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From: Laine
Since I was a child I had "spells" where I would get really hot, have a high pitched ringing in my ears. I was clammy and sweaty and could feel the blood rushing out of my head and my vision would black out. I lose all equilibrium and not know if I'm standing, sitting, etc. I finally began to recognize the symptoms before it happened and could sit or lie down before I fell. One day I was getting on the subway and a lady looked at me like I had 3 heads and asked if I was alright. Just then I felt the symtpoms come on and I managed to get off in time. My OB/GYN and I have disucussed my symptoms since I started going to him (15, I'm 30 now). He finally said they were not frequent enough to research. Yesterday I went to my general practitioner for my 1st adult physical. I wrote down fainting on my history. He asked, jokingly, if I could make it happen for him. I said no, but not 5 minutes later I had to lie down. It happened 5 times in an hour. I didn't lose total conciousness this time, but I have in the past. He called in an EKG machine and they were able to pinpoint the problem. They sent me to the ER, and they confirmed. I have an appointment next week with a cardiologist. I am still frustrated because there doesn't seem to be any relief from it even though we know what it is now. When I "come to", I am groggy and sometimes can't even perform the most basic math problems or spell my own name. I have a dull ache in my forehead and just want to sleep for hours. I have no known triggers for the event. I can be standing or sitting and carrying on a conversation and it will happen. I just have to recognize it and lie down. It is very frustrating when it happens and scares the hell out of me and everyone around me, even though I am used to it. I can sympathize with all on this website and am glad to finally know what has caused this all my life.