Survey?

I am wondering how many people here have chronic conditions which cause them to pass out occasionally---and how often does it happen? For me, the prospect of collapsing in public has always been the worst part of having a heart condition. It's happened twice within the last two months, and so now I am doubly curious as to what kind of thoughts everyone else who has experienced this has. I find it pretty humiliating, despite what my family and friends tell me. So what are your immediate reactions upon coming to? Fear? Embarassment? Frustration?

11 Comments

Me too!

by dw5281 - 2009-01-23 01:01:39

i used to do this a lot & could never work out where i was when I came round!

I always used to get warnings when it was going to happen so I've warned people before now - I still remember some poor girl when I ran behind her desk & said I'm going to blackout don't worry I'll be fine!! Ha Ha her face was brilliant!!

The most recent time was last Feb on a tube train in the centre of London! That was a little embarrassing with the whole car staring at me!

I never really feel embarrassed I usually feel to ill!! The only time I felt embarrassed was when it happened on a night out in a nightclub. I blacked out in the toilets & ended up being the last one in the club - I could tell they thought I was a drunken moron but I was too ill to explain!! I feel like going back to show them my scar& saying - see I wasnt a drunk!!!

passing out

by kcruz - 2009-01-23 02:01:48

I pass out very frequently, it has impacted me to the point I am not to drive anymore, although I have to say I haven't had it happen in the past while driving. I am usually unaware it is going to happen and I have been told that I continually tell people I am ok as a hit the floor. As far as embarrassment, don't think that has been the feeling, Syncope is one of those things that a selected few of us are so blessed with (lol).

Syncope

by chip - 2009-01-23 03:01:11

Syncope has been a real problem for me. I have dropped in public many times and it has even caused me to wreak a vehicle.

It used to embarrass me a GREAT deal but now it is “kind of part of everyday life”!

I will say that my current meds seem to be controlling it as I have not “dropped” in awhile now.

It’s nice to know I’m not the only one with this curse.

Would be interesting to hear how everyone controls and/or lives with their syncope.

Stay Well & God Bless


:)

Syncope

by scadnama - 2009-01-23 04:01:43

When I first started fainting, fear is what felt as I was coming to. Once I got used to it though, it really wasn't a big deal anymore. I would always warn my co-workers or anyone that I was around that if I fainted, I would wake up eventually, and to not call 911!
The only time fainting ever became a big deal was when I was driving my car and I crashed into a tree.

Amanda

Thanks (and more questions)

by Broken Hearted Jane - 2009-01-23 05:01:31

Thanks for posting, everyone. It does help to know that this is something that happens to plenty of others, and it helps me personally to know that you guys don't really feel embarassed (makes me feel like I shouldn't either).

When you guys experienced these episodes, about how long were you "out" for? I am blacked out for about three minutes at a time usually when it happens, and I really detest the idea that things are going on around me while I am completely vulnerable. This is what bothers me most.

And is anybody else's due to arrhythmia?

Arrhythmia

by scadnama - 2009-01-23 06:01:15

When I first started fainting, it was because of bradycardia. That was solved by the pacemaker. Then, I started fainting because of tachycardia. I have had 4 ablations for that, and have been faint free for 2 months now. Woo hoo!!!

When I did faint, I was usually out until someone would "wake" me. It took some sort of stimulation to get me to come to on most occassions. I would be out anywhere from 30 seconds to a few minutes.

Amanda

Black out

by arty - 2009-01-23 07:01:05

My first drop out was flying home from Perth [ oz ] It caused a my wife a bit of a panic, but the Jetstar crew gave me some Oxy. and I was OK.
I also got thro' check out pretty quick.

Arty

For some cases there is a fix

by bowlrbob - 2009-01-23 07:01:15

Syncope can be caused by several different things. And may I say first off if you have it and it is not resolved you should not drive. That is dangerous and irresponsible. In my state if you have an episode you cannot drive till you are syncope free for 6 months. Now in my case the syncope is caused by the vagus nerve. My pacemaker was set up with rate drop response and I have not passed out in over 3 years. I do not have to take any medicine. The pacer does it all. When i used to black out the time varied from the shortest time 10 minutes to 3 and 1/2 hours once. But I am proof that it can be cured. If any of you wants more info private e-mail me. My diagnosis was NCS also known as VVS. Bowlrbob

I would have to say.......

by Angelie - 2009-01-23 12:01:51

Confusion......

Like "what in the heck just happened. I was just standing there talking to so and so, and now everyone's looking over me- gawking."

Or, " Now wait a minute......I was just pulling weeds, so why am I lying on the grass in the hot sun? Just how long have I been lying here? The neighbors must really think I'm strange!"

No one really knows what it's like unless you've been through it personally. I know there's a bunch of us who've been through this as well, Jane. Interesting topic. I like your curiosity. My cat is curious ALL the time, and to this day it hasn't killed her yet......LOL!

Angelie

Suggestions?

by Broken Hearted Jane - 2009-01-24 03:01:19

I pass out ONLY when I have arrhythmias and am subsequently difibrillated. And I have arrhythmias only when I am overexerting myself (never at rest). This means I'm usually going someplace/late for something/rushing/whatever, which makes passing out all the more inconvenient. Last time I went to my doctor she made it seem as though it would be nice for this not to be happening, but that it wasn't as serious as I was taking it. This is what led me to ask you guys about how gravely you view the situation. I, personally, get worried about losing consciousness, but am always almost more embarassed than I am scared.

Thanks for all the input, everyone. I guess as long as I'm not in danger of actually DYING I can get used to the idea of passing out as safely as possible. Goodness, that sounds morbid. Ah, well. I usually have about ten seconds before I black out in order to find myself a place to sit down, preferably up against a wall or a fence or something (somewhere I won't be able to fall from and hit my head). Does anyone have any other last second tips for preparing for a safe collapse?

Consider me dusted

by Broken Hearted Jane - 2009-01-25 02:01:59

Thanks, Bella. I do consider myself extremely proactive in making sure that I live as healthily and as safely as I can without having to compromise any of the things that are important to me (travel, independence, etc). I would like to hear from my cardiologist that the three minute blackouts are not harmful to me (providing I do not hit my head on the way down), and go from there. Then, for me, it will be more about getting over the embarassment and the little bit of anticipatory anxiety I still have sometimes. Your PM was very helpful, also.

Thanks everyone for posting.

You know you're wired when...

Your device makes you win at the slot machines.

Member Quotes

I am just now 40 but have had these blackouts all my life. I am thrilled with the pacer and would do it all over again.