Dizziness, blurred vision, severe headache.....(sorry, this is long)

A few days ago I had an episode in which I thought I was going to faint. I was just sitting down in an office, and suddenly I felt intense heat come over me, I became very dizzy and my vision blurred. I snapped out of it after a minute, but it was very scary.

Then all day I had the worst headache of my life.

I am currently 36 weeks pregnant.

For the past month or so I've been complaining at every MD visit that I just don't feel well...I'm exhausted, having tons of Braxton Hicks, and pelvic pain and pressure. I've also been complaining of not getting my breath.

Well, I called my OBs office, and they wanted me down right away....so they take my blood pressure and because it was low, they feel like nothing is wrong (I saw the nurse practitioner).
She chalked it up to being at the end of pregnancy, and possibly the baby's position (she said maybe it was sitting on a major blood vessel which caused the fainting symptoms).

Every other time I went to the MD and voiced my concerns, same thing.....just being pregnant.

I never had these issues with my DS, but I know every pregnancy is different.

So now I am doing some research, and I keep reading that if you have dizziness along with blurred vision and severe headache, to see your OB immediately, it could be severe anemia. I have been diagnosed with anemia many moths ago (as with a lot of other pregnant women).

I am now shocked that the Nurse practitioner didn't order additional bloodwork to see if my anemia has become more severe. I am really worried because I am having a c-section (blood loss), which I've read, can be dangerous for severely anemic women.

I am seeing my OB on Thursday, (also getting the fetal growth sono), I will bring this up to her. I just feel like every time I bring up a concern like this it gets dismissed with, "oh, you're just pregnant".

These are all "what ifs"...and I'm getting all worked up.

Thanks for letting me vent ladies!

Has anyone else had any similar symptoms/experiences?

Message edited 4/5/2008 12:19:19 PM.

Re: Dizziness, blurred vision, severe headache.....(sorry, this is long)

My first thought was anemia too. I would call back the office and ask for more of a work-up/to see the doctor about the anemia! They need to take you more seriously!

Re: Dizziness, blurred vision, severe headache.....(sorry, this is long)

wow. I hope everything is ok. I just wanted to send some

Re: Dizziness, blurred vision, severe headache.....(sorry, this is long)

I've had symptoms like this, pre-pregnancy. I was diagnosed with Vasa Vagal (a fainting disorder that is induced by stress). It simply means that stress causes my blood pressure to shoot WAY up and then shoot WAY down within minutes/seconds. Then, I get the dizzy,hot,loss of vision thing. Then, a headache for the rest of the day and I am usually very tired. I have only had 3 or 4 episodes in my life, but they are something to be mindful of.

I am, in no way, saying that you have this. I would tend to lean more in the direction of your anemia, but I wanted to share my experience with you as well. I would call the doctor and speak to a nurse. Maybe they can do the bloodwork before Thursday and read the results with you at your appointment.

If your gut is telling you that it is more than being "just pregnant" then I'd listen to your gut! It's usually right.

Re: Dizziness, blurred vision, severe headache.....(sorry, this is long)

Your symptoms sound just like what I had when I was PG. I ended up having toxemia. How is your blood pressure?

Re: Dizziness, blurred vision, severe headache.....(sorry, this is long)

I had some terrible dizzy spells at the end of my pregnancy - very scary!
I never called the doctor about them though, because they went away and I felt fine. I firgured it was the baby sitting on a nerve or something.
But you seem to have a lot more symptoms...I'd definitely mention it to your doctor...and make sure you're clear about how concerned you are. Don't let them dismiss you!

Re: Dizziness, blurred vision, severe headache.....(sorry, this is long)

I would ask for further testing. No need to have stress on top of not feeling well.



I had anemia and a c-section & they tapped me for a transfusion just in case in the delivery room. I ended up fine & they cancelled the order for the blood.

Message edited 4/5/2008 1:40:47 PM.

Re: Dizziness, blurred vision, severe headache.....(sorry, this is long)

Posted by 5ofClubs

Your symptoms sound just like what I had when I was PG. I ended up having toxemia. How is your blood pressure?

Re: Dizziness, blurred vision, severe headache.....(sorry, this is long)

hope everything will be ok.

Re: Dizziness, blurred vision, severe headache.....(sorry, this is long)

that is really frustrating. it will be very important for you to make your OB listen to you at your next appointment. is there someone who can go with you and help voice your concern?

Re: Dizziness, blurred vision, severe headache.....(sorry, this is long)

Message edited 4/5/2008 10:06:03 PM.

Re: Dizziness, blurred vision, severe headache.....(sorry, this is long)

When I read your post I had to comment. I had this happen to me. My DS was sitting in a breech position backwards and at 25 weeks he moved onto a nerve near my spinal column. It caused me to have optic nerve swelling. This in turn caused me to have headaches, double vision, bluryness, spots, halos, and a constant headache until I had my c-section. Once I delivered my DS the headache went away. I slowly got my perepheral vision back. I have some residual eye problems. I am 8 months pp and I have another appointment with the eye specialiast this month. Many hugs. I went to a nurologist who diagnosed me with pseudo tumor surebri as well. I would go to your general practicioner. They may send you to the neurologist and the eye specialist. Have your gp call the ob. He/she will take it more seriously if he hears it from another doctor. I am really sorry that you are going through this. It was very scary for me so I understand what you must be going through. ETA: I also had preeclampsia later on in my pregnancy.

Message edited 4/5/2008 9:40:15 PM.

Re: Dizziness, blurred vision, severe headache.....(sorry, this is long)

Message edited 4/5/2008 10:47:50 PM.