syncope - General Health Message Board

autumneve · 02-13-2005, 10:49 AM

Hi, I {REMOVED}been on medical leave since last August.In the past 3 months I have become syncopal,fallen and broken bones in both legs.The second time I went right to surgery for compound fracture of tibia and fibula.The problem is the docs have run every test possible and tried every thing known to man and can't figure out why I am still getting lightheaded.I have been fortunate to have been close to something to sit down quickly before I go to the floor.They have thought of the most obvious,postural hypotension,dehydration,low RBC,and all of these have been present during the last 5 mo. but no longer and I am still getting lightheaded at least 3-4 times a week.Can anyone else tell me of something they know of or have experienced to give me and answer to this problem.I can't drive or work until this is resolved and I need to do both.Thank you, Jean

jinglebts · 02-13-2005, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by autumneve

Hi, I {REMOVED}been on medical leave since last August.In the past 3 months I have become syncopal,fallen and broken bones in both legs.The second time I went right to surgery for compound fracture of tibia and fibula.The problem is the docs have run every test possible and tried every thing known to man and can't figure out why I am still getting lightheaded.I have been fortunate to have been close to something to sit down quickly before I go to the floor.They have thought of the most obvious,postural hypotension,dehydration,low RBC,and all of these have been present during the last 5 mo. but no longer and I am still getting lightheaded at least 3-4 times a week.Can anyone else tell me of something they know of or have experienced to give me and answer to this problem.I can't drive or work until this is resolved and I need to do both.Thank you, Jean

could be a brain lesion (i have one) -- have you had an MRI? the other thing i can think of is that you may be hypo and your numbers may not show it (called "sick euthyroid") -- do you have other symptoms of hypo? (or hypER, for that matter) ... you can look on the thyroid board, and check out the thyroid info. thread for symptoms, as yours may not be the most obvious ones ...

jb

Quietcook · 02-13-2005, 11:56 AM

Hi,

So sorry to hear you are going through this. I do know how frustrating it can be. As you have gone through many test, I assume they have sent you to a cardiologist to do a CPT to see if it is vasoval syncope.

I'm not a medically trained person, just worked in classified materials when I began having episode of syncope. Had been telling my family doc I helt my heart racing often, and it could last a short time or lengthy time. Naturally, nothing dramatic showed on a 24 hr Halter Monitor. I had no chest pain, but when in the doctor's office with someone else & asking a question I felt the raicing only to find myself on the floor with the doctor over me a moment later. Norpace (I'm sure there are many other meds to take) has worked to control mine for over 10 years now. Had to slightly increase the dose only twice in that time, when I mentioned to the doc that I had felt the heart racing and had some graying out symptoms without actually fainting this time.

If your doc hasn't checked for this, maybe seeing a cardiologist will find the problem, even though it isn't exactly a heart controlled problem, but more a miscalculation of the brain for adjusting a hormone for slowing the heart back to normal speed.

Hope you find out what is causing your problem soon and heal with no complications from the broken bones.

Quietcook

twizliz · 02-13-2005, 02:14 PM

It could also be anxiety attacks, I have them and they cause me to pass out.

Marie55 · 02-13-2005, 02:40 PM

You could be a "hidden hyperventilator". Most doctors do not recognize this condition. When a person hyperventilates and does not make sounds, motions, etc. trying to get their breath it is referred to as being a hidden hyperventilator and the cause is usually not known, breathing gets off track.

When a person hyperventilates knowing it or not, the red carpusles have oxygen but it cannot be released unless there is a balance of carbon dioxide (CO2). This will cause vital organs (brain, heart, lungs) to be deprived of oxygen causing lightheadness or passing out. There is a blood test for CO2 but it is not always accurate. If test is taken early in the day the body may not be shortchanged on CO2 yet because during sleep the body returns to normal breathing. The late afternoon would be better time for this test.

Ask your doctor to check the way you breathe. Took 10 yrs to find a doctor (hypertension specialist at a medical school) who was aware of the condition. In my case it caused not only lightheadness but also spiked bloodpressure to stroke territory. Lack of oxygen may not cause same symptoms in everyone but the lightheadeness is almost a sure thing.