Correct medication?

I currently have a condition called nuerocardiogenic reflex. It  causes severe dizziness to the point of passing out, I have been given a medication called paxil to help this. When I am on the medication I am fine. But if i miss a dosage I have a severe dizzness attack to where i cant even open my eyes. My question is have you ever heard of giving someone paxil for this? Paxil is normally an anti-depresssant and the doctor who prescribed it said my asthma prevented hm from giving me a normal blood pressure medicine. however I have moved since then, and my normal doctor now says i shouldn't be on it. IS this the right medicie?

[CCF-M.D.-KE]

Dear Sir,

The condition you seem to be describing is neurocardiogenic syncope (fainting). This is a very common cause of fainting in people with no apparent cardiac or neurological disorders. These people are usually young and healthy. The episodes of syncope are usually brought on by prolonged standing, heat exposure, giving blood, and painful or noxious stimuli. People with a structurally normal heart and a normal ECG have a good long term prognosis.

People should be encouraged to avoid some of the above situations that provoke syncope. Beta blockers are a common medication used in people with this disorder. There are studies showing that they reduce syncope and a few others showing that they have no effect. Paxil is another medication being used to treat this disorder, with data proving its efficacy.
A short answer to your question is that paxil is a reasonable medication for you to be on.


Thanks for your question,

CCF-MD-KE