Dizziness when standing up

Hi Hamish, 

Welcome....yes, I did have it a lot when I was much younger...pre-ostomy and pre-pouch then for the 1st 5-10yrs post pouch. 

It was dehydration + low blood pressure (one sort of causes the other too) ...water is not enough you also need mineral salts like sodium and potassium that you can either buy in products like Pedialyte or Gatorade.

I make my own, using freshly squeezed lemons, honey/sugar or fake sugar (depending on your weight and disposition) plus a pinch of salt. I add a handful of fresh, chopped mint leaves or other herbs. You can add a lime or tangerine if you prefer.

It does the trick for me but you can play with your own mixtures...just know that it is a delicate balance between hydration (water) and mineral salts that help to keep you BP up. Too much water can sometimes be just as dangerous as not enough. It also depends on your level of activity and where you live, if you heat or use A/C (both dehydrate your body) and your body weight.

When you find what works for you, write it down.

Sharon

Hi Sharon,

I forgot to mention that I always have at least one electrolyte drink per day, often two. I have “Voost” which is a brand that do all sorts of vitamin/electrolyte tablets that dissolve in water. I usually have one electrolyte and one magnesium or iron tablet per day. I’ve got an appointment with my GP on Tuesday so I might discuss it with them. Could be low blood pressure. 

Thanks for the reply,

Hamish

The amount of fluid you’re consuming is not a useful way to tell if you are dehydrated. Unless you are peeing light-colored urine 3-4 times daily you need more fluid. Most of us can get it from drinking water, some of us need water with electrolytes, and some need more aggressive approaches. Dizziness when standing is indeed most often from a blood pressure drop (orthostatic hypotension), but that’s usually caused by dehydration. Even in the general population this usually a sign of dehydration, and among J-pouchers this is almost always dehydration, though sometimes other things are going on.

I was dizzy after tapering off of prednisone. I know you prob haven’t been on that, if you were, for a long time now. How long has it been going on? Have you had your blood pressure checked lately?

Hammish, 

I know that this is not an answer but there is a 'thing'...you find a song that you like and you sing about 13-15 words of it (in your head) before you stand up from a sitting position...especially when getting up in the morning...it gives your body just enough time to adjust after having been flat all night...

I have caught myself a couple of times, in the morning, getting up and sort of losing my balance for a minute...add the sore soles of my feet to the mix and it is dangerous...so I do the "laying to sitting to standing" thing and sing (silently) in my head before getting up. 

I now throw in a little 'rock & roll' into the mix...I rock my hips back and forth and side to side while stretching my arms slowly over my head (please do not sneak a camera into my bedroom....) ... to get the circulation going nicely...I no longer get the dizzies after that.

Granted it is hard to do that at work but at least doing it in the morning or when getting up from the sofa will help you to prevent a fall.

Sharon

I also have been experiencing dizziness for awhile.  Thanks for asking and the responses so helpful.  I had my Dr. run a CBC, CMP and some other tests for glucose.  They were all normal except low hematocrit and high b12.  My dr told me that it could be my sinus and ears and to use a humidifier at night.  Nothing to do with this unless u have been suffering with that condition and this contributed to.

I take Emergen-C which has all the vitamins in that help..  I do use lemon in my water and haven't since summer so maybe that is why.  Most of time I am thirsty and always carry a water bottle with me everywhere.  I do like the combo Sharon suggested and will try because it does eliminate all the extra stuff they put in these supplements.  

Dizziness on standing is generally due to a drop in blood pressure. If you can manage it by changing position more slowly, that should be suffiicient. However, you should mention it to your primary doctor, so anemia, low blood protein (albumin), and adrenal/pituitary function can be assessed. Dehydration is a common issue, but not the only one.

Jan