Hi,

My husband, Jim, had the same problem after he was treated for tongue base scc (T3N2cM0) in September 2000. His internist said the condition is called "orthostatic hypotension," which is just doctor-speak meaning a drop in blood pressure when you stand up. He said it was caused by radiation damage to baroreceptors in his neck.

The way I understand it, the baroreceptors are supposed to sense the change in posture when you rise from a sitting or lying position and trigger a temporary rise in blood pressure to send more blood to you head.

The doctor prescribed Proamatine (midodrine) three times a day. That was very effective, but it tends to keep the blood pressure somewhat elevated at all times, and it was pretty expensive and no generic version available.

Last year, a Mayo Clinic study found that pyridostigmine, a drug commonly used to treat myasthenia gravis, was an effective treatment, with practically no side effects. Jim has been taking pyridostigmine for several months now, and it has controlled the dizziness and his blood pressure is normal.

Barb