Hi everyone,
I'm new to the site and I was interested in seeing if anyone else has had similar symptoms as myself. I was diagnosed with colitis earlier this year with mild gastritis from an endoscopy. A few months ago I had an episode of really bad nausea, very lightheaded and almost passed out, and some numbness in my fingers and arm. I went to the ER and everyone thought I had a stroke. To make a long story short, I was diagnosed with dehydration both times I went to the ER, so the doctors thought that it was from my decrease in potassium. I eventually went to get a second opinion because my doctors thought I was crazy. I consulted an good family friend of mine who also happens to be a doctor. She did a work up on me and said that the nausea, and lightheadedness was from GERD. I would also get a very rapid and pounding heart beat with it. She thought this was from me feeling scared while I was becoming lightheaded and almost passing out. Has anyone ever had this happene to them? I appreciate any feedback. Thanks
Post Edited By Moderator (stkitt) : 12/21/2009 10:51:41 AM (GMT-7)
Hi and Welcome, Stephanie! :)
You sound like you may have had a few things going on with you - that lightheadedness, 'almost' passing out, and numbness and tingling in your hands? Seems like an anxiety/panic attack. I've visited that area before, it's really not much fun. When you are scared, your body reacts and goes into a 'fight or flight' mode and that sort of explains the way you'd feel.
Do you have any acid reflux? Like a burning in your esophagus, throat, or heartburn? Do you notice that certain foods cause this reaction? Do you seem to need antacids a lot to ease this discomfort or pain? Any trouble with swallowing? Many of these are symptoms that go along with GERD. I'm not a Dr. so these are only ideas for you to think about and mention to your own Dr.
These are just a couple of thoughts for you - there are many great members here, that will perhaps come along and share their thoughts with you.
Good luck and my best wishes to you!
Hugs, Teri :)
"Because he is he and I am I."......E. V. Lucas
You sound like you may have had a few things going on with you - that lightheadedness, 'almost' passing out, and numbness and tingling in your hands? Seems like an anxiety/panic attack. I've visited that area before, it's really not much fun. When you are scared, your body reacts and goes into a 'fight or flight' mode and that sort of explains the way you'd feel.
Do you have any acid reflux? Like a burning in your esophagus, throat, or heartburn? Do you notice that certain foods cause this reaction? Do you seem to need antacids a lot to ease this discomfort or pain? Any trouble with swallowing? Many of these are symptoms that go along with GERD. I'm not a Dr. so these are only ideas for you to think about and mention to your own Dr.
These are just a couple of thoughts for you - there are many great members here, that will perhaps come along and share their thoughts with you.
Good luck and my best wishes to you!
Hugs, Teri :)
"Because he is he and I am I."......E. V. Lucas
"I Hope You Dance".............LeeAnn Womack
Please allow HealingWell to continue helping others by donating:
Thanks for the reply! The doctors thought I was having panic attacks/anxiety at first, but after going through my symptoms, the lightheaded feeling and the nausea would happen first. Sometimes I would get tingling in my hands without the nausea or lightheadedness, so the needless to say the doctors were confused like crazy. The doctor said it was sounded like my body would go into a panic after this lightheaded feeling and nausea came. After keeping a food diary and recording when this would happen to me, she found that it would happen within 20 or so minutes of me eating. It was weird because every time this happened I had just eaten. The first time I ended up in the ER I hadn't eaten for a while and came home and ate some leftover pizza. (something I stay away from now!). Also they coincided with me having a flare up of my colitis, which led me to get dehydrated frequently. I was on Nexium for a month and now I'm trying to make dietary changes and lose some weight. I have the burning in my throat, the wheezing at night, and I take antacids all the time. Hopefully over time my symptoms will get better, they've gotten worse with my recent weight gain within the past year. ~Stephanie
Hi Stephanie,
Welcome! I definitely get lightheaded to the degree of feeling faint & nauseated w/Reflux/Gerd episodes. I am constantly indicating that it reminds me of Morning Sickness. I just want to lie in the middle of the floor until it subsides. I would actually do that w/all the morning sickness when I carried my child 13 yrs ago. I quess it was really some reflux going on, but I didn't know it. I have also gotten arm pain which really scares me. The arm pain has only been in either rt or lt w/Reflux, never bilaterally.
Oh Stephanie, I can so relate to the Pizza! I haven't eaten it in many yrs. Love Speghetti, but can't eat it either. I also recall getting the nauseated/light headed feeling mostly shortly after eating, but have also had it shortly after awaking;probably foods from the prior day.
I was Dx w/Fibromyalgia July 2005 which causes aches, pains, numbness, tingling in my extremities;usually bilaterally. So, this is why I really think the pain I've felt in the past was associated w/Reflux/Gerd.
But, it is always best to try getting to the bottom of things w/your medical dr, definately rule out everything.
Good Luck & hope this helps!
Vanessa
Welcome! I definitely get lightheaded to the degree of feeling faint & nauseated w/Reflux/Gerd episodes. I am constantly indicating that it reminds me of Morning Sickness. I just want to lie in the middle of the floor until it subsides. I would actually do that w/all the morning sickness when I carried my child 13 yrs ago. I quess it was really some reflux going on, but I didn't know it. I have also gotten arm pain which really scares me. The arm pain has only been in either rt or lt w/Reflux, never bilaterally.
Oh Stephanie, I can so relate to the Pizza! I haven't eaten it in many yrs. Love Speghetti, but can't eat it either. I also recall getting the nauseated/light headed feeling mostly shortly after eating, but have also had it shortly after awaking;probably foods from the prior day.
I was Dx w/Fibromyalgia July 2005 which causes aches, pains, numbness, tingling in my extremities;usually bilaterally. So, this is why I really think the pain I've felt in the past was associated w/Reflux/Gerd.
But, it is always best to try getting to the bottom of things w/your medical dr, definately rule out everything.
Good Luck & hope this helps!
Vanessa
Thanks so much for the reply Vanessa, It really helps to know that there are others out there who have experienced this. I had every test possible when they were trying to figure out why this happened to me. (MRI, EKG, echocardiogram, blood tests, etc.) all came back fine. All the doctors and specialists that I went to had no definite answer as to what was happening. Half thought panic attacks, and the other half thought stroke or blood clot. I knew in my heart it wasn't either of those. They tried to put me on anti anxiety meds, and aspirin for the possible clotting. And since I've made my dietary changes, I've noticed that I am slowly but surely feeling better. It was scary to go through not knowing what it was, but now that I have some idea, the anxiety feeling have definitely subsided, and I feel like I can get back to normal. (minus the yummy pizza, and pasta , which I loved as well. Thanks again
Stephanie, those other symptoms you listed re the GERD, sure sound like what most of us go through, too!! Wishing you the best!
Hugs, Teri :)
"Because he is he and I am I."......E. V. Lucas
Hugs, Teri :)
"Because he is he and I am I."......E. V. Lucas
"I Hope You Dance".............LeeAnn Womack
Please allow HealingWell to continue helping others by donating:
Thanks Teri, This site has been so informational for me Thanks to everyone
*Stephanie*
I am going through the exact same symptoms as you right now, how are you these years later? completely cleared?
.. if you ever check this site anymore...
I am going through the exact same symptoms as you right now, how are you these years later? completely cleared?
.. if you ever check this site anymore...
Welcome spyd4r,
Feel free to start your own post. I'm waiting for the Hill procedure in two weeks. I sometimes have a dizzy spell, but I have so much wrong with me I don't know what is doing it.
Joy
Feel free to start your own post. I'm waiting for the Hill procedure in two weeks. I sometimes have a dizzy spell, but I have so much wrong with me I don't know what is doing it.
Joy
It was comforting to read Stephanie's posting, understand what I may be feeling and know there are many others out there who experience the same.
I have been battling with gastrointestinal issues for almost 6 years now. They seemed to worsen after being put on Coumadin (blood thinner) for 6 months and a variety of antibiotics. Shortly thereafter, I suffered c-dif colitis and have not been the same since.
After two colonoscopies and an endoscopy, my gastro dr writes it off as IBS.
But recently, I've been experiencing the lightheadedness with chest/sternum pain and always after I eat. It worsens by standing or sitting and only feels ok when I am laying down. Drs believe it is panic and anxiety but physically I am feeling something.
Does anyone know anatomically what is happening inside that causes the lightheadedness, sternum pain or nausea? I thought perhaps it was a result of the flu that I had (two weeks) and I've lost over 13 lbs but I can't make the correlation.
Any information would be so helpful!!!
I have been battling with gastrointestinal issues for almost 6 years now. They seemed to worsen after being put on Coumadin (blood thinner) for 6 months and a variety of antibiotics. Shortly thereafter, I suffered c-dif colitis and have not been the same since.
After two colonoscopies and an endoscopy, my gastro dr writes it off as IBS.
But recently, I've been experiencing the lightheadedness with chest/sternum pain and always after I eat. It worsens by standing or sitting and only feels ok when I am laying down. Drs believe it is panic and anxiety but physically I am feeling something.
Does anyone know anatomically what is happening inside that causes the lightheadedness, sternum pain or nausea? I thought perhaps it was a result of the flu that I had (two weeks) and I've lost over 13 lbs but I can't make the correlation.
Any information would be so helpful!!!
Some people do experience light headness with Gerd. I get chest pains with a "blacking out" feeling. Mine is under control taking Nexium. Mine is due to a large Hiatial Hernia.
There is a nerve that runs along the back of the esophagus. When it's irritated you can get some weird sensations.
Joy
There is a nerve that runs along the back of the esophagus. When it's irritated you can get some weird sensations.
Joy
Joy,
Thank you for that information.
You are right, it's less a light headedness and more the feeling of blacking out. It's scary, actually. I know anxiety and stress only worsens it. But it's a terrible feeling to not know what's happening or causing that sensation. Not to mention, I've passed out in the shower twice so my response is already heightened.
How did they determine you have a Hiatial Hernia? What are the symptoms and have you had them for long?
I had injury to my sternum several years ago and I'm wondering if that nerve you are speaking of got compromised during that time.
Your input is valuable!
Thank you for that information.
You are right, it's less a light headedness and more the feeling of blacking out. It's scary, actually. I know anxiety and stress only worsens it. But it's a terrible feeling to not know what's happening or causing that sensation. Not to mention, I've passed out in the shower twice so my response is already heightened.
How did they determine you have a Hiatial Hernia? What are the symptoms and have you had them for long?
I had injury to my sternum several years ago and I'm wondering if that nerve you are speaking of got compromised during that time.
Your input is valuable!
My HH was diagnosed by a barium swallow and an Endoscope.
My symptoms lasted for two years before I caved in and told my doctor about it. He put me on PPIs and the feelings stopped.
I would be eating, suddenly get a sharp pain, feeling of food getting stuck, and start seeing black growing from around the edges of my vision. Just as I feel like I'm about to fall over, it passes.
Joy
My symptoms lasted for two years before I caved in and told my doctor about it. He put me on PPIs and the feelings stopped.
I would be eating, suddenly get a sharp pain, feeling of food getting stuck, and start seeing black growing from around the edges of my vision. Just as I feel like I'm about to fall over, it passes.
Joy
Hi Stephanie
It very well could be that you are having a reaction to "trigger foods." Does this happen every time you eat or only with certain foods? You said you kept a food log, which is the best thing you could have done! Do you have a list of specific foods that you are pretty sure start your symptoms?
I have had problems (reflux and tachycardia) with seemingly unrelated foods for years, but after finding out the connection and avoiding the foods. my symptoms stopped. Today was a special occasion and we went to a buffet brunch and I ate a whole bunch of stuff I knew I should have avoided. I got horrible pain sub sternum, right after eating a nice cherry crisp, which could have either been heart or my wrapped stomach or even an esophageal spasm. I chewed a Benedryl (horribly bitter and leaves tongue numb), but it stopped the pain within 10 minutes. I'm not sure this will work every time, but it's worth a try since I know I have a sensitivity (my allergist calls it an allergy). Other people with my same sensitivity (happens to be sulfite, which is in just about all processed food) get migranes.
There have been studies on using nitroglycerine to stop these spasms too, but I didn't have any of that with me.
Alcie
It very well could be that you are having a reaction to "trigger foods." Does this happen every time you eat or only with certain foods? You said you kept a food log, which is the best thing you could have done! Do you have a list of specific foods that you are pretty sure start your symptoms?
I have had problems (reflux and tachycardia) with seemingly unrelated foods for years, but after finding out the connection and avoiding the foods. my symptoms stopped. Today was a special occasion and we went to a buffet brunch and I ate a whole bunch of stuff I knew I should have avoided. I got horrible pain sub sternum, right after eating a nice cherry crisp, which could have either been heart or my wrapped stomach or even an esophageal spasm. I chewed a Benedryl (horribly bitter and leaves tongue numb), but it stopped the pain within 10 minutes. I'm not sure this will work every time, but it's worth a try since I know I have a sensitivity (my allergist calls it an allergy). Other people with my same sensitivity (happens to be sulfite, which is in just about all processed food) get migranes.
There have been studies on using nitroglycerine to stop these spasms too, but I didn't have any of that with me.
Alcie
Welcome Julie,
I am so glad you found us. You have tagged onto an old post as Stephanie has not posted since 9/13/2005.
I am going to go in and change the name of the thread to include your name so people will see you are new and you will meet more members that way.
Again welcome to HealingWell,
Kitt
I am so glad you found us. You have tagged onto an old post as Stephanie has not posted since 9/13/2005.
I am going to go in and change the name of the thread to include your name so people will see you are new and you will meet more members that way.
Again welcome to HealingWell,
Kitt
Hi everyone,
I am a 37 year old male. I have the same symptoms in my upper stomach , although I do not have any heartburn. Actually, my heartburn has seemed to go away ever since I have had the discomfort in my upper stomach. I also have been very lightheaded in the late morning, afternoon and early evening. It is a very spacey and heavy feeling, almost like I am going to faint. It is driving me crazy. I am not myself anymore, but seemed to happen overnight. All bloodwork was normal, but going back to the doc to take further tests and get a gameplan in place. I have been taking nexium for the past 3 weeks, does not seem to be working. I am trying to figure out if the lighthead and spacey feeling is related to my stomach discomfort. The discomfort in my stomach comes and goes, but the lightheaded and spacey feeling does not. I have never been depressed or have anxiety, but I do teach special needs, so I am under a little stress. This thing is wearing on my mind, and hope to have an answer because I want my life back. Please help-
Todd
Sounds like your vegus nerve is irritated. It can cause that feeling. I do understand the stress you're under. I teach first grade w/ mainstreamed SpEd.
Do you feel worse when stressed? Several times when I was trying to explain a difficult topic I'd start feeling faint and start to black out.
You may have silent gerd. This is tricky to diagnose. You need to see a GI and have a full work up.
Joy
Do you feel worse when stressed? Several times when I was trying to explain a difficult topic I'd start feeling faint and start to black out.
You may have silent gerd. This is tricky to diagnose. You need to see a GI and have a full work up.
Joy