Seeking Advice on Recent Health Issues
Hello everyone, I appreciate your input. I'm a 63-year-old male, currently a smoker and user of cannabis, but I abstain from alcohol. My medications include a daily dose of 10mg Fluoxetine, and I’m not taking any other prescriptions or using inhalers. Overall, my health is decent. Just this past Tuesday, I began taking 50mg of Naltrexone to assist with weight management. The initial dose left me feeling extremely lightheaded. By midday, my daughter came to pick me up from my workplace, and I ended up resting at home. On Wednesday, I noticed some lingering dizziness. However, by Thursday, my condition had significantly improved. Unfortunately, on Friday, the dizziness returned, often paired with a dull ache on the left side of my head. While the headache felt general rather than sharp, I also experienced occasional tingling sensations in my right hand. Concerned about these symptoms, I visited urgent care on Friday evening. The physician conducted a neurological examination and seemed unconcerned, suggesting that the Naltrexone might still be influencing my symptoms. He recommended Meclizine at a dosage of 25mg and advised me to give it some time. Now it's Sunday, and both the dizziness and headache persist. Any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Answers (1)
6/29/2025, 10:20:34 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you are experiencing some concerning symptoms following the start of Naltrexone, including dizziness, headaches, and tingling sensations. Your recent visit to urgent care is a good step, and it's important to keep monitoring your symptoms, especially since they are persisting. Here’s a structured way to approach this situation:
Key Points
- Symptoms: Lightheadedness and dizziness following Naltrexone use are not uncommon, particularly when starting a new medication. The numbness and headaches warrant attention.
- Response from Urgent Care: The examination appeared reassuring, suggesting the medication may be the cause, but you'll need to focus on self-care and monitoring at this stage.
Explanation
Naltrexone is sometimes prescribed for weight management and can cause side effects like dizziness and headache, especially when starting treatment. The persistence of these symptoms, along with tingling sensations, is concerning, and your healthcare provider was right to suggest that these might be related to the medication. Alcohol use, smoking, and the potential interaction with other factors in your health can also influence these symptoms.
Next Steps
-
Medication Review: If you haven't already, consider keeping a detailed journal of when your symptoms occur in relation to when you take Naltrexone, along with any other medications or substances. This can help identify patterns.
-
Hydration and Nutrition: Ensure you're well-hydrated and eating balanced meals. Sometimes, dizziness can be exacerbated by dehydration or poor nutrition.
-
Use Meclizine as Advised: Take the Meclizine as recommended by your doctor to help manage dizziness. Monitor how it affects your symptoms.
-
Rest and Monitor: Allow yourself time to rest, especially if you're feeling dizzy or lightheaded. Avoid sudden movements that might worsen your symptoms, and consider avoiding activities that require a lot of focus or physical coordination until you feel better.
-
Re-evaluate Symptoms: If the dizziness, headache, or tingling persist beyond the next few days or worsen, reach out again to your healthcare provider for further evaluation and possibly reconsidering your treatment plan.
Remember, keeping your healthcare team informed about these ongoing symptoms is crucial. They may suggest further evaluation or adjustments to your medication, especially considering factors like age and overall health. If you have any further questions or feel uncertain about your symptoms, don't hesitate to reach out for medical advice. Take care!
Related Questions
Is an 85-pound Weight Healthy for a Woman Who is 5’1"?
A friend of mine stands at 5 feet 1 inch tall and has a delicate frame, tipping the scales at 85 pounds. At first glance, her weight seemed surprisingly low, but I realized she doesn’t appear overly thin. Naturally, I became a bit worried as I believed her weight might be below the healthy range; however, she insists that she feels perfectly fine. She maintains an active lifestyle, exercising regularly and following a nutritious diet, yet she doesn't overindulge. This leaves me pondering whether her health is indeed in check.
Interpretation Request for Recent Spinal NM Bone Scan
Hello, doctors. I'm reaching out for your insights regarding a recent NM bone scan of my spine. I've previously undergone a similar scan in 2022, and I'd like to compare the two. To provide context, I am a 29-year-old female weighing 100 kg, and I've been diagnosed with conditions including endplate sclerosis, spinal stenosis, cervical bone spurs, degenerative disc disease (DDD), and mild scoliosis. My medication regimen consists of several prescriptions. Unfortunately, my next appointment with my general practitioner is still a few weeks away, so I would appreciate your assessments on how the latest scan compares to the previous one. Thank you in advance for your help!
Unexpected Eye Issues: Headache and Double Vision Concerns
A 33-year-old female, measuring 1.67 meters in height and weighing 55 kilograms, residing in the Netherlands, experienced a sudden onset of symptoms. Last evening, shortly after dinner, my partner complained of a slight headache localized at the rear of her head. Along with this discomfort, she encountered double vision and noticed her right eye deviating outward. Interestingly, when she shut either eye, the double vision resolved, enabling her to see without distortion. We rushed her to the emergency room later that night. The medical team conducted a variety of assessments, including physical examinations, neurological evaluations, visual tests, and laboratory analyses. Fortunately, all results were normal. However, the doctors found it peculiar that her right eye exhibited normal movement and accurately tracked a pen in all directions when her left eye was closed. The medical opinion suggested that it may be a migraine-related episode, a condition she has experienced previously. Nonetheless, she insists that this feels unlike any migraine she has had in the past. A teleconsultation with a neurologist is scheduled for Monday to arrange an MRI should the symptoms continue. The doctors advised that if her symptoms worsen, we should return to the hospital immediately. Fortunately, after a night's rest, her vision had returned to normal by morning, the headache had subsided, and her right eye was aligned properly. I am understandably concerned, particularly due to her assertion that this does not resemble a typical migraine. Is it possible that this is indeed a migraine, or could it be indicative of another underlying issue? Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Intense Pain in Left Thumb
Greetings, I’ve been experiencing a piercing pain at the tip of my left thumb intermittently. This discomfort is situated within the thumb rather than on the outer skin. It primarily affects the underside of the thumb and surrounds the base of the nail. The pain seems to extend only to the first skin fold, specifically around the distal phalanx. When applying pressure, I’ve noticed some red streaks appearing beneath the surface, alongside the white area. I trust this explanation is clear. This issue has persisted for over a year, occurring sporadically but intensifying as time has passed. Could this be a cause for concern? A bit about myself: I am a 25-year-old female with no significant medical issues in my background. I previously smoked cigarettes for three years, transitioned to vaping, and have been vaping for six years now. I maintain an active lifestyle, frequently going to the gym and participating in various sports such as indoor football and pickleball. I don’t have any known allergies.
Persistent Need to Stretch Legs While Seated
I experience a significant discomfort when seated, particularly when my knees are bent at about a 90-degree angle. This sensation compels me to stretch my legs straight, and if too much time passes without doing so—typically around every five to six minutes—the urge intensifies to an uncomfortable level that’s hard to manage. It’s more than just a desire to fidget; fully extending my legs tends to offer the greatest relief. Adjusting my position provides some comfort, but it doesn’t alleviate the feeling nearly as effectively as a full stretch does. This issue predominantly arises when I remain stationary in a chair. Occasionally, I notice a similar feeling when I’m lying down, but these instances are relatively rare compared to the frequent occurrences while sitting. I consulted a relative who is a medical professional about this discomfort, and they suggested that it doesn’t appear to align with Restless Leg Syndrome. However, since this isn't their specialization, I acknowledge that there may be a chance of error. * What could potentially be causing these sensations? * Does anyone else relate to this experience? * Are there methods available to help manage or diminish this feeling? I would greatly appreciate any advice or insights.