Idiopathic Sycope (Fainting)

[Critter074]

Started 3 months ago.  Fainting for no reason.  Always sitting, perfectly relaxed and calm.  A sudden feeling of heat, nausea, weakness, light-headedness and BOOM!  Hit the floor.  Had 6 episodes, lost consciousness twice.

Had Blood workup, EEG, EKG, Cat Scan, MRI, Myoview, stress treadmill, Ultra Sound.  All tests came back negative.  I can't drive or go anywhere alone.  Has anyone had this condition?  Don't know what else I can do.  Has changed my whole life!  :(

[heart2heart]

I've had this also. They call it vaso-vagal syncope. Have you seen a doc for this? You need heart tests to rule out a heart problem, then if that is normal you need a tilt table test. I've been avoiding the tilt table test becuz I know I'll pass out during this test. Vaso vagal syncope can be caused by the blood pressure suddenly falling, other things that can trigger it can be extreme pain - such as a severe stomach ache, dehydration, a heart arrthymia or a problem with your autotomic regulation. Keep yourself well hydrated and check your blood pressure to make sure it doesn't get too low.

[Critter074]

Thanks Heart2Heart, but if you'll read in my original post, I've had all the heart test.  I've been working with a cardiologist and a neurologist.

I drink lots of water.  I'm not in pain when this happens.  I check my blood pressure several times a day and it's fine.  My blood pressure was also fine on the treadmill test.  When the paramedics check my blood pressure, blood sugar and heart rate at the time I faint, it's perfectly normal.

The cardiologist has given my heart a clean bill of health.  I've reasearched vasovagal and the things that cause that have nothing to do with what I'm experiencing.  Yes, I'm sure they can put me on a tilt table and inject Isopryl in me and force my blood pressure and/or heart rate to drop, or even force me to faint, but that wouldn't explain why I'm fainting when I'm sitting at the dinner table perfectly relaxed.

I'm just very frustrated (as I'm sure you can tell).  :)  Thanks for the reply, though, I appreciate it.

[heart2heart]

Well I'm sure there's a reason for the fainting spells. How often do they happen?  Maybe a 24 hr or 48 hr EEG could help explain things? Some forms of seizures could also cause fainting. I hope you find an answer, I know how scary fainting can be since I've had it myself.

[Critter074]

Like I said in my original post, I've had 6 episodes in 3 months.  I don't believe there is a 24 hour EEG; maybe you mean EKG. I had the 24 hour EKG and I'm wearing a 2-week EKG (heart monitor) right now but never have an episode when the monitor is on.  The neurologist cleared me for seizure episodes.

[crystaly]

Hi, Has any one ever mentioned pseudoseizures to you.  I was in an acute neurology ward 2 years ago and a lady in my ward had these. They look like epileptic seizures( only know cos my son has epilepsy)  but are not epileptic in nature. Stress is a major factor and individuals cannot control them . Just a thought really . You could google it and see if you think the info is any good to you if not no harm done. Best Of Luck. Take Care Chris

[heart2heart]

There is such a thing as a 24 hr or 48 hr EEG. They attach the leads to your head and then you go home and its being recorded as you sleep, eat, etc.  Sometimes seizures don't show up on normal EEG's, but they may show up on an extended one.

[Critter074]

Well, that's a new feather in my cap.  LOL  Never heard of it.  I did have a sleep deprived EEG which was NOT fun.  I had to stay up for 24 hours WITHOUT coffee or anything else to help keep me awake.  All together, I was awake 28 hours!  I'm too old for that nonsense.  Anyway, mine aren't seizures (the neurologist said).  I do not seize or have any symptoms of seizures.  I'm stone cold out for 2 to 3 minutes and then totally coherent and normal when I wake up.  They think it is related to my heart or nervous system; they just can't find it.

[Critter074]

Chris...

Thanks for the post.  My Neurologist mentioned all sorts of seizures to me but said my symptoms did not match any of them.  I just black out; period, nothing else.  Anyway, I've been told repeatedly that this is not a seizure.  I guess if I'm going to pay them, then I have to believe them.  However, I never thought it was a seizure, anyway.  My sister has those and this is nothing like that.  Again, they do feel it's heart related but they just haven't found the culprit yet.  My ultra sound tests of my Carotid artery have not come back yet, but they expect that to be normal, too.  Ya got me!  I'm at a loss.

[crystaly]

Soz can't help you out . Ive got no dx either like lots of others on this forum so your not on your own. Doesn't help I know but hopefully your test may come up wih something. Come back and let us all know. Take Care XX chris

[heart2heart]

Just curious...what kind of symptoms do you get before you pass out?  I start feeling weak, break out in cold sweat, ears start ringing, vision goes gray and at times these symptoms are prolonged. I've been hospitalized several times for these attacks. My blood pressure falls to 80/50 and they have to keep me in the hospital till its back up again. And sometimes my symptoms start when I'm sitting still also.

[Critter074]

I'll just copy the symptoms from my original post...

<<Fainting for no reason. Always sitting, perfectly relaxed and calm. A sudden feeling of heat, nausea, weakness, light-headedness and BOOM! Hit the floor. Had 6 episodes, lost consciousness twice.>>

My blood pressure remains normal.  Everything is normal.  That's why they don't know how to diagnose it, I guess.  :-)

[DoctorBD]

you sound so pissed off when someone asks u a question that u already had answered.  take it easy and don't be so sarcastic on your answers. maybe you are fainting bc you are too stressed. especially with a record like your. next time before u pass out try to tilt forward (you head towards your feet) and see if that prevents you from passing out. this usually takes blood back into your brain and prevents passing out. what do u do for a living? maybe too much stress there or at home. sometimes the answer is too simple and does not need all the tests u have beeen doing.

good luck....

[peterpotomus]

are you male or female ?how old? have you had hormone levels  checked ?

[worrywartmom57]

hi.
can't help but reply, i'm looking for answers as to why my daughter passes out. No warning, but she's sick to her stomach after.  Have had all the tests in the world done. and we still don't have an answer after 5 years!  I know why your pissed!  I wish you luck in your search for help.