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Can't find the problem of passing out
I need help for my husband. I'm coming here to see if someone else has experienced the same. 72 year old, 250 lbs, History: He has had bouts of dizziness and vomiting several times over the last ten years or so. Has been tested from top to bottom (literally). Blood work-great. No abnormal findings anywhere. This last time was worse. He passed out cold, no warning. He was out about 10 minutes. When he was conscious, he was confused, not knowing what happened, his address, his age, kept asking what happened, and he kept throwing up. ER doc
ran CT, EKG, Blood work, Everything and could find no reason. He was confused for over an hour and slowly started coming back to his normal self with no memory of what happened. This was three days ago. The ER doc did not admit him even though he is still throwing up and still is three days later. Cant keep very little down, if anything.
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GI @jahoozie . I am glad you found Connect. What a problem your husband is having and this has to be absolutely frightening for both of you.
I did a search in the box at the top of the home page that brings up conversations: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/?search=Passing+out+
Are you saying your husband went to the ER three days ago after passing out and he is still throwing up now? If this is correct it important to follow up with either his doctor or go back to the ER.
Does your husband have any health conditions? Did the ER provide any information as to how he should follow up from his visit?
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1 ReactionIDK if this would help, but my dad used to pass out, no vomiting. He was confused. He went to the ER at least three times and they finally figured out that he needed a defibrillator or pace maker. I don’t remember which one. I know two others who passed out without warning and they had some electrical problem in their heart. No vomiting though. Pursue the problem with doctors, don't let them not find the root of the problem. Be a squeaky wheel. Best wishes.
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2 ReactionsI had what my doctors said was syncope and collapse, at the top of the staircase Broke my neck C1 and displayed C2 , had spinal fusion 0 thru C4 , that means they had to screw into the base of my skull . Been told by so many doctors and professionals that I shouldn’t be alive or in a wheelchair I feel extremely lucky And no spinal cord damage. So guess what I want to say is find the reason for fainting before it finds you . Mine was a heart issue I will have to deal with until times up
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1 ReactionHi, sorry to read about your husband. Have you had him blood tested for too little salt? or too much copper? Does he wear a permanent copper bracelet or rings? Copper overload can cause a person to spontaneously faint and fit. So can low salt levels. Wish you the best in getting an answer.
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1 ReactionHas vasovagal syndrome been considered. I have it. Just before passing out I vomit and lose control of my bowel and bladder. It is caused by a sudden drop in blood pressure. If I sit down fast enough I can avert passing out.
It is actually called vasovagal syncope.
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2 ReactionsHi @midwesterner49, and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Thank you for commenting. Dealing with vasovagal syncope must be difficult. @jahoozie will no doubt be interested in this information, some good leads by other members as well.
It sounds like knowing pulse and blood pressure around the time of episodes may be a key to figuring out what is happening.
Do you have any warning before vomiting, or know of anything that may trigger episodes? How did you get your diagnosed?
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1 ReactionDiagnosis was made by my physician. I cannot stand still for more than 10 minutes or I will faint. So it is most certainly quite troublesome. Usually I get hot and dizzy immediately before it happens. So I sit down as fast as I can, even on the floor if necessary. My Father and 2 brothers have this also.
It is more than likely a heart issue. Get a complete work up . Fainting is dangerous.
You’re correct. When I have vasovagal syncope my blood pressure drops significantly. So my blood pressure medicine helps keep it a bit artificially high.
Also I have two different types of fainting attributed to a major head injury.