vertigo

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everyminute
everyminute Member Posts: 1,805
edited March 2016 in Stage III Breast Cancer

Had a hysterectomy (laproscopic) a month ago and right after surgery  I started having vertigo when I am tired - it has happened before, during chemo a couple of times (especially on really bad days) and after my mast. and before bc when I was over tired and driving late at night. I do have very low blood pressure (I always get "starry" when I stand up) and am somewhat anemic.  Of course I am petrified that it is brain mets.

Mentioned it to the radiaiton oncologist yesterday who got all nervous looking - asked about headaches, nausea, falling - none of which I have.  (well, I instantly got a headache as soon as he asked but that is just crazy)  Oddly enough, I have had migranes all my life and except for one after coming off steroids too quickly during my first A/C treatment I havent had one since!

I have read that hormones - lack there of - can cause not only hot flashes but vertigo and dizziness.  Can't that just be it?  Or could it be that I am more tired than I have ever been before but continue to work and exercise and be a mom and a wife and trying my very hardest to pretend this isnt so bad?

My poor body has been through so much in such a short period of time - lumpectomy, bilat, chemo, hysterectomy, breast exchange and now radiation (and I have to have two teeth pulled today so I can do zometa) sigh.  I have already turned down after treatment scans because I am afraid to find out or have more uncertainty (had small liver and kidney spots on pre chemo ct scan) 

My brother in law recently passed from a brain tumor and I just cant get it out of my head (no pun intended). 

Crap sandwich (thanks Bobbie's husband) that's what it is! I hate cancer.

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  • dazedandconfused
    dazedandconfused Member Posts: 44
    edited January 2009

        I had terrible bouts of dizziness and vertigo. First when I was going through chemo and then again years later. I did alot of reading on it and read that as you say hormones or lack of can cause that, It went away and knock on wood hasn't come back. My sister who also had breast cancer also went through a terrible bout with vertigo and she is fine. I hope this helps a bit.

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  • everyminute
    everyminute Member Posts: 1,805
    edited January 2009

    It does help!  Thank you.  I really dont think it is anything - I feel fine otherwise (not to mention that so many people who are diagnosed with mets have no symptoms anyway - arggh) but this darn bc thing makes you over think everything!

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  • EWB
    EWB Member Posts: 2,927
    edited January 2009

    everyminute-  I have been feeling dizzy/lightheaded/something for a while- it seems to be reaction to some of the meds.  I also notice it if I do not have enough liquids.

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  • kimf
    kimf Member Posts: 334
    edited January 2009

    I had vertigo after tx and ended up at the hospital. It was so bad I was vomiting etc., so I definitely was thinking brain mets. Anyway, long story short, it was not mets. They found nothing on the scan. My Onc told me to up my fluid intake by double to make sure I wasn't dehydrated. It helped tremendously. But I still occasionally get a little dizzy spell and go right to the med closet and take an "anti-vert" pill. They work wonders!

     Sorry to hear about your brother in law. Cancer sucks. We all hate this disease.

    Best of luck

    Kim

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  • prayrv
    prayrv Member Posts: 941
    edited January 2009

    everyminute,

    I saw the subject and had to put my 2 cents in.  I never had vertigo until I had bc.  I believe as you said lack of hormones caused it.  Mine didn't start until after I started taking Tamoxifen.  I only had it for a month or so, but I had mentioned it to my onc and she didn't seem worried.  Saying prayers for you.

    Hugs,

    Trish

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  • everyminute
    everyminute Member Posts: 1,805
    edited January 2009

    Hmmm.  I always forget to drink - I probably drink 15-20 oz max a day (including coffee) . I will up it and see if that helps!

    Thanks

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  • Sig
    Sig Member Posts: 138
    edited January 2009

    everyminute, I too had (and still do once in a awhile) vertigo following my chemo treatment and all of my surgeries (mastectomy, hysterectomy and my recently reconstruction) for at least a couple of  weeks. The nurse at the hospital was constantly taking my blood pressure as it was extremely low and I still have a very low blood pressure but not as low as post surgeries. I was even passing out for a couple of seconds, so my husband had to follow me everywhere I was going in the house for the first few weeks, it happened a few times that my husband caught me, otherwise I would fall on the ground.  Reason I was given was low blood pressure and hydratation, however I am drinking 2 liters of water a day plus veggy juice, so to me I think I am drinking quite a lot but my doc told me to drink even more.

     Sig

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  • apple
    apple Member Posts: 7,799
    edited January 2009

    you know, I've always had wondrously low blood pressure.. During chemo it was maybe 100 over 60..  (and often lower and i would often get dizzy.

    as a former athlete, i've relied on molasses (straight) for super bursts of energy.  It contains tons of iron as well as great concentrations of other minerals and worked really well for me during my chemo.  The iron carries oxygen and your blood works better to put it simply.  As I mentioned in another thread, I know that many think that sugar fuels cancer cells and there is still plenty of carbs/sugar in the molasses.

    I read alot about anemia and chemotherapy

    http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/results/ESA0408

     i just love it.  It was the only way I was able to donate blood inthe past.  a week of molasses, otherwise my iron levels were too low.

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  • everyminute
    everyminute Member Posts: 1,805
    edited January 2009

    Last time I had my bp checked at onc it was 88/55  - It has always been low but through chemo and surgeries it has even dropped as low as 74/50 - no wonder I am dizzy!

    I had my wisdom teeth pulled yesterday but drank a 33 oz water bottle - I went to bed pretty early but didnt have the vertigo (had a big ol headache though !)  Gonna try drinking and see if that helps (water that is) 

    Thank you all! 

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  • StarWish624
    StarWish624 Member Posts: 101
    edited March 2009

    I, also have been having bouts of Vertigo. I mentioned it to my Onc., and he must have thought - brain mets, because he scheduled me for a head CT scan. I the meantime, I found this topic. What a surprise! I printed out this topic, and showed it to him. He told me that he didn't know so many women were having this problem. He cancelled the CT scan.

    I was wondering, could the hot flashes be contributing to the dehydration? I always seem to be low on my water, and I try to drink lots. Can hot flashes dry you out, and cause vertigo?

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  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited March 2009

    I am in the middle of Chemo still, and my blood pressure is really low - and I always get dizzy standing up too fast, I always have. also I think low White count can make you dizzy.

    My MIL has some sort of vertigo connected (I think) with menopause, so  it could be that too.

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  • radiant
    radiant Member Posts: 464
    edited March 2009

    Hi everyminute:

    Don't have any experience with this SE - just wanted to say I'm sorry you've been experiencing so many medical needs, after finishing tx.  I know how great this will feel once you can put constant medical needs behind you!

    ((((Hugs)))))

    Kim

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  • everyminute
    everyminute Member Posts: 1,805
    edited March 2009

    Thanks Kim - fortunately this passed.  I rarely get dizzy anymore.  Little my little I am wading through the issues, side effects and remnants of chemo.  Most days I feel pretty good - about every 3rd day I find myself very tired but it passes.

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  • Dejaboo
    Dejaboo Member Posts: 2,916
    edited March 2009

    Glad to hear the Vertigo has passed everyminute.

    I had Terrible vertigo starting about 6 weeks before I was DX with BC.   So bad I could often not walk.  Even sitting & laying & my world was off kilter.

    It started to subside alot by the time I was DX.  By then I was just dizzy.

    Never figured out why.

    Pam

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  • debisongbird
    debisongbird Member Posts: 275
    edited March 2009

    Hi everyminute, First of all, you have really been through the mill, as they say. What a strong woman you are. I am also sorry about your brother in law. That is hard, but it is not you! I sometimes get dizzy, too. Right now I am going through rads. I thought my dizziness was from headcold or the meds I take, etc... I noticed I get headaches too. But those started with radiation. Although, they tell me radiation doesn't cause headaches, maybe it makes you more dehydrated. Would explain dizziness, too. More water! I saw you said that you were having your teeth fixed before you take Zometa. Is there a reason for that? I need to see a dentist, but am afraid that I might get an infection, etc...from low Blood counts, etc...so was going to put it off until after rads. However, a recent bone density test showed I have arthritis in my hip, etc..so I will probably be getting zometa. That's why I am curious why you said you needed to see the dentist before your zometa. Is there a reason for that??? Are you going to be taking a hormonal pill? I am getting aromasin. Hang in there. You can get through this. - Debi
    Dx 2008, 4cm, Stage IIIc, 10/22 nodes

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  • everyminute
    everyminute Member Posts: 1,805
    edited March 2009

    Thanks Deb - Vertigo did seem to pass.  I rarely get it anymore.

    Zometa does carry a risk of osteocronosis of the Jaw so it is best to have any invasive dental work done PRIOR to starting Zometa.  Once you start it does stay in your body for quite a long time.

    I am taking tamox. now - doc wants to keep checking my hormone levels even though I have had a hysterectomy.  I am also having the tamox. metabolozing test to see how well the tamox is working for me.  If I am a great metabolizer then I will probably stay on it for a bit longer before going to Femara.

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  • IllinoisNancy
    IllinoisNancy Member Posts: 722
    edited March 2009

    I had daily vertigo before my dx and it hasn't returned since I've had treatment.  I often wonder if the cancer caused it. I'm glad I'm not the only one who experienced it. 

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  • lppardue
    lppardue Member Posts: 7
    edited February 2012

    I'm 7 1/2 years out from treatment and woke up last night to go to the bathroom - vertigo. I first got it during chemo and was given compazine for it. But I've been surprised that I've had bouts since finishing treatment. They aren't that often but each time I think "brain mets" and freak out. Can't remember when I had it last, probably more than a year ago.

    It usually passes within a day. Didn't think about blood pressure, but mine is usually around 100/60, so maybe that has something to do with it.  I've been told that drinking OJ is helpful, so I do that.  I wonder if it came on because my blood pressure dropped too low during the night.  Wish I knew what was causing it - but afraid to know what's causing it.  Know what I mean? Scares the crap out of me.

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  • Lynn45
    Lynn45 Member Posts: 3
    edited March 2016

    i suspect I have breast cancer and I have been suffering from severe dizziness for a month. Vertigo pills are NOT working. I just had a mammogram yest and tech hurt my left brease even more Ive had a light brownish soft crusting on nipple for about 6 months and finally got in for mammo but Im really scared as this dizziness is severe. Is this related to breast cancer? I have panic and anx attacks and have got myself in quite a state I am a very youthful 70 but have been very sluggish for a few months...please help if you can thanks..Lynn

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