Orthostatic/Postural Hypotension

[balikati]

Male, 171cm, 93kg, 24 yo. Since around 10 days ago I've been experiencing a sort of dizziness when I turn around while laying in bed, as well as when standing or sitting up. It's mild but it does make me have to stop for a couple seconds to prevent myself from losing balance and falling on the floor. This week I have also felt this during bench presses, not during the exercise but when laying on and standing up from the bench. I don't feel anything of the sort while doing any exercises and never have.

I remember some time ago, not sure how much might be 6 months or a year or even more, I'd been experiencing something similar but it went away on its own then.

Around 2 weeks ago my doctor prescribed me Dermovate cream for some rashes on my back. She did tell it is strong so I shouldn't use it too much and I didn't. I used it for 10 days, this thing started after a week. I don't know if this has anything to do with it.

Has anyone on the forums experienced a similar thing? Has it affected your training in any way? Can I expect it to go away on its own like it has before or should I get it checked?

[JFord]

Male, 171cm, 93kg, 24 yo. Since around 10 days ago I've been experiencing a sort of dizziness when I turn around while laying in bed, as well as when standing or sitting up. It's mild but it does make me have to stop for a couple seconds to prevent myself from losing balance and falling on the floor.

OP, your post title is very specific. Did your doctor tell you this was what it was? Without getting a more complete history and doing an exam, your symptoms sound more like vertigo, the feeling you get when you jump off a merry-go-round and the world swirls. Is that a possibility?

I’m asking because vertigo has a completely different set of causes than orthostatic hypotension.

In the interest of being mindful of Occam’s Razor, let’s just forget about your rash and your skin cream for now.

[balikati]

Did your doctor tell you this was what it was? Without getting a more complete history and doing an exam, your symptoms sound more like vertigo, the feeling you get when you jump off a merry-go-round and the world swirls. Is that a possibility?

I just told my doctor if the cream she prescribed could have an effect like this and she said what I am describing sounds like orthostatic hypotension. But I haven't had an examination done or anything like that about it.

The sensation doesn't feel like vertigo, because nothing around me feels like they're swirling, it's just that I feel dizzy and lightheaded for a brief moment. But it only happens when I go from lying down to sitting or standing up and vice versa.

Also this past week I noticed I've been urinating far more often but I haven't been drinking more water than usual.

[JFord]

I just told my doctor if the cream she prescribed could have an effect like this and she said what I am describing sounds like orthostatic hypotension. But I haven't had an examination done or anything like that about it.

The sensation doesn't feel like vertigo, because nothing around me feels like they're swirling, it's just that I feel dizzy and lightheaded for a brief moment. But it only happens when I go from lying down to sitting or standing up and vice versa.

Also this past week I noticed I've been urinating far more often but I haven't been drinking more water than usual.

Then I’m guess you only talked to your doctor on the phone. If you have a BP cuff, you can check yourself. Lay down for three minutes and record your BP and pulse. Then stand up and repeat your BP and pulse. If your SBP (the high number) falls by 10 or your pulse increases by 10 then you probably have it.

If you’re peeing a lot of volume (or frequently but with small amounts) then you should see your doc, have her take a good non-half-ass history and do an exam. Then get some labs if she thinks they’re indicated.There are too many things to consider here on this board.

[balikati]

There are too many things to consider here on this board.

Yeah, thanks. I only talked to my doctor on the phone. My intention when making this thread wasn't to ask someone to diagnose me online, I realise that's not possible like you're saying. Just wanted to see if anyone else on the forums have experienced the thing I am describing, be it hypotension or not, for me or for them.

[JFord]

Yeah, thanks. I only talked to my doctor on the phone. My intention when making this thread wasn't to ask someone to diagnose me online, I realise that's not possible like you're saying. Just wanted to see if anyone else on the forums have experienced the thing I am describing, be it hypotension or not, for me or for them.

I guess the point of my last post was to steer you away from that approach of soliciting experiences/recommendations from others with SIMILAR SYMPTOMS. Medicine doesn’t really work like that. Would you post to the board saying “When I squat, I find that I can’t lift very much. Does anyone else have that problem?” I doubt that’d be very helpful. What you need is to talk to a knowledgeable coach and find out what you’re doing wrong (eg. recovery, programming, technique, etc.) then go from there.

If you had a specific diagnosis and you put out a call for advice from people with that same diagnosis, I’d say knock yourself out. In this case, you need to make the diagnosis and there are too many variables. If one were clearly obvious, I’d probably say something. For example, if you complained that your penis turned orange after watching porn and eating Cheetos, I might be able to help.

In your scenario, there are too many variables. If you like your doc, get her to come up with a diagnosis if she can. Otherwise, find another doc. One additional piece of advice. Don’t volunteer your own diagnosis initially. Many doctors are lazy. If you give them a possibility right out of the gate, their brains often turn off. Let ‘em cogitate on their own for awhile then reveal your own suspicions.

You might be right in the first place but make them work for awhile first. You want to incentivize them to use their brains before settling on the first shiny object that comes their way.