@colleenyoung,
@babsstruck and all.
I suffer from syncope as well, and black out about every 5 or 6 weeks, complete with ambulance, E.R., etc. Highly disconcerting, to say the least. I don't know if my story might help you, @babsstruck.
Of the several diagnoses I've had over the years, most doctors have now settled on Vasovagul Nerve Syncope, likely as a result of my IBS. There doesn't seem to be an answer for it, as far as my blackouts are concerned, other than trying to control my very stubborn IBS with rigid diet restrictions. If I vary anything in my
diet, I'm in trouble. My meals are small and boring, because I have to stick to the same foods day after day. My medical team has advised me to have 2 or 3 bottles of Ensure meal replacement daily to make up for nutritional losses.
I take my own blood pressure and also get it checked every two weeks (sit/stand variety) by a registered nurse, who faxes her reports to my family doctor. I mentioned in another post today that my BP drops 30 to 50 points in the "stand" position. If my BP remains a problem, my doctor refers me to my Internal Medicine Specialist to regulate it with a different medication or a different dosage of the one I'm on. I really don't advise anybody regulating their BP medications on their own.
@babsstruck, maybe IBS is not your particular problem, or is it? It could be any number of things. It would be good if you could get a referral to a specialist.
Good luck to you as you look for a solution.
Warmly, Laurie