[ Home | Contents | Search | Post | Reply | Next | Previous | Up ]
From: Annette Roter
Date: 8/31/00
Time: 10:15:51 AM
Remote Name: 208.238.139.52
I was so happy to read your discussion. I have been diagnosed with Vaso Depresso or Vagel Syncope. Like you after numerous tests they finally perfomed the tilt table test on me. I was diagnosed and was given a serious of medication. This did not help, I then had a pace maker put in that helps with my heart rate. Now, I have symptoms and feel like you do. I have learned to lie down or to sit. The pace maker prevents me from passing out out but, I still have the symptoms. I am not sure which is worse. I went to Mayo Clinic a few weeks ago and they told me to increase my salt, drink lots of water, get off the meds, wear support hose and to do standing exercises which are suppose to increase my reflex muscles. I have a hard time with these exercises.
I agree like you, when the Dr. said increase salt I thought they were kidding, but aparently we need it. I do not enjoy salt and have a hard time getting salt into my body. I have learned to love water and drink quite a bit of it.
I wish there was some sort of support group for people like us. There does not seem to be much information out there on this topic and it can be frustrating. It is sometimes difficult to explain to your family members what is happening, especially when you are 33 and have a pacemaker. They just don't seem to understand.
I wish you the best of luck.
From: Retta Threet
I just spent two days in the hospital after my 3rd episode of blacking out. Unlike many of the posts I have read I have no idea that I am about to black out. Two of my episodes were from a standing position in which I fell flat onto my face. Both times causing a concussion. I come to, to find someone standing over me panicking because they have been unable to wake me for a minute. My Dr. told me to begin an exercise program and to drink 8-10 glasses of water to try to regulate my bowels (each time this has happened I have had severe stomach cramps and constipation.) Is there anything else I should be aware of. I am not find much on the internet regarding vasal vaga syncope.