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Suggest Treatment For Severe Dizziness And Headaches
Question: My husband has been dizzy, having headaches and a rapid heartbeat several times each week. Last Tuesday he became ill with what we believed to be a stomach virus. Our general dr tested him for flu which was negative. She then drew blood and orders a stool sample. But the tests came back negative for any type of parasite or other illness. Fast forward to currently and he still has raging dirrhea and his heartburn is worse than normal. Today he had breathing problems. I tried to get him to the ER but he refused. I need suggestions as to my next steps. Thank you!
Brief Answer:
Probable side effects from drugs listed; some tests about the heart
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to HCM. I understand your concern. Thank you for your question.
Well, the symptoms listed may have different causes. Dizziness, headaches and drowsiness all are well-known side-effects of diphenydramine and promethazine, which are taken as anti-allergic therapy, anti-vomiting therapy and may be included in some compounds to "fight" general malaise during flu or flu-like conditions. Withholding their use will probably resolve these symptoms. However, the fast heart rate, as you describe it, for several times a week, is a sign that "points" toward the heart as the problem of this particular sign. Also, dizziness may come from tachycardia itself, or from a cardiac cause that also causes tachycardia.
In this scenario, I would recommend a full cardiac check-up, based on the symptoms, his gender and his age (both independent risk factors for heart disease), so we can be more thorough in assessing them:
- an echo cardiogram - which helps assess heart chambers and valves by means of motility, structure and size
- an EKG - which evaluates the heart electrical and conduction systems during resting state
- a cardiac stress test - which helps us assess the upper mentioned systems, but during physical effort
Depending on these three tests, further tests and recommendations to treat may be suggested, such as a 24-hour Holter rhythm monitor to evaluate the heart activity spun throughout a day, and a coronary angiogram, if the stress test comes back positive and further evaluation of coronary arteries is recommended.
I hope I have been of help. If you have any follow-up questions, I would be happy to help.
Kind regards,
Dr. Meriton
Probable side effects from drugs listed; some tests about the heart
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to HCM. I understand your concern. Thank you for your question.
Well, the symptoms listed may have different causes. Dizziness, headaches and drowsiness all are well-known side-effects of diphenydramine and promethazine, which are taken as anti-allergic therapy, anti-vomiting therapy and may be included in some compounds to "fight" general malaise during flu or flu-like conditions. Withholding their use will probably resolve these symptoms. However, the fast heart rate, as you describe it, for several times a week, is a sign that "points" toward the heart as the problem of this particular sign. Also, dizziness may come from tachycardia itself, or from a cardiac cause that also causes tachycardia.
In this scenario, I would recommend a full cardiac check-up, based on the symptoms, his gender and his age (both independent risk factors for heart disease), so we can be more thorough in assessing them:
- an echo cardiogram - which helps assess heart chambers and valves by means of motility, structure and size
- an EKG - which evaluates the heart electrical and conduction systems during resting state
- a cardiac stress test - which helps us assess the upper mentioned systems, but during physical effort
Depending on these three tests, further tests and recommendations to treat may be suggested, such as a 24-hour Holter rhythm monitor to evaluate the heart activity spun throughout a day, and a coronary angiogram, if the stress test comes back positive and further evaluation of coronary arteries is recommended.
I hope I have been of help. If you have any follow-up questions, I would be happy to help.
Kind regards,
Dr. Meriton
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
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