That's terrible. I've just found out what VS is – had it all my life but it takes till I'm in my 40s before a doctor puts a name to it. Has changed my life now that I know it is a physiological thing and not me just being 'flakey'. It explains all the episodes in my life. I've never blacked out like you did (I mean while driving or anything). That's a worry.

Went to rimary care Dr today. All that gatorade & salt & my BP dropped anyway. So Im off the gatorade salt dirt & starting fludrocortisone tommorrow. Just what I need more prescriptions. Hope it works. Im tired of being dizzy. Im tired of the it must be a blonde thing jokes too.

Ive been on my fludrocortisone 3 weeks & it appears that all that its improved since my 4/8/11 post is my typing & spelling. My blood pressure is even lower. Im tired and dizzy all the time. Dr wants my top bp 3 120-140. Its been around 85-95. I actually made it to 104 today! Needless to say the days its 85/72 I can barely stay awake. I had blood work today and if all is well, the Dr will increase my medication friday.

:) glad you are improved! Sorry you've had such a rough road..... but you sound pretty similar to me, except I was misdiagnosed as having panic attacks and anxiety for 8 years, went through 6 different drugs that didn't help before I got a doctor that figured out it was neurogenic/vasovagal syncope. And I also have serious love for fludrocortisone, and it took about 4 weeks to be max effective for me, though I'm still very dizzy a lot and collapse at work still and am trying to compensate as best I can to keep working.... I've been researching like crazy lately cause I'm sick and tired of not even being able to take out the trash when I come home cause I'll collapse! I got some compression stockings today (read they might work) and have been experimenting with crossing my legs and squeezing (found an article) and drinking gatoraide (fluids and salt).... just very very frustrated..... I hope your medication increase helps!!!! Would love to know if it does :)

Im at 101/78 today. The Dr decided to keep my MEDS at the same dose. I see her again in a month. No more Gatorade but I still add salt to my diet. Im halfway there. It's been 3 mouthes, 3 more without another episode of passing out& I can drive again. Im still very tired, clumsy,dizzy,& weak in general. I also have fibromyalgia. I have been in severe pain and in bed since Saturday. I have to say that both the FM& VS contribute to my fatigue. I need to try to start walking a little every day. I need to strengthen my muscles. It's been over a year since I've had much of a life outside my bed. I've had oral surgery, asthma& bronchitis& several respiratory infections, 4 spinal facet cauterization procedures(I have arthritis in my spine and 3 '943 bulging discs=degenerative disc disease) I have had a fusion at C5-6 since 1997 my disc ruptured& was pushing into my spinal cord so I have some permanent nerve damage in my legs.Everyday is a challenge& I'm sad that Im disabled, in pain, exhausted& very lonely.

So sorry that you have been going thru all this,
I know what you mean, I deal with bone pain daily,
You are not alone , here for u anytime please keep writing let me know how your doing,
Keeping you in my prayers.
Love,
Angel

Im off the fludrocortisone, it did not raise my blood pressure, it did raise my resting heart rate a lot. Unfortunately my heart rate did not lower and I've been off the flurocortisone about 2months. I add salt to everything, take my blood pressure frequently and drink Gatorade and rest when I getdizzy. I haven't passed out again...I've come close about a dozen times, everything goes black...but I am able to stay conscious as long as I drink a bottle of Gatorade and rest. I drove for the first time in 6 months yesterday. I was really nervous. The last time I had driven was February 7th, the day I fainted driving. I've got to return to the cardiologist asap because of the high heart rate and I was recently diagnosed with Chronic fatigue immune dysfunction syndrome,aka CFIDS/CFS/ME.

I have been dealing with vasovagal syncope for five years. We have been through brain and heart tests. We have tried almost everything. My blackouts happen months and even years apart. However, we have decided to stop driving. I have been a stay at home mom this whole time but wondered if anyone has heard of any kind of transportation benefits for people who can't drive.

That's an interesting question kerriwenzel. I recently have been diagnosed at age 38 but this has been going on, years apart since I was a teenager. My latest frustration was everyone says I shouldn't drive. I'm a single woman, no family near by, and decades away from being able to retire. Maybe the city bus is in my future.