Passed out two nights ago! :-O

[pomtzu]

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@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.