Still looking for answers.

I got my pacer 2 years ago while on a vacation. I was subsequently diagnosed with NCS or VVS both the same and Bradycardia. I have read many articles on NCS since that time to get an understanding. Most articles say that an attack of blackout or pass-out usually lasts about 10 minutes. Then you wake back up and are tired but otherwise OK. That it is not dangerous except for the falling down or driving. NOT GOOD. Now here is what happened to me. My Doctor an EP who is very good could not tell me what may have happened nor anyone else. I have never heard of this happening to anyone else and have never received any kind of explanation. When I blacked out in our hotel room I stayed in that condition for 3 and 1/2 hours. I blacked out not passed out. I was talking I was able to fake out the EMT's and there questions for awhile. However I don't remember any of the events that took place. Nothing the trip to the hospital the EMT's nothing. Still have no memory of what took place. My heart rate on the way to the hospital was 10 bpm. My EP said there is no explanation for what happened it should not have lasted that long. Don't get me wrong i am thrilled to be OK now. I don't probably need to remember that's OK. I just wonder though how I could have been out that long and suffer no brain damage or any other long term problem. I am glad i didn't but I still think why me. Why am i so lucky. There are lost of very knowledgeable people on the site and i just though one of you might have heard of this before or have some info. I have never seen. If so let me know just curious. Thanks Bowlrbob

4 Comments

I have NCS

by OIMAPRINCESS2477 - 2008-02-09 01:02:09

Well I have NCS also, But I was passing out. It was last anywhere from a few seconds to 20mins. I didnt really think anything was wrong until i pass out and broke my arm when i fell. When I would wake up from these spells I would have a hard time remembering what happened and I would also have a hard time with remembering things and being able to speek right for about a week. After that week I was fine again but I hated the feeling that there was going to be brain damage. But my dr said it was ok that it was just from loss of oxygen. I hope you get the answers to your questions.

Britt<3

Thanks to you two above.

by bowlrbob - 2008-02-09 01:02:58

I agree it was lack of oxygen. And Carol you could be correct. I did have my wife with me. She called the EMT"S according to her room to hospital took about 1/2 hour. She knows i went out completely in the room when the EMT"S came I was out for about 10 seconds. She said they had to stop the elevator on the way down from the room on the way to the hospital. Believe it or not on this occasion they snapped the bottom of my feet with there fingers. A kind of like don't stop get going sort of thing. You gotta love modern technology. They also had me hooked up for difib if needed. This was used later at the hospital as a temporary pacemaker for a day till I got the permanent one. Smitty if you read this and have any info on long blackouts please chime in. I guess you are right I must be here for some reason but I am still not sure what reason. So I guess now I will just relax and enjoy the extended time I have. Bowlrbob

bob

by jessie - 2008-02-09 11:02:38

i am just glad you are here. i too can not explain why i was in the right place at the right time. it is a gift to be here for an extension of time. to-day we both cleaned the kitchen. i mean cupboards and everything. we had fun doing it believe it or not. i am getting a chance to go for a month holiday in march. life could not be better. i do believe things happen for a reason and that we are given choices to improve or not in my case. don't dwell too much on why. there are things we will never know. why did my healthy 30 year old brother who was a football coach and high school teacher suddenly become ill with acute leukemia and never made his 31st birthday and left three children and a beautiful wife to cope alone. life is a lottery and i know i won. lol jessie

Guessing here

by Carol - 2008-02-09 12:02:02

Hi Bowlrbob,
How long did it take to get to the hospital and how long before they could get your heart rate to an acceptable level? I gotta think you were in more of a "gray-out" condition if you were able to carry on a conversation yet have no recall of events. Your low heart rate must have been able to perfuse the brain just enough to avoid permanent brain damage and keep all vital functions going but not be able to remember anything about it. Kind of an amnesia- like state or "numbness". Of course I'm no doctor but doesn't it seem like a possibility? Were you alone in the hotel room or was someone there to witness the whole affair? In any event, I agree you're one lucky guy and you must still have some work to finish on this earth! Best wishes, your fellow Pacer, Carol

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At age 20, I will be getting a pacemaker in few weeks along with an SA node ablation. This opportunity may change a five year prognosis into a normal life span! I look forward to being a little old lady with a wicked cane!