xxxNeurally Mediated Hypotension

Many people with fibromyalgia report fainting spells and dizziness.  Work pioneered by pediatric cardiologist, Dr. Peter Rowe, at Johns Hopkins University demonstrated that many fibromyalgia patients who complain of these symptoms have lower than normal blood pressure, especially in a standing position,  a condition better known as neurally mediated hypotension.  A simple tilt-table test is administered to diagnosis this abnormality. During the test the patient is strapped to a table and turned 70 degrees so that the legs are close to the floor but do not touch it. Doctors have found that some FM patients have a dysfunction in regulation of this systems and their blood pressure drops dramatically during this test causing improper blood flow to the brain. Feelings of fatigue and other fibromyalgia symptoms can be caused by this condition.  If an FM patient knows she/he has low blood pressure and/or dizziness and fainting spells are common, neurally mediated hypotension could be the instigator of some symptoms thought to be fibromyalgia. Medications such as atenolol and Florinef can be safely administered and an increase in salt intake can help raise blood pressure.  Talk to your physician regarding a tilt table test and/or the listed medications if you think you have neurally mediated hypotension.