my input, for what it's worth

From: Jess
Date: 8/24/99
Time: 1:18:05 PM
Remote Name: 209.117.97.85

Comments

I'm having "one of those days". I haven't passed out but I've been feeling like I should always look around for things to avoid falling on all day. The funny thing is that it's been about two years (maybe more) since I've felt like this! I guess that compelled me to do a little Internet Search. What a great resource this site is! Well, I'll give youmy history, to keep the study going...

My first episode was while waiting in a restaurant line for breakfast while on vacation with my family -- I was 11 or 12, I think. The second that I remember was over two years later, was while pricking my finger to do a blood test in Biology class (sanitary??). The third (four or five months later)was volunteering at my high school blood drive. I wasn't even giving blood! The fourth, a year later, was at a staff meeting at my part time job at a clothing store. Then I got the tilt table test and was diagnosed with vaso vagal syncope. The sixth, in the dorm shower in college two years later. That might be the last one... Before each episode, I get slightly nauseous, lose all color in my face, break out into a cold sweat, and then I "red out" -- not black out. Everything slowly turns red until I pass out. I'm only out for a matter of seconds, and usually come-to on the floor.

So here I am today considering taking a cab home from work instead of the T, because I almost passed out on it this morning... I wish I knew if there was a specific set of circumstances that brings this on (besides the sight of blood).

Anyway, there you have it. Glad I could be a part of the discussion.

-- Jess

Re: Lots to ponder

From:

Comments

And here was I thinking I was the only weirdo in the world?????. I am 29 and have fainted since age 7. They stopped at 14 and continued earlier this year. The trigger is anything medical really, generally discussions about blood and guts. However if I am saying it , it is not a problem. Strange? Mainly happened at school , in class. Any way - long story short, I passed out earlier this year, it had not happened for 15 yrs or so but all symtoms were exactly the same. However as I came out of the faint I was in the middle of a seizure. I was sat in my car seat, the windows had steamed up, my feet were pressing hard down on the pedals and I had no control over my limbs. I had bit my tongue, severley hurt my back, which six months later is still painful, I could see my mobile phone but could not get my hand to press any numbers. I thought I was on the way out. Firstly went down the Epilepsy route. This drew a blank after 2 months. Then a Vaso Vagal condition was suggested. Now when your condition is sparked by anything medical, it is a bit difficult to get through a consultation. Any way- I had the tilt table test two weeks ago. I didn't think it would work, however as soon as I had got to 70 degrees I passed out after the usual symptoms of blurring vision with loss of colour, gradual loss of or echoed hearing , hot sweats, the usual. I came to and felt surprisingly good having dreamed. I had another seizure while unconscious and my heart had stopped. For around 20 minutes afterwards my normal heart rhythm could not be restored.

Any way - Pacemaker is the way forward apparently. If any one has any advice with regard to pacemakers / drugs for these conditions It would be good to know. I cannot see that the pacemaker will stop the symptoms, only that it will stop my heart from stopping? Has anyone tried Hypnosis for a similar condition? I have been diagnosed as having Neurally mediated syncope. I know reading other peoples experiences on this site has helped me loads!

[../../_private/Vaso-Vagal1_aftr.htm]

On Sabbatical!

When my office lease expired at the end of 2004, I decided to turn it into a "sabbatical" from my private practice. Many years ago, in my grandfather's 89th year of life, he told me, "John, it is important to smell the roses while you can still smell them." His life gave living a very good reputation. It is also true that the pursuit of that philosophy required my grandfather to to re-open his assay office/ore market in Wickenburg, Arizona as a 75-year-old because he had run a little short of retirement money. Thus, if blessed with his luck and health, I'll be back.. --jjh

On Sabbatical

Vaso-Vagal Discussion