I'm 30 this year and had vasovagal syncope since I was 14 very scary stuff! My mother and I went to hospital to find out what it was I told I have an irregular heart rate and that when I have an episode if someone is there to check my heart rate while I'm out for the count! Ì found out that cycling can trigger it off too without being on my period! My stomach aches and before I know it I can't see or hear anything then I'm on the floor for about an hour once the pain has completely disappeared I can carry on as if nothing happen! If I hit my funny bone on elbow or knee that can trigger it also! Hope this helps! Your daughter is not alone xx
I have had vasovagal since I was 7 years old, and then when adolencense came my cycles dramatically increased my episodes. My OBGYN and Cardiologist have worked together to keep my now symptom free for past 3 years for the first time since I was a child, I am now 35. One of the first things they did was completely stop my cycles with shots since blood/fluid loss intensifies these episodes as well as their frequency. Each patient is different so absolutely go and get an echo done, that is how they diagnosed my underlying cardiac condition that made me highly prone to vasovagal episodes. But just letting you know that with proper treatment the episodes can me be controlled and your daughter will have a much better quality of life.
My doctor prescribed me to take Mefenemic Acid, which has prevented my episodes of passing out and spasming , vomiting, hallucinating and a few other symptoms. This might be a great solution. I take it three times a day whilst menstruating.
A pacemaker!?!! This is insane advice that should be disregarded. Take an anti-inflammatory (like Alleve) to prevent the production of prostaglandins, which cause cramps. Take it BEFORE any cramping occurs.
***this post is edited by moderator *** *** web addresses not allowed*** Please read our Terms of Use
This is poor advice. She is having a vasovagal episode secondary to a pain response. Please learn medicine before telling a 15 year she will need surgery.
Excellent advice. Thank you!
I am 39 and have suffered with severe cramps and vasovagal response since I began having periods. Try this:
1. Take ibuprofen 400-600 mg preemptively with food. If you can hold it down, this will probably help.
2. At the first sign of cramps, do The above if you haven't already, and then go to the toilet and try to completely empty out your bowels.
3. If cramps are severe during your bathroom process or you vomit up your ibuprofen, try using Boswellin cream. It has an aspirin-like ingredient and will work topically as well as being absorbed. Use a small amount on your uterine area. Take care not to get it on your genitals because it will burn. This is the only thing that helps me when I am having diarrhea and vomiting at the same time and on the verge of passing out.
1. Take ibuprofen 400-600 mg preemptively with food. If you can hold it down, this will probably help.
2. At the first sign of cramps, do The above if you haven't already, and then go to the toilet and try to completely empty out your bowels.
3. If cramps are severe during your bathroom process or you vomit up your ibuprofen, try using Boswellin cream. It has an aspirin-like ingredient and will work topically as well as being absorbed. Use a small amount on your uterine area. Take care not to get it on your genitals because it will burn. This is the only thing that helps me when I am having diarrhea and vomiting at the same time and on the verge of passing out.
If you are hooked up to a 12 lead EKG whilst having such an episode, you will find it is very likely sound medical advice to get a pacemaker, depending upon what your EKG reads. I found out that when I "faint" my heart actually stops. It's called asystole and it is QUITE major. I've got vasovagal cardiogenic syncope, and it is secondary to a pain response. No medical professional has, upon seeing my EKG, said that I needed anything other than a pacemaker. If I had known such a thing at 15 or even at 5 (I used to pass out from other painful events prior to puberty), it would have saved us a lot of worry, grief, endless testing, etc. YOU MUST GO OUT WHILE HOOKED TO AN EKG in order to know what is going on. Do NOT disregard the possibility that a pacemaker is exactly what would fix it. I've had mine now for 15 years. It truly does make a difference. I am glad to not have to medicate myself every month just so I am fit to drive, walk down the street, etc. without fear of collapsing from the pain of cramps.
Four separate cardiologists have emphatically said that without a doubt a pacemaker is needed in the case of vasovagal cardiogenic syncope such as mine, after seeing my EKG. It is NOT insane, and pursuing this may save you time, money (on other tests as well as any accidents that you may cause should you have an episode at the wrong time!) and actually solve the problem. It is a cardio issue, talk to a cardiologist. Get a Holter monitor or even better a 30 day monitor e.g., king of hearts or Rhythm Star. Pounding NSAIDs monthly doesn't actually solve the problem, it staves off the precipitating factors. Heaven forbid you find yourself in unforseen pain and you aren't able to take pain meds soon enough! I say better to install a solution, if a cardiologist can diagnose you.
Has your daughter been checked for endometriosis?
What a bad idea! Estrogen always causes more problems than it solves!
Just take 2 aleve and lay down and raise your legs. I’ve been getting this since I was 15, it’s the worst. I’ve had to lay down on many gross public bathroom floors while random strangers found me painkillers. there are some practical things that work like splashing your face with cold water or closing your nose and forcing breathe out of your mouth for 20 seconds straight or bearing down as if you are giving birth while exhaling
I find your advice most relevant and helpful. I also have this condition and it reminds me of migraines where you have to take pain meds at the very first twinge or else you go into the full cycle of symptoms. Thank you for laying it out so plainly.
A pacemaker is a last resort and rare. Don’t scare the girl, hoseclamps. If the issue is fainting solely from pain, talk to an OB/GYN about non-narcotic pain relievers she can prescribe. You could also look into non-drug options like a TENS unit or heating pads. If you experience fainting outside of your period, talk to your primary care doctor to rule out other causes. Also, compression socks really help me. And I learned about the “Heron stance” through a 3-day posture workshop. You stand on your right leg with your left foot propped partly against the right foot. And you squeeze your glutes and thighs tight. Switch after 30-45 seconds. I practice it multiple times every day now. A sedentary lifestyle teaches your brain to “turn off” certain muscles. Now that I’ve trained my brain to turn them back on, I no longer feel like I’m going to faint after standing still for 5 minutes! One last word: If you experience fever or vomiting with your severe abdominal pains and fainting, call 911 or go to the ER right away. Hope this helps.