Near syncope

[Nola Bradley]

Hi, I am a 21 yo FEMALE in fair health. I am slightly overweight and I suffer from severe panic disorder & also have peripheral neuropathy (currently still being fully diagnosed by my PCP)...For a few weeks I have drastically changed my diet, NO caffeine, tons of water, no more fatty foods, & a really really healthy diet...looking to lose 20 pounds by new years...
ANyways...at about the same time i started dieting, i also started working at WAl mart at a cashier where I basically stand in one position for 9 hours a day. Ive noticed that about one hour or so into my working, I will be overcome with a strong feeling of wanting to faint, confusion, sensitivity to sound, and very lightheaded.
It has happened every day since I started working their & it keeps me rather paranoid...so much so that on my way to work I will have a panic attack just thinking that I might get those feelings while working.
Is this because of my sudden change in diet or is it something else? The feeling is usally relieved in about 10 minutes IF i sit down...however it will lurk throughout the day as long as I am standing up.
Please help me understand whats wrong with me...within the last 6 months Ive had blood work, everything fine, CT scan of head is normal, EKG normal, chest xray normal...normal to slightly low blood pressure, elevated heart rate, resting is usally 80bpm...
IS there anything I can do to alleviate these symptoms while at worK? Im still new there & Im scared Im going to get fired cuz I keep getting these attack everyday & ask my manager if i can go sit down...Please help....NOla

[Victorious One]

You should focus on the spiritual aspects of your problems.  Help can be found there.

[Bakrabbi]

You should talk to your doctor about it and ask for more tests.  There can be many causes of near syncope, from anemia to heart failure.  It could even be from hypothyroidism, which also affects your weight.  Chances are it isn't anything serious, but the only way to tell for sure is to have a complete check up, including blood work. Good luck and God bless you!  Bakrabbi

[caregiver222]

Within the legs are muscles that contract around the blood vessels to force the blood upwards when you stand. Diabetic neuropathy often causes these compensatory mechanism to fail, dilating the blood vessels in the legs, causing a drop in blood pressure after standing a while, and the symptoms you are experiencing. The fact the symptoms are relieved when youlie down is consistent with this explanation. At your age the condition is probably reversable with good diabetic control, loss of weight and exercise. There are special stocking to wear that help. You really need to look for a job where you aren't on your feet.

[justathought911]

It could simply be that you are locking your knees. I know this is 4 years too late, but it's a possability, especially if you haven't been accustomed to standing for such long periods in the past.

[Dr Vinod]

Just check if you are still having the pain, the venous drainage in your legs, it should work as you have valves. With stockings and exercise and other sruff adviced for you I think you might be ok by now and keep us informed. Take care!