Falling

[SnakeBite]

I have had in the past and still have at some times a sensation of like I'm falling but things go completely blank like I'm almost dieing. It's NOT being drunk or anything like that as it has happened only when I was totally sober and haven't drunk anything alcoholic within weeks prior of this happening. I can turn over in bed and get this sensation or try to sit down and get it and feel I have to catch myself or I will fall down.

I do have a breathing problem because of a prior lung disease but haven't noticed this problem or at least not this extreme before. It doesn't happen all the time but it is starting to scare me. Does anyone have any idea what might cause this or what type of doctor I should see to find out?

Thank you

[bina]

blood pressure check; ear nose and throat (inner ear balance); neurological(eeg etc).... lung function...

just some ideas?? why wait and post, go to your gp and ask.

[SnakeBite]

blood pressure check; ear nose and throat (inner ear balance); neurological(eeg etc).... lung function...

just some ideas?? why wait and post, go to your gp and ask.

It always seems to me that the Thais like to gp through tons of test whenever they see a farang at a hospital and I don't want to pay for tests that I don't need done. Thanks for the help though.

[backflip]

snakebite,

You're up the proverbial creek without a paddle. The previous poster gave you good advice, and you refuse to get diagnosed by a doctor. I'm not sure what you expect from us.

[Jamie]

I agree...passing out or loss of balance could be caused by numerous things. I definitely wouldn't put my well being in the hands of a forum. None of us are licensed physicians and even if one of us was, you'd still need to be thoroughly interviewed and in the least given a physical.

[h90]

My father pass out once a year, getting close to died, heart nearly doesn't pump. legs cramp, skin get grey. Nearly no bloodpressure.

than a few minutes later everything is back to normal. Just he can't remember anything about it.

He had a full check. Really everything possible including some long time checks.

Result: everything is perfect. Only some problems in his neck, which may put some pressure on some nerves, but nothing specific found.

Recommendation: pacemaker, not because there is a specific need of it, just because it can do something when this occours again.

My father told he is not crazy to put something on his good heart. And if he dies he dies.....

[leisurely]

Do get it checked out. Would you want to have a stroke/MI/TIA/ etc etc? IMHO, you would do well to go to a respected hospital and see a GP first, he can give you a quick once over and decide whether you need neurology, circulatory or ENT consultation. DO IT! It does sound as if it could be ear and balance related, but as a much wiser poster said, we aren't doctors!

[SnakeBite]

I know what you people are saying but I don't have a regular doctor to go to but don't want to go to a hospital here and them say that they will have to do a multitude of tests. I was basically wondering if anyone HERE knew of anything close to what I have described. If you do not know anything like this oir know someone that has had this experience, then I will have to search elsewhere. Thank you for your time and consideration.

[bina]

i specifically id'd certain problems that cause passing out and falling feelings. with these ideas in mind (plus the nerve pressing on the neck one, i forgot to think that one out) u could start with the cheapest and work your way thru: easiest is probably blood pressure, hardest is the mris' eegs etc...

taam jai........

bina

[jdinasia]

snakebite,

You're up the proverbial creek without a paddle. The previous poster gave you good advice, and you refuse to get diagnosed by a doctor. I'm not sure what you expect from us.

100% agree .... I am 100% recovered from having siezures (petit-mal) took ages to diagnose acoustic neuroma and get it zapped ... was any test NOT worth the $$? NO!

[Sheryl]

Well I am a clinician, and I have to tell you that Jamie et al are right. There are a number of different possible causes and it will be necessary to run tests to determine which one is responsible.

The possible causes include:

neurological: transient ischemic attack (TIA)

petit mal seizure

brain tumor

cardiaovascular: arrythmia (abnormal heart beat)

orthostatic hypotension (sudden drop in blood

pressure when changing position)

other: inner ear disturbance

These are just the most likely but by no means the only possible causes of the symptoms you describe.

It won't help you to hear about what caused this in other people because their cause may not be the same as yours. You need to find out what is causing this in your case, and then have it treated.

Most of the possible causes are quite serious and require urgent treatment.

No doctor, anywhere, will be able to treat you effectively without running a number of tests. You can't cure a patient until you know what is causing the problem, and with your symptoms there are a number of possible causes.

At a minimum you will need to have an EKG and perhaps monitoring of heart rhythm for a few days (can be done as an outpatient wearing a special device that records) and an EEG, plus basic blood tests. They should also check your blood pressure using something called a tilt table to see how it responds to sudden changes in position.

While it is true that unnecessary medical tests are sometimes done, in your particular case you should be suspicious of anyone who tries to treat you without doing a lot of tests.

The only thing you can do on your own that might possibly shed some light on the nature of the problem is you could buy one of those automatic blood pressure devices and check your blood pressure in a number of different positions, especially right after changing position (be a good idea to have someone with you when you do this), and write it down. If you find that the blood pressure changes dramatically after a change in posture that information will be helpful to the doctor in identifying the cause.

Since it is not possible initially to identify even the body system involved, you should see an internist (specialist in general medicine) first. Based on initial results they may then refer you to a heart of brain specialist.

Good luck.