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Vaso Vagal syncope
I have had Fibromyalgia for about 35 years. Some years were pretty bad, several were tolerable, now I think things are going downhill again.
Recently had a lot of pain in my back especially between my shoulder blades - I have arthritis and bone spurs as well - and suddenly blacked out.
Trip to the ER and they said I had Vaso Vagal Syncope.... have others experienced this with Fibro?
I hate to think that now that my Fibro is flaring, pain will cause the Vaso Vagal syncope again.
Any thoughts?
Recently had a lot of pain in my back especially between my shoulder blades - I have arthritis and bone spurs as well - and suddenly blacked out.
Trip to the ER and they said I had Vaso Vagal Syncope.... have others experienced this with Fibro?
I hate to think that now that my Fibro is flaring, pain will cause the Vaso Vagal syncope again.
Any thoughts?
I have FM and CFS. I kept passing out a couple times a week, progressively getting worse. Started out of no where. I went to my chiropractor who discovered the vasovagal event was caused by my neck not being in alignment. I passed out while driving once too, luckily I felt it coming on so I pulled over. Ever since I started going to him I have had no more dizziness or passing out episodes. Try it, it won't hurt anything, my chiro saved my life. I still have intense fear of driving but I get thru it. Good luck. Keep my posted.
Hey. I just read this post and it sounds like something I may be dealing with. I am 24 and female. For the past 7-8 years I have had trouble passing out, severe fatigue, chronic pain all over body, headaches, and just not feeling good. I have been to cardiologists who say my heart is fine. Neurologist think I may be having complex migraines, but still not sure. I have been told by one rheumatologist that I have fibro, but another says that is a catch all phrase. He tells me I have inflammatory polyarthritis. My syncope can not be figures out. No one knows why I pass out. I will do it standing, sitting, or lying. I am only out for a few seconds and am very tired afterwards. I have heard of vasovagal syncope but can't remember much about it. I am currently down working only 12 hours a week because my syncope is so frequent and I feel so bad and am so fatigued. I am also very wore out after just working such a few amount of hours.
Is it possible that all of this is related to the pain I have? And what exactly is vasovagal syncope and what happens with it? Are there many people that are disabled or do they overcome it? (It is very hard for me to drive and stay at work right now, that is why I ask).
Thanks.
Stephanie
Is it possible that all of this is related to the pain I have? And what exactly is vasovagal syncope and what happens with it? Are there many people that are disabled or do they overcome it? (It is very hard for me to drive and stay at work right now, that is why I ask).
Thanks.
Stephanie
I also have fibromyalgia (along with CFS) and vasovagal syncope issues when it comes to the intense fibro pain I get regularly. To Kerriparker, I had my first vaso attack while in the hospital years ago and had the same thing happen. I was not nervous or anything, but my veins got overstimulated and I promptly passed out. Now it usually happens in the shower when I try and relieve the sore muscles in my back, or when I'm around people who smoke. Sometimes it flat out happens for no reason. I keep getting told by doctors that it's nothing too serious to worry about, they say to just lay down flat immediately when I feel it starting to happen (ie. tunnel vision, dizziness, etc). My first sign is sweating and ringing in my ears. But I guess it's different for everyone.
Whatever you do. Don't do what my father did the first time at home and try and sit upright while passed out. You will NOT wake up easily or quickly. I just kept losing consciousness over and over while sitting up or trying to stand. The heart needs to be elevated with the rest of the body. Preferably elevate the legs over the head as you lie on your back and I guarantee you will wake up almost immediately. Took a few times to get that right (plus lots of water and slapping in the face. Ugh.). But take your time. Lay down. Wait for it to pass. It wont take that long if you calm yourself right and your pain level drops a little.
For those, like me, who get this mostly from pain/shock, hang in there. It's rough, I understand, but if you let it take over your life, you're going to let the Fibro/CFS control you forever. There are options. There are others out there. Just don't let it win.
Keep fighting, everyone.
E
Whatever you do. Don't do what my father did the first time at home and try and sit upright while passed out. You will NOT wake up easily or quickly. I just kept losing consciousness over and over while sitting up or trying to stand. The heart needs to be elevated with the rest of the body. Preferably elevate the legs over the head as you lie on your back and I guarantee you will wake up almost immediately. Took a few times to get that right (plus lots of water and slapping in the face. Ugh.). But take your time. Lay down. Wait for it to pass. It wont take that long if you calm yourself right and your pain level drops a little.
For those, like me, who get this mostly from pain/shock, hang in there. It's rough, I understand, but if you let it take over your life, you're going to let the Fibro/CFS control you forever. There are options. There are others out there. Just don't let it win.
Keep fighting, everyone.
E
I am hoping someone can offer me some insight to my condition, I have not been diagnosed, however since a minor concusion in '95 I have experienced about a dozen faintings. Twice while driving, luckily my vehicle was stopped, and my wife was in the car. I have only visted the doctor twice about this, and each time I am put through many tests, and they send me home saying I am perfectly healthy. For several years I was a regular marijuana smoker, and most episodes occured when I was quite high. However I have not smoked in two tears and just had an episode two days ago. This is quite scary, and I am starting to fear driving. The only symptoms or possible causes I have linked are fatigue, and mino stress ? Does anyone have any thoughts on my situation ?
Peace, Jesse, 30 years old
Peace, Jesse, 30 years old
I need some help with something please
I am 24 and was rushed to hospital on Tues with an inflamed appendix, I worked in a hospital for years, had many injections from Tuesday onwards, and had a cannula fitted to my arm.
I had my appendix out Wed morning, with painkillers, antibiotics, anti nausea drug, the anesthetic and much more all injected into the cannula Wed morning and was fine.
Wed night as the nurse put my antibiotics and painkillers into my cannula everything went blurry, then black, I was screaming that I couldnt see and asking what was happening to me then my throat closed up, I couldnt breath and sounded like a frog! Then I didnt know what was going on, passed out, and then woke quickly panicking but could see and breath again my throat was a bit swollen though.
I have never experienced anything like it in my life and thought the nurse had made a mistake, I thought I was going to die! The nurse didnt know what was going on and I screamed for a dr.
The Dr said it was a VasoVagal Syncope which can occur if the vein gets over stimulated.
I've been researching for hours and the symptoms fit but rarely occurs laying down which I was, and can be caused through giving blood and anxiety of needles, it wasnt really a needle it was into a cannula, and I was laying there happily watching a film not even paying attention to the nurse until things started feeling funny.
Does this seem to fit what everyone else has? I'm really worried, the dr didnt really explain much and there is nothing about it happening like it did with me, I wasnt allergic to the drugs but refused to have any more during my stay and took them orally instead.
My nurse friends have never heard of this, so any help anyone can give me would be greatly appreciated. At first I thought the nurse had injected me with air and was killing me I was so confused as to what was happening.
Thanks everyone
Kerri
I am 24 and was rushed to hospital on Tues with an inflamed appendix, I worked in a hospital for years, had many injections from Tuesday onwards, and had a cannula fitted to my arm.
I had my appendix out Wed morning, with painkillers, antibiotics, anti nausea drug, the anesthetic and much more all injected into the cannula Wed morning and was fine.
Wed night as the nurse put my antibiotics and painkillers into my cannula everything went blurry, then black, I was screaming that I couldnt see and asking what was happening to me then my throat closed up, I couldnt breath and sounded like a frog! Then I didnt know what was going on, passed out, and then woke quickly panicking but could see and breath again my throat was a bit swollen though.
I have never experienced anything like it in my life and thought the nurse had made a mistake, I thought I was going to die! The nurse didnt know what was going on and I screamed for a dr.
The Dr said it was a VasoVagal Syncope which can occur if the vein gets over stimulated.
I've been researching for hours and the symptoms fit but rarely occurs laying down which I was, and can be caused through giving blood and anxiety of needles, it wasnt really a needle it was into a cannula, and I was laying there happily watching a film not even paying attention to the nurse until things started feeling funny.
Does this seem to fit what everyone else has? I'm really worried, the dr didnt really explain much and there is nothing about it happening like it did with me, I wasnt allergic to the drugs but refused to have any more during my stay and took them orally instead.
My nurse friends have never heard of this, so any help anyone can give me would be greatly appreciated. At first I thought the nurse had injected me with air and was killing me I was so confused as to what was happening.
Thanks everyone
Kerri
Sorry I didn't see the post earlier. Yep, I've had syncope many times. I also have long hx of fibro. Keep yourself well hydrated, being dehydrated can lead to hypotension. Also if you feel like you're about to pass out, lie down right away. It is usually a response to pain in my case, but has happened from no apparent reason. You may need to see a doctor who will run some tests if this happens a lot.
With your heart attack I hesitate to say this, but you can get pretty severe chest pains with dyautonomias related to FM/CFS. I doubt it's the intensity of heart attacks, but it's intense enough for my doctor to do a chest xray and consider heart testing. (It was happening mostly when I laid down to sleep, i.e. at rest, so we ruled out a heart condition.) Since doing some of the thing treatments I mentioned above, I don't get anything near that intensity. Now it's just a reminder that I'm pushing things and will head for a crash if I don't stop whatever it is that i"m doing such as walking too much.
Dsyautonomias such as Nerually medated hypotension and pots are related to vasovagal stuff. So as keywords you may find much more directly related to cfs/fm. I've written about it before too, a while ago.
They don't involve fainting very often, but using adjustments for them can make a difference in cfs/fm symptoms experienced. Hopkins got on the map with CFS by researching them. (They've since shut down the research, although they still do tilt table tests.)
I personally react badly to needle injections, and am disabled for the next 1/2 day. It's a form of/reaction to vasalvagal stuff. I'm surprised the emergency room diagnosed you. If you go in and say you have this, many doctors/nurses will treat you like your a nutty psych case.
Quick hints on treatments, increase fluid intake preferrably with electrolyte balance(actually works), salt intake, some meds help some people, more awareness of triggers and adjust behavior accordingly such as keeping legs elevated more often, for some people food eliminations, and for the very frustrated and willing to accept the risks IV saline every week or so. In the alternative world, licorish root can sometimes work (must include the active ingredient that's removed for the candy.)
Hope this helps!
They don't involve fainting very often, but using adjustments for them can make a difference in cfs/fm symptoms experienced. Hopkins got on the map with CFS by researching them. (They've since shut down the research, although they still do tilt table tests.)
I personally react badly to needle injections, and am disabled for the next 1/2 day. It's a form of/reaction to vasalvagal stuff. I'm surprised the emergency room diagnosed you. If you go in and say you have this, many doctors/nurses will treat you like your a nutty psych case.
Quick hints on treatments, increase fluid intake preferrably with electrolyte balance(actually works), salt intake, some meds help some people, more awareness of triggers and adjust behavior accordingly such as keeping legs elevated more often, for some people food eliminations, and for the very frustrated and willing to accept the risks IV saline every week or so. In the alternative world, licorish root can sometimes work (must include the active ingredient that's removed for the candy.)
Hope this helps!
I have recently had another "Vasovagal" episode in Jan 08 - as well as a heart attack in May 07 after my 1st post above.
Doctors indicate that I will probably have more vasovagal episodes.... I really rather not!
Along with all that, the doctors suggested "Cardiac Syndrome X" for my chest pains - we originally thought they were angina, but veins are clear after a stent was put in in May 07.... related to Fibro pains??
Fibro has continued to get worse in my legs and back.
What's the connection? What is causing what? No one can give me any answers.
Sources for research on Vasovagal & Fibro connection would be appreciated.
Doctors indicate that I will probably have more vasovagal episodes.... I really rather not!
Along with all that, the doctors suggested "Cardiac Syndrome X" for my chest pains - we originally thought they were angina, but veins are clear after a stent was put in in May 07.... related to Fibro pains??
Fibro has continued to get worse in my legs and back.
What's the connection? What is causing what? No one can give me any answers.
Sources for research on Vasovagal & Fibro connection would be appreciated.
3 Comments
I was diagnosed with Fibro just recently after suffering with it for about 5 years. I had my first Vasovagal syncope episode when I went down with Gastroenteritis. I blacked out 4 times that night and frightened the life out of my husband. He rushed me to the A&E and my eyes were rolling in the back of my head all the way there. B.P was so slow they took it over and over again. I have since had 3 episodes, but managed to lay down and raise my legs above my head preventing myself from passing out. I have just read a good few research articles on a link between Fibro sufferers and this disorder. It makes sense seeing as Fibro is primarily and Central Nervous System disorder. Another wonderful condition that goes under the umbrella of Fibro. Hoping you are well.
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/811744
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23519175
I've never been diagnosed with it, but I've had episodes of it. It happened after a minor head injury, I just associated the fainting with the head injury, went to the ER, they did a CT said I was fine and went home. Since then I've had two more episodes, I didn't think anything of it .. interesting...
I have been diagnosed with VasoVagal Syncope (Neurocardiogenic Syncope) for about 4 years now, and I have just now been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. Apparently, a lot of the symptoms for Vasovagal syncope (dysautonomia), Fibromyalgia, Multiple Sclerosis, and Lupus all overlap. So Fibromyalgia and Vasovagal Syncope are quite common together (at least according to my research).
Hope that helps!
Hope that helps!
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