Aa
Fainting 3-5 times daily
Hi. I'm 17, and I've been to enough so-called "specialist" to last me a lifetime. As they all say the same thing, they ought to be called "conformists," but thats beside the point.
I've been most recently to a cardiologist and an endocrinologist. Both said pretty much the same thing, "I don't think I've ever heard of anything quite like this." The cardio sent me to the endo, the endo (who actually was a good doctor) to a neuro, saying that, "I think this is a form of seizure, but its very unusual as far as I know." The neuro, meanwhile, will not accept patients under 18, so we're looking for a different neuro. However, I have every confidence in the fact that when I go to the neuro, he'll say the same thing.
Here are my symptoms:
I faint 3-5 every day. I can usually tell a few seconds before each episode, thats its about to happen, so I've not been hurt often. And really, I dont mind. Fainting doesnt bother me much, except that the endo told me that I should not be driving. This is very upsetting to me, as it is a restriction of freedom for me.
When I wake up, I can tell whether it will be a "bad day," so I can plan my day accordingly.
After I faint, I'm usually fatigued and I often have a mild to severe headache. These do not last long, but the tiredness does.
It seems like being on steroids--I'm an asthmatic and take those daily--helps to make the fainting less frequent. I've also been on birth control and it seems to cut down the number of times I faint each day, but since its been several years since I stopped taking birth control, I'm not sure it was helping; my fainting may have become more frequent naturally.
This has been going on since I was about 10 or 11. At that point, I had a severe asthma attack that landed me in the hospital.
This past spring, I got my asthma checked and discovered my lung function was at 60%. For several months we tried different meds, and about a month ago my lung function was up to 86%, so its mostly under control. Getting that under control seemed to have cut down on fainting, but its getting back to its regular frequency.
Doctors aren't being any help; please, if you have ever heard of this or something similar to it, let me know. I'd appreciate anything I can get. I want to at least get to the point where its okay to drive.
I've been most recently to a cardiologist and an endocrinologist. Both said pretty much the same thing, "I don't think I've ever heard of anything quite like this." The cardio sent me to the endo, the endo (who actually was a good doctor) to a neuro, saying that, "I think this is a form of seizure, but its very unusual as far as I know." The neuro, meanwhile, will not accept patients under 18, so we're looking for a different neuro. However, I have every confidence in the fact that when I go to the neuro, he'll say the same thing.
Here are my symptoms:
I faint 3-5 every day. I can usually tell a few seconds before each episode, thats its about to happen, so I've not been hurt often. And really, I dont mind. Fainting doesnt bother me much, except that the endo told me that I should not be driving. This is very upsetting to me, as it is a restriction of freedom for me.
When I wake up, I can tell whether it will be a "bad day," so I can plan my day accordingly.
After I faint, I'm usually fatigued and I often have a mild to severe headache. These do not last long, but the tiredness does.
It seems like being on steroids--I'm an asthmatic and take those daily--helps to make the fainting less frequent. I've also been on birth control and it seems to cut down the number of times I faint each day, but since its been several years since I stopped taking birth control, I'm not sure it was helping; my fainting may have become more frequent naturally.
This has been going on since I was about 10 or 11. At that point, I had a severe asthma attack that landed me in the hospital.
This past spring, I got my asthma checked and discovered my lung function was at 60%. For several months we tried different meds, and about a month ago my lung function was up to 86%, so its mostly under control. Getting that under control seemed to have cut down on fainting, but its getting back to its regular frequency.
Doctors aren't being any help; please, if you have ever heard of this or something similar to it, let me know. I'd appreciate anything I can get. I want to at least get to the point where its okay to drive.
Hi I am 15 female and I faint almost daily, I have been on several heart monitors blood pressure monsters and blood tests which all lead to dead ends. My mum recently was talking to my replacement paediatrician and he suggested I have this thing called dysautonomia. I suggest if it's still happening you should look into that because it includes fainting up to several times a day.
I know it has been several months since you posted your situation, but my son is dealing with fainting issues also.
I noticed you had said that your SONOGRAMS were MOSTLY normal. What does that mean? Did they find something? You had also said that your mother and grandmother have had faining spells. You should have a cardiologist check you for LONG QT Syndrome. It is usually hereditary and would show up on a EKG or stress test.
I'm going through this with my 11 year old son. All of his tests have come back normal so far but the fainting is affecting his quality of life (not playing sports and scared to go to school) not to mention, he will be driving in a few years!! Today he is having a holter monitor put on. It will record what happens to his heart when he faints (if anything)and he will wear it for 30 days. You should try this if they haven't found anything else yet. At least it will rule out the heart.
I noticed you had said that your SONOGRAMS were MOSTLY normal. What does that mean? Did they find something? You had also said that your mother and grandmother have had faining spells. You should have a cardiologist check you for LONG QT Syndrome. It is usually hereditary and would show up on a EKG or stress test.
I'm going through this with my 11 year old son. All of his tests have come back normal so far but the fainting is affecting his quality of life (not playing sports and scared to go to school) not to mention, he will be driving in a few years!! Today he is having a holter monitor put on. It will record what happens to his heart when he faints (if anything)and he will wear it for 30 days. You should try this if they haven't found anything else yet. At least it will rule out the heart.
1 Comments
I have just come across this forum and realise that it is now some 8 years later but I am experiencing this with my 10 year old son and after all tests have come back negative have been told that he may grow out of it. Just wondered if this was the case here? Any help greatly appreciated.
Dear NotEp,
Your last post was so interesting. I appreciate your feedback, because it eliminates a few causes, especially your heart. Lack of sleep CAN cause you to feel faint, because that's me. Also, they should do bloodwork again for iron, which younger women can be low on that, which will cause anemia. It will also affect blood pressure, which they should also check that again. A female gynecologist should look at you, to make sure you're not bleeding in some irregular way. But the more I listen to you, I agree with the other poster here, vertigo might be creeping in, and there are some treatments that help. If you had a lot of ear problems as a child, which most do, could be it's had a familial type worsening effect, but I'm just guessing. An ear-nose-throat physician can check it out. Ear pain in a child can also cause anger issues and affect them long-term if it's bad enough. But I do think your anger is probably hormonal and sleep-related. I know this is no help. I'm glad you have your mom to work with you on this. You shouldn't be fainting.
GG
Your last post was so interesting. I appreciate your feedback, because it eliminates a few causes, especially your heart. Lack of sleep CAN cause you to feel faint, because that's me. Also, they should do bloodwork again for iron, which younger women can be low on that, which will cause anemia. It will also affect blood pressure, which they should also check that again. A female gynecologist should look at you, to make sure you're not bleeding in some irregular way. But the more I listen to you, I agree with the other poster here, vertigo might be creeping in, and there are some treatments that help. If you had a lot of ear problems as a child, which most do, could be it's had a familial type worsening effect, but I'm just guessing. An ear-nose-throat physician can check it out. Ear pain in a child can also cause anger issues and affect them long-term if it's bad enough. But I do think your anger is probably hormonal and sleep-related. I know this is no help. I'm glad you have your mom to work with you on this. You shouldn't be fainting.
GG
Oye Vay:
Thank you! I seriously had not considered vertigo, which is ridiculous since my mother and grandmother both have it. However, theirs doesn't show itself in the way that I have symptoms (if indeed I do have that.) I am actually look for a ped neuro, but they are making us jump through all kinds of hoops.
Ggreg:
Thanks for your thoughts. That's the weird thing about all this, I've been doing the things you've mentioned, but nothing seems to work.
Blood pressure is good, though on rare occasion sinks to the low end of normal; heart monitors show no notable problems; EKGs show no problems; those heart sonograms were mostly normal; I've been checked for anemia every year since I was 13; I eat very healthy--almost never have fast food or processed foods, eat mostly vegetables, fruits, and lean meats.
I really live a very healthy lifestyle, spending a great deal of time outside in my garden, exercising almost every day, eating healthy, and I appear to be extremely healthy. That is the frustrating thing--I think that my appearance causes doctors to think I'm making these problems up! If it weren't for my mother, they would completely disregard what I say. Not only that, I am doing what doctors say to do if you want good health, but it isn't helping a damn bit.
I've actually been a really angry person since I was about 4; at least thats when my family first noticed it (though they've never said so to me--I found an old note to a babysitter explaining what to do if "she gets angry for no apparent reason.") So I don't know as that I am really experiences hormonal anger anymore--but perhaps it is partly to blame. I definitely don't sleep regularly or enough; but most doctors insist that would not cause fainting. I'm so beyond the end of my rope, I just don't care anymore. I told my mother to please stop setting up appointments, but she asked me to go to just one more, so I am.
I guess its scary for me, thinking I'll end up doing what my older sister did--going to college and having to drop out at the tail end of a semester of hard work because of sickness. (She has whatever it is I have, but with a few marked differences.)
Thank you guys.
Thank you! I seriously had not considered vertigo, which is ridiculous since my mother and grandmother both have it. However, theirs doesn't show itself in the way that I have symptoms (if indeed I do have that.) I am actually look for a ped neuro, but they are making us jump through all kinds of hoops.
Ggreg:
Thanks for your thoughts. That's the weird thing about all this, I've been doing the things you've mentioned, but nothing seems to work.
Blood pressure is good, though on rare occasion sinks to the low end of normal; heart monitors show no notable problems; EKGs show no problems; those heart sonograms were mostly normal; I've been checked for anemia every year since I was 13; I eat very healthy--almost never have fast food or processed foods, eat mostly vegetables, fruits, and lean meats.
I really live a very healthy lifestyle, spending a great deal of time outside in my garden, exercising almost every day, eating healthy, and I appear to be extremely healthy. That is the frustrating thing--I think that my appearance causes doctors to think I'm making these problems up! If it weren't for my mother, they would completely disregard what I say. Not only that, I am doing what doctors say to do if you want good health, but it isn't helping a damn bit.
I've actually been a really angry person since I was about 4; at least thats when my family first noticed it (though they've never said so to me--I found an old note to a babysitter explaining what to do if "she gets angry for no apparent reason.") So I don't know as that I am really experiences hormonal anger anymore--but perhaps it is partly to blame. I definitely don't sleep regularly or enough; but most doctors insist that would not cause fainting. I'm so beyond the end of my rope, I just don't care anymore. I told my mother to please stop setting up appointments, but she asked me to go to just one more, so I am.
I guess its scary for me, thinking I'll end up doing what my older sister did--going to college and having to drop out at the tail end of a semester of hard work because of sickness. (She has whatever it is I have, but with a few marked differences.)
Thank you guys.
Dear NotEp,
The above post about eating frequently is right on, and seeing a pediatric neuro is good advice too.
The fainting you describe, your age, with a history of allergy, tells me you could have a combination of imbalances going on in your body, as well as possibly some fairly serious problems. I have some simple ideas that may help until you can get to the bottom of this.
First, some allergy drugs and other medicines cause fainting, so a review and perhaps adjustment of your medications should be done. The reason the cortisone seemed to lessen your fainting, is because it does not cause light-headedness the way other allergy meds do.
Secondly, if you have low blood pressure, which can be caused by many things, you will faint. The doctor should run a simple EKG on you, to rule out heart problems, and the nurse should always take your blood pressure when you visit...normal is 120/80. If you're significantly below that, like 100/50, further investigations should be done concerning finding sources of internal bleeding.
Thirdly, anemia can cause your symptoms. This is when you are not getting enough protein type foods and the B vitamins. Those build blood. You can do a few simple things every day to help that, including eating scrambled eggs, get a meat subway sandwich at lunch, having a steak once in a while, buying a hamburger at the fast food place. Chew up a children's vitamin with iron twice a week, too. If you are a vegetarian, eat plenty of beans, consult books on how to get proteins. Also, the birth control you were on before lessens the impact of the monthly cycle, which may be why you did better then, and therefore suggests anemia may indeed be the crux of your health issues.
The anger and irritation you mentioned, by the way, is typical of a person your age. Could be a few visits to the school counselor can help you redirect your emotions better. Or exercising regularly, from something as easy as yoga, or doing active things like swimming or horseback riding, all the way up to running track, all these can let out stress. But it can also come from a lack of good sleep. I am much older than you, but when it gets late in the evening, I get tired and become quite irritated, so I know that's when I need to go to bed. My father is like that, too.
I am so sorry your doctors are basically ignoring your fainting episodes. At the very least, I cannot understand why they can't look at the big picture and recognize the simple possibilities I have mentioned. The danger that fainting poses for driving a car is major, and when a 17-year-old can't drive, well, that definitely ain't right! Also, it is no way normal to faint like you do, so if the ideas I brought up don't help, then heart, head, and abdominal problems have to be investigated and ruled out. Getting hooked up to a pediatric neuro is one step in that direction, as mentioned before. He will be networked with other "young adult" docs and might can recommend more doctors. You are obviously an intelligent person and so it is okay for you to take a respectful but proactive stance in your health care, or at least find someone, even a school nurse, who can perhaps represent and lobby for you.
GG
The above post about eating frequently is right on, and seeing a pediatric neuro is good advice too.
The fainting you describe, your age, with a history of allergy, tells me you could have a combination of imbalances going on in your body, as well as possibly some fairly serious problems. I have some simple ideas that may help until you can get to the bottom of this.
First, some allergy drugs and other medicines cause fainting, so a review and perhaps adjustment of your medications should be done. The reason the cortisone seemed to lessen your fainting, is because it does not cause light-headedness the way other allergy meds do.
Secondly, if you have low blood pressure, which can be caused by many things, you will faint. The doctor should run a simple EKG on you, to rule out heart problems, and the nurse should always take your blood pressure when you visit...normal is 120/80. If you're significantly below that, like 100/50, further investigations should be done concerning finding sources of internal bleeding.
Thirdly, anemia can cause your symptoms. This is when you are not getting enough protein type foods and the B vitamins. Those build blood. You can do a few simple things every day to help that, including eating scrambled eggs, get a meat subway sandwich at lunch, having a steak once in a while, buying a hamburger at the fast food place. Chew up a children's vitamin with iron twice a week, too. If you are a vegetarian, eat plenty of beans, consult books on how to get proteins. Also, the birth control you were on before lessens the impact of the monthly cycle, which may be why you did better then, and therefore suggests anemia may indeed be the crux of your health issues.
The anger and irritation you mentioned, by the way, is typical of a person your age. Could be a few visits to the school counselor can help you redirect your emotions better. Or exercising regularly, from something as easy as yoga, or doing active things like swimming or horseback riding, all the way up to running track, all these can let out stress. But it can also come from a lack of good sleep. I am much older than you, but when it gets late in the evening, I get tired and become quite irritated, so I know that's when I need to go to bed. My father is like that, too.
I am so sorry your doctors are basically ignoring your fainting episodes. At the very least, I cannot understand why they can't look at the big picture and recognize the simple possibilities I have mentioned. The danger that fainting poses for driving a car is major, and when a 17-year-old can't drive, well, that definitely ain't right! Also, it is no way normal to faint like you do, so if the ideas I brought up don't help, then heart, head, and abdominal problems have to be investigated and ruled out. Getting hooked up to a pediatric neuro is one step in that direction, as mentioned before. He will be networked with other "young adult" docs and might can recommend more doctors. You are obviously an intelligent person and so it is okay for you to take a respectful but proactive stance in your health care, or at least find someone, even a school nurse, who can perhaps represent and lobby for you.
GG
I know u don't want to hear this but because of ur age try a pediatric Neuro
Have u ever been tested for Vertigo?
And Hypoglycemia u should always be eating every 2-3hrs mimi light meals keep ur sugar up first thing in the morning have chees or yougart oj
I know this all sucks but get all ur records and get to a second/third opinion that will help but more than likely a pediatric neuro is what u need
Have u ever been tested for Vertigo?
And Hypoglycemia u should always be eating every 2-3hrs mimi light meals keep ur sugar up first thing in the morning have chees or yougart oj
I know this all sucks but get all ur records and get to a second/third opinion that will help but more than likely a pediatric neuro is what u need
I realized I could have included more detail here.
When I faint, if I don't sit down as it comes on, then I slump to the ground. I become conscious after just seconds, so it isnt prolonged. It feels like my blood has all gone to my feet. The episodes frequently occur in the morning, but are not limited to it.
I've always been easily irritated and somewhat angry, but it has been worse the past several years, although attributed to hormones. I don't know if that has anything to do with my fainting.
The other reason I have not looked into this all sooner is because I was diagnosed with hypoglycemia at age 11. We assumed the fainting was a symptom of that, but have since discovered that any hypo I have is extremely mild and cannot be the cause.
When I faint, if I don't sit down as it comes on, then I slump to the ground. I become conscious after just seconds, so it isnt prolonged. It feels like my blood has all gone to my feet. The episodes frequently occur in the morning, but are not limited to it.
I've always been easily irritated and somewhat angry, but it has been worse the past several years, although attributed to hormones. I don't know if that has anything to do with my fainting.
The other reason I have not looked into this all sooner is because I was diagnosed with hypoglycemia at age 11. We assumed the fainting was a symptom of that, but have since discovered that any hypo I have is extremely mild and cannot be the cause.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Neurology Community
Top Neurology Answerers
Allentown, PA
ON
Queensland, Australia
Queen Creek, AZ
Find out how beta-blocker eye drops show promising results for acute migraine relief.
In this special Missouri Medicine report, doctors examine advances in diagnosis and treatment of this devastating and costly neurodegenerative disease.
Here are 12 simple – and fun! – ways to boost your brainpower.
Discover some of the causes of dizziness and how to treat it.
Discover the common causes of headaches and how to treat headache pain.
Two of the largest studies on Alzheimer’s have yielded new clues about the disease
