Vasovagal Syncope

[theoldcatlady]

Right, so for the past month or so I've had a cold; runny nose, scratchy throat, post nasal drip and all that. About 2 weeks ago it seemed to have settled in my chest. And now I've been fainting when I cough. Not EVERY time I cough, but at least 3 times a day. I've never done this before, last time I fainted was well over 11 years ago. So,

Comments

[caseytalk]

I have never heard of such a thing.

It does make sense that it would be vascular, that when you sneeze it constricts your blood flow to the brain and you pass out.

You don't need this on top of everything else. What happens if you're driving and have to caugh? I hope they find out what it is soon.

[theoldcatlady]

The coughing makes my head hurt too, the pressure is horrible. I was holding my temples while coughing until my doc said that would just improve my chances for fainting while coughing. So I'm not holding my head and I'm still fainting.

Thankfully, I can usually feel a cough coming on and I've had time to either sit in a chair or drape myself on the stairs if I happen to be on them. So far I haven't coughed while driving, and I hope I have enough warning to either slam on the brakes and put it in park, or pull over before I go out

upset knowitall, bulldozing through. please wait until she reaches a complex stop.....

[addyit]

O.O

Re: upset knowitall, bulldozing through. please wait until she reaches a complex stop.....

[theoldcatlady]

I'm guessing the "normal" they referred to meant that nothing showed which would cause the fainting? Though hypoglycemia can do that. *scowls*

No, no throat swab, no sputum samples were taken. The cough is unlike any I've experienced to date and considering I had multiple allergies as a child, I've experienced my share of coughing.

Yeah, Wiki has it about right this time from what I've read. Fainting with coughing being the trigger in my case. I'm taking the tussin syrup every 4 hours and I notice I'm not coughing as frequently so hopefully this little bugger's on it's way out!

Re: upset knowitall, bulldozing through. please wait until she reaches a complex stop.....

[addyit]

i read that, too. and it's still a big question mark over the whole thing

Re: upset knowitall, bulldozing through. please wait until she reaches a complex stop.....

[addyit]

also, just a thought.... this may not work since it might make your airways even jumpier and cause more coughing...

but what about smelling salts? my great-aunt had problems with fainting due to low blood pressure. they ARE ammonia based, usually, so they might make your coughing worse.

[pmoodie]

Arg! That sounds horrible!

I hope the doctors figure out what the problem is, and fix it.

El had similar problems a few years back with her blood sugar levels. She was having dizziness and fainting spells too. The doctors thought she was developing diabetes, but then it seemed to clear up! They still don't really know what was wrong.

[theoldcatlady]

Wow, poor El. I can, obviously, sympathise with that. I wonder what it could be? I'm still taking meds, haven't fainted yet today, came close twice though, nearly blacking out and shaking violently while coughing.
I cancelled Elora's therapy visit and Conal's visiting therapist as Elora's now vomiting, diarrhea and complaining of stomach ace. We have Brownies tonight, but I just may bow out of that too.

[missdiane]

I hope that they can figure it out or that it just goes away SOON *hugs*

[theoldcatlady]

Yeah, that wold be nice. Oddly, it seems like the coughing has increased, though thankfully the fainting hasn't.

[leelastarsky]

Fainting 3x a day?! And there's nothing wrong?! This sounds terrible!!

[missdiane]

Completely and totally off topic but love the icon!

[theoldcatlady]

leela's icons are way cool. ;-)

[theoldcatlady]

Seriously, I mean c'mon now. I've never done this before, what the heck is it and how do we get it to go away?!