What Causes Fluctuating BP Levels, Vasovagal Episodes, Chills And Weakness?

Posted on Fri, 25 Sep 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 25 Sep 2015 Answered on

Mon, 19 Oct 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi Doc. Backstory: I have been dealing with Silent Reflux for 2 months and have run into constipation, small and smelly stool, feeling of fullness and slow digestion since taking PPI's. I am now on day 3 of Zantac 150 2x day. I do also have a very mild case of Ulcerative Colits and have recently noticed some fresh blood and mucus in my stool.

Last week I suddenly felt very faint, like a vasovegal episode and have been getting that multiple times a day, with chills since then. Walk in clinic sent me for labs and stool test. Everything looks normal. (Parasite test not back yet). They were thinking i might havw an infection.

Today i thought of checking my blood pressure. (My BP history is 120/80 ish). I was surprised in a 3 hour window my bp bounced around from low 88/56 to high of 102/63. Average was about 91/65. I am assuming this is causing the chills and weakness and vasovagel episodes?

I need some advice on where to go from here. Any ideas on possible causes or tests i should seek?
Current meds: zantec 150mg & Mezavant 1.2gm

Answered by Dr. Ashwini Kolur (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
capsule omez 20 mg daily for week.

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for writing here.

More than 15% of individual will have slight blood in stool in six month, even a constipation can be responsible for it.

Instead of zantac I would have preferred capsule omez 20 mg take once daily before breakfast for week. Other than this I would not have prescribed you any other medication, would have waited for stool report than based on that I would have considered the drug.

About blood pressure, blood pressure changes is very common. And I wouldn't related the chills, weakness or the vasovagal syncope to those changes given that the highest BP reading noted was 120/80. I would suggest you to drink plenty of water and fruit juices. If those symptoms persist, I will suggest your physician to evaluate it further. The doctor might order a few blood tests, cardiac exam as well as EKG to understand the cause.

Hope this helps.
Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Ashwini Kolur (2 days later)

Hi. Thanks for the information.
I have been scheduled for a barium xray for further investigation for my stomach issues.

One of the symptoms, vasovagal, seems to be isolated to when i wake up. I think you are correct, that it is not blood preassure related as it is triggered the moment i open my eyes and before i even get out of bed. It is a very strange and frieghtening symptom. I feel unsteady, get cold hands and have a very strong malaise feeling. It subsides a little after i lay there for a bit and then some more once i am up for a bit. This is a very unnerving symptom.

I am seeking as much information as possible as i feel very ill and i am scheduled for a Mexico vacation in a week and i am worried about my health and being in a place where emergency medical,services are not very accessable should something happen.

Answered by Dr. Ashwini Kolur (15 hours later)

Brief Answer:
go through the tests as suggested earlier, raise the lower end of bed while you sleep

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Good to hear from you.

Hi through the tests, for further evaluation as suggested earlier. I would suggest you not get our of the bed immediately after getting up, wait for while. I would suggest you to slightly elevate the lower end of the bed. Drink plenty of fluids, though will be fine.

Hope this helps.
Take care

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D