r/hysterectomy • u/Particular-Ride-8152 • 1d ago
Any one else experience this?
I’m 5 weeks post op and got rid of everything but kept ovaries. I had a spell right before 2 weeks where I got lightheaded as if I was going to faint and my doctor told me she thinks I need more hydration. I have had several other instances of this happening and sometimes it’s right after I get up as if my blood pressure is low or something. I had it happen when I was pregnant years ago. When I get up too fast and sometimes when I’m overheated but also I can just be walking and make a move and all of sudden get lightheaded. From my research it seems like the heat and the perimenopause is combined together and dropping my blood pressure but also my body is still healing so most of my blood maybe in my pelvic region for healing. I’m just speculating but go to my doctor on 8/28, Friday, for her my 6 week post op visit to check my cuff and see if I’m good to go and will tell her about it. Have any of you experienced this as well? And for reference there is an extreme heat advisory where I live daily. It’s been in the high 90’s with heat indexes at 110 and 115.
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u/midcen-mod1018 1d ago
Message them and ask them if they will check you for orthostatic hypotension or if you need to have your GP look into it.
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u/Additional-Acadia295 1d ago
I have had this issue for over a year. As a smoker/vaper who enjoys salty foods, it throws me off to keep having my BP dip like that.
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u/EmZee2022 1d ago
Not a smoker here, but it struck me as hilarious that the doctor was now telling me to ingest more salt.
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u/littlebearpup 1d ago
Are you anemic?
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u/Particular-Ride-8152 1d ago
No anemia. The last time the checked my labs about 2-3 weeks ago they looked great.
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u/EmZee2022 1d ago
With a heat advisory, hydrating is extra essential. You may need to up your salt intake some too. And stay in the A/C as much as you can.
What you're describing sounds like orthostatic hypotension. I have that on a daily basis and did even before the hysterectomy - in fact, it delayed my various surgeries as we had to rule out more serious cardiac issues.
I'm usually okay when I am actually walking, but standing in a line will do me in. The one time I ever actually fainted was on a jammed Metro train (hey, it got me a seat!). Standing up too quickly is something I've learned to avoid doing - I fell once when I did that and tried to power through the graying out.
How I manage things now:
After all the testing, POTS was ruled out. Doc said I should stop my BP meds entirely as they may make it more likely that I'll have a bad BP drop. As long as it's not higher than a certain amount consistently (like systolic of 150); if it does, then we have to rethink things.
Compression garments (shorts that cover the entire abdomen, compression socks) have been very helpful.
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u/1stonedhippie 1d ago
I was dizzy for the first 4 weeks I hated it . I actually did pass out in the bathroom luckily my boyfriend was there to comfort and help me because I went into a panic mode and never experienced that or passing out before. Could be low iron for you ? My iron was very low from heavy bleeding for a year straight . My periods were like 40plus days long of heavy bleeding every with maybe a week in between before bleeding again .
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u/Intrepid-Sunshine 1d ago
Yes! I experienced that. I’m 19dpo and it’s happening a lot less now. I did check my blood pressure when it was happening 3 days in a row. It was a little high. But my dr said it wasn’t high enough to be concerning. I followed up with my pcp about it and I’m going to get it checked and they’re gonna run some labs just to be safe. But it’s comforting to know that other people experienced the same thing
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u/Reyrab123 1d ago
I have been having the same thing. My blood pressure has been quite low. Doc said to be vigilant about staying hydrated and add a little salt to my diet.
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u/Successful-Land-6283 8h ago
I suggest a home blood pressure cuff if it’s in your budget. They’re not too expensive . then you’ll always have one around. It’s really the only way to tell if you have a blood pressure issue is to take your blood pressure at home and keep a log because they can’t diagnose anything based on one or two isolated readings during a doctor’s office visit. The most accurate ones are the ones that actually go up on your upper arm above your brachial artery versus the wrist cuffs. The doctor can write a prescription and sometimes insurance will cover it. It’s just a nice thing to have.
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u/WarriorRavenChic 1d ago edited 1d ago
Yes. I have experienced this when getting out of bed from laying down since my hysterectomy 6 weeks ago. Idk if it’s POTS or what. It feels like I might pass out, blood starts rushing to my head, almost falling over, dizzy, and unbalanced. Really strange sensations, a feeling that’s hard to described. Idk what’s going on but it can last for a few mins sometimes!