[RedDog]

Dizziness/Shortness of breath

by RedDog on Thu Mar 29, 2012 1:22 pm

I am day 16 of getting out of the hospital. Received my stem cells and am at home now. I have been having dizziness and shortness of breath. Has anyone had that after going home from the hospital? If so, what is causing it and should i be alarmed? My fear is if I tell my doctor he will put me back in the hospital.

Thank you

[Nipon Ginko]

Re: Dizziness/Shortness of breath

by Nipon Ginko on Fri Mar 30, 2012 4:01 pm

Hi I'm probably not going to be much help as I have never had a stem cell transplant but here goes anyway , about a year ago I was suffering from symptoms simular to yours , I would attempt to walk to the bath room and would get slightly dizzy and be out of breath and weak & have to take a break ( sometimes just standing if there was no place handy to sit) this was not continous but happened more often than not , I finally went in to my primary care Doctor and he ask a bunch of questions then took my blood pressure etc. he said my pressure was a little Low but what concerned him was my pulse was exteremly low , he check the medicine dosage I was taking for my HIGH Blood Presure ( 225 /100 unmedicated) & decided to lower the amount of blood pressure meds I was taking eliminating one drug altogether- I started taking the lower dosage I noticed I improved quite a bit - I was taking my own blood pressure & Pulse then sending it to my Doctor by e-mail it ( my Pulse) was still a little low & he adjusted it again I am now functioning more or less normally for a guy that has been hit twice with cancer (multiple myeloma & Prostrate). My thinking here is explore other avenues of possibilities for your shortness of breath etc. before you end up checking back into the hospital, I try to stay the hell out of Hospitals as I've seen friends of mine die in hospitals when the only thing wrong with them when they entered was a bad back ( Operation turned sour within 2 weeks) Any way good luck . N. G.

[Nancy Shamanna]

Re: Dizziness/Shortness of breath

by Nancy Shamanna on Fri Mar 30, 2012 10:20 pm

Hi Art, I hope your transplant went well and that you are starting to recover from that now. You have probably already done this, but I know you should call your medical people and describe your symptoms. They will want to check that out....if you are re-admitted, it would only be because it was necessary. In my experience, patients don't get admitted to hospital unless they need to be there. That did happen to me, and it was because I needed the help at that time...but it was only for a couple of days.

[Eric Hofacket]

Re: Dizziness/Shortness of breath

by Eric Hofacket on Mon Apr 16, 2012 5:39 pm

When I checked out of the hospital after my stem cell transplant last November, my daily exercise consisted of walking to the end of my street and back three times a day, that was about all I could do. I had lost about 50 lbs in the few months before and during the transplant process. I could not stoop to the ground and stand back up. I thought it would be a long time before I returned to my normal self again if ever. In the next few months I steadily regained my strength and energy. Two months after stem cell transplant I started lap swimming again and worked up to 2kyd to 3kyds three times a week pretty quickly. In February I was doing 25 mile bike rides and went skiing. It is amazing what a difference a few months makes after stem cell transplant. It can be hard to believe it will get better but it will, it just takes some time. I tried keeping a positive mental attitude and I did not want to fall into a handicap lifestyle. My handicap auto place card is expiring today I will not be renewing it, I do not need it any more.

[Marcia]

Re: Dizziness/Shortness of breath

by Marcia on Tue Apr 17, 2012 4:11 pm

My husband has had two stem cell transplants. He has not experienced shortness of breath but has had light-headedness or dizziness. His blood pressure was running low during the transplant process, and he was given medication to stabilize it or hold it up. Also, he was told to drink V-8 juice to help bring it up. Additionally, he drank Powerade Ion to help ensure his electrolytes were in check. If they are off, you may experience some dizziness as well. lots of water is also essential to stay hydrated. He is now taking maintenance drugs, and when coming off the Dex he will tend to be light-headed a bit. Drinking Powerade Ion and lots of water helps. He has not needed the blood pressure medication once he was over the stem cell transplant process. Powerade and water (lots of it) are every day things for him post transplant. These things may help you as well--they certainly won't hurt!