Vasovagal Syncope

[jancabrink]

My husband fainted and had a convulsion today when he was giving blood.  The fainting and convulsions have happened to him on 2 other occassions.  All three have been years apart, like 4-10 years apart.  The second episode was when he was sick with a stomach virus and got very dehydrated.  I suspect he might have been somewhat dehydrated this morning before the blood test because he had not eaten anything since 8pm the night before and he did take his "water pill" prescription drug for his high blood pressure.  He has a normal resting heart rate of 60-65.  I agree with a vasovagal syncope except that I am concerned that each time he has convulsions, as well.  His whole body twitches, his eyes roll back in his head, he becomes limp and he has difficulty breathing.  He had all the usual test done after the 2nd episode and his heart is healthy and there were no signs of any problems in the brain.  Does this sound like a siezure?  Is siezure common with this syndrome?  Is there some other test for the brain that should be done?  Should he be on anxiety meds?  He is always very high strung.  Easily aggitated.

[Yarg]

My husband has also been diagnosed with ncs, he has had about 7 episodes and each time he had a seizure, he has the jerky movements bites his tongue and is very confused afterwards. He had a very positive tilt table test and has a pace maker but no medication. Every time he had an episode he was doing physical lifting or yard work, it seems to occur when he is repeatedly bending over, never has any symptoms when he is sitting or inactive. His job requires him to bend and lift so it is difficult and we are very worried. There must be an answer somewhere to this condition

[Jarman]

I did not get anything from you in my inbox on this site or my personal email??  Where did you sent it?  

[lynn1973]

I sent you a message regarding my similar experience- check your inbox

[paula9002]

Thanks, I will take a look at it. Take care and let me know how it goes.

[Jarman]

I posted this problem in another forum (Heart Rythym Community )called Vasovagal.  You may want to follow that one also.    

[Jarman]

I will ask my doc about Inderal and I will check into autonomic neuropathy.  Thanks for the info!!!

[paula9002]

No, but then I was followed by a neurologist (and an endocrinologist periodically) once they figured out that it had nothing to do with my heart but was an Autonomic Neuropathy instead. I am still followed by a cardiologist but not for that.  I had spells that were much like what you describe from the time I was a teen and they would all eventually "go away" just as they had come on (just like my doctor promised). When I was 35 (now 54), however, after ankle surgery for a snapped ligament, it hit very hard and has not gone away and I doubt that it will.  Mine also is low with sitting and drops when standing, only to go back to normal when I lay down. I like taking the Inderal because it comes in a long acting pill so it is only once a day. And like I said they had tried lopressor, attenolol, etc. as well as proamitine and of course the salt, florinef, etc., but none was totally effective and no where near as good has the inderal is for me.  Anyway search for autonomic neuropathy and see if it sounds familiar to you. let me know. Take care.

[Jarman]

I can't remember the name of the beta blocker.  My dizzy spells and fainting episodes come when I am sitting down or standing, and I can't seem to find any common denominator that could be triggering them.  They used to come very frequently before starting on the meds, but now they only come about once per month??  I have never been a "pill person" so I can't stand the fact that my cardiologist has me taking all these pills everyday....but I guess it is better than passing out!  He tells me that most patients eventually "grow out" of this ailment.  Are you hearing the same thing?

[paula9002]

I have had the same problem for a long time. Which beta blocker did you try? Not all work the same way apparently. I was given several different drugs in the beta blocker class to try after first having the florinef, salt, stockings, etc. and none worked very reliably. Some would only help some days, some only part of the day, and some not at all. I was finally tried on Inderal, which we had avoided because I have asthma. I am sure it makes it worse but my pulmonologist has me controlled nicely. I would rather use my inhaler than not be able to do the things standing up requires or carrying the extra weight that I piled on with the florinef. I was miserable on florinef and gained over 35 lbs. when in the hospital after surgery when trying to normalize my bp so that I could stand longer than two minutes. Now I only have problems with my blood pressure/rapid pulse when I am sick or my body is stressed as with surgery. After losing the weight finally, I would encourage you to lose it slowly and try to walk for exercise to help (your vascular system) so that your body can adjust to the change. I tried several times before but would have repeats of the symptoms and so had to stop. This time I would lose ten or fifteen and they stay there awhile then go back at it and then repeat, until I reached my goal weight. And it goes without saying to stay hydrated. Good luck.

[Jarman]

I am 33 years old and I was diagnosed with Neurocardiogenic Syncope a few years ago.  After MANY tests (MRI, CAT Scan, Tilt Table, etc) my cardiologist put me on  Lexapro, Fludrocortisone and Salt Tabs.  This combo has made my dizzy spells and fainting spell manageable as I have only about one per month now.  However, we (me and the doc) want to completely eliminate this last episode.  Has anyone had any luck with any other meds?  I recently tried a beta blocker and had 2 episodes in 5 days, so I stopped it.  I have to force myself to drink water because I am not a drinker at all.  I drink very little caffeine.  How important is exercise?  My weight out of college was about 140 and now I am at 160.  Any info would be greatly appreciated!    

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

You should consult a neurologist and get him evaluated and rule out other causes before coming to the diagnosis of a vasovagal syncope.

Does he have any vomiting, involuntary micturition, tongue bite, etc?

You should talk to the neurologist about getting a CT scan of the brain, an EEG done to find out the cause of his symptoms.

Is his blood pressure and blood sugar in the normal range?

Let us know about what the neurologist advises and post us about how he is doing.

Regards.