy for you to get quite light-headed on standing up.
Since you had a significant fall and hit your head I think it would be very wise to get checked out by a doctor. There are other neurological and cardiac conditions that should be ruled out as a cause of the orthostatic hypotension.
The very great liklihood is that this is just a benign condition, but with the number of episodes you have experienced it should be checked out.
I don't think you need to be worried.
I do think you should get checked out by an M.D.
Yes, there could be neurocardogenic cause--although it would take a physician to determine that.
I don't think you would get "labeled" with anything that would interfere with getting your driver's permit.
There is a very good article on orthostatic hypotension on the internet. You could just google orthostatic hypotension treatment and get the Medicine Net.com article--if you already haven't done this.
Best of luck!! Would love to hear how everything turns out.
All my best! Space Doc
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