Headrush when standing up fast

artheri
artheri Member Posts: 14
edited April 2012 in Head and Neck Cancer #1
After my surgery (removed tumor from tongue (and reconstruction) + a few lymph nodes on the right side of my troat/neck), I had some random headrushes when standing up fast during the first 10 or so days. It was gone for a while, but now after radiation and chemo is done, it's started again, but now it's every time I stand up fast. It's been like this for at least 3-4 weeks. It's been really bad 2 times, where feet started to buckle and I kind of felt out of control of my body for 5 or so seconds. Even crouching for a few seconds and then standing up again gives a slight headrush.

I had my blood pressure checked every week during treatment and it was normal except for a few times where it was slightly higher than normal, but the doctor thought that was most likely because I had just given blood samples beforehand and I've got a pretty bad phobia when it comes to needles... I get stressed even by looking at someone having a needle inserted on TV!

Anyone else experienced this? I'm considering going to my doctor with it, but it's only a few weeks until my first checkup, so I'm thinking that it can wait until then.

Edit: Forgot to mention that I'm on no meds whatsoever for the last few weeks.

Regards,
artheri

Comments

  • Sam999
    Sam999 Member Posts: 319 Member
    #2
    Is your ear hurting? Balance
    Is your ear hurting? Balance is greatly affected by any ear problem. I had experienced some dizziness few years back and was told it was due to some loose particles in my ear, it went away on its own in couple of weeks.

    You should definately call your doc just to be sure.
  • Sergio1
    Sergio1 Member Posts: 16
    #3
    Sam999 said:

    Is your ear hurting? Balance
    Is your ear hurting? Balance is greatly affected by any ear problem. I had experienced some dizziness few years back and was told it was due to some loose particles in my ear, it went away on its own in couple of weeks.

    You should definately call your doc just to be sure.

    Partial loss of consciousness on standing
    This happened to me for a several months after treatment. I weight 185 lbs. when diagnosed. The constant vomiting from the chemo of anything I sent down the peg tube caused me to loose 50 lbs. I went down to 135 lbs. Anemic and with my blood chemistry out-of-whack, any attempt to rise to my feet resulted in a near pass out, on occasion in a total loss of consciousness. Eventually red blood cells will repopulate and carry more oxygen to your tissues and the condition will correct itself.
  • soccerfreaks
    soccerfreaks Member Posts: 2,788 Member
    #4
    Hypotension?
    Same happened to me for a spell, and was attributed to hypotension (low blood pressure) which itself was probably due to poor nutrition at the time.

    I would say that it can be quite an alarming and even dangerous eventuality: I fell four different times, two of those times while getting out bed too fast in the morning and dropping over while in the tiled and porcelained bathroom. The last time, I broke my arm when I hit a piece of furniture (I guess) while also getting out of bed to quickly.

    I would agree with those who say you should have it looked into, and I would, at least, advise that when you rise from a laying or sitting position, you take a moment to gather yourself, allow your blood flow to head back up to the brain or whatever it is it needs to do.

    Mine lasted, incidentally, for a a month or so, but as I took the precautions mentioned just above and also increased my nutrition dramatically, I have not the problem.

    Best wishes.

    Take care,

    Joe
  • Hal61
    Hal61 Member Posts: 655
    #5
    At my weakest
    I had the headrush/ready-to-pass-out happen to me when I was at my weakest points in my recovery. I was simply low on energy and red blood. I passed out once, luckily after rising from the couch, and only fell a little. I woke with the corner of a kleenex box sticking my thigh, and wondered why I would take a nap in such a position. It took me thirty minutes to realize I'd passed out. I got up from the floor, watched some TV and noticed my gravity pole and plastic liquid food container were laid out on the rug. Eventually I realized I'd passed out. Having never passed out before, I had no frame of reference. After that, I was cognizant of how fast I rose, and would hug the floor when I felt lightheaded on getting up. It passed as I got stronger.

    best, Hal
  • Kent Cass
    Kent Cass Member Posts: 1,898 Member
    #6
    Only-
    when standing up "fast?" Still hits me, but don't think it's all that abnormal. Usually has to do with blood flow (and gravity). Attribute mine to old age. If it's just when standing up fast, or just standing after having been seated/laying for awhile- likely not a pressing issue. Lotta people have lightheadedness with such. If it's legitimate dizziness- that's another matter, and is Dr material. Typically.

    kcass
  • artheri
    artheri Member Posts: 14
    #7
    Thanks for the replies. I'm
    Thanks for the replies. I'm less worried now as it doesn't seem like an uncommon thing.

    After the 2 times where I almost seemed to pass out, I've been taking my time getting up. If I sit up real straight for some seconds before rising, I don't get a headrush, so it only happens if I forget myself and rush up without thinking. Unless it gets worse, I'll wait for the checkup :)
  • longtermsurvivor
    longtermsurvivor Member Posts: 1,842 Member
    #8
    artheri said:

    Thanks for the replies. I'm
    Thanks for the replies. I'm less worried now as it doesn't seem like an uncommon thing.

    After the 2 times where I almost seemed to pass out, I've been taking my time getting up. If I sit up real straight for some seconds before rising, I don't get a headrush, so it only happens if I forget myself and rush up without thinking. Unless it gets worse, I'll wait for the checkup :)

    called orthostatic hypotension
    there r many causes, but the common one is just deconditioning from treatment. The secret, as u suggest, is getting up slowly, in stages.


    Best,


    Pat
  • denistd
    denistd Member Posts: 597
    #9
    light head
    With me it was anemia, took the docs about six month to figure it out, am now on ferrex 150 and it's all gone
  • tommyodavey
    tommyodavey Member Posts: 728 Member
    #10
    longtermsurvivor said:

    called orthostatic hypotension
    there r many causes, but the common one is just deconditioning from treatment. The secret, as u suggest, is getting up slowly, in stages.


    Best,


    Pat

    Low Blood Pressure
    I thought I was the only one experiencing it. What I attribute my dizziness to is low blood pressure. It isn't really that low, more like normal. My Dr. put me on Clonidine, a high blood pressure medication because during my illness they were getting a high reading from me.

    I've always been borderline hypertensive but after getting the C dx my blood pressure went up way too high. They said it was due to the stress of going through cancer treatment.

    Whenever I rise from the couch or even bend over and stand up again I get light headed. Normally I just sit back down before I pass out. So no, you are not the only one.

    But now you have me thinking it may be something else entirely. This Wednesday I see my Rad Onc and will tell him about it.

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