Hi

I am now two months post double STA-MCA surgeries. I have dizzy spells on a regular basis - every couple of days and always while sitting down (go figure !).
(Have been told not to drive until at least June  :-/).

I did not have any dizzy spells prior to surgery.

Has anyone else had similar ? Did it pass, and if so, what sort of timeframe ?
(returning to work 1st Feb, and worried).

Helene

Hi Helene -

No, I didn't experience dizzy spells.  But you say you are two months post op?  The anesthesia can take a while to get out of your system.  Are you taking it easy during the day?  Not getting yourself too tired?

If you are very concerned my suggestion is to contact your surgeon.  It's important to let him know of your concerns.  Just my  [smiley=twocents.gif].

-Shari

Helene,

One thing you might check is your blood pressure.  I can't remember if that could be a sign of your blood pressure being too high or too low.  It's worth a shot to see where it's at anyway.  

Michelle

Hi Helene,

I had dizzy spells before surgery and now after surgery. I get it if I start to stand up real fast. Of course, I just had surgery on my right side and that was in July of 2005. I cannot drive till I have surgery on my left side because of my dizzy spells. hopefully, they will go away. The doctor said that mine is because my blood flow is srarting to get better day by day.

hope this helps,
yassi

Mandy has been having dizzy spells and she is three years post op. We went out to stanford two weeks ago and got an angio and other tests and they where fine. Teresa said it could be low blood pressure or vertigo and of course theres always the hydration thing. Her pressure is fine I bought a blood pressure machine and she had a dizzy spell the other day and her pressure was fine and it has been. My own personal feeling is its not vertigo because that takes you down off your feet most of the time and Mandy can still walk, when she lays down it goes away but hey I'm no doctor. I don't know what else to do aside of maybe taking her to a ent doctor. She has been staying hydrated too. I wish someone would find a solution for all of us.
                                Nancy

Hello,
I've also had surgery on my left side July 2005. Went to see my Neurologist for appointment last month and told him about some dizziness I have on and off. It started a few months ago. Standing, sitting, walking there is no specific to it. Sometimes only for minutes other times alot longer. I had MRI/MRA last week will get results this week to see if it's change in the brain. He also sent me to ENT to see if it could be inner ear problems did some testing should also , get those results this week.                     Lena

Hi,
I experience dizzy spells but not like my head is spinning more like my eyes doing crazy things..it is difficult to explain but I did mention it to my neurologist and he seems to think it is all the new circulation and my brain trying to adjust???  It is just adding to the frustration I am having because I already feel like I can not remember ANYTHING!!! :-[  I am not sure about the blood pressure thing because mine seems to be running low but I guess not low enough to be to overly concerned?  And I keep myself well hydrated so if you get an answer from a doctor please keep us informed  :)
Take Care,
Kathleen

Kath41,
            You have to keep in mind normal pressure for someone your age and normal pressure for someone your age or any age with grafts should have a bit of a higher pressure than normal to keep a good blood supply through those grafts, if you have grafts. Just F.Y.I.
                                  Nancy

Thanks Nancy
I know I am suppose to be a little higher than normal, I had the grafts on both sides, but my blood pressure is running about 106/60 , high blood pressure runs in my family.  My mom, dad, sister and two brothers all have to take medicine for high blood pressure so mine is running lower than before I had the surgery done.  The neurologist does not seem to concerned though :-/
Kath41

Kath41,

I know when my blood pressure drops below 110/70 I get more dizzy spells.  Normally mine is running 120's/75 or 80.  I'm on blood pressure meds to keep it lower because of heart problems but have to make sure it doesn't go too low for blood flow into my brain.  


Patch,

After my surgeries (double sta-mca), I needed to lie down for usually a 1/2 hour almost every day for around 6 months after with either dizzy spells or what I called "blips", momentary mini brown outs.  They went away within the year.  Now (after 8 1/2 years post op) my dizzyness is caused by blood pressure changes or standing up too fast.

 I never went back to work but I know I had many fears about going back (my job was 35 miles away on the interstate & I was scared of driving with a left footed accelerator plus my job as a counselor was affected by my aphasia).  As well as your doctor, maybe talking to a counselor or someone at your job would help alleviate your fears.  Are you worried that  you're not ready to go back to work?  Is it possible to get a longer leave?   Good luck with  whatever you find out!!  ~deb

Hi Helene,
I have experienced dizzy spells on and off since I had my surgery in 2001, but I know that my blood pressure is on the low side. Mine always has been, and last time I saw my neurologist, he did an MRI/MRA which came back normal and did an inner ear scan, which also didn't pick anything up. He did prescribe something for it, but I don't think I ever got the prescription filled and can't remember what it was!!

I think the problem that you are having is just your brain adjusting to the flow and will settle down in time. As long as there is no cause, there is no need to worry - I would personally prefer to have low blood pressure than high.
Big bummer not being able to drive though.
With some people it is a long process towards recovery - we are all different - so it is more important for you to take it easy and work on getting yourself better for your son, rather than worry about whether you can go back to work on the 1st Feb. You will find that when you are ready you will know you are and recovery will then accelerate. You have come through the hardest part of it and that is over and done with and you came through with flying colours, and you have a minor setback which you just have to get through now. We are all here for you Helene, YOU CAN DO THIS!!
Best
Moira

I also get dizzy spells, but only when im sitting for a while and then stand up right away. I have actually collapsed from getting up so fast from a long car ride, I also have normal blood pressure. I asked my neurosurgeon about this and he said it was normal, I dont exactly get his explanation but it was something along the lines about MM patients not having normal circulation or something like that but if your really worried about it of course the best thing to do would be to ask your doctor as well.

Thank you all - as usual, the support and information from all on this site blows me away !

Helene

Hello,
            Talked to the ENT Dr today. My results are back.
I have a injury to the right side nerve that goes into the brain from the ear the Dr. said. It doesn't have to do with the canal he said. The nerve itself entering the brain. He said "It could be from a bleed around it"  or vascular problems, My surgery was on Left side. He said it was interesting, sending me to another Dr. who specializes in this stuff, to do more testing to find out if it has to do with the MM,and what the cause of it is. I called my neurologist to get their take on it. He did say That definatley its causing the dizziness.         Lena

Wow Lena.  Your results were interesting.  I didn't post earlier, but I have been following this thread waiting to see your results.  I too have been recently experiencing dizzy spells.  Boy, they are scary!  :o  I went to see my neuro today, and I have to have an MRI/MRA Perfusion Study in a couple of weeks.  My recent CT/CTA Perfusion Study stated that:

"CT PERFUSION CONFIRMS DIMINISHED PERFUSION OF THE RIGHT HEMISPHERE COMPARED TO THE LEFT ESPECIALLY THE PARIETAL LOBE."

My local neuro said that it just means that my right side (where I had my surgery) doesn't have as good a blood flow as my left... I had a double bypass and an indirect last May.  By the time I had my emergency surgery, I was faaaaaaar gone...  Anyway, blood tests also show that my body is resisting aspirin therapy; therefore he is looking to change my medications.  However, he is going to wait until my MRI/MRA results come back.

What do you do when you have your dizzy spells?  I'm just scared to drive!  Yikes!  :o  I had thought I was dehydrated, so I drank plenty of water....

Please let us know what the specialist says.  I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers.  Take care, Lena.

Aloha,
Shan

i get some spells which i call moyamoya moments... not quite symptoms but the dizzy/lightheaded/i'm-going-to-fall-over moments.....
i reckon they're often caused by:
- hot hot weather!
- dehydration
- being "upside down"
- forgetting to take my plavix for a few days (man that knocks you around!)

basically to me it just feels like lack of oxygen/blood to the brain.... if you describe exactly how that feels..... had them before surgery and after surgery (most swelling and lack of balance i think) and now that the next surgery is coming up they're back (dunno if it's just in my head or the whole forgeting plavis business...)

Hi Shan,
 You know I wasn't worried about it to much in the beginning thinking it was needing to be more hydrated.
But, then I started to realize, I'm drinking plenty of fluids a day, I'm getting my rest, I'm not pushing my limits, Hey, I think somethings up. I'm glad I got it checked. As for the dizziness, that in itself has its own power. It comes and goes in a day, or can skip a day. Last a few minutes to hours. I haven't been driving due to some symtoms. Only to the store 5 mins away and back.I'm hoping to get more answers soon. How long is this going to last? What caused the injury? Does it heal on it's own? Can't wait for my appt on 2/17
                                           MM Friend Lena

Shan,
 forgot to anwer your question. I just try to chill out when the dizziness happens. If I'm out I will hang on to my husband,or who ever is with me. because sometimes it feels like I'll fall over. If standing I sit. If sitting I'll lay down. I just try to adjust to the situation. I keep telling myself it gets better.... I know it will
  Emily and Shan and to my fellow dizzy MM friends it does get better ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) Right :) :) :)
                                      MM friend Lena

Hi Lena,
Yes I can definately vouch for that - it DOES get better.
Have you had your blood pressure checked as low blood pressure can cause those symptoms, as in my case. I have normal to low blood pressure because I excercise a lot. I have had this checked out by my neurosurgeon several times and he is happy that my bypasses are working and that the blood is getting through, and that is the main thing. I have every faith that you will get to the bottom of your problem and then you too, will see that it does get better
Best wishes
Moira

I just don't get it this dizzy crap. Mandy didn't have dizzy spells before surgery never had them for almost 2 years after surgery, then it was once in a blue moon, now its way more often....she had an mri, mra, spec scan twice and an angio everything is fine but yet the dizzy spells increase. Yesterday she said everything was sideways again when she was dizzy on a slant.  All she ate so far at that point was a piece of super chocolate cake.....I wonder if its a sugar problem...has anyone with dizzy spells had they're sugar checked by any chance. I'll be curious to see any replies.
                                  Nancy [smiley=huh.gif]

I haven't had a proper dizzy spell since mid December. I say proper because recently, I haven't actually seen the room spinning. The thing is, I've had all the other symptoms that went with seeing the room spinning - the strange feeling in my head and body, feeling very tired and feeling sick. Before, when I saw the room spinning, I would close my eyes to try and trick my brain into thinking I wasn't dizzy - it didn't work - I still felt all the rest of it and the rest of it is what I'm getting now. This might sound a bit silly but when I get this, I don't want to open my eyes because I don't want to confirm to myself that I am having dizzy spells again.

That aside, I was interested to read about Lena's results with the ENT specialist and the possibility of a bleed around the nerve. After my second lot of surgery, I had a subdural haematoma, but surely, if this was related (in my case), then I would have been going dizzy years ago - much closer to when I had that surgery done? That said, my local ear specialist ruled out my ears. Sorry to ramble on, just voicing my thoughts out loud.

Hoping our dizzy spells disappear :)

Roz  

Nancy,

I thought the same thing...is my sugar level contributing or causing my dizziness? (especially because I am diabetic?)  Therefore, when I had a dizzy spell, I quickly took my blood sugar test with my One Touch Ultra (needle prick) and my sugar level was normal.

I also closely monitor my blood pressure at home, and it is absolutely normal (usually 120/80 - 135/87), so I don't believe it's my pressure.

Funny thing is..just like Mandy, my recent test seemed normal.  My CT/CTA Perfusion Study confirmed "diminished perfusion" on my right side, but I think they already knew that since my surgery was on my right side.  Other than that, there was no changes.  :-/  I totally feel your frustration about not knowing what is causing the dizzy spells!  [smiley=huh.gif]

I have an MRI/MRA Perfusion Study on the 13th of this month, so even though I'm praying that everything is normal, I'm wondering what the heck is going on!

You know, I did have a hematoma after my surgery...but I believe the CT/CTA PS showed that it is slowly decreasing.  I do still feel some tightness around my right eye when I squint my right eye, so I guess it could be my nerves.  That would make some sort of sense.
(I also had an indirect along with my double bypass..)

Hmmmm..... [smiley=huh.gif] Oh well... Thanks to all of you for sharing your experiences!  It truly helps to know I'm not alone.  These dizzy spells are sometimes very frightning!

Take care,
Shan

:DI had my surgery's in 1999 & 2000 and I have been getting Dizzy spells that Are unbelieveable---- :'(It's like inside my head feels like I am gonna Fall over & faint at the same time and I have to stop and close my eyes and hold my head to make this feeling inside my head go away :o This started about a year ago, I was at an indoor water park and I Had to Stop and lean against the wall and hold my head to keep from passing out and some people that worked there wanted to help me back to my room, That was SOoooo Scary but it passed after I laid down for awhile. Now it is starting to do it again, My last angiogram was in Nov. of 2003 and I had narrowed conciderably in Both my frontal lobes....I had an MRI-MRA last Nov. 15, 2005 and I am eith completly blocked or very slow blood flow, This is Scarey,,,,,,,,,,,, ANYONE else have this kind of problem ??????????????