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From: Joanne
I have been suffering from vaso vagel fainting spells for the past ten years. I only found out yesterday that this is what they were caused by.
About three weeks ago we were out to dinner when I started to feel the familiar cramps in the stomach and sick feeling. I knew I was going to faint but I was trapped in my chair and couldn't lay down. I tried putting my head down on the table but still passed out. Apparently I then suffered seizure like symptoms and was incontinent of the bladder and bowel. When I awoke I was unaware of anything other than I had fainted. My family called an ambulance which took me to hospital. I stayed there for observation for the next two days and everything was ok. The only thing af note was a low potassium level.
It wasn't till I saw the Cardiac specialist yesterday that I found out what was wrong. I am now being sent for the tilt test in a weeks time so I hope to find out what is causing my problem ie whether it is an abnormal heart beat or low blood pressure.
As for the attacks in the past, all have been onset by bad cramps followed by diarreoah. I also had these expereinces whilst pregant with my second last child and then around 15 months ago when in labour with the last one. Actually this is where I first heard the term vaso-vagel. I think I really gave the doctor and nursing staff a scare!
The last time was the only time where I have had the the siezure symptoms though, thankfully.