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From: oneshoshy@aol.com
My last "episode" last night, has prompted me to look for more answers regarding this syndrome. I was unhappy, and quite honestly frustrated, that my search came up empty.
To preface my situation, I was diagnosed with Vaso-vagal syndrome when I was pregnant at age 20, but, had suffered with it since I was 10 years old. When I was officially diagnosed during my pregnancy, my doctor advised me that "they just put a name to it". My OB/Family doctor was WONDERFUL! He gave me one sheet of information that was attainable at that time to help me understand it.
My symptoms include nausea, dizziness, fainting, tunnel vision, weakness, exhastion and on occasion, siezures. The latter of which scares me the most! Last night, for example, I siezed and according to my fiance (who is formerly an EMT), my pulse and breathing slowed to almost a stop.
My fear is what prompted me to look further into any newer information than what I currently know. Thus, I have been reading most of the posting and want to share with you, my understanding of this:
Per my doctor's information given to me in 1994: Vaso-Vagal syndrome is one of the body's "protection" instincts. Unconsciousness can occur when the body is stressed, i.e., Anxiety, infection, but can also be brought on with extreme exhaustion, humidity, and undernourishment and/or low blood sugar levels.
Please note: I have had "episodes" under ALL of these conditions.
I was also advised that I could be treated with medication, the very same that is used to treat epilepsy. I refused though, since I would become unable to drive or work just from the medication itself.
LET ME ENCOURAGE YOU: THIS CAN BE CONTROLLED! My one purpose to this posting, is to share not only my symptoms, but hopefully help most, if not all of you with this:
I live with these "feelings" (Nausea, dizziness, etc) EVERYDAY! I feel that I have been able to control my episodes through "relaxation techniques" for lack of a better term. I have learned to lay flat and breathe deep. I some cases, because the weakness is bad, I will sinply take a nap. I would have to admonish you to find out the best course of action for your body. What relaxes you? My experience has been that, anxiety will only magnify these symptoms, relaxation is the best way to deal with this.
Thank you for your time. I hope this helps!