Hi
Welcome to the AMD forum!
There are many causes of dizziness, lightheadedness, passing out, blackouts etc. It is difficult to comment
without examination. I am just enumerating the possible causes. You can discuss this with your doctor (PCP)
and get yourself examined.
Dizziness could be due to postural hypotension (blood pressure falling with change of position), internal ear
problems and cervical spondylitis or compression of cervical spinal nerves. All these cause dizziness when you
get up from lying down position or when you change position that results in a change in the level of your
head. Cervical spondylitis and ear problems also cause dizziness on changing the position of the neck.
Since you had a brain surgery and also have a kidney problem where potassium is not absorbed, you need to
check with both the doctors. It could be a problem with your blood pressure because of these conditions.
However the possibility of this being due to other causes too cannot be ruled out. Other causes are anemia,
GERD, hypoglycemia or low sugar and some endocrine problems. Endocrine problems, such as an underactive
thyroid (called hypothyroidism), overactive thyroid (called hyperthyroidism), adrenal insufficiency (called
Addison's disease), low blood sugar levels, and in some cases, diabetes, may lead to hypotension and
hence lightheadedness and an off balance feeling.
First consult your PCP and get your blood pressure checked and preliminary tests run to rule out the above
conditions including serum electrolyte levels and kidney function tests. Then, if there is a need, depending
on the clinical estimate made by the PCP, set up the appointment with the kidney specialist, or the
neurosurgeon.
It is difficult to give you a confirmed diagnosis on net. However the above conditions need to be eliminated
one by one. Feel free to get in touch if you have any other queries. Take care!
