Dizziness, Numbness, Paling skin. HELP!

[Halle112]

Hi! I am a 18 year old girl, and I have experienced these same symptoms twice at work, where I am a cashier. First I would just feel uncomfortable and kinda warm and then I would feel dizzy. Then I would feel even more light-headed and dizzy and would feel as though I would faint if I didn't sit down. This all felt not painful, but extremely unpleasant. Then my arms and legs would go numb and feel weird, kinda like pins and needles but not quite. I would have to breathe in and out heavily to reduce the discomfort a bit. The second episode of this lasted longer than the first so I am a little scared that it might be getting serious. This definitely interferes with work since I am out of commission for more than half an hour. My co-workers keep asking if I ate that day, and truthfully, I did. The first day I had eaten a big lunch with rice and vegetables and fish. The second day, I had eaten a cheese sandwich and orange juice for breakfast. Therefore, low blood sugar is clearly not the cause, despite what my co-workers might think. Anyways, the general "feeling" of the whole thing is really horrible, and I really hate it. Any suggestions?

[raallen]

you're welcome. glad to be able to help someone out.

[Halle112]

Thank you so much for your ideas momoftwo74. I'll try taking a vitamin supplement, and see if that helps, and I'll ask my doctor about the things you mentioned. Appreciate your help :)

[Halle112]

Thank you so much!!! :)....I'll make sure to ask the doctor about the possibilities that you mentioned. Appreciate your help :)

[raallen]

you could be anemic.  during all this does your heart beat faster? when i was really anemic my head hurt often, i was short of breath, dizzy, light headed, felt really weak. it started off not that bad, but as i got more and more anemic it got much worse to the point where i could barely move.  when i would start to sweep the floor ( a very easy task especially for a 21 yr old) i quickly felt like i'd been working out and i had to rest. i felt like if i didn't sit down i might pass out. i had to sit down and try to catch my breath.  i was extremely pale.  it got so bad i couldn't get dressed without having to sit down and be out of breath.  it was a huge task to do any little thing like that.  i didn't have any energy at all. and my heart raced. my pulse was always between 100 and 109 just when i was resting, and when i would move or do anything it would shoot up to  120 ! just standing up made it do this. it races like that when your blood pressure drops. a normal pulse should be below 90. the reason i let it get so bad before i went to the doctor to see what was wrong is because i convinced my self i was being a hypochondriac.  i read that sometimes if you stand up too fast it causes a sudden drop in blood pressure and makes you feel really dizzy, so i went on that even though i knew deep down that i wasn't standing up too fast. plus sometimes it happened even while i was just standing there. as Halle112 mentioned above, it could also be an anxiety attack. don't assume  it is that though and then don't get help. my boyfriend was telling me when i was having anemia problems and didn't know it, that i shouldn't worry too much because it was probably just an anxiety attack like he'd had before. you need to go to the doctor about this. sorry to ramble and hope this helps.

[momoftwo74]

These symptoms could also be caused by anemia (low iron). Other problems could be a blood pressure drop and dehydration. Make sure you are drinking enough fluid (try gatorade instead of just water). You might try taking a multivitamin with Iron.  You may be having aniexty issues. Panic/anxiety attacks can cause all these symptoms, too. Aniexty and panic attacks are not always triggered by stress. You can be feeling fine and happy one minute, then all of a sudden you feel uncomfortable, dizzy, lightheaded, hot or flushed. The breathing in and out heavily can cause pins and needles, dizziness because you are getting too much oxygen (hyperventilating). It wouldn't hurt to see your doctor. A simple blood test can rule out a vitamin deficiency, dehydration, or thyroid problem. If I had to guess, i would say that its probably something easy to treat. Hope you feel better.
MM