Getting the Shakes

[Chrismac]

I know fatigue is a big part of Crohn's.. but what about low blood pressure and the shakes?

I am finding it hard to type properly because my hands are tingly and shaking.

Today every time I've stood up I get a dizzy spell and things go black for a bit... this isn't unusual for me, but this bad it is (and I don't normally have the shakes)

Anyone else get this? I'm having a mild flare but it's just the D, not pain, no blood loss.

It is that time of the month, but it's no worse than it normally is and doesn't normally have this effect....

Just wondering if anyone can shed some light?
I'm off to put 3 sugars in my tea..... maybe that will help. I don't normally have any in tea.

 

[Cookie]

Hi Chris,

Have you recently eaten anything? i sometimes experience something similar after eating...cold hands, goose bumps, shaky/lightheadedness and sometimes even cold sweats. i have never really figured the cause. Have you had your blood tested recently?

 

[Lisa]

You should have your blood pressure checked - could be low, also could be sugar and/or hydration problems.....

I would at least have a consult with a Dr to have things checked, as those symptoms are NOT normal.......

Also - last thing you probably need is to stand up then pass out!

 

[Astra]

Hi Chris

Dizzy spells can also be associated with the inner ear in conditions like Vertigo and Labyrinthitis, you spin like you're drunk then can just fall over!
Just a thought!
See your doc anyway to rule out diabetes and contraindications with other OTC meds with your Crohns meds, they can make you nauseous, causing dizzy spells too.
lotsa luv
Joan xxx

 

[Rebecca85]

If your vision is going black when you stand up, that is a classic sign of low blood pressure. It could be that low blood pressure combined with your time of the month (and possible anaemia associated with your period) is causing your symptoms. Just out of interest, are you on any meds or supplements at the moment?

 

[Silvermoon]

The other thing to remember is, just because you can't see blood in the stool, does not always mean it's not there. This is what they call "occult blood"... usually comes from higher up in the intestine, and will not necessarily show up as black in the stools either.

But I concur... time to head to the docs to see what's up!

Good luck!

 

[Chrismac]

Thanks guys.. Yeah, the black out thing is common with me.. and I do get low blood pressure, but it's the shaking that's not normal.

I've been eating fine, but maybe I've not eaten enough with sugar? I've been drinking fine, drank 1 litre of fruit juice and at least 2 big cups of tea..

I did have a blood test 2 weeks back, they were doing the regular bloods and then looking for signs of infection (swollen lymph glands).. so I went for the test, waited the few days for the results and had a letter through......

"Dear Miss Macfie, the results of your blood test were inconclusive, please book to have them done again"

Translated something like "Dear Miss Macfie, our intern is an idiot and dropped your blood on the floor, we're sorry for the inconvenience and that you've probably missed the 'checking for infection' deadline now, but please book to have them done again"

Haha

So yes.. I am having my bloods done soon.

Rebecca - I am on Aza and Balsalazide. But I've been on these for years, so shouldn't be related.

My doctor once told me I was born to be awkward... my body is just a mystery!!

 

[Creepy Lurker]

I sometimes get sugar crashes if I eat too much sugar then don't eat anything for a while.

Dizzy shaky sweaty unpleasantness. I stabilise a bit if I eat something (usually bread with jam.)

Dizzy after standing is almost always anaemia for me though.

 

[Cat-a-Tonic]

I've got the same thing going on and I'm not quite sure why. It's been happening for 3 days now for me. Shakes, tingly hands and feet, feeling like I'm going to pass out, no energy, and just generally feeling horrid. The regular nausea and d of course, too. I went to urgent care on Monday and my blood work looked fine, so they gave me IV rehydration which helped a little but not much. I've had no appetite so I have eaten next to nothing over the past few days, which I'm sure isn't helping me out any. I'm struggling to make myself eat some plain pasta right now. I did find that it seems to help to lie down flat and elevate my feet - gets the blood to my head at least. I'm seeing my GI tomorrow so I'm going to ask if there's anything I can do or any medication I can take, because this isn't the first time I've experienced these symptoms, but this is probably the most severe occurrence.

Chrismac, I hope you're feeling better. Did your blood work show anything?

 

[Silvermoon]

I have found this also happens to me when I am way over tired. If I crash for a day or two and just sleep, sometimes it helps. But I would only do that IF bloodwork is "normal".

 

[Chrismac]

Yeah, everything has come up fine.. so I don't know, maybe just a seperate virus thing, i also had headaches for about 2 weeks.. so maybe it was all related.

But now I'm fine! I have energy back and seem to be recovered, from headaches, shaking, all of it..

Thanks all for your advice though, really appreciated and helpful!

 

[Silvermoon]

WOOT! Good to hear!!

 

[Cat-a-Tonic]

Glad to hear, Chris! That gives me hope that I won't be feeling this way much longer either. I've got a headache too but I think that's just from the barium (I had a CT scan yesterday), I read in another thread that barium can cause a hangover-type of effect the next day.

Silver, I tried sleeping but I just can't fall asleep, can't turn my brain off. I'm going to take a sleeping pill tonight because I know I haven't been sleeping enough. I don't like to take sleeping pills but sometimes they're necessary.

 

[Silvermoon]

Awwww ((((( Cat ))))))) I hear ya on the sleeping thing, but yup, sometimes we gotta do what we gotta do to get it... can make other things just a bit more bearable to handle....

Hope you have a good sleep tonight... and sweet dreams too!

 

[Cat-a-Tonic]

Thanks Silver! I need a good sleep tonight so I can discuss my CT results tomorrow with my GI - apparently my results are back in, but they haven't told me what they are yet. Not sure if that's a bad sign or not - at this point, I just want a diagnosis! But for the immediate future, I just want to feel not so miserable and to sleep. Thanks again for your kind words.