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
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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.
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Hydration and Nutrition: Ensure you're well-hydrated and eating balanced meals. Sometimes, dizziness can be exacerbated by dehydration or poor nutrition.
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Use Meclizine as Advised: Take the Meclizine as recommended by your doctor to help manage dizziness. Monitor how it affects your symptoms.
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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.
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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!
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