you are not alone and yes the fear of another episode can really affect the quality of your life. This is a good place to vent if you need to!

Hi

This is my first time on this forum. I completely appreciate your fears. I recently had my worst episode where it was terrifying. I am now in fear of it happening again. I did go to my doctor who gave my a 72 hour ECG (I knew this wouldn't show anything) and was then informed your are well. I don't think people realise how dreadful the feeling is. Have you any advice at all since I don't want to start bringing on episodes with anxiety.

I too recently had my worse episode. I have always been a 'fainter', since I can remember (43 yrs) .My mom took me to a neurologist when I was young, couldn't find anything wrong. My recent episode I felt coming on. I layed down but still fainted, came to, then fainted again which never has happened to me! We were on vacation and my husband called 911. Normally after I faint, I am ok after a little while. But this was different, I was sick to my stomach and felt terrible making me think I had a virus plus being dehydrated and on my cycle = perfect storm. I was off work for 2 weeks waiting to be cleared by my Dr. I still have that fear, with the nausea and heavy legs but some days are better than others. I wish I had some advice because i know I terrible it is. I feel like I've been rambling just remember you are not alone!

Felidae- YES! That sick feeling before a faint is something I often experience. It is not fun! After a faint, I don't usually sick to my stomach any longer, but I am exhausted and disoriented.
On one vacation up onto a mountain in Colorado, I got sick and thought I was going to throw up. I was wiped out and my husband and brother walked me back to the car and we went back to our hotel. I slept for over an hour. It's very important we drink plenty of water.

Felidae and Pumpkin- there are good doctors out there who understand vasovagal syncope. I went through a ton of tests to rule out heart problems - no heart problems other than a heart murmur. So, he had me take a TILT TABLE TEST. You should look that up. I wasn't medicated, just hooked up to heart and blood pressure monitoring. Two nurses watched over me. About 18 minutes in to standing there thinking that wasn't going to show anything either, I said, did you turn off the air conditioning?(It was July). They said no. I said I'm very hot and then I told them things were going black and I was out. They told me after that my heart stopped beating for about 8 seconds (which I guess is normal in syncope problems). That how I was diagnosed with neurocardiogenic syncope. My experience is common, although many people faint much sooner. My cardiologist was my hero.
The biggest thing that has helped me is to note my triggers, pay attention to my body, and be aware of places to sit down in case it happens. But the ground works just fine, too. If you can lay down and stop the process before it gets the best of you, all the better.

Frustrated- you are an inspiriation. Thank heavens I have this place to tell others how I'm feeling, so that I'm not alone and can feel like someone does understand my experiences.

Blessings!

PJ- my Dr acknowledged me as probable neurocardiogenic syncope and recommended the tilt table test. I'm not looking forward to it although I know it will help with my diagnosis. My husband swore I stopped breathing during my last episode. I hate that I scared him like that. We have been married for 22 years and this was the first time I fainted in front of him alone. My biggest problem now is the anxiety. I have periods of time (weeks to months) where I feel great and can go and do anything. Then there are times when I can't stand in a grocery line too long or take my kids to the Dr afraid of having another episode. It's hard to explain :-(

hi Felidae,
Did you have the tilt table test? I know my heart stops beating for about 8 seconds when I faint. Many people with NCS have the same problem, and that increases the exhausted feeling when I wake up.
Anxiety is our enemy. Since I also have fibromyalgia, anxiety will also increase my pain levels.
Hang in there.
PJamela