My mother, age 77, was tentatively diagnosed four years ago with Vaso Vagal Depressive Syncopy, but since there is no apparent known cause and no immediate cure, we have spent the last three years, in conjunction with a cardiologist and three GPs, eliminating every other possibility. She has been tested for numerous other problems, including a recent scan to check for mini strokes, and all results returned have been normal.
A pace maker was initially inserted - apparently, one of the chambers of her heart is weak. She has been on a Beta Blocker since last spring.
Everyone has finally concluded that it is the VVDS originally diagnosed, and her sometimes trigger may be stress, which leads to low blood sugar, which causes the blackouts. But there are still three things that don't add up.
1)She will be fine for 6 weeks, then she will have several blackouts/near blackouts in a two or three day span, even when sedated and in the hospital, lying down, seated or standing.
2)After EVERY episode, without exception, my mother lets out several enormous belches, which no one can explain.
3)The episodes cause a severe short term memory loss for days after, and when she finally recuperates, a little bit more of her short term memory is permanently lost.
Have you any insight, any suggestions of another path we might follow? Mom lives alone in an apartment in a retirement community - my dad is in a nursing home. We would like to enable her to remain independent for as long as possible, though she no longer drives.
Thank you.