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From: Danielle
I'm 25 years old and I had my first "episode" about nine months ago. I was sitting at a restaurant with some friends and I started to feel really strange. I became drowsy, dizzy, nauseated (but no stomache cramps). I began to feel withdrawn from where I was. Then I began to break into a sweat and my friends said my complexion went completely pale. I had numb and tingly hands as well. I asked a friend to walk me to the restroom and on the way there she had to stand behind me and hold me up because I COULD NOT WALK. I fell into the wall, however did not go completely unconscious. The feeling eventually passed, yet left me very unsettled. Several people told me it might have been a panic attack, but I know it wasn't. Then, last week I had my second "episode." Again, I was sitting at a restaurant with friends. And once again, I felt this strange feeling coming on. Both times I started to feel strange (drowsy, tired, not wanting to talk) about 30 to 40 minutes before the spell hit, but had no idea what was happening until it started to happen. This time I didn't try to get up and walk and eventually it passed (this episode wasn't as severe and didn't last as long as the previous one). However, this episode was followed by a severe bout of diarreah a couple hours later. I'm not sure if that's even related to it. So I went to the doctor today and he thinks it might be Vaso-Vagal. I don't have any heart problems (that we're aware of, never been tested). But he thinks, for reasons unknown, I'm having a sudden drop in blood pressure, and that's what is causing these episodes. Though on a daily basis my blood pressure is normal. I found this site and it's so comforting to know that there are people out there that have experienced this too. It's embarressing to be sitting in a public place with your friends and have an UNEXPLAINED reaction like this out of no where. However, I'm still uncertain whether or not I have Vaso-Vagal. First off, I have never actually "fainted" like other people have stated. Second, both of my episodes have occured after I had been sitting not standing, in an air-conditioned environment, drinking plenty of water, calm, stress-free atmosphere. A little background about me: mild hypothyroid, migraine headaches, ruptured disk in lower back. Do you guys think I have Vaso-Vagal? Also, what's a Tilt Table Test? Any advice would be appreciated. I don't know what I'll do if these episodes get more frequent... they scare me enough as it is.