Dizziness and light-headedness

[ruhereyet]

Hi all -

For about the last week, I've been VERY light-headed and sometimes dizzy when I stand and try to walk. During this time, I'm also very nauseous.

I quit taking all my meds about two weeks ago, as I'm trying to wash out to I can participate in a trial for a new Crohn's med. I was on Pentasa, Entocort, and Humira.

Since off of the meds, my Crohn's is quite active (as I would expect). My CRP tested at 17 a week ago.

I'm just wondering if my dizziness and light-headedness could be related to me stopping my meds, or is this is possibly just a result of a nutritional deficiency due to the active flare with several bathroom trips per day?

Thank you.

 

[Grumbletum]

Hi there. It could be related to your meds. Have you had your blood pressure tested? Low pressure can cause dizziness and nausea. I had low blood pressure around the time I was tapering of Prednisolone and had started on Azathioprine.

 

[nogutsnoglory]

It could be a withdrawal from the meds and a conbo of dehydration from diarrhea and malnutrition. Try to stay on top of having fluids and electrolytes.

 

[theOcean]

Oh dear. I can understand why you stopped all your medications if you're about to go on a trial, but I'd definitely say that's contributing. When Crohn's is active, we often malabsorb nutrients so you're probably low in quite a few. I would get a blood test done to get your B12 and iron levels checked, since that would contribute most to the lightheadedness.

Otherwise, if you're having loose bowel movements like nogutsnoglory said, you're probably losing a lot of fluids, too.

How much longer until the trial? Good luck, and I hope it's soon!

 

[ruhereyet]

Thank you all. The trial starts in 6 weeks if the rest of my testing goes well. Tomorrow I have a ct scan and x-rays. Bloodwork was taken last week and when I asked the study nurse if any of my labs were funky, she said they all looked pretty normal. Nurse suspects that it could be also a result of me trying to cutout caffeine. I've been drinking tons of water, and find myself picking up a Gatorade every third day or so, just to replenish.

Thanks again for all the comments. The countdown continues. I just hope I don't get the placebo. Not sure I'd be in good shape if I had to go another 3 mos without meds.

 

[theOcean]

Sounds like you're doing as many things right as you can, then! Take care of yourself and I hope everything goes well. :hug: (And that you get the real thing instead of the placebo, too!)