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From: V-V Sufferer in Utah
Date: 3/12/01
Time: 5:54:49 PM
Remote Name: 199.67.239.91
This post may sound like a broken record after all of the previous posts... but here goes anyway:
All of the posts above describe my situation, with the possible exception of the one mentioning tachycardia... I have certainly never experienced a fast heart rate with my v-v symptoms.
Let me start by saying that I am also suffered from Hashimoto's thyroditis... and I am currently on Synthroid 150mcgm for my hpyothyroid condition. I am not sure if this has anything to do with my vagal symptoms, because they don't seem to be consistant with my medication level changes.
I first noticed my vaso vagal symptoms when I was in junior high school. I would get out of bed in the morning, urinate, and get into the shower and then begin to experience an extremely low heart rate (around 40 to 50). It would cause a moderate headache because of the deep beats. This would of course be relieved if I lay down after getting out of the shower.
However, unlike everyone complaining of v-v syncope, I have never passed out from this condition. I have certainly felt like I was going to pass out, but it has never actually happened.
Then, starting again in college (probably from drinking too much beer) I would notice the symptoms after any long urinations, or after any major bowel movements. More frequently, nowdays, it seems that the bowel movements are the driving factor. I am now 32 years old. I am otherwise healthy, and have never sought a doctors advice on this, primarily because it has never been an apparent threat (always goes away within minutes - never passed out) and also because I am an FAA certified pilot. The FAA is extremely sensitive about any medical issues, and I am worried that this seemingly benign issue (that only affects me after "pit stops") would hold up my otherwise easy to approve medical certification. I have never experienced any v-v symptoms while flying and my ECG looks normal.
After having seen the references above to IBS, I think I will try to track down some news groups on that subject as well - becuase one may be the more driving factor of my symptoms than the other.
Any thoughts/responses welcome.