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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Fainting Spells
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Fainting Spells
by Tony Alderton, May 06, 2000 12:00AM
My wife is 53. For the past few years she has been experiencing fainting spells that occur at regular, predictable intervals.
These periods of unconsciousness last about ten seconds and are usually proceeded by a strange feeling or aura. Sometimes these auras happen without fainting. What is most strange, and has her doctors baffled, are the predictability of the fainting spells. The periods of fainting last for ten days at a time and occur at exactly two month intervals. During the ten day period she will faint perhaps two or three times but will have the auras about twice a day - nerve-wracking to say the least.
She has been to see specialists in epilepsy but that has been ruled out. The following procedures have been administered with negative results: MRI, tilt test, EEG and brain scan. Some sort of monitor was also worn for 24 hours.
The only drug she is on is Synthroid (0.125 mg) for a thyroid condition.
Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.
These periods of unconsciousness last about ten seconds and are usually proceeded by a strange feeling or aura. Sometimes these auras happen without fainting. What is most strange, and has her doctors baffled, are the predictability of the fainting spells. The periods of fainting last for ten days at a time and occur at exactly two month intervals. During the ten day period she will faint perhaps two or three times but will have the auras about twice a day - nerve-wracking to say the least.
She has been to see specialists in epilepsy but that has been ruled out. The following procedures have been administered with negative results: MRI, tilt test, EEG and brain scan. Some sort of monitor was also worn for 24 hours.
The only drug she is on is Synthroid (0.125 mg) for a thyroid condition.
Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF CARDIO MD - DLB, May 07, 2000 12:00AM
I would have suggested an epilepsy work-up, but that has been done. I would have also suggested a tilt test and a 24 hour Holter monitor, but hotse have also been done. The one additional test I would suggest is a 30 day event monitor (sort of like the Holter, but for a longer period of time). A cardiologist would be able to set this test up.
Member Comments (2)
by Tamara Bennett, Jun 04, 2000 12:00AM
Iam 36, and have been having unexplained vasovagal syncopes for almost a year now. I have had every test available, and I'm having a reveal device implanted this week to monitor my syncopes for 18 months. I have also requested blood test to be done to check hormeone levels, on the day of each syncope. You may want to try a blood test on the day as well. Several women my doctor says have syncopes between ovulation and their menstrual cycle, but they have never done blood tests to see whats happening???? And menopausal women have very wacky hormone levels. Good luck, don't give up searching!! Also dehydration,blood sugar levels, stress and fatigue, are all said to aggrivate this problem??
