Not good in the mornings

[MKB38]

I've not posted for a while, but I wondered if anyone feels weak, shaky and a bit sick first thing in the morning, and a bit disorientated at times. My history is that I had my Aortic Valve replaced 15 months ago (age 67). I had a fairly text book recovery and by the 12 months stage I was feeling pretty good. I'd still feel a bit shaky sometimes, e.g. after aqua aerobics or similar.

In April 2018 I was put on 5mg Amlopodine, as I had a spike in my blood pressure (that's all I take apart from the daily 75mg dispersable aspirin). All was well at 12 months, in fact I asked to be taken off the Amlopodine, which I was for about a fortnight. I noticed though that my BP was creeping up again, so I restarted it and have been taking it every day since.

However, since Christmas I haven't felt well and have had to stop my classes. It's very frustrating, as I was doing so well. I went to my GP last Monday and he discovered a build up of wax in one ear and thought that might be contributing. I had the wax removed yesterday, but I can't say there was any improvement in how I feel today. I do have some better days, but they are very much in the minority.

Does anyone have any thoughts? I will be back to the GP later in the week if things don't settle. For the record, my BP is often quite low, this morning it was 116/64, but I have been known to have a diastolic reading in the 50s.

[jimmyq]

"a bit sick first thing in the morning" - pregnant?

You BP may be causing this. You could discuss it with your doctor and/or call the BHF Heart Helpline on 0300 330 3311 (office hours) and talk to a cardiac nurse about it.

[MKB38 in reply to jimmyq]

Thanks Jimmyq. I'm unlikely to be pregnant at age 67!! Thanks for the reply though.

[bantam12 in reply to MKB38]

Have you had thyroid levels checked ?

[MKB38 in reply to bantam12]

Yes, at 12 months post op, along with kidney function and diabetes. Thanks

[Nathan53]

The other thing I was thinking of is ear related something like labyrinthitis an inflammation in the ear which can cause feeling off balance and nauseous - ask GP again if it could be ear related. Also these ear problems are often worse on sitting or standing after a period lying down as the fluid in the inner ear moves around then. Have you had a bp test at surgery when they check bp at rest while sitting then on standing as this can identify a no issue.

[MKB38 in reply to Nathan53]

Thanks Nathan. I think the Dr also has his suspicions that it is ear related. Funnily enough, he did ask me to stand up whilst taking my BP, but didn't explain why. I thought it was odd, so thank you for enlightening me.