[ Home | Contents | Search | Post | Reply | Next | Previous | Up ]
From: Nicola Whinham
Hi there, I have had blackout spells and near fainting, dissiness, sickness, lightheadedness and hot flushes for over four years now. I have had every test that you can imagine from a lumber puncture to ecgs to x-rays to try to discover where the problem lay, but nothing came up - until that was, I went on the tilt table, where, after sixteen minutes my blood pressure dropped dramatically and I was diagnosed vasovagel synocope. The consultant told me to help reduce attacks to drink plenty fluids but not with caffine in them, increase my salt intake (but only after consultation) exercise in bed before getting up out of bed etc etc. Medication can be given, although in younger people like myself they are reluctant to give it because the tablets artificially increase your blood pressure which can in itseld cause further problems. Hope this is of some use!