Weird symptom after eating breakfast

greeneyed_bride · January 2012

Ok, this has been going on for over a month now, and it's really getting on my nerves. For some reason, after I eat breakfast (not every day, but most days) I feel kind of dizzy and light headed, and my heart beats faster. It lasts for about an hour. The first few times it happened, I thought it was because I hadn't eaten enough protein, but eating a higher protein breakfast doesn't seem to help.

I've talked to both my OB and my husband (he's an ER doctor) about it, and neither of them is sure what's going on. I passed my gestational diabetes test with flying colors, so it's not that. I'm not drinking coffee or anything else caffeinated, and I'm definitely getting enough fluids.

It's really annoying because A - I feel crappy, and B - I can't plan any appointments or anything in the morning, because I don't feel safe driving while I feel like this.

Has anyone else experienced or heard of this? Any ideas or suggestions?

kris_kelsey · January 2012

I have had this exact same issue since 15 weeks. And even as an OB nurse I have no idea what the issue is. My doc has no explanation. One bumpie suggested that when you have breakfast you jump start your metabolism (breaking your fast) and when your intestines start going it takes more blood flow and hence the faster heartbeat. For me it usually starts 0-20minutes after breakfast and then lasts an hour. Luckily, I work at night so I just don't do anything but hang out on the couch until it is gone. I feel like it is worse if I am mildly dehydrated so I try to drink water round the clock even if it means I get up a few times at night to pee.

So, no perfect answer for you but wanted to let you know you aren't alone.

MarnieMS · January 2012

This happens to me a lot after eating to big of a meal. Last about an hour for me, and sometimes I get nauseous with it and vomit. As soon as I vomit it goes away. I never asked the dr about because I figured it was just another pregnancy thing.

PhysChic7685 · January 2012

I have had the same problem for about the past month. I try to stay away from anything warm (since it makes me feel overheated) and drink ice cold water, which seems to help.

MrsA71208 · January 2012

This just happened to me this AM. I was sooo close to passing out actually, only reason I didn't was because I made it to the bed in time. So odd.

greeneyed_bride · January 2012

Well, at least I'm not alone! So weird. I wonder why this happens!

fish000 · January 2012

What are you eating for breakfast? I have had this too but not usually after breakfast, more so after lunch. I put it down to eating something with high sugar. I also passed my Glucose test.

pinksweetpea2 · January 2012

This has been happening to me for the past couple of months. I talked it out with my MW and we just think it is because my blood sugar is low from not eating anything over night.

I just make sure to eat a protein packed breakfast and then eat another snack (also with protein) with in an hour or so.

DragonflyBelle · January 2012

This happened to me a good bit during my last pregnancy and I attributed it to low blood pressure and my blood sugar rising from the food. It was especially bad when I at a sugary snack of some kind.

Sascha3 · January 2012

This exact same thing happened to me the last half of my pregnancy!

I could never get an answer as to why it was happening. It was definitely worse when I only ate cereal. If I ate some protein it wasn't as severe but it would still happen. I felt like I couldn't breathe and my heart would race and I would be dizzy. A few times I almost passed out.

I also passed my glucose test and had no other health issues. Sorry my answer is of no help, but it must be another wonderful pregnancy symptom.

zubenescamali · January 2012

it's called post prandial hypotension. and it's "relatively" normal in pregnancy due to the physiologic changes in our bodies.

kris_kelsey · January 2012

zubenescamali:
it's called post prandial hypotension. and it's "relatively" normal in pregnancy due to the physiologic changes in our bodies.

Low blood pressure after eating (postprandial hypotension). Postprandial hypotension is a sudden drop in blood pressure after eating. It affects mostly older adults.

Just as gravity pulls blood to your feet when you stand, a large amount of blood flows to your digestive tract after you eat. Ordinarily, your body counteracts this by increasing your heart rate and constricting certain blood vessels to help maintain normal blood pressure. But in some people these mechanisms fail, leading to dizziness, faintness and falls. Postprandial hypotension is more likely to affect people with high blood pressure or autonomic nervous system disorders such as Parkinson's disease. Lowering the dose of blood pressure drugs and eating small, low-carbohydrate meals may help reduce symptoms.

Thank for putting a name to it!

kris_kelsey · January 2012

kris_kelsey:
zubenescamali:
it's called post prandial hypotension. and it's "relatively" normal in pregnancy due to the physiologic changes in our bodies.

Low blood pressure after eating (postprandial hypotension). Postprandial hypotension is a sudden drop in blood pressure after eating. It affects mostly older adults.

Just as gravity pulls blood to your feet when you stand, a large amount of blood flows to your digestive tract after you eat. Ordinarily, your body counteracts this by increasing your heart rate and constricting certain blood vessels to help maintain normal blood pressure. But in some people these mechanisms fail, leading to dizziness, faintness and falls. Postprandial hypotension is more likely to affect people with high blood pressure or autonomic nervous system disorders such as Parkinson's disease. Lowering the dose of blood pressure drugs and eating small, low-carbohydrate meals may help reduce symptoms.

Thank for putting a name to it!

That was from mayoclinic.com

gothgrrl · January 2012

I've been having a similar response at most meals for several weeks, and I passed my GTT. I have a thyroid condition, too. I mentioned it to my OB...we are pretty much guessing about what it is...no firm hypotheses. I just try to stay hydrated and take my time when I eat...otherwise, I just sit as comfortably as possible til it passes. Wish we all had a good answer about the cause - the good thing is it's a temporary condition.

fredpuma · January 2012

You might be getting blood sugar crashes, too. Your placenta is releasing hormones that cause insulin resistance, so your pancreas has been producing extra insulin to counteract that. It's possible that after not eating all night long, your pancreas gets over excited at breakfast and produces even more insulin than you need, dropping your sugar level too far. You might want to eat two tiny breakfasts about half an hour from each other and see if that helps.

caitlindenise · January 2012

I had the same problem a few times. Usually happened when I ate a sugary breakfast. Sometimes it happens when I eat things that aren't sugary. I think it has to do with not eating during the night. I would try eating extremely slowly.

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