Orthostatic Hypotension and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
When i first started to feel really sick, i noticed that whenever i stood up, i would almost faint. This still happens to some degree, but is much better now. I was seeing a doctor at UC Irvine Medical Center and he suggested i do a tilt table test. This is a test where the doctor has you lay on a table. The table is then tilted at about a 45 degree angle (maybe steeper) and if you have orthostatic hypotension, will will become light headed. They then inject you with increaseing doses of adrenline. In a person that has ortostatic hypotension this causes a quick drop in blood pressure (the opposite effect of what it should have) and you faint. For me personally, I had a quick blood pressure drop and fainted after the first injection. The Doctor perscribed atenolol, a beta-blocker which is often used to treat high blood pressure. In a person that has O.H., this drug keep the blood pressure from having rapid drops. So, did this drug help any of my chronic fatigue symptoms? Kind of. It made my fainting problem better, but i thought that i might effect other chronic fatigue symptoms like, fatigue or concentration. It only helped the fainting problem. Also i did some reading and here are things that can cause orostatic hypotension:
- Low Blood Volume - can be caused by certain perscription drugs
- Certain Perscription drugs that can impair autonomic reflexes
- Histamine-causes low blood pressure and vasodialation (also causes allergy symptoms)
- Adrenal Hormone Deficiency
- Low salt intake
