vasal vagal response, or chiari malformation?

Question

About 3 wks ago, I was coming home with my girlfriend after a full day of work, and was almost ( within 2 miles ) from getting home when I had a coughing fit, and everything slowed down, but very fast, ended up totaling my car. Seen a nurse practitioner, she ordered tests, and most of those came back normal, but she said she believed I had a vasal vagal response, but my head felt very hot very quickly as soon as the fit of coughing started, and lost conciousness behind the wheel. Just remember waking up, probably lasted less than 30 seconds. Can I get some insight into this please, as I live in a town where the hospital is not very well liked for its' service. Thanks to anyone who can help .

derek1983 · Answer

I had this same thing happen to me numerous times before my surgery though not while driving luckily seemed as though I was choking on saliva or air and coughed until the pressure in my head was so intense I passed out so far have not had it since 1 month and a few days now from surgery good luck Derek

girlinxile · Answer

Most of our patients we find who have passed out did it while they were in the bathroom when they strained and then vagal'd ... just fyi

girlinxile · Answer

You can vagal and pass out for sure... but I know the headache I get when I have a coughing fit with my Chiari makes the whole world change for a minute so without knowing if you have Chiari no one here can take a stab at which it could be. Vagal fits the bill all by itself... in the presence of Chiari I would think it could be either?

desertstorm2009 · Answer

Vasal vagal makes sense without knowing anything further.... I'm assuming you have Chiari? If so, you should notify your neurologist ASAP. Also look into what your heart rate was doing.... very important. Hope it doesn't happen again. Good luck :-) Lisa

selmaS · Answer

Hi...and welcome to the Chiari forum,.

 May I ask, were u DX'd with Chiari?...If so, it is possible to have a drop attack even while sitting and u do go out for a few seconds with out feeling it come over u like when u pass out....but u can not react or respond to call for help.

 Those with Chiari can also pass out....and since u were coughing that is possible too.

 Were u and ur GF ok?...U weren't hurt in the accident ?

 When were u DX'd with Chiari, and do u have ne of the related conditions?