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Vaso-Vagal Discussion

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V-V observations

From: John E
Date: 11/21/99
Time: 10:05:06 AM
Remote Name: 168.191.118.27

Comments

I'm glad I found this site on a subject I'd never heard of until two days ago. Accompanied by friends, I had enjoyed an unusually large midday meal in a restaurant. When finished, we continued to sit and chat, during which time I started to feel abdominal cramping which at first I chose to ignore. When we finally got up to leave, I intended to stop at the men's room, but never made it. I found myself lying on the floor looking up at my startled friends. Fortunately I was able to get up and walk to the men's room where I relieved my diarrhea before the ambulance arrived. In the hospital I was given lots of tests, after which they decided I'd had a V-V incident. I'm 59, physically fit, walk 30 minutes a day, and if anything, my BP is on the low side. In hindsight I now realize I've had one other V-V incident in my life, about 8 years ago. As nothing was prescibed or suggested to me, I'm left to wonder why this happened and how I can avoid a recurrence. I experienced these possible causes which were also noted by other writers in this discussion: (1) large midday meal, (2) warmed by sun coming through a window, and (3) diarrhea. I'm thinking it may help to avoid the first two, and relieve diarrhea as quickly as possible. Any comments? BTW, I recognize I'm very lucky compared to some folks who've posted notes here. I hope you soon find the relief you're looking for.

EBV

From: lovingaide

Comments

I have read many comments on constant fatigue and being light headed. I have had EBV for a year now and it never seems to get better. All the Drs. i've seen always say the same thing:eat right and sleep often. I wonder if they would say the same if all they could do was sleep. If showering required a 3 hour nap afterwards. Or they are found lying on the side of the road. If anyone knows something new please post. I'm pregnant now and so happy but scared of how me and the baby will be

vaso-vagal reflex

From: I. Falls, MN

Comments

I have recently been told by 2 doctors that I to suffer from vaso-vagal reflex syncope. The first time (March 20, 2002) I fainted I choked on coffee, stood up to cough harder and passed out, fell and slammed my head into the floor. I was out for approx. 15 sec. was bleeding from my nose and taken to hospital by ambulance where CT scan was done of my head and it was normal. I did have a HUGE swollen area on my head, but I was ok. Then on March 29 while coughing due to a bad cold I stood from my recliner and instantly passed out and slammed into 2 wooden steps between the family room and the great room. I suffered a deep gash to my chin requiring 4 deep stitches and 4 outside stitches and cracked ribs. I have been seen by 2 ER doctors and an MD at the local clinic, none of whom have referred me to a specialist when I asked stating instead to train myself to sit down whenever I begin to cough. Well, my wife and I figured that out almost immediately. I understand the vaso-vagal reflex but what has caused this to occur NOW in my life. What else can I do to prevent these episodes from recurring and prevent further injuy to myself?


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

 


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

Copyright 1998-2007  John J. Herr, Ph.D.                                   Please send comments to jjherr@clinicalpsychologist.com