Fainting, seizure, vomiting

Question

Hello... I have been having dizzy spells since I can remember. In my teens was the first time I actually had a seizure and then vomited. It picked back up in my mid-20's around 2000 and was more fainting then throwing up with one time being escalating to a petit mal seizure. Originally, they thought it was neurological... years later they said it was a heart condition. I've had the EEG's, EKG's, MRI's, and a couple others I can't remember the names of... After having a table test, which didn't reveal anything really, the doctor said he thought it was Syncope. However, I've never been officially diagnosed with no real proof. The reason for this post is because I had another episode a week ago. My friend said that my lips turned blue. There is really no rhyme or reason for when they happen, but are typically when I'm under high stress.

This discussion is related to Dizziness, Fainting, Possible seizure, Vomiting.

KMathurMD · Answer

Hi 
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
Apart from the conditions already discussed, possibility of TIA or transient ischemic attacks should be looked into. TIA is a mini stroke that happens when the blood supply to brain is temporarily cut off. The episodes last for a maximum of 24 hours and then resolve or a new symptom starts. The symptoms include temporary loss of sensation in any part of the body, black outs, vision loss, tingling, loss of function of a limb etc. It is common in people with high blood pressure, diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, and high cholesterol. 
Generally this can happen several times before an actual stroke happens. This is a warning sign for the body. If you have such episodes, then you must get them evaluated immediately. 
Since you have it since childhood, it can either be a congenital heart condition like a leaking valve or something similar. Compression of cervical spinal nerves is another possibility. It can also be some type of epilepsy or seizure. Please discuss these possibilities with a doctor who is treating you. 
Hope this helps. Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted. Take care!

HeidiHope · Answer

You are welcome.  I realized I put the wrong web adress, so here is the correct one.  It has Dr. Grubb's articles on it, as well.  I'm glad you had that test.  Did you have any episodes with the monitor, so the doctor could see what happens?

http://www.stars.org.uk/

Sweetdisa · Answer

Thanks for your post!  It was very informative... I had that test you were speaking of with the heart monitor thing.  I wore it for a month... That being said, I am definitely going to look up your recommendations.  Thanks again!

Sweetdisa · Answer

Thanks for your reply... No, I haven't been back to see a cardiologist since this last episode.  I've never been prescribed anything for this condition.  Although, way back when they thought it was neurological, the doctor had me on Dilantin, which gave me severe migraines.  After that he put me on Neurontin, which I took for maybe a month and stopped.  But haven't been on anything since then and that was over a decade ago.

HeidiHope · Answer

Also, since you started having problems as a kid, it could be reflex anoxic seizures, which are also discussed in Dr. Grubb's articles.  I just thought of that because your friend said your lips turned blue.  Mine do that sometimes, too, but there are several different similar disorders that can cause the same thing.

HeidiHope · Answer

Hi, I've dealt with some of what you describe, and then some.  I passed out a few times as a kid, but never with seizure activity, but when I was 22 I had a mountain biking accident, and started passing out with seizures two weeks afterward.  Doctors thought it was neurological, then ruled that out and thought it was psychological, until I saw a cardiologist last year, at 27, and it was ruled as a heart problem, where my heart couldn't pump enough blood volume from one side to the other, and my autonomic nervous system couldn't handle the strain on my heart, and started acting up.  It was eventually considered hyperadrenergic postural orthostatic tacchycardia (POTS), with an underlying heart deffect.
Since the tilt table test was negative, that helped rule out some things, but sometimes you can have a negative test and still have a similar problem.  One thing to ask is if you can wear a holter monitor (24 hour heart monitor you wear on the outside, kind of like an EKG) or an insertable loop recorder (ILR) that goes just under the skin.  There are a few similar options, but some will allow you to activate the device when you start to have symptoms or just after, so that doctors can see what happens to your heart during an event - something they may not being able to see during a tilt table test, which is intended to mimic what happens in an episode, but doesn't work exactly the same way. 
If you google "Blair Grubb", you can find several really good articles about syncope and similar disorders, and find information on the different testing options.  As well, www.stars_us.org also has some really good links and information you can print of to take to your doctor, as well as sheets on how to describe your symptoms and what to ask during your appointment.
I hope you figure out answers soon.  I know how scary it is to still be in that stage where you are searching.