Wave
August 30, 2015, 5:35pm
1
Lately, and especially yesterday and last night, I would be lying down on the couch, I get up and stand up and get light headed and real dizzy, one time I thought I was going to faint.
The Medical term for it is called Orthostatic Hypotension and Yes Antipsychotics sometimes cause this.
I am going to see a Cardiologist and get an EKG done, just in case.
Orthostatic hypotension, also known as postural hypotension, occurs when a person's blood pressure falls when suddenly standing up from a lying or sitting position. It is defined as a fall in systolic blood pressure of at least 20 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure of at least 10 mm Hg when a person assumes a standing position. It occurs predominantly by delayed constriction of the lower body blood vessels, which is normally required to maintain an adequate blood pressure when changing posit There...
JJ Gugger,
CNS drugs , Aug 2011
Orthostatic hypotension is a common adverse effect of antipsychotics that may delay or prevent titration to a dose necessary to control psychotic symptoms. Complications of orthostatic hypotension include syncope, transient ischaemic attack, stroke, myocardial infarction and death. The risk of orthostatic hypotension associated with antipsychotic therapy is increased in patients with disorders of the autonomic nervous system, fluid imbalance and those taking concomitant drug therapy that affects haemodynamic tone. Prospective monitoring for changes in postural blood pressure is important because patients with psychotic disorders often do not articulate symptoms of orthostasis and the subjective report of dizziness does not correlate well with orthostatic blood pressure changes. Nonpharmacological strategies and patient education, most notably, slowly rising from the supine position, are crucial first steps in the prevention and treatment of both symptomatic and asymptomatic orthostatic hypotension. Pharmacological treatment is only recommended when symptomatic orthostatic hypotension persists despite proper nonpharmacological therapy and there is a compelling indication for antipsychotic treatment. Fludrocortisone is a reasonable first choice for symptomatic orthostatic hypotension. Other agents including desmopressin and midodrine may be considered in patients who do not respond favourably to a trial of fludrocortisone, but safety concerns and lack of evidence limit the utility of these agents.
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Thanks for this, I always get dizzy and I didn’t know why. Now I do, thanks @Wave
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Wave
August 30, 2015, 5:51pm
3
If you get dizzy after you suddenly stand up from a sitting down or lying down position it could be Orthostatic Hypotension.
Getting dizzy anytime could be something else.
A doctor would know the reasons .
Good luck to you @Minnii !
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Yes, it only happens when I stand up suddenly, so I guess that’s it. I’ll talk to my pdoc about that.
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Wave
August 30, 2015, 5:55pm
5
Ok Great idea - Best of luck to you
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