If you're a mystery buff, I have a good one for you! It is also very important that we solve this one. It has baffled learned men and women for several years. However, I have the utmost confidence in blogdom. I'm pretty sure there will be some very interesting theories and perhaps, even a super sleuth to solve it!!
It started about 4 years ago. My 67 year old husband called me from work, saying he felt terrible. He was dizzy, "sweating like a pig" (I've heard that pigs DON'T sweat, by the way. But I digress...), and he had intestinal issues".
I jumped in the car and by the time I arrived at his job, I was concerned enough to insist he go to the emergency room. Once there, they did all the tests that they felt were necessary based on his symptoms, and declared that they couldn't find anything out of order with his heart, brain, blood sugar, etc., and sent us home with "Might be some virus". Right. He continued to have these spells occasionally for months. His personal physician did more lab work, checked his ears and another CAT scan.
By chance we were discussing these "spells" in a group of friends, and a girlfriend mentioned that she had a relative who had the same symptoms. It turned out to be his blood pressure medicine, Lisinopril.
Ah Ha! Guess which blood pressure medication my husband was taking? Yep, Lisinopril! The doctor changed his medication...no more spells. All's right with the world.
Fast forward to the present. About 6 months ago, the spells came back. Same symptoms, same diagnosis. Changed BP meds again, but this time, spells continue. Grrrr! Doctor has again done all the tests done previously, and can't find anything. At this point, he is taking no BP meds and the spells continue. One change has occurred. The spells instead of lasting long hours and knocking him out for 2 days, are of much shorter duration and he is usually feeling well again after a few hours.
He has been to the doctor numerous times and has lost confidence that they can figure this out. I believe he isn't making enough noise! The last visit, his doctor said "at least your dizzy spells aren't life threatening".
IF HE DOESN'T KNOW THE CAUSE OF THE SPELLS, HOW CAN HE BE SURE OF THAT? Yes, I'm yelling!
So here are the facts & a few clues. Let's hear your theories. I'm willing to try anything....
- DH is now 72 years old, is generally very healthy, and is taking no meds except Zyrtec for allergies
- His symptoms are dizziness, profuse sweating and intestinal distress during the spell, followed by a time of feeling "really tired".
- He has had a couple of CAT scans, fasting blood work and blood chemistry labs
- Been to a ENT to check for inner ear problems. (He does have hearing loss and has hearing aids which he won't wear.)
- Eating when he first feels dizzy sometimes helps, sometimes doesn't.
- Soda, and an occasional beer is his hydration preference. He is now getting at least 4 glasses of water because I take it to him and say "drink".
- He is active. Works in his shop and on his tractors every day.
Because the spells have become less severe and shorter, and the fact that it has only been about a month since he quit taking the BP meds (doctor approved), maybe that's it. I don't think so. I believe there is something else going on.
I am putting you, the Family of Blogger Investigators, on the case!
Hopefully, Chris
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