Passed out two nights ago! :-O

[mrspunkysmom]

Thanks for your concern, but I know what "triggered" it, it has something to do with my messed up bowels (which is also, most likely, a vasovagal thing...), and I'm pretty sure it won't happen unless I go to the bathroom again while I have these really bad and painful cramps. My doctor said, even though it's rare, she has another patient with exactly the same symptoms. The next time I feel it coming I will lay down on the floor and not try to make it back to the bed. But I won't start wearing helmets or any other protections, that would make me feel even sicker than I actually am. I need to feel "normal", at least as much as possible with all the other restrictions due to various health problems. Please don't worry!

Have you asked your doctor what effect diet has on your condition? Some foods are harder to digest than others.

[Bengalz]

Kirsten,

It is good to hear you are feeling better, have seen a doctor and have some idea about the cause of your episode. In the event that this sort of thing happens again is there any type of Medic Alert system available to you? My concern is you living alone ... in the event of an emergency, you should have a backup plan.

Feel better!

[Scooter's Mom]

Kirsten, it's kind of weird, but sometimes I can tell when I am about to have one of the "episodes". Sometimes I can manage to breathe my way out of it, just by focusing very very hard on my breaths. After the doctor witnessed me passing out, there was no doubt that is what was happening, so he taught me how to sort of watch for signs that it was going to happen - although it's not always possible to tell. Sometimes it just happens so fast there isn't any warning. Other times, I have just enough warning ahead of time to start focusing on my breathing... and a few times I have had just enough time to tell the person I was with to catch me! LOL

I haven't had one of these in a couple of years (3!) but do understand how frightening they can be when you have no idea what is going on. ((hugs)) to you! Glad you have Lily & Luna to help take care of you and make you feel better, mentally at least!

[Kirsten]

Thanks everyone for your advice and support, and for your concern.

I'm a bit dizzy and weak today, wonder if these are still the effects of the concussion.


@cassiesmom: No, I don't think I was dehydrated, and I wasn't hungry either. It was a vasovagal reaction to pain.

@mrspunkysmom: I don't think it was a digestion thing... I'm already on a diet as there are many things I cannot eat (dairy products, grains, most fruits, ect.).

@Bengalz: well, yes, I think there is such a Medic Alert system, but I don't think that passing out one time will qualify me for that.

@Scooter's Mom: Wow, you seem to have these episodes a lot... that is scary! Do you know what triggers them?

[pomtzu]

.

@Bengalz: well, yes, I think there is such a Medic Alert system, but I don't think that passing out one time will qualify me for that.

Here in the States, a Medic Alert system is not something you have to qualify for. Anyone can have it - if you want to pay for it, then you get it. And it's not just for old people (like me ), or ones with medical conditions either. A lot of young and healthy people that live alone have them for security reasons. I got mine AFTER I had a BIG scare - I fell on ice in my driveway and fractured my femur. Thankfully it was still daylight and some men driving past the house heard me hollering for help and saw me laying there and unable to get up - they stopped and carried me into the house and called an ambulance for me. If it had been night time and the rest of the family was late in getting home, then I hate to think what could have happened with me laying there in the freezing rain for who knows how long. So after surgery and a week in the hospital, then 2 weeks in rehab and several months of physical therapy after that, I decided I needed an alert system - just in case. I've never had to use it, but it's there if I need it, and with my balance compromised from a previous issue, then falling is a great risk for me.

You really should check out a system for yourself - it would give you peace of mind - even if you never have to use it. And it would give all of us PT'ers peace of mind too!

[Asiel]

Second try here-- I was posting a reply when something knocked me off line.

Kirsten, just read your post a few minutes ago. What you are describing is so similar to what I went through a few yrs back. I was lucky to never demolish myself on the floor if I passed out, I did get hurt some but not like you. I also had people around most of the time. I remember the pain you describe, I remember laying in bed praying to pass out to get some relief...if I was lucky the pain would subside when I would wake up but often it was still going on...
The helmet-- won't lie to you, it sucks big time but it beats knocking your brains out and suffering bouts of brain injuries. I had to wear one for 15 mos 23 yrs ago , until the doctors could clear up an issue I had. They aren't like football helmets, more like boxers bands. Soft and padded but still a pain until you decide to forget it. I remember the first time I had to answer the door, almost didn't but then made up my mind that I didn't care.... and guess what, most of the time I got no reaction, more people than we imagine have to wear them. Friends and relatives didn't bat an eyelash because they were relieved to see me with protection. You just pretend it's a riding helmet...yes, I still rode but never without a helmet.
Please take everyone's advice and follow through on this, and please protect your head, you won't be sorry. And the medic alerts as mentioned are for anyone here also. The hospitals don't charge very much and they are well worth it. If you don't check in every night and every morning when you wake they call you...if they get no response they send help. Please do take care of yourself, I'm also a huge fan of your photography.

[Scooter's Mom]

When I had them more frequently, I was told it was sort of my body's reaction to pain. My doctor (the one who saw me pass out) had actually just done a very minor out-patient procedure on me and I was really not feeling well, and I told him, "I think I am going to pass out!" And then I was OUT. The times I've had the episodes, it's really been when I was in extreme amounts of pain, usually in combination with something else - like pain plus being sick or pain plus being very tired. Rarely is it just pain.

As I said, it's been about 3 years since I had this happen. It was much more common when I was younger. Maybe I grew out of it some, or maybe I learned how to prevent it some with the focused breathing.

I'm always around on FB if you want to chat more.

[mrspunkysmom]

Thanks everyone for your advice and support, and for your concern. . . . . . .

@mrspunkysmom: I don't think it was a digestion thing... I'm already on a diet as there are many things I cannot eat (dairy products, grains, most fruits, ect.).

@Bengalz: well, yes, I think there is such a Medic Alert system, but I don't think that passing out one time will qualify me for that.

I can't imagine not being able to eat fruit. Grains are also in noodles. Starches are made from grains (and a few other things) and can also bother the gut.

If your doctor sees your wounds, she might differ with you. It doesn't hurt to check it out.

[Kirsten]

You really should check out a system for yourself - it would give you peace of mind - even if you never have to use it. And it would give all of us PT'ers peace of mind too!

Please take everyone's advice and follow through on this, and please protect your head, you won't be sorry. And the medic alerts as mentioned are for anyone here also. The hospitals don't charge very much and they are well worth it. If you don't check in every night and every morning when you wake they call you...if they get no response they send help. Please do take care of yourself, I'm also a huge fan of your photography.

I know you're all worried, but please... don't! I know the trigger now, so I know in which situations I need to be careful, and I think the rest of the time is safe. Also, I'm not all alone in the house. I'm alone in my apartment, that's true, but the family that lives downstairs will notice when something's wrong. At least I hope so!

When I had them more frequently, I was told it was sort of my body's reaction to pain. My doctor (the one who saw me pass out) had actually just done a very minor out-patient procedure on me and I was really not feeling well, and I told him, "I think I am going to pass out!" And then I was OUT. The times I've had the episodes, it's really been when I was in extreme amounts of pain, usually in combination with something else - like pain plus being sick or pain plus being very tired. Rarely is it just pain.

Yes, I think extreme pain can very well trigger such episodes. In my case, it was the combination of that pain and going to the bathroom. Like I said, I had a similar episode in the 90s. And I also experienced something similar when I was injected something at the endocrinologist for a test (can't remember what it was, but I was told that some people react to it that way; at any rate, it was a vasovagal reaction as well).

I can't imagine not being able to eat fruit. Grains are also in noodles. Starches are made from grains (and a few other things) and can also bother the gut.

I can eat fruit in small portions, but I need to be careful and not eat it every day. Same goes for most vegetables, especially raw vegetables. As for grains, it's only the whole grains I cannot eat due to diverticulitis; noodles, bread etc. are okay. But it's true, there are many things that I like that I can no longer eat, or at least not eat too often...

[phesina]

Many prayers for you, Kirsten. Be well, and take care. Do your downstairs neighbors know when they should check in on you?

Love from us ,
Pat and cats