Syncope is often misdiagnosed as epilepsy. Both present with seizure/seizure-like symptoms.
Syncope can be genetic or drug-induced(prescription or illegal drugs).
It often manifests in childhood or the teen years. Some sudden death while sleeping cases have been attributed to "asthma attacks" or "epilepsy".

Syncope can be difficult to diagnose.
Call 1-800-786-7723 for a list of cardiac specialists that are qualified and trained to diagnose this condition. A cardiac electrophysiologist is recommended.

a site to visit that offers other links is: http://www.sads.org.au/

For a list of drugs to avoid if you have or suspect this condition: http://www.dn-d.georgetown.edu/depts/pharmacology

Thanks for bringing this up!

There are many cardiac reasons for syncope - I have Long QT Syndrome in addition to Epilepsy, and for a while it was thought that my sudden faints were seizures with no aura (which I had never had). It wasn't until I suffered near cardiac arrest that I was taken seriously.

I have since had an ICD/pacemaker put in and am on medicine to control my condition.

Jennifer

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Long QT Syndrome Survivor
ICD/Pacemaker patient
Epileptic
Crusader for all who strive to survive
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I read somewhere not too long ago that researchers/scientists were working on a pacemaker type of device that would stop a seizure before it happened. It would interrupt the electrical impulses that lead to a seizure. It would be implanted in the shoulder area with leads running to the part of the brain responsible for the seizure activity. Others may know more about the article I'm referring to.

I read on one site that a girl was treated for seizures since she was eight years old and she actually had syncope. Imagine what her body went through taking unnessary medication for a condition she didn't have.
She now has a condition called gastroparesis in addition to her syncope. It is where the nerves of the stomach become damaged. Wonder if that was caused by medication she took?----the medication she really didn't need all those years for a condition she didn't have.