Re: V-V observations

From: John E
Date: 11/26/99
Time: 8:14:11 AM
Remote Name: 168.191.117.10

Comments

John L,

Thanks for your reply. Responding to three points you raised:

I have two reasons to suspect that sunlight may have been a factor for me: (1) I dine out often without incident, but this time was unique in that I sat next to a full-length window through which the afternoon sun warmed me significantly, and (2) I may be wrong, but doesn't heat dilate capillaries in your skin, which would further reduce blood pressure?

You suggest that diarrhea is the result, not cause, of V-V. Hmm. Our discussion of sunlight aside, it was my perception that abdominal distress CAUSED my incident. Also, you and several others have said they suffer V-V during or following a bowel movement. Doesn't that also suggest that abdominal distress is the cause, and not the result, of V-V?

You mentioned you're physically fit, as am I. I suspect this can work against us, as we may have lower blood pressure than most people to begin with. I don't claim to know anything about this subject, but am groping to learn.

John E

Re: My experiences with the Vasa Vagal Attacks.

From:

Comments

I'm 24 and had a pacemaker implanted in April 2002, since then my reflex anoxic seisures have been controlled. I now just get the extreme sickness and thudding heartbeat and some loss of vision. Previously a seisure could make me unwell for up to a week. I have only recently been diagnosed as Vasa Vagal and have suffered from seisures since I was two. They used to come on whenever I stood up to quickly, over exerted myself or had a shock. I would start to lose my vision and get the buzzing noise, then I'd just have enough time to get on the floor. Over the years I have terrified my friends and family with the sesiures as they look quite scary but am glad to say to a large extent, thanks to my pacer they are behind me.

Loss of consciousness - I had a loss of consciousness four months ago while walking home one evening. I don't remember the last 50yds of the journey and when I came to on the ground, my head was quite knocked about (loose teeth, cuts, grazes, black eye and lots of heavy bruising). Interestingly, neither of my hands was injured, which suggests to me that I was out cold before I collapsed as I had obviously made no attempt to steady or protect myself. I have been having some investigations carried out by the local hospital, but any of you that know the UK will know how slowly these things progress here. I have had several ECGs (normal examination when I was taken to the hospital on the evening of the feint, another using a 24hr monitor and another done while I was on a treadmill). Apparently there were a few abnormalities but not of any significance. I am still waiting for the results of an EEG. My own doctor told me about a year ago that I had "the heart of a young man" after checking my blood pressure and pulse rate. The BP is usually about 110 over 70-80 and my resting pusle is in the range 60-80. However, I am 50, I take no regular exercise and am stuck at a desk in my job. Not what I would call fit. I think this loss of consciousness may be associated with a strange feeling I have been getting since about a week before it happened, the feeling is of dizzyness or lightheadedness, a bit like you might get sometimes with the 'flu or a viral infection. A week prior to the incident I had this for three days and I have had it several times since. I find it hard to describe. If anyone recognises any of this I'd be grateful for a message. My doctor has suggested that I don't drive or return to work until all the results are in and he has a better idea of what's going on

From: Bill J

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.

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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

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Vaso-Vagal Discussion