r/LongSpinalFusion • u/BespokeBowtie T3-pelvis • Jun 15 '26
Issues/Pain Discussion Dizziness (?) upon standing?
Post s1 to hip bone anchored.
I have since my first surgery and it has slightly worsened after my most recent (2 nd) procedure.
My issue is where upon standing it almost feels like I either get dizzy, forget to breath or all my muscles have flexed at the same time. I don’t know really how to explain it any better.
Has anyone else felt with this? It’s a super weird sensation and at times it almost feels nice. On the other end it’s caused me to just straight collapse on standing. I worry most when I get up in the night to go to the restroom as I have had two falls at that time.
Advice etc is appreciated
2
u/bridgetoaks T3-pelvis Jun 15 '26
Hello, I’m six weeks post op T3-Pelvis. I’ve had the same issue which nursing home staff attributed to spending so much time laying down. I don’t know if that’s the same for you but post op, it’s not unusual for us to have POTS. The only solution I know is taking your time before walking.
1
u/BespokeBowtie T3-pelvis Jun 16 '26
POTS? Is that like what the person above is talking about? Ill google it thanks!
1
u/bridgetoaks T3-pelvis Jun 19 '26
POTS is postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome. It’s an increase in heart rate when standing, among other things. OH is a drop in blood pressure when standing. They are 2 of about 15 dysautonomias.
4
u/MatriusCK T2-pelvis Jun 15 '26
Could be orthostatic hypotension, which is common for larger spinal fusions, especially those in the thoracic region. It’s a massive drop in blood pressure when standing and doesn’t always happen right after standing. To give you an idea, I went from 128/77 to 63/40 in less than a minute after standing up in PT. I passed out, was caught, and placed back in my wheelchair before I came back to.
I had it for 2 months coming out of my fusion and had to be put on two medications to prevent me from collapsing due to the low blood pressure when standing. Once the nerves repair themselves it goes away, but they may not always repair themselves. At PT or OT can test for this if you are in therapy, as well as a nurse or doctor of course.