fainting

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-18-2004
fainting
4
Sun, 11-13-2005 - 7:51pm

I have a history of fainting-when I was 6 and at the dentist, my Mom was talking to the receptionist and next thing she knew, I was on the floor. I don't remember much about fainting as I got older, but I do remember that I tired easily and my parents couldn't understand why I needed a nap after school.

When I was in my 20s, I was getting my hair cut and was standing with my chin on my chest (my hair was really long) and fainted out cold. My dh caught me. Usually it happens if my blood sugar is a little low, or if I'm in a noisy, crowded, warm room. It's not uncommon for me to pass out, but usually I know the symptoms and remedy the situation before it gets that far. However the last two instances have gotten more severe and I'm a little concerned.

1-I had been sick with a cold, and had a sinus infection (didn't know that). I had breakfast and a shower. In the shower I began to feel faint (ringing in my ears, arms/legs very heavy, no strength at all). Turned off the shower, sat down and put my head between my knees. Felt better. Turned on the shower(very lukewarm), and seconds later began to feel faint again-this time MUCH stronger and not able to stop it by sitting and turning shower off. Luckily I got out of the shower before I hit the floor.

When I was on the floor, I could hear everything, feel the breeze from the air vent in front of me, feel the pain as I hit the floor, but wasn't able to say/do/move anything (not even open my eyes). I laid there for about 5 minutes and then crawled to my bed and laid there for about an hour. I finally was able to get myself to the doctor. I didn't feel completely myself though until the next day (weak/tired/nauseated) and spent the rest of the day in bed.

2-I had a nap that day...leisurely woke up and went downstairs to get dinner started. Began puttering in the kitchen. Suddenly felt extremely nauseated, dizzy, ringing in my ears, arms and legs very heavy, etc. I sat down. It went away slightly so, thinking it could be low blood sugar, drank a glass of juice. Threw up the juice almost immediately and the other symptoms came back immediately, but much stronger. I sat in a chair and practically laid on the kitchen table, unable to move. By then my arms, hands, legs, and feet were tingling. I was aware of what was happening around me, but I couldn't really respond. My dh was sleeping on the couch close by and I was so confused that I didn't even think to wake him. Somehow I crawled up to my bed upstairs and laid on it for a good hour, with my extremities tingling and me slipping in and out of conciousness. It took a full day for me to feel well again. I had not had the flu or felt ill at all before that.

Before #2 happened, I was having trouble with allergies. I had been convinced that I was having trouble with peanuts (at the time I thought I was allergic to them, but I know now that I am not). Since that time, I had many episodes of having trouble breathing, my heart racing, etc but I attributed it to being around peanuts at work. I know NOW that it wasn't peanuts-because I can eat them and be around them with no effects at all.

More recently, I went through a period of feeling really ill and tired, and my arms and legs would tingle. My period was off for about six months. We had extreme stress happening in our lives, and attributed it to that. I am wondering though if it's worth it to bring it up to my new doctor...before it happens again. (and if it does, dh has instructions to call 911)




Edited 11/13/2005 7:53 pm ET by khumphrey
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
In reply to: khumphrey
Sun, 11-13-2005 - 8:36pm

Greetings and Welcome khumphrey!


cl-flowers

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-18-2004
In reply to: khumphrey
Mon, 11-14-2005 - 11:16am

So you agree then that this isn't just normal every day fainting...and I need to talk to the doc. :)

It's been so easy to just write it off as a one time thing, but I've never really thought it was normal. I have never had any other real health issues.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
In reply to: khumphrey
Mon, 11-14-2005 - 7:26pm

K.


It may be nothing at all but what you first


cl-flowers

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
In reply to: khumphrey
Tue, 11-15-2005 - 5:54pm
Welcome!

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