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From: kristinlsolomon@yahoo.com
I am also 22 and I have been through almost every specialist there is. I have been experiencing a lot of the same symptoms as you. At 16 I finally did a complete work up with a cardiologist, neurologist, and endocrinologist. Recently after another extreme episode my aunt suggested I see the electrophysiologist that she worked for. They specialize in the electricity in your heart, another woman I know who is a nurse and has a daughter with vaso vagal recommended I do the same. They do some more tests and look at different things than a cardiologist would. My electrophysiologist prescribed promatine for me after I complained of palpitations at night and extremely low blood pressure that would cause me to shake uncontrollably. I have been taking it for 8 months along with paxil to calm the vagas nerve. The paxil has made me very tired and I just recently stopped taking it and so now I am waiting to see how my body does with just the promatine. I highly recommend seeing an electrophysiologist as another specialist. Fortunately there was nothing wrong with my heart. But an exposed nerve or something could be a possibility that you may want to rule out. I also found she was the most sympathetic and understanding doctor. Most just thought it was all in my head or caused from stress. But i would have episodes like you just from eating or something simple. I would also recommend to keep track of the foods that cause your vagal episodes. There are foods i just can not eat, especially foods that cause indigestion and heart burn, or stuff loaded with caffeine or sugar. I find what helps me the most is eating balanced meals, keeping well hydrated with gatorade, increasing sodium intake and avoiding alcohol. I thought it was funny, i was diagnosed with acid reflux before vaso vagal and i see now how much they tie in together. Also getting enough rest is really important. But each perosn is different and has different triggers and solutions. good luck. feel free to email me if you have any other questions or just want to talk. This is the most frustrating syndrome. Because many doctors feel if they can not find something in a test ( and with vaso vagal they often don't) then you can not be that sick. Don't loose heart. you will find the right treatment that works for you. Unfortunately it can be a long trial and error process, but it's great to have a forum like this to get more and more useful suggestions so you don't feel like you are at the end of your rope and have to suffer. I have been there and i am sure many others here can relate.