Vaso-Vagal Discussion

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Been dealing with this since a child - hereditary in my case

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From: Paul

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Hi, Thought I'd share my story here.. not sure if anyone is still active on this forum, seems like there hasn't been a new post in a while. I'm 29 and have mild vasovagal syncope, triggered pretty much exclusively by blood, pain, or seeing or thinking about the above too much. First occurance was when I was 3, from bad blisters in my snow boots. My father has the same condition (although, through most of my life has been much more limited than mine) but was never diagnosed specifically, but it's definitely the same. The extent of my diagnosis, 26 years ago, was just an EEG to determine that I wasn't epileptic (I've have a brief 2 second convulsion usually before I come to again). It's definitely gotten better and worst over the years. I had a particularly good patch from about age 15 or so through maybe 22 or 23. Good for me meaning a few episodes a year (whether or not I actually fainted each time is sort of irrelevant, I have plenty of warning signs and can often get my head down to prevent it). In the last 6 or so years, it's ramped up again unfortunately. Gotten interested in the latest research on it again lately because we are having our first kid in a few weeks. First, I'm concerned because I know it is hereditary for me. I've never read anything about it being specifically genetic or if it's dominant or recessive and what the probability of passing it on is. Second, I'm bound to have any number of episodes between the start of labor and walking out of the hospital! I've found that the "squeezing my ankles" trick some times helps a little bit for me, if the warning signs haven't gotten too bad yet - so I got a pair of compression socks to try to have that condition continuously. I'm also going to stay very hydrated. Finally, I'm going to load up on a ton of salt as soon as labor starts to temporarily spike my blood pressure for a bit. Wish me luck, and if anyone has other tricks they know - please let me know! As for looking into what the latest research is - I've been totally disappointed. Seems like most experts in syncope are cardiologists, who study cardiac-related syncope and presumably are not experts in vasovagal effects. There really isn't a lot more information, that I can find, than what I was told 26 years ago!


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: January 12, 2012