Dizziness post-ohs

[jds]

Hello -

I had an MV replacement May 23. Recuperation seems to be going well - I'm doing just about everything but my endurance for running, mountain climbing, etc. is a little slow coming back.

A few times (maybe three in three months) I have had very brief episodes of dizziness/clumsiness. I sort of list to the right (always the right) and have to catch myself then stop because I am still a little disoriented. Lasts no more than 5-10 seconds.

My meds now are pretty normal - lysinopril (5mg 1x) and metroprolol (25mg 1x) for BP. I will stop the metoprolol (internist says OK) now. A baby aspirin. Niacin (500mg slow release 2x) and simvastatin (20mg 1x) for blood lipids.

Has anyone had this?

Thanks -

John

 

[TLB123]

Hi John,
I don't know that I can shed any light on your problem. I use to get dizzy or light headed before i had my surgery. Have you checked you BP? I would get dizzy when my BP was a little on the low side. I would think it might be due to the toprol, but your on such a low dose.

In any case I would call your Cardio.

P.S. I also noticed we had our Surgery 2 days apart at the same Hospital.
I hope you feel better!!

Tara

 

[donnamarie]

Hello -

A few times (maybe three in three months) I have had very brief episodes of dizziness/clumsiness. I sort of list to the right (always the right) and have to catch myself then stop because I am still a little disoriented. Lasts no more than 5-10 seconds.

My meds now are pretty normal - lysinopril (5mg 1x) and metroprolol (25mg 1x) for BP. I will stop the metoprolol (internist says OK) now. A baby aspirin. Niacin (500mg slow release 2x) and simvastatin (20mg 1x) for blood lipids.

Has anyone had this?

Thanks -

John

John, I take lisinophril and the simvastation - same dosage even. At first I was taking them in the morning and I felt dizzy and stuff. My doc said I can take them before bed - haven't had any dizzy spells since.

 

[Freddie]

Hello -

I had an MV replacement May 23. Recuperation seems to be going well - I'm doing just about everything but my endurance for running, mountain climbing, etc. is a little slow coming back.

A few times (maybe three in three months) I have had very brief episodes of dizziness/clumsiness. I sort of list to the right (always the right) and have to catch myself then stop because I am still a little disoriented. Lasts no more than 5-10 seconds.

My meds now are pretty normal - lysinopril (5mg 1x) and metroprolol (25mg 1x) for BP. I will stop the metoprolol (internist says OK) now. A baby aspirin. Niacin (500mg slow release 2x) and simvastatin (20mg 1x) for blood lipids.

Has anyone had this?

Thanks -

John

Hi John,
The meds that i take are: also Metroprolol (25mg1x), Ramipril (1/2 twice a day) and of course warfarin (6mg).

I too HAD the dizziness/clumsiness during the early stags of recovery. My MVR was done March 30/07. The doc told me the dizziness was a side effect of the drugs and will subside. Which it has.

As for the clumsiness, thats just part of my nature......................but that too has gotten better.

 

[Superbob]

John,

Dizziness is pretty common and can be caused by a multitude of things. But since you are post-op, I would bring it to the attention of your cardio.

I had a dizzy episode so severe some months before surgery that an ambulance took me to ER. Only thing they could figure there was (maybe) an inner-ear balance problem, which I've had for a long time. (Maybe a little panic thrown in, too.) Swings in BP can do it, too, as well as blood sugar.

My best advice is to mention it to your docs.

 

[jds]

Hello -

Thanks for the advice. i will switch meds to the evening and see if it helps. As I said, this does not happen often but it was noticeable.

John

 

[sknydave]

I had surgery two weeks ago and I get a little bit of dizziness if I get up fast or something like that, but do not recall almost falling over I'm sure it just comes with the territory. As mentioned above, it would be a good idea to let your doctor know.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

It may be worth visiting an Ear, Nose, & Throat Doc to evaluate your inner ear / balance function.

They have some interesting eye and ear tests.

I must warn you, the 'blowing cool or warm air into the ear' test can make you EXTREMELY Dizzy and Nauseous. I have NEVER been so sick. I kept vomiting until I was throwing up bial. NOT FUN. And the technician wanted to continue with the OTHER EAR! I declined. I had to call a friend to come drive me home afterwards.

The ENT Doc suggested a mild potassium-sparing diuretic to keep my fluid levels from getting too high. For unknown reasons, my Cardio prefers a Low Dose of Lasix (every other day). It is wise to monitor your postassium levels, especially if you do not take supplements or drink juices with added potassium.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[Marguerite53]

Please check with your doctor to see what his opinion is. Describe things as accurately as you can to him.

Please...please.....when you go off the metropolol, do it very gradually. Even if the doctor says you can just quit it right out. Please don't. Just wean it gracefully out of your system over a few weeks time.

I was very dizzy and bumping into things for quite awhile. But for me, it was more of a constant. Over time, I normalized. It is kind of my nature to be dizzy when I"m stressed, so I checked out okay with the doctor, and figured it was just my body's way of responding to the stress of surgery.

Take care. Keep us posted. Congrats on what otherwise sounds like a VERY successful surgery!!

Marguerite

 

[Atlanta Sweetheart]

I too had dizzy spells

I too had dizzy spells

after surgery. It was caused by my BP being too low. I had my mitral valve repaired by robotics and was put on toprolXL 12 mg and my BP would drop too low in the mornings. My cardiologist switched me to Lisinopril 2.5mg and I have been fine ever since. Perhaps it is the BP med they have you on that is causing the dizziness.

 

[jds]

Thanks for all the ideas

Thanks for all the ideas

Hello -

Thanks for all the suggestions.

I have gone off of Metoprolol and I also switched lysinopril (5mg) to taking it in the evening. No more dizzy spells since then. I figure if I get dizzy while I'm asleep, it's not a problem.

John