Vaso-Vagal Discussion

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Vaso-vagal disorder v. seizure

From: KimG

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Wow! I was at a major madical center (huge in fact) with my mother-in-law and father -in-law yesterday. My poor mother-in-law has a serious health condition with her liver and was receiving surgery. Of course I was stressed. Directly after she returned to the room from surgery, I suffered what appeared to be a seizure. I lost consciousness, and convulsed. I have been suffering these "epsisodes" with varying frequency since 2000. Initially I was diagnosed with seizures, but all neurological tests ruled out epilepsy. I have probably had ten such faux epilespy episodes in the past 4 years. This scared me greatly. After about 2 years, the docs finally figured out that I suffered from hypoglycemia, which is now thankfully controlled from diet. Controlling my hypoglycemia has made migraines that plagsued me for 14 years disappear. Although I have witnessed "seziures", they have never been witnessed by medical personnel and could never be induced in a medical setting despite repeated tries by my various docs.

Well, yeasterday my MIL's nurse was actually in the room when I had the "seizure." Luckily, my FIL was able to hold me down so I wouldn't fall and hurt myself (I had just stood up) until a gurney could swiftly move me to the ER. After spending 7 hours in the ER having every test imaginable (except a tilt-table test), the docs preliminarily diagnosed me with a vaso-vagal episode and are sending me to a cardiologist next week. Apparently my EKG showed sinus tachycardia, and my CO2 levels and other bloodwork were fantastic, pointing the way to the diagnosis. I am only 32, but this diagnosis fills me with far more hope than "seziures" that couldn't be verified nor explained by the medical establishment and may be controlled my medication with minimal side effects. They tried me on seizure meds, but they really didn't help and the side effects were terrible. Has anyone else had a similar experience?


This web site is not a substitute for a thorough medical evaluation and diagnosis of your vaso-vagal type symptoms.  Medical treatment and diagnosis is the only acceptable initial response to these serious symptoms since they might present from any number of life threatening and treatable illnesses. It is for you and your physician to rule out more serious illnesses; Please don't use this online forum as an alternative to getting responsible medical attention and being under the care of a physician for the duration of any unknown, suspected or dangerous vaso-vagal syndrome symptoms.
Last changed: June 22, 2007