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Nearly Passed Out From Stubbing Toe?

I wasn't sure where I should post this so I'm starting here. I'm just curius to see if this happened to anyone else. It seriously freaked me out!

Last night as I was getting into the bathtub to take a shower I somehow managed to stub the little toe on my left foot on the side of the tub. It HURT so badly!! I just stood there for a few seconds with my foot up in the air kind of bracing myself from the pain. When I put my foot back down and started to take my shower the hot water really bothered it, but I kept going with my shower trying to suck it up. As I was applying the shampoo to my hair (I always shampoo my hair first), both of my arms felt like they were getting really weak (like when you hold them up for too long). That was followed by my getting really dizzy and light headed so I got out of the shower afraid of passing out or falling in the tub and just sat on the toilet hoping it would pass. While I was sitting down, the sounds of the water running from the shower seemed to get quieter and quieter like I was losing my hearing and I still felt very light headed. Gradually it started coming back and I was able to regain my steadiness to get back in the tub to finish my shower with no problems. This all happened over the course of about 5-10 minutes. Physically I've been fine since then, but still really mentally rattled over how I felt. I honestly thought something was seriously wrong and that I was going to die or something.

I woke up this morning expecting my toe to be a huge swollen mess, but there was nothing visibly wrong with it. It does still hurt a little bit when I move it the wrong way or if I stand on it too long, but just sitting still it doesn't bother me at all.

Do you think I may have fractured or broken it? Was it the pain that caused my dizziness and light headedness or would you suspect something different? Even now it REALLY freaks me out. I honestly thought I was having a stroke or was about to pass out last night. It was so scary. If it weren't for my stubbing my toe and I felt that way I certainly would've called for an ambulance, but I assumed it was related to the toe stubbing.
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Avatar universal
This happened to me a week or so ago - and for the same reasons. I stubbed my big toe on a kerb whilst out walking and then started to feel faint. I sat down for a while and when I thought it had passed I got up with my husband supporting me, but I passed out. Apparently I had my eyes open and was passed out for about 30 seconds. I felt ok afterwards, just a bit tired so just relaxed. It freaked me out too though - and my husband!
Helpful - 0
351246 tn?1379682132
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi!

What you suffered from is probably a vasovagal syncope or a vasovagal attack. The complex group of symptoms are mediated by the vagus nerve. This nerve is irritated by prolonged standing, standing up suddenly, stress, pain, hunger, dehydration, intense emotion etc.  It is also irritated by suddenly stubbing your great toe or your elbow. Normally, the attack triggered by stubbing of toe will not repeat itself. If however it does, then you will need a tilt table test, holter monitor, echocardiogram etc for confirmed diagnosis. Discuss this with your doctor. Take care!
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