Experiencing Dizziness
Greetings, I’m a 49-year-old Caucasian female, measuring 165 cm and weighing 66 kg. I don’t engage in smoking or consuming alcoholic beverages. Currently, I'm prescribed thyroid medication at doses of 0.85/0.88, as well as 2.5 mg of bisoprolol. Occasionally, I take antacids or pantoprazole for my digestive health. I have been diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyroiditis and GERD, and I have white matter hyperintensities noted in my recent MRI, likely stemming from migraines. Right now, I’m feeling anxious as I await the results from my latest MRI scan. Recently, I completed cardiology assessments, including a treadmill stress test and an echocardiogram, both of which returned normal results. I do have mitral valve prolapse accompanied by mild regurgitation, and I continue to take levothyroxine along with bisoprolol. Earlier today, while I was drinking decaf coffee, I stood up abruptly and was suddenly hit by a wave of dizziness, which made me feel as if I might faint. I quickly sat back down, and the sensation subsided. My daughter mentioned that my face flushed during the incident, but the color returned once I was seated again. I’m curious to hear any insights or suggestions about what could be happening.
Answers (1)
6/26/2025, 8:10:39 AM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you're going through a challenging and concerning time with your health. Experiencing dizziness, especially following a sudden change in position, can be unsettling. Given your medical history, this might be related to several factors, such as your thyroid medication, blood pressure, or even the dizziness could be linked to your migraines or anxiety.
Explanation:
Dizziness or feeling faint when standing up abruptly can often be due to orthostatic hypotension, which is a drop in blood pressure when moving quickly from sitting or lying down to standing. This drop can be more pronounced if you're taking medications like bisoprolol, which can lower heart rate and blood pressure. It’s also possible that this dizzy spell could be triggered by anxiety given your recent stress regarding MRI results.
Next Steps:
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Sit and Stand Slowly: When changing positions, take your time. Move from lying down to sitting, and then to standing, allowing your body to adjust gradually to prevent dizziness.
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Stay Hydrated: Ensure you are drinking enough fluids throughout the day. Dehydration can contribute to feelings of dizziness.
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Assess Medication Timing: Consider monitoring how and when you take your medications, especially bisoprolol. Ensure you follow your doctor's instructions about timing and dosing.
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Keep Noting Symptoms: Write down details about your dizziness episodes (like when they happen, how long they last, and any other symptoms) to discuss with your healthcare provider during your next visit. This information can help clarify the situation.
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Check Blood Pressure: If possible, measure your blood pressure when sitting and then after standing to see if there are noticeable drops when you change positions.
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Stress Management: Engage in relaxation techniques that you may find helpful for managing stress and anxiety, as these can also contribute to physical symptoms like dizziness.
If your dizziness persists, worsens, or you experience additional symptoms (such as fainting, severe headaches, or changes in vision), it would be important to reach out to your healthcare provider for further evaluation. You're doing a great job at staying on top of your health, and it's perfectly normal to have concerns—be gentle with yourself during this time.
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