Passing out after meals.

[JCRy]

It is becoming more common for Ian to pass out when he has the main meal of the day. Over the last several years it has happened in 4 restaurants, with ambulances called out three times. However, this is now happening at home every other day. Usually I manage to get him to the bed before he loses consciousness.

He always eats slowly and sips water. It may be a drop in blood pressure, as this apparently can happen with diabetics, but the increased episodes are becoming a bit of a concern, and when I get to taking a BP reading it is usually close to normal. We are fortunate to live in a place where siestas are routine, but not usually while you are at a table!

Ian's balance is deteriorating and he has a number of dizzy spells a day. Just wondering about others experiences.

Thanks.

[Satt2015]

Well now that is weird!

In 2011 this happened to my dad and was the start of him being unwell

We were told it was vasovagal syncope

He would be out in a restaurant, eat, pass out, be sick, come round with no recollection! Ambulances called on numerous occasions.

It was a drop in BP and also getting too hot

My dad also used to complain of feeling dizzy

Last time it happened was when dad sat by the garden door, sun streaming in, boom, gone again, sick and ambulance called, never since have we sat him in the sun

Sorry I can’t be of more help x

[JCRy in reply to Satt2015]

It's a help just knowing it isn't just us! Running out of places to eat in the area! I think every time we book up, they must tremble!

Guess we just have to adjust.

No probs.xx

[Satt2015 in reply to JCRy]

Adjust is definitely the word where Psp is concerned 😫 x

[Kevin_1]

Hi Juliette

I havn't come across this with PSP... general tiredness yes, but passing out, no.

Is it passing out or falling asleep?

I expect you know a lot more about diabetes than I. However I came across this:

diabetes.co.uk/tiredness-an...

Do you have a blood sugar testing kit?

If high blood sugar is causing it then Ian might want to avoid too much food of high glycaemic value

gisymbol.com/what-about-gly...

Sorry this is the best I could do.

Maybe someone else here will be able to say more.

Waiving hello to you both.

Warmly

Kevin

[JCRy in reply to Kevin_1]

Thanks Kevin.

It isn't his sugar level. His diabetes has been stable for years.

We are fairly sure it is his BP, but it is happening so regularly now. It seems to plummet after eating, then recovers very quickly, but he always is desperately tired afterwards, and sleeps for a couple of hours.

It's a shame, because he is now quite anxious about eating out, something we have enjoyed in Spain as it is so inexpensive.

We now have our main meal at lunchtime, so maybe the reaction is more noticeable as he isn't sitting in his armchair.

I was just wondering.

Many thanks for all your comments and research.

Chat soon.x

[aliciamq in reply to Kevin_1]

My huz seems to fall asleep Hard!!! He can be in the middle of eating cookies in his chair with glass of milk in his hand and just zonk out. Of course we all know where the milk goes. Half the cookie is usually a pile of crumbs on his chest☺️He has fallen asleep at the table, too.

[JCRy in reply to aliciamq]

Ian's face drains of blood, so I always get a bit of warning and I am getting used to the signs....white around the lips, dizzy, very hot and sweaty, speech goes and he's away! He is always very tired afterwards, though. Not surprising, bless him.

Sorry about the spilt milk - but there's no use crying about it!😉

We press on.

Juliet x

[Hidden]

Google said this:

I think that your problem could have been caused by a few different possible problems. First, it is possible that you were a bit dehydrated at the time. If you were a bit dehydrated, the act of eating (which causes a lot of blood vessels in the body to dilate) could have lowered your blood pressure slightly and cause you to feel lightheaded. Another possible cause of your problem is something we call postprandial hypoglycemia. This is a condition where your blood sugar suddenly drops after eat instead of increase like it is supposed to causing you to feel faint. This can occur in a couple of different situations. First, if you have diabetes and take insulin before meals, these symptoms could be a sign of something called diabetic gastroparesis. This is when your stomach does not allow the food to get into your small intestine so the sugar that you eat doesn't get absorbed. This causes your blood sugars to drop. Another syndrome called dumping syndrome can occur for a variety or reasons including a history of gastrointestinal surgeries.

I suggest that you schedule an appointment with your primary care physician to discuss these issues. If your doctor thinks that gastroparesis or dumping syndrome, then you may warrant referral to see a gastroenterologist.

[JCRy in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Jeff.

This has been so useful and given me several things to follow up. I appreciate the time you have taken to research and reply.

Always our slight problem here is the language! Our GP speaks a little English but we live in a very rural part of Spain and services and information is very meagre. At least I have some medical terms to throw at him to respond to, though I have mentioned the issue before and he just shrugged his shoulders, in a very nice but helpless way! Hence my question here.

Thank you, again.x

[Hidden in reply to JCRy]

I ask google everything. It took about 15 seconds to get that answer. Sometime I think google is psychic.

Not a surprise the GP doesn’t know. A lot of neurologist would be clueless as well. The gastroenterologist looks like the way to go to maybe get an answer. They may be clueless as well.

[enjoysalud in reply to Hidden]

I support your suggestion on Google. I too use it for many many questions. The challenge is framing the question or topic correctly. Sometimes it takes me a few tries.

[aliciamq in reply to Hidden]

Holey Cow!!!!

[patch33]

Hi, hubby has type 2 diabetes and was taking metformine 3 times a day plus 2 diamicron in a morning but with all the weight he has lost due to PSP he is now only on one diamicron and stopped the metformine as it was causing problems with his BP. He is due a blood test so will see how it's doing soon. He also falls asleep very often as soon as he has eaten but doesn't pass out.

Hope you get this sorted soon.

Bon courage !

Dawn

[JCRy in reply to patch33]

Thanks Dawn. That's really helpful...and comforting.

Something else to consider. He's not had a blood test for a while. I check his sugar level very occasionally, but it is always perfect. Ian's on 2 x 850 mg a day at present. Maybe it could be reduced....

Will chat to Juan, our G P.

X