[ Home | Contents | Search | Post | Reply | Next | Previous | Up ]
From: Karen - 35
I have been passing out for years, and when I was a child, the doctor told my mother that it was to get attention. He could never find anything wrong, and I was beginning to think everyone thought I was crazy. I always feel the same thing before, my heart starts beating faster and faster, and then I have a difficult time catching my breath, and then I pass out. I usually wake up with a crowd around and an ambulance "on the way". People usually tell me that they couldn't find a pulse right after I pass out. When I get to the emergency room, my heart rate is fine, my blood pressure is fine, and I just feel nauseous and tired. Finally a tilt table test confirmed that I have vasal-vagal syndrome with tachycardia. An EP (electrophysiology) study re-confirmed that I am not crazy. It hits usually after I have been standing for a long period of time, am overheated or dehydrated. When I lived in South America, in the heat, I was passing out 4-5 times a day! Beta-blockers have done the trick for me. My cardiologist tried hyocyamine, but I couldn't tolerate the side effects. Drinking lots of water and keeping cool helps lots too. Not getting startled or too upset helps also. I don't stand for long periods of time, and I add salt to my food. Good luck to you all!