Vaso-Vagal Discussion

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vomiting while unconscious part of my experience

From: Lynn w/ neurocardiogenic syncope
Date: 9/1/00
Time: 2:30:30 PM
Remote Name: 12.72.198.153

Comments

I am 54 years old, and my firs attack happened after I had a pinched nerve type of back problem that was very painful. I could barely walk on my own, therefore my husband was helping me walk and sit down on the toilet. I remember saying "I don't feel too good" and passed out. He said my eyes rolled back in my head and I was white. After about 15 seconds I came to, and then repeated the same thing, only this time I threw up while I was unconscious. I went back to bed, felt better in a couple days, and more or less forgot about it, though I did tell the doctor about it next time I went in. A year and a half passed and I was getting out of a booth in a restaurant and my foot felt like it was asleep, and when I stepped on it I fell. I thought I was ok, and when I went to get up I found that my foot was really hurt from twising it, and I felt faint. Once again, I totally passed out, came to, and passed out again. Paramedics came, and my BP was very low. When the sat me up, I passed out again, and this time threw up while I was out. (all of this happening in the lobby of a restaurant must have been awful for the other patrons, however I was oblivious). They took me to the hospital, where I had an ekg and bloodwork in addition to ex rays of my foot. Felt faint there, but they gave me IVs and kept me lying down till I could leave. The emergency room doctor suggested vaso-vagal, and that I should follow up with my own doc. He sent me to a cardiologist who gave me a tilt table test which confirmed the diagnosis. unfortunately, I also had a vasodepressor reaction, which as I understand it causes my heart to stop when the bloodpressure drops. He had to deliver precordial thumps to restore my heart which had stopped for about a minute. I now have been advised to have a pacemaker since I was unable to tolerate por-banthine (made me too sleepy, etc.)and I also take flourinef, drink lots and heavy salt. I am scheduled for the pacemaker on Sept. 13th. I would welcome feedback from anyone similar problems. Don't seem to hear of too many with pacemaker recommendations, but probably because of my extreme heart reaction. What do you think? I did not have any of the incontinence problems that seems to be common, but I am very fatigued most of the time, and am going to be evaluated for Chronic Fatigue if the insurance ever gets approval for me to go to a neuropsychiatrist (sp?).I can identify with those of you who talk about fatigue.

I have this!!

From: Kris

Comments

This has happenend to me for the last 2 years. I experience the same symptoms as described by other patients. I kow exactly what is about to happen and I know that I am about to pass out. I get dizzy , my mouth will begin to salivate, my body gets weak, and I know that it's about to happen. I thought it was because I was hypoglycemic, but sometimes I would have eaten a meal and be fine and it just happens. But most times the sugar helps, if I can get to once I come back around. And it always happens around my period. I am a US soldier and I am very healthy. Is this natural? Could it by signs that something worse is going on?


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