anyone fainted/blacked out?

[wolf]

Church member, about your age, had similar incidents. More than once, just fainted.

Saw Md. They did all of the usual tests. Looked normal.

Md, hooked up a heart monitor. Pretty neat. Attach monitor you wear, collects data
24 hrs. And every day it send the info to Md. Via Internet. Battery last more than a year.

I guess, the plan is to record your heart if and when you faint.

 

[Koolau]

An older friend of mine (now gone at age 91) passed out - later found it due to AV node issue. Doc alerted the license branch and friend's license was suspended for 6 months. Don't know if this is typical, but you might do the old "Hey doc, this friend of mine passed out for no apparent reason..."

I agree you need to be checked out. It might cost you your DL however.

By the way, my friend most likely died a few years after the initial incident because his pacemaker had been installed improperly. He lived with it that way several years because his doc didn't think it worth the risk to "fix" it. Eventually my friend passed out, hit his head and was gone in 24 hours. YMMV

 

[f35phixer]

Vasovagal syncope (vay-zoh-VAY-gul SING-kuh-pee) occurs when you faint because your body overreacts to certain triggers, such as the sight of blood or extreme emotional distress. It may also be called neurocardiogenic syncope.
The vasovagal syncope trigger causes your heart rate and blood pressure to drop suddenly. That leads to reduced blood flow to your brain, causing you to briefly lose consciousness.

Vasovagal syncope is usually harmless and requires no treatment. But it's possible you may injure yourself during a vasovagal syncope episode. Your doctor may recommend tests to rule out more serious causes of fainting, such as heart disorders.


DW has passed out three times, Her trigger is getting sick to stomach feeling. I have had one episode becasue of waking up in middle of night to her yelling my name, Dr said mine was because of the Vasivagal issue...

 

[Marita40]

Only once, as a pre-teen in a hot, crowded place. I'm sure it was the heat and dehydration. It was brief, as my dad got me outside and revived immediately.
I've had a few moments of extreme dizziness, on the point of fainting. The most notable was at the bedside of a dying relative when the nurse was inserting an IV. I also know from experience that I cannot watch my own blood being drawn. I turn my head and sing outloud whatever song is in my head. The nurse sings along with me

 

[HadEnuff]

Only once as an adult. I was in my mid-40s, visiting my folks in Florida. Got up to pee in the middle of the night and felt strangely nauseous. Next thing I knew I was waking up on the floor, next to the toilet. The only dangerous thing about it, I suppose, was the possibility of striking my head or face on something, such as the toilet, on the way down.

My BP runs toward the low side. It has haver happened since, but I try to remember to sit down for those midnight bathroom runs, something that occurs with regularity now that I'm in my mid 60s.

 

[donheff]

See a doctor. There are a lot of things that could cause this. Orthostatic hypostension, aFib, ventricular tachycardia, dehydration, low BP, etc. You may not be able to track it down but it is certainly worth trying. If you turn out to have a serious case of aFib, for example, there are medical interventions you should be evaluating now and not when you have a stroke.

 

[gerntz]

That was my life! From age 6 to 36!

I had Rheumatic fever as a kid. The blood work made me pass out for years! I was so afraid of Dr's it wasn't funny.

I've passed out in eye doctor's, dentist's, chiropractor's, dermatologist's, don't even talk about the neurosurgeon!

I remember at my childhood PCP's office him doing a throat culture and turning his back on me to retrieve a specimen bag. Boom, I face planted on the floor from the exam table! He was really upset with himself.

At a dental office the tech couldn't get my BP using a cuff and stethoscope. She left the room shouting "his BP is 40 over real low!". When the dentist came flying into the room I explained I was fainting. Could someone lay the chair down? She appeared to be pleased by my passing out(I was not dying in her chair)

Finally in my late 30's a kindly older nurse cured me! I no longer pass out from bloodwork, dental, nuersurgon or anywhere! It's so nice.

I gradually got over the issue, though into my late 20's anyway I could go in for an exam & be all worked up and have BP readings like 150/110 & then sit there & relax for 10 minutes and be 100/50 before stabilizing at "normal" of 120/75. Hasn't been a problem for many years now & BP readings remain normal.

 

[mshelburne]

Please see a Doctor ASAP. I’ve had this happen twice to me in the past two years. I’m 63. They believe it’s Vasivagel but I’m also on BP meds. The reality is it could be many things and you need to get checked out!

 

[ShokWaveRider]

That happened to me 10 years ago. 1 year later it happened again and I was diagnosed with 3rd Degree Heart Block. (Electrical Issue) I now have a trusty pacemaker and have never had a problem since.

 

[John Galt III]

War story from halcyon years. I went to a home football game of the alma mater with an alumnus friend. We had the required massive amount of beer all day long, as usual for that event. Got home 3 am or so. Drank lots of water to rehydrate. Went to bed. Got up 7 am or so to use the bathroom. Felt dizzy in bathroom, thought wow I better get back to bed before I pass out or something. Next thing I know I heard a loud bang from out of nowhere, thought about that loud bang for a few seconds, then realized I was face down on the hallway carpet, nose bleeding away. Went to ER. They wanted to xray me, and mri me, etc, but I said no thanks, fearing my insurance would not pay for it. They sewed up the half inch of ripped skin on my nose, and off I went with a bandaid over it. I only had to pay the $50 copay for that trip, although some doctor group bill for $250 showed up out of nowhere, which insurance would not cover. I refused to pay it and the hospital said OK. Doctor at the ER thought the cause of blackout was low blood sugar and dehydration (which may have caused low blood pressure also I suppose).

 

[Palmtree]

To the OP, yes the exact same thing happened to me about 10 years ago. Standing in bathroom, doing what men do and the next thing I knew I was on the floor. Went to the doctor and did all the tests. He said it was a very infrequent but not uncommon thing to happen to men while urinating. Something to do with a short glitch in the blood pressure and nothing to get concerned about unless I start suddenly getting dizzy or it happens with any frequency. I was 47 at the time and it's never happened again. It did happen to 26 year old relative about a year later and as far as I know, not happened to him again either.

 

[Tree-dweller]

Just last week, I got up (too fast?) from the sofa, took two steps toward the kitchen, and suddenly knew I was going down. Didn’t pass out, but the loveseat across the room kept me from hitting the floor. If it repeats, I’ll be concerned. I gotta admit being surprised at the number of respondents here who this has happened to!

 

[Car-Guy]

Not since I retired.

 

[pacergal]

Yes, I have fainted numerous times, mostly due to changes in BP, especially when ill with nausea/vomiting. I also have benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, for which I do the Epley Maneuver (if I catch it in time before I get too dizzy and faint!)

 

[PatSea]

To the OP, same thing happened to me. Spent weekend in hospital doing tests. Only thing they found was dehydration. A few weeks later I went to my family doctor and first thing he checked was my meds. He said he was suspicious of my Flomax for prostate. I then told him I had run out of that med for three days and had just gotten back on the med the day before the fainting episode. He told me to stop taking the med and I began feeling better within a day or so. He told me that whenever one of his patients (especially seniors) experience dizziness or fainting the first thing he checks is their meds. My prostate symptoms are only slightly more bothersome than before.

 

[Alan]

It happened to me for the first time ever about 6 months ago. I have afib so the Dr put me on a med to stop the heart racing when I have an incident. After 2 days I noticed that it had lowered my BP and early one evening when I took my BP it was 107/59. A couple of hours later I stood up and blacked out, waking up as I landed on the coffee table.

I figured I knew exactly what caused it and first thing next morning saw the Doc who told me to stop taking the meds. He also did an ekg (normal) and took my BP several times including while sitting and them immediately upon standing up quickly, confirming that it does indeed drop when I do that.

He referred me to the blackout clinic at the local hospital who did more testing including an echocardiogram and a 24hr heart monitor. Heart structure fine, no afib during the time I wore the monitor but "He had some very short bursts of broad complex tachycardias lasting up to 12 beats but he was asymptomatic".

They concluded that the blackout was caused by orthostatic hypertension. (They also took my BP while sitting and immediately after standing quickly).

 

[bingybear]

And Bingybear's experience is a good example of why we hope you'll make a quick call or visit to your doc, just to be sure it's nothing. It is probably nothing - please call your doc Earl E.

A little more info. I was 51 when this happened. Cardiology gave me a stress test and I passed with flying colors. While waiting for neurology I had 3 quick episodes and the episode were recorded. Note I had to have them manually check the data.

A couple things to note in my case.
The escape mechanism is not robust. That is I was lucky the heart ever restarted.
1.5 weeks after PM insertion it was filling in 2% of the time.
2 weeks after it was at 5%.
3 months after 99%.

Paroxysmal AV block is suspected for cardiac sudden death.
AND MOST IMPORTANTLY - I just returned from 3 weeks of multi-day hikes in New Zealand with > 35 lbs pack.... life does not end because of a PM.

OP, make your own decision. Normally I wait a long time before seeking medical attention. I flew home to get medical treatment... but had DW meet me at the airport and took me directly to the hospital.

Pax

 

[MRG]

Of course we should look around. See post 21, 22.


http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/showthread.php?t=90395

 

[samcat]

Yes!! A few times. Once I got up to get milk and fainted right behind my mom. It was either low blood sugar, low blood pressure or getting up too fast.

 

[kgtest]

Quite a few. Once after receiving meds in basic, I think that also had to due with low bp from sitting a long period cross legged.

Once from not being hydrated, heard a bad story about uncle losing leg and transgression as a smoker, hit my head on the counter and concrete floor on the way down. Felt like I got put to sleep when I woke up trouble staying awake until I hurled. Then I felt great with a headache from the hits.

A few other times from being light-headed and getting up too fast without breathing properly.

Had all sorts of tests, stress test, diet change, eeg, EKG, no MRI though and all is well. Last time was that medical story and I think I hadn't ate much until right before it was told.

 

[Doc0]

This sounds like a arrhythmia or possibly a seizure you need further workup. If you were driving you could be dead

 

[Alan]

This sounds like a arrhythmia or possibly a seizure you need further workup. If you were driving you could be dead

Or someone else could be dead. I had not even considered this until after my tests had been completed and the doctor put it in writing that I was fit to continue driving. If I had blacked out while driving and hurt or killed someone, and then it was discovered that I had suffered a blackout and not had it diagnosed.....

 

[CRLLS]

Several times when I was younger. I've never heard of Vasovegal syncopy. That must be what 2 of them were. 1st was as kids ,we tried to make ourselves pass out. Breathe deeply for 10 breaths then have someone give a bearhug from behind until we passed out. How stupid was that? The 2nd time was after treating a cut on my palm. I went through the cleaning and bandaging just fine. It was afterwards that I passed out. 3rd was when I had a wart burned from my thumb in the Dr's office. I was fine, looking at the red light coming from beneath my thumbnail. Next thing, I saw the nurse coming in the room with smelling salts. 4th time I passed out was after a helping a friend move and then went to a Hawaiian Luau. As I left the obligatory rum drink table, and was walking to find a table, I was out like a light. DW saw me start to fall but couldn't hold me up.

It was because of those last 3 episodes that I never chose to pursue a private pilot's license.

I also passed out a couple of years back right after being released from the emergency room being treated for urinary retention. I was sitting outside in the wheel chair as DW was getting the car. I'm not sure if that was delayed Vasovegal like before, or just the morphine kicking in. They brought me back in and checked me out before letting me go again.

 

[REWahoo]

Vasovagal syncope (AKA "vaso") is a family curse. My dad, me, my sister, my daughter and her oldest son are all afflicted with it. Makes for some interesting experiences...and is a great icebreaker for meeting new people.

 

[Meadbh]

Syncope is extremely common and has many causes ranging from the physiological to the serious. I support the recommendation to have it checked out.

One cause of “blackouts” that I don’t think has been mentioned is hypoglycaemia. Some years ago I witnessed a driver end up in a hedge (fortunately without killing anyone). She was an insulin dependent diabetic who had skipped breakfast. I’m sure she lost her drivers’ licence over that one.