Sudden loss of vision, with extreme pressure to the head, followed by fainting

[Witchiegrlie]

Hi,

I'm a fairly healthy 25 year old with no family history of heart problems. Last week I had one of the most terrifying experiences of my life. I just had dinner with my boyfriend. I had fish and a glass of white wine. We then went to meet up with a few friends at a local bar. I was in the middle of speaking to people when I first experiences flashes of light around me. I then had difficulty breathing and felt warm tingling sensations. I knew something was up since I almost fainted on the subway ago and it has the same symptoms. I went outside with my boyfriend and then experienced severe head pressure to the area between my eyes. My vision went out completely but I was still conscious. Then I fell and blackout for 15 seconds. My boyfriend was able to catch me before I hit the ground. I felt like I had fallen asleep when I woke up. However my vision was still gone. It took about another 5 mins or so before I could see again. My body was very cold.

I have never had this experience before. I didn't drink, I ate, and it was a very normal night. I did have a lot of stress at work that week so maybe stress had soemthing to do with it. My prior experience on the subway was smiliar but different. I did experience the same loss in vision but my heart rate was beating very fast and I had trouble breathing. I was sweating so much that my shirt was soaked within 3 mins. I was able to not faint. It was a totally different experience with this night. The doctor said I must had a panick attack but I wasn't feeling any fear or anything.

Can anyone please tell me what could have been the cause of this? I'm going to see a doctor tomorrow. Thanks

[PikaPika88]

I do have that "loss of vision" but my legs still stand firmly on the ground.   Because I think I can stand firmly so everytime "loss of vision" I'll stand still and wait for the vision come back.  Sometime just a little bad luck then would hit on the floor.  Anyway, I woke up each time...........

I saw many bright stars, slowly the stars fill up all my vision.... I was catching of breath too at that time.   I was anemia and also have palpitations-svt.  My cardio can make that happen to me while was having my pacemaker check up!

[KLB32]

You really need to have a full workup.  I have never heard of anxiety/stress causing someone to collapse although I suppose it is possible.  I suffer from panic attacks and have felt close to fainting before but never have.  It could be any number of things causing your symptoms.

I would ask for a full cardiac work-up, MRI of the brain and full bloodwork just to be on the safe side.  There are a few heart arrythmias that young people have that can cause symptoms like this so it is best to rule everything out.

Good luck

[deedle1976]

It could be a seizure. The time you didn't pass out you may have experienced an aura that did not progress to a full siezure.

[Witchiegrlie]

One more thing. When I fainted, my boyfriend said that my arms were thrembling.