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From: Debbie B
Date: 12/6/00
Time: 1:00:52 PM
Remote Name: 64.31.79.45
I started to experience fainting spells in 1992 but only fainted (then and now) when my body is "overheated" - in a hot restaurant, after being outside during hot weather, etc. but strangely enough never when working out. Almost every time I've fainted I've lost both bladder and bowel control and usually I only become aware that I'm going to faint about 30 seconds before it happens. I was tested for everything during the course of a few years and eventually was diagnosed with Vaso Vagal after a tilt table test (I too passed out on the table!) My Cardiologist prescribed salt tablets - to take 6 or 8 or even 10 if I'm going to be in a situation where I could become dehydrated or overheated. I use them religiously and have not fainted since I started to use them.
That's the good news. The bad news is that I recently applied for disability insurance and was turned down because of Vaso Vagal even though I have not had a fainting spell in 2 years since I was diagnosed and the salt pills have been an effective treatment they sited that because I also have TMJ Disorder (not related to Vaso..) and this condition I was too much of a risk. Has anyone else out there had this experience?