In the last couple of months I have sudden bouts of feeling lightheaded and my shoulders and then arms feel really weak. I need to quickly sit and put my head between my knees. It just happened and I had no place to sit so I stood and put my head to my knees. After a minute or two it passes but it is becoming more frequent. I ma on Avalide for blood pressure and I had not yet taken it today. I have experimented with taking it at different times but it does not seem to make a difference. I am a nurse and when it first happened I saw my primary then a cardiologist. He said it may be a vasovagal response but I am getting concerned because it is increasing in frequency.
Hello! Thank you for asking on Chat Doctor! Regarding your concern, I would explain that your symptoms seem to be related to orthostatic hypotension or an inner ear disorder. For this reason, I would recommend first measure your blood pressure values in sitting and then after 5 minutes in standing up position. A decrease in your systolic blood pressure more than 20 mm Hg, would be indicative or orthostatic hypotension. In such case a Head Up Tilt test would be needed to investigate for this disorder. But, if your blood pressure values are stable, I would recommend consulting with an ENT specialist and performing labyrinthine tests to investigate for an inner ear disorder. Hope to have been helpful! Best wishes,