Hi All,
I am new here. I am having numerous fainting/falling spells daily. I am now wondering if it ould be petit mal epilepsy/ drop seizures rather than just severe POTS/ Neurocardiogenic syncope.
Three years ago, after recovering from a vicious strain of flu, I began fainting. In the beginning, it only happened 2 or 3 times a week. As time progressed, the fainting/falling steadily increased from a few times a week, then daily, then multiple times each day. I currently faint/fall anywhere between 4 and 1O times each day.
Due to the chronic fainting, I had to stop working on my masters in education because I just couldn't get to class without fainting during the class. I also have had to rely on parents and friends for transportation. I am 3O.
I was originally diagnosed with Postural Orthostatic Hypotension/Neurocardiogenic syncope. (Basically, my blood pressure would plummet when standing causing me to fall to the floor.} The chronic fainting por falling has been going on for three years- I have seen 4 cardiologists- heart is ok. Several neurologists and so far very little has worked. I have had two regular EEGs and One 24 hour videotaped EEg. Unfortunately, most of my attacks occur when I am standing or sitting and we were unable to capture an episode on the EEG. I have spoken to my neurologist and we are trying to get a 24 hour ambulatory EEG done to see if that will show anything.
I am 3O years old. In addition to the chronic fainting problem, I also have severe intractable migraines/New Daily persistent headache. I have an implanted occipital nerve stimulator to control the headaches and allow medications to work. Headaches became chronic at age 17.
One of the reasons I wonder if it might be some weired form of petit mal is because the only medications that seem to help are anti convulsants. I am on Klonopin 1mg 3 times a day as needed for the migraines and this does help some. I also get infusions of Depakan when the headache is really bad and I have noticed that I don't faint as much for about three or four days after the infusion. I am also unusally tired if I have fainted or fallen more than 4 or 5 times a day.
These attacks can occure while I am doing anything- reading, sitting up, standing, at the store etc.
I am going to talk to my neurologist and ask if we could try Dilantin and see if it helps.
Has anyone else heard of anything like this. I would welcome any thoughts, advie or opinions.
Thanks,
sconesail
I am new here. I am having numerous fainting/falling spells daily. I am now wondering if it ould be petit mal epilepsy/ drop seizures rather than just severe POTS/ Neurocardiogenic syncope.
Three years ago, after recovering from a vicious strain of flu, I began fainting. In the beginning, it only happened 2 or 3 times a week. As time progressed, the fainting/falling steadily increased from a few times a week, then daily, then multiple times each day. I currently faint/fall anywhere between 4 and 1O times each day.
Due to the chronic fainting, I had to stop working on my masters in education because I just couldn't get to class without fainting during the class. I also have had to rely on parents and friends for transportation. I am 3O.
I was originally diagnosed with Postural Orthostatic Hypotension/Neurocardiogenic syncope. (Basically, my blood pressure would plummet when standing causing me to fall to the floor.} The chronic fainting por falling has been going on for three years- I have seen 4 cardiologists- heart is ok. Several neurologists and so far very little has worked. I have had two regular EEGs and One 24 hour videotaped EEg. Unfortunately, most of my attacks occur when I am standing or sitting and we were unable to capture an episode on the EEG. I have spoken to my neurologist and we are trying to get a 24 hour ambulatory EEG done to see if that will show anything.
I am 3O years old. In addition to the chronic fainting problem, I also have severe intractable migraines/New Daily persistent headache. I have an implanted occipital nerve stimulator to control the headaches and allow medications to work. Headaches became chronic at age 17.
One of the reasons I wonder if it might be some weired form of petit mal is because the only medications that seem to help are anti convulsants. I am on Klonopin 1mg 3 times a day as needed for the migraines and this does help some. I also get infusions of Depakan when the headache is really bad and I have noticed that I don't faint as much for about three or four days after the infusion. I am also unusally tired if I have fainted or fallen more than 4 or 5 times a day.
These attacks can occure while I am doing anything- reading, sitting up, standing, at the store etc.
I am going to talk to my neurologist and ask if we could try Dilantin and see if it helps.
Has anyone else heard of anything like this. I would welcome any thoughts, advie or opinions.
Thanks,
sconesail