Hmm. I do get very loopy in the late afternoon and feel like I'm going to pass out, but not slurred voice. Would wonder about meds for that. Would you mind sending a list with dosages, times you dose, and alcohol consumption as well? You can do that through a message to me if this forum is too public. This may have nothing to do with alcohol and little to do with meds, could be just MCTD, but I'm rethinking some of my other meds as well, particularly the ativan. Seems to hit me harder than it did a few years ago.

I have had problems from my heart meds making my blood pressure drop out the bottom and feeling very faint. No slurred speech though. Hmmmm.
Mary Ann

Thanks you all! Cat, I will PM you soon.

Fondly,
Gab

I have been in a flare up since March, and was diagnosed in May. I keep wondering how long flare ups last? Since then I've gone through two cycles of extreme dizziness. I would come close to fainting every time I stood up from bending over or getting up from the ground. I'm not sure why, but during these episodes I had extremely low blood pressure. After a few weeks, the blood pressure and dizziness would normalize. I find myself searching for lost words all the time, especially in the evening, but haven't experienced the slurring yet. I hope you get some answers and feel better soon!

Have you checked up your blood pressure?
I have noticed in the past that when I had symptoms like that it was always connected to my hypertension. I then bought a blood pressure machine for myself to check my BP regularly (within reason...) and found, that whenever I had these symptoms, my BP went "sky-high" and I had to take instantly another BP-medication, take a rest until the medication "sinks into the system" and that was it...
Please speak to your doctor about it... he/she might agree that you should check-up you BP regularly yourself at home... or see him/her more often to have your BP checked-up in the surgery...
Good luck from Kristina.

Andazi, to my knowledge there are no rules how long a flare-up lasts... it can be hours and it can be months and in some cases it can take years... the point is that we get out of a flare-up eventually...
Please also have your BP checked-up... just to make sure...
Best wishes from Kristina.

I had quite a few episodes of dizziness and almost fainting. Needed to be rescued from the grocery store twice. I had to touch walls for balance when walking. I couldn't drive and pretty much lived on the couch for a month. My blood pressure was elevated at this time and I was told it was probably from the pain I was in. This was all before my diagnosis so I wasn't on any of the meds. I don't have that extreme dizziness anymore, but I do feel a light headed feeling a lot when turning my head and standing. Never had the slurred speech though.

Paula

Yes, searching for words more than slurred speech. Apparently, my blood pressure was "sky high" (my HR advisor insisted on calling the ER). I want back to the doctor today and it is lower but it is still high. It is making me dizzy and anxious.

I take blood pressure medicine and have a cardiologist. I have a blood pressure machine at home, but it needs new batteries. Lame - I'll get some.

Cat, I do want to get that list of meds to you soon.