So, I keep getting hit by waves of massive dizziness, as if I feel I want to pass out. For the past couple of days, it’s been starting at approx 3:00pm and continuing on throughout the evening. My heart has also been giving me some troubles: I feel it pounding in my chest even though I’ve only been sitting, and sometimes it beats irregularly. I am weak, tired, have shaky vision (a little) and I become disoriented when the dizziness hits. I’m a bit concerned since I’m only 17 and have never had any major health issues. Do you think this just an arrhythmia, or more? I don’t want to see a doctor, or take meds.
Speaking from experience. See a doctor IMMEDIATELY! Do NOT ignore your heart. 20 years ago I had somewhat similar symptoms, and I simply wrote it off as mere exhaustion from my long hours on the bowling lanes (200+ games a week). Within 2 weeks of the first symptoms I wound up in the emergency room suffering a full blown heart attack. Turned out I had blockages in 3 coronary arteries that had produced no symptoms until that time. You may not be as lucky. SEE A DOCTOR NOW!!!
I second the idea of drinking water (or gatoraid or poweraid) in case you’re dehydrated. Also try eating some potato chips, pickles or anything with lots of sodium. Actually don’t overdo the sodium since too rapid an increase can be more harmful than just being low. Also perhaps a banana for potassium.
If no improvement, call 911 - that’s what paramedics are for.
Why don’t you want to go to the doctor? Are you afraid it’s something serious? Or afraid it’s nothing and they will make you feel bad for “wasting their time”? I assure you they will be thrilled if it turns out to be nothing. I’ve been to the ER a few times-- it’s not so bad once you’re there. Less scary than thinking about it. Are you concerned about the expense?
The advice to call a nurse hotline is good if you absolutely refuse to go to the ER. Get some perspective. You could try one of those walk-in clinics, but they might send you to the ER anyway.
Are you eating enough and drinking enough water? What about your parents–are they around? Are you all alone?
Don’t just let it slide…for one thing, the worry will drive you nuts. Keep us posted. There are a lot of experienced old farts around here who love to give advice.
We prefer that real-life medical or legal questions be started in IMHO rather than General Questions. That way you can get opinions as well as facts. Moved.
Most people do not want to see doctors or take medication. It’s just preferable to becoming physically dysfunctional or dying from a treatable medical condition.
‘Does alcohol make you dizzy?’
‘Of course! But the name’s Daisy!’ rimshot
‘Never go to a doctor. He might find something wrong.’
OK, now that those are out of the way… Unless there is an apparent cause for your dizziness (I was dehydrated when I was working on a film in May and became dizzy – I remedied the situation by drinking about 2 litres of water), go see a doctor. The SO’s blood pressure got out of whack and she experienced dizziness and one of her legs would ‘fall asleep’. After seeing a doctor and adjusting her medication, it seems to be under control. If you have any of the illnesses others have mentioned, it’s not something you should try to remedy yourself.
Go see a doctor. If it’s nothing to worry about (e.g., you just need to remember to stay hydrated), then you’ll be relieved. If there is something wrong, he or she can initiate treatment; and the sooner the better.
Go see a doctor RIGHT NOW. You have no idea how serious this is. It could be nothing major, or it could be life threatening. Don’t take that chance. Your life is so much more precious than your pride, or whatever else is keeping you from seeing a doctor.
I agree with you , a doctor will not diagnosis a person over the phone so it would be risky to have us give any advice , there are a number of reasons a person can get dizzy .
A doctor will not diagnose over the phone, but one of those “NurseLine” people will give you sensible advice, and THAT person might be better able than us to convince the poster to go to the ER when s/he hears the details.
