Passed out twice now during medical visit/procedure

[JamesAA]

Hello.  I'm 38, in good shape (I'm very active and athletic), and I don't smoke or do drugs...only drink on weekends.  I have had issues with panic when as I'm an agoraphobic (afraid of planes, being "stuck" in crowds, etc).  Also used to get PVCs which were diagnosed as benign and they number of those has been reduced drastically in the last year since my phobias are getting better.

Anyway I had to have a mole removed on the back of my thigh today.  In the early stages of the 45min procedure I kept thinking how they were cutting me and that I'm "stuck" here and I really can't get up.  I got nervous then that terrible fainty feeling hit me and I told them I think I'm gonig to faint, which I did.  I felt like I was out for an hour but they said I was out for maybe 3 seconds.  When I woke up I was very confused...thought I had just woken up from being asleep as I had a quick dream while I was passed out.  I was also sweaty and the Dr said my face got very pale right before I passed out.  This also happened in a Dr.'s office 2 years ago when I thought I was gonna die (from PVCs).  I had a lot of PVCs that day, made an appt and as soon as I got there I was pretty sure I was gonna hear bad news and then I passed out...again, only for a couple seconds.  They told me it's probably vasovagal syncope and not to worry.  

But I'm terrified this can now happen while I'm driving, out at a bar, etc...  Why has this only happened at the hospital???  I get nervous in plenty of other situation too.  I think thinking about the surgery (the cutting, the blood, etc probably did not help).  

I should also note that I was hungry during the surgery.  Don't know if that's significant or not.  I just am soooo nervous that this will happen in a more dangerous or embarssing setting.  Also what if I don't wake up?  Isn't being knocked out dangerous?  

[JamesAA]

Thank you all so much for your help....very, very informative and helpful!  Much appreciated.  Happy holidays!!

[RNRita]

Hey, Jerry, I think we talked about the flying thing before.  I still haven't overcome my fear of it because I can't stand giving up control to anyone else.  When I flew last time, as we took off, my heart got very tachy and I thought, "uh oh...I'm having a panic attack while strapped into a plane!"  Then when we leveled out, it went back to normal.  My doc told me it was probably the G-force.  I do notice that does put my heart into PVCs at times....like on certain rides.

[tom_h]

Your post is filled with anxiety types of terms. My wife suffered for many years from agoraphoba, and panic disorder; the faint feeling, sweats, always looking for "escape exits".  She often spoke in the terms that you do.  Are recieving psychological counciling, or take any meds for it?  There's a root to your panic attacks. Once you find what or who it is, you're on your way  to taking control of it.  My wife did and she's fine today.

[Jerry_NJ]

I didn't know this was/is a "guy thing", but now I feel better - not so much like a "sissy" for having similar problems.

I dislike/fear high places, not including being at 35,000 feet in an airplane, and have trouble going up on my extension ladders outside to work on my two story house.  I have had trouble driving over high bridges, especially those with flimsy-looking guard rails.  The best I can offer is face it.  On the airplane issue I too was very frighten about flying even though I had served in the Navy Air Force.  That came after I earned my electrical engineering degree and lost my "blind faith" in the competence of others (pilots, mechanics, designers...) .  My work offered some interesting assignments if I was willing to travel.  I took the job and now have well over 1 million miles of air travel in my history.  I still feel uncomfortable on take-off and landing, but not frightened.  I also find talking, even to myself helps keep my mind focused when driving... even better if I can talk to someone else when I feel particularly uncomfortable.  For ladders, I go up half way, look around, come down and go back up... do this until I shake the uncomfortable feeling.  I appreciate the concern that passing out could happen...it never has for me. Advice, try to find ways to take control.

[RNRita]

Hi.  This is very common during procedures, (or very stressful situations) especially among men. It is most probably the vasovagal response you have been told about.  The vessels dilate quickly and your pressure drops, sometimes you pass out.  Usually you get diaphoretic (sweat) and then you wake up.  This used to happen to a lot of guys when I used to start their IVs before surgery.  Just had to lay them down on their back (feet above head) and give some fluids.

My husband had an elective procedure about a month ago and "vagaled" twice during it (the doc came out and told me).  We pretty much knew it was going to happen as he can't even have a blood test without starting to do this.  Keep in mind, you seem to get these only during extreme stress and you are also afraid it will happen which compounds it all.  

I doubt this is anything serious, but it might be something you have to try to control a bit.  Keep hydrated so there is less chance of your system becoming too low.  Good luck.