My whole world stopped

Brain?

by Lavender - 2023-06-29 18:37:13

It reminds me of a brain episode rather than a heart episode (?) It sounds like an hallucination maybe from dehydration or being tired?? Hey, what do I know? Lol

I would speak to your doctor

by Gemita - 2023-06-29 19:11:28

Malya, in view of your symptoms, I would see your doctor for some checks.   It may be nothing to worry about, but they may wish to check your vision or do a head scan to rule out anything significant.  Do you have arrhythmias.  Arrhythmias can cause blood flow problems to the head resulting in transient symptoms. I would definitely speak to your doctor tomorrow just to be safe, or earlier if these symptoms return.  

My whole world stopped

by H van Dyk - 2023-06-29 19:35:51

For what it's worth: this reminds me of a number of mild migraine attacks in my younger years. As a side effect, I sometimes experienced a sort of  'depersonalization' for about 20 or 30 seconds. A strange, not even unpleasant, very peacefull feeling.
I agree with others that this has probably nothing to do with your pacemaker.

A quick Question

by Good Dog - 2023-06-29 20:25:53

Dear Malya,

When you said that; "numbers came into my head, very bright" 

Here is my question: Did you actually see the numbers or were you just imagining them in your brain? That may be a difficult question to answer, because they can both be one of the same, but I am just wondering if what you experienced was anything like an ocular migraine or something entirely different? 

Sincerely,

Dave

Everything stopped

by AgentX86 - 2023-06-29 22:29:45

This sounds like a small stroke or TIA to me.  I'd certainly get an appointment with a neurologist, ASAP.

My whole world stopped

by Malya - 2023-06-30 04:18:24

Thank you all so much for your support and quick replies.

Lavender, I may have been a little dehydrated but do drink lots of water. I agree about brain related.

Gemita, I'll be on the  GP phone queue in a few minutes here in the U.K! I don't have arrhythmia or none that showed up on the original heart tests.

H van Dyk, I've never had migraines and the irony is that I started to get headaches before the pacemaker implant and then they just totally disappeared afterwards.

Dear Dave, I saw the numbers, very bright, colourful large ones, especially number 7. Maybe I ought to do the lottery! Seriously, don't know what an ocular migraine is, but would be relieved if that was the reason.

AgentX86 I agree with what you said and hope it isn't the case.

Once again, many thanks everyone.  Now to join the telephone queue. Malya x
 

Ocular Migraine

by Penguin - 2023-06-30 05:42:23

Hi Mayla,

I won't even attempt to guess what happened to you, but if an ocular migraine or something affecting the eyes / vision is one of the suspects you may find a shorter queue at your optician (if you see one regularly).  They should be able to speak to you about the symptoms and any triggers / suspected causes.  They can also refer if necessary.

Best Wishes

Ocular Migraine

by Good Dog - 2023-06-30 08:08:15

I have had ocular migraines very infrequently and do not claim to understand them. They are generally harmless. I'll try to explain, but I understand it can be different for different people. My symptoms can vary greatly with the duration lasting anywhere from 30 seconds to 5 minutes. When they happen I sometimes have vision problems and am often stopped dead in my tracks. Sometimes feel a little dizzy. Sometimes everything is simply blurred and other times I see colors, but most often my vision is blurred and I see a row of ZZZZZZZ in different orientations in my peripheral vision. It is difficult to explain and very weird. I've read that as long as symptoms do not last beyond 15-20 minutes they are harmless.

Last fall I had a stroke with tiny pieces of plaque breaking-off from my left carotid and hitting the vision area in my brain. I thought it was an ocular migraine and went to bed instead of the ER. I was very, very lucky I woke in the morning. I should have known better, because the symptoms while similar, were much, much more severe and different from an ocular migraine. That can be the problem with trying to diagnose yourself. In retrospect, it was wishful thinking on my part. Yeah, I literally need to have my head examined!

So I agree with Agent86 in that if it happens again, especially if it remains unexplained and symptoms persist, you should be seen by a doctor. In reality it is likely nothing, but as I've learned; you cannot be too careful!

Sincerely,

Dave

Your event

by piglet22 - 2023-06-30 08:14:28

Hello

There are two occasions when I have experienced what you are describing.

They may have nothing to do with yours, but both were heart related.

Years ago, I had a "rag doll" moment when everything that was keeping me standing up, went away. I didn't lose consciousness, but that was the start of the pacemaker journey.

For years before, I had been having my "hump-backed bridge" moments, when a strange sensation would sweep though sweep through me. Just seconds, but scary. 

That syncope, vasovagal event was the start of complete heart block Mobitz type 2.

The hallucination event came when I was having the first pacemaker replaced. They were debating whether to put on external pacing and decided I had enough cardiac function left to go through it without external pacing.

They covered me head to toe with a shroud and I had the most amazing light show I have ever experienced. Flashing patterns and colours. I had no sedative or anything else.

Weird. It all stopped when they stopped.

Ocular migraine

by Lavender - 2023-06-30 10:10:14

An optician is no help with ocular migraines.  It's a brain thing. A neurologist can't fix that either.  I get them as Dave described. Some call it scintillating scotoma or aura migraines. I get it maybe ten times a year. In fact, the neurologist I asked gets them too. Lol. He said he just takes over the counter meds if there's pain. 
 

Mine starts as a small blank spot in my field of vision which develops into a zigzag shimmering rainbow color C shape. The C can be forward or backward facing. It gets larger and larger until it goes to the edges of my vision field.  It's there whether the eyes are open or not. I don't have pain. I usually lie down til it passes and close my eyes because I sometimes get a bit of nausea. It is over in 20-25 minutes. Have never figured out a consistent trigger. 

scintillating scotoma

by AgentX86 - 2023-07-01 02:12:41

Some pretty amazing drawings of scintillating scotomas. I've had several of these variations but none in five or six years and probably 40 years since they were a regular thing. Interestingly, there is some evidence that a septal defect will significantly increase the probablity that one will have scintillating scotomas.

<https://duckduckgo.com/?q=scintillating+scotoma&t=ffab&iax=images&ia=images&iai=https%3A%2F%2Fih0.redbubble.net%2Fimage.5711955.3812%2Fflat%2C1000x1000%2C075%2Cf.jpg>

A "video" of a common type:

<https://www.google.com/search?q=Scintillating+scotoma+video&biw=2420&bih=1198&sxsrf=AB5stBjsVf5LR_T_F-tMCRG8ntpl2yDDMA%3A1688188727940&ei=N7efZOP_OLWlptQPt_qMsAM&ved=0ahUKEwij98SL4ez_AhW1kokEHTc9AzYQ4dUDCA8&uact=5&oq=Scintillating+scotoma+video&gs_lcp=Cgxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAQAzIFCAAQgAQyCAgAEIoFEIYDMggIABCKBRCGAzIICAAQigUQhgMyCAgAEIoFEIYDOgoIABBHENYEELADOgcIIxCKBRAnOgoIABCABBAUEIcCOgYIABAWEB5KBAhBGABQ7RhY0SJgij9oAXABeACAAVeIAZEDkgEBNZgBAKABAcABAcgBCA&sclient=gws-wiz-serp#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:51ed4ab2,vid:dGzIxfPNGL0>

Optician

by Lavender - 2023-07-01 12:19:52

You might want to see an optician- as Penquin suggests- if it can be a shorter router to getting an exam somewhere to see what is the cause of your latest adventure. 

Malya - How are You?

by Penguin - 2023-07-02 07:22:03

Hi Malya, 

We've heard nothing since you tried to contact your GP. Are you OK? 

Fingers crossed. 

Whole world etc and many thanks

by Malya - 2023-07-04 16:50:44

Thank you all for information and support.

Update, Thank you again Penguin for asking how I am.

I have a real one to one appointment with a GP next week. In the mean time if I experience a similar episode must go to local AandE . This is all in the U.K. guys. So very quick turnaround. Truly. 

Since last post no stupid episodes. Heck, I even ran my local Parkrun without a problem.

Dave, not  taking chances. Not because I'm an Ostrich, but mostly listening to my gut instinct. 
Malya xxx

Pleased to hear

by Penguin - 2023-07-05 15:15:04

Seeing the GP next week isn't bad going I suppose. I guess the trick is to access help when it happens another time. However stupid you feel (and stupid is quite a derrogatory way to describe yourself considering the concern from members here) and no matter how strong your gut instinct may be, it can be very difficult to assess for yourself what is going on.  

Only you and your doctors will know your risk factors for anything which could provoke these symptoms.  I'm sure they will check your PMs ECG if you provide the date / time of the incident to see how your PM was behaving at the time and whether any kind of rhythm disturbance was disrupting your pulse.

I truly hope you get to the bottom of this incident. 

Edit: I see that you fly (aeroplanes!).  Should you mention this incident to the regulatory authority / licensee? 

Pleased to hear

by Malya - 2023-07-08 15:18:48

Hi Penguin,

You are so right about checking back re my PM at the time of my episode. I'll ring the cath lab people on Monday. Guess I need to always refer back to them whatever the symptoms.

I am not a qualified pilot. However, I act as Co pilot when we fly. (Cessna 172) My husband is a qualified pilot. My skill is that of navigation and listening out. I could land a light aircraft in an emergency though. Last  year I supported an ultralight who got into trouble with his communication.He couldn't hear RAF Valley in Wales.I could, and acted as gofer between them all while my husband concentrated flying us through the Menai Strait at an altitude of 1500 feet. The RAF were around us like flies. But we all got home safely.

Malya xxx