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What Causes Intermittent Bouts Of Syncope, Right-sided Neck Pain And Occasional Headache?
Question: I have been experiencing intermittant bouts of near fainting experiences, some pain on the right side of my neck and occasional headaches. It sometimes ( but not always) happens after eating. I am a 56 year old male and personal trainer who works out doing both cardio and strenght training on a daily basis. I walk about 4-6 miles a day. My blood pressure at my last doctor visit six weeks ago was normal. I have average cholesterol numbers.
I'm a stress eater and indulge in occasional food binges and probably eat way too much salt. My grandparets and my father had either heart attacks or minor strokes in their 50' 60's . Today I was okay up until an hour ago .
I have been taking oral steroids ( dianabol) along with androgel. I know this might have an effect so I discontinued using the oral steroids last weekend.
This near fainting happened to me a few weeks ago and came back again over the weekend while I was at a restaurant, which is why I wonder if there is a connection to my stomach. I have had a history of stomach ulcers and take prescription omneprazole as well as over the counter pepcid on a regular basis. There is no blood in my stool, so this might not be valid.
I take a product called "Speed Stack" that is a stimulant pre workout drink and I also drink about 8 cups of coffee a day. I take fish oils and ecotrin aspirin, tumeric, valcyclovir and HIV meds truvada and tivicay daily. I sonetimes wonder if the speed stack might be one of the causes.
Over the past year I have gained abdominal fat from overeating at night. I had abs up until two years ago when I got into a 12 step program to support staying off of Xanax and speed ( I was a regular SUDAFED user for 25 years). I have been using food to deal with Anxiety and am trying to change that before I get too fat! I still take Melatonin and have a prescription for TRAZADONE that I take 100 MG each night. I have always been a poor sleeper
I have used NSAIDS intermittantly - I dont hesitate to take it at the first sign of pain from muscle soreness headaches or to help me sleep ( I do a mix of ibuprofin, ecotrin, excedrin) I almost went to the emergency room this morning, but walked it off and came home and rested. I have an appointment with my doctor tomorrow and they are probably going to refer me to a cardiologist for a workup, although I am not sure if that is really what needs to be done, I am just hoping I will be OK till tomorrow, I am really worried about a blockage or having a stroke or heart attack.
I'm a stress eater and indulge in occasional food binges and probably eat way too much salt. My grandparets and my father had either heart attacks or minor strokes in their 50' 60's . Today I was okay up until an hour ago .
I have been taking oral steroids ( dianabol) along with androgel. I know this might have an effect so I discontinued using the oral steroids last weekend.
This near fainting happened to me a few weeks ago and came back again over the weekend while I was at a restaurant, which is why I wonder if there is a connection to my stomach. I have had a history of stomach ulcers and take prescription omneprazole as well as over the counter pepcid on a regular basis. There is no blood in my stool, so this might not be valid.
I take a product called "Speed Stack" that is a stimulant pre workout drink and I also drink about 8 cups of coffee a day. I take fish oils and ecotrin aspirin, tumeric, valcyclovir and HIV meds truvada and tivicay daily. I sonetimes wonder if the speed stack might be one of the causes.
Over the past year I have gained abdominal fat from overeating at night. I had abs up until two years ago when I got into a 12 step program to support staying off of Xanax and speed ( I was a regular SUDAFED user for 25 years). I have been using food to deal with Anxiety and am trying to change that before I get too fat! I still take Melatonin and have a prescription for TRAZADONE that I take 100 MG each night. I have always been a poor sleeper
I have used NSAIDS intermittantly - I dont hesitate to take it at the first sign of pain from muscle soreness headaches or to help me sleep ( I do a mix of ibuprofin, ecotrin, excedrin) I almost went to the emergency room this morning, but walked it off and came home and rested. I have an appointment with my doctor tomorrow and they are probably going to refer me to a cardiologist for a workup, although I am not sure if that is really what needs to be done, I am just hoping I will be OK till tomorrow, I am really worried about a blockage or having a stroke or heart attack.
Brief Answer:
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
First let me say that a stroke is not likely based on only those manifestations. Usually there are other symptoms such as weakness or numbness of half of the body, speech problems, visual symptoms, trouble with balance and coordination etc. A heart attack is not likely either. So I think you can wait for your scheduled appointment.
It is true that your doctor might refer you to a cardiologist in order to check for causes such as heart arrhythmia. If that results negative imaging of your neck vessels to check for narrowing leading to reduced blood supply to the brain may be scheduled as well.
In addition some routine blood tests such as blood count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, c reactive protein, blood glucose, liver and kidney function, electrolytes and thyroid function should also be scheduled to screen for causes such as anemia, infections, and metabolic alterations.
As for the relation to eating that shouldn’t be related to the stomach itself, but it could be a case of postprandial hypotension, meaning hypotension after meals as blood is redistributed to your digestive system. There is no specific treatment, but some measures such as taking water before meals, smaller meals and fewer carbohydrates usually help.
I remain at your disposal for further questions.
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
First let me say that a stroke is not likely based on only those manifestations. Usually there are other symptoms such as weakness or numbness of half of the body, speech problems, visual symptoms, trouble with balance and coordination etc. A heart attack is not likely either. So I think you can wait for your scheduled appointment.
It is true that your doctor might refer you to a cardiologist in order to check for causes such as heart arrhythmia. If that results negative imaging of your neck vessels to check for narrowing leading to reduced blood supply to the brain may be scheduled as well.
In addition some routine blood tests such as blood count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, c reactive protein, blood glucose, liver and kidney function, electrolytes and thyroid function should also be scheduled to screen for causes such as anemia, infections, and metabolic alterations.
As for the relation to eating that shouldn’t be related to the stomach itself, but it could be a case of postprandial hypotension, meaning hypotension after meals as blood is redistributed to your digestive system. There is no specific treatment, but some measures such as taking water before meals, smaller meals and fewer carbohydrates usually help.
I remain at your disposal for further questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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