Does anyone not actually pass out....

[schelle7]

Since September 2009 I have been going to Dr after Dr trying to figure out why what is happening is happening. Since September I have been having these episodes were I am near syncope or near fainting, but I come back to and then feel my heart race and get very shaky and clamy. Usually after about a half hour I feel okay. Now these episodes happen wether I am stading or sitting. I had been told by my PCP, that I actually work for, that it was anxiety and to up my Xanax. I have had anxiety for several year and I knew something was different about these episodes. I started seeing another PCP, that told me that the symptoms I am having are not all anxiety related and that I needed to see an electrophysiologist.
I went to see the cardiac specialist and he ordered an EKG, a 24 hour holter monitor and an echocardiogram. All tests were normal so he did a Tilt Table test. During the tilt table I felt as though I was about to pass out( I get tunnel vision and weak) but did not go all the way out. My blood pressure was in the 150's/ 100's and my pulse jolted up to 132. I usually run slightly high, but this was very high for me. They laid the table down and everything slowly went back to normal. Just yesterday I had my follow up with the Dr. and started on treatment for POTS. He put me on a Beta-blocker, Pinolol 5 mg 2x's daily. I don't know if it's the medicine or not but today has been a good day so far and I actually feel a little more normal.
I guess what I am not really understanding is that my blood pressure did not drop, it went up and I have not passed out, just came close to it or felt as though. If I have an answer and most of all a treatment I am thrilled but I am not 100% sold that I have POTS.
I would appreciate any feedback, advice or questions.

[Mom2four85]

You're not alone, each of us have different symptoms, triggers and coping mechanisms.

I used to go in spurts with no fainting, just presyncope dizziness etc. then 2 years ago while we were moving, I was carrying boxes in and passed out into the wall and was out about 15 minutes, but that's been the longest.  

Last year I fainted driving and then it seemed like I was fainting all the time, about that time my heart stopped a couple of times also,  but I wasn't dx'd with NCS/OI and heart problems until August. I have a double whammy where my ans freaks out and then my heart freaks out due to my ans and then they play merry go round till I come to.

I had to get a pacemaker/icd implanted and even with that, meds & lifestyle implements such as salt, rest, hose, fluids I still pass out.  They changed a few settings on my PM which helped and I went off all meds which seemed to help more, bewildering so now I just go with bouts of dizziness & presyncope episodes daily, but I'll take that over "lights out" any day :)

[schelle7]

I want to THANK YOU all for your responses. This really helps me understand all this a little more. I have been on the Beta-Blocker, Prindolol 5mg 2x's per day, just one week now. It seems to be helping somewhat. I haven't had any episodes, but I have gone over a month without one before too. Somedays are definately better than others. I am just taking it day by day and trying my best to get to feeling better.

I am really happy to know I am not the only one out here with this! It's been really hard for everyone around me to understand what is going on. I will definately be in touch and can hopefully be a help to others also.
Again, Thank you

[evo123]

Hi, I also do not pass out.  I am always close to passing out but never actually do.  Like you my BP never drops, it always increases and sometimes seriously high too.  For a diagnosis of POTS a drop in BP is not needed.  Sometimes this causes confusion.  One does also not have to actually pass out either.   Please find a link below from the forum health pages with some info:

http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Neurological-Disorders/Dysautonomia--POTS-Diagnostic-Criteria/show/1011?cid=196

There are several differential diagnosis to look for when one is showing POTS symptoms and also several causes that should be looked for.  Have you had any other testing done other than the ones you mention above?  

Here is a link to a POTS information /support website that will give you lots of information:

http://dinet.org/what_causes_pots.htm

I also have symptoms regardless of my position, these for me are constant at the moment but worsen when I am on my feet.  POTS is not always a condition that is only present when one is standing, there are some patients who suffer regardless of their position.  

This is a great place to come for advice and support and their are many people here who will help you x

[tonyad]

   I am one of the unfortunate ones that DO pass out!
I hate it....I also have episodes where I am ALMOST out but just barely
hang on w/out a full Pass out.

    On TTT......"OUT" like a light!  Heck i can just be sitting at computer desk
and pass out or like one time (which by the way was the longest I had ever been out for) I was standing at bathroom mirror plucking my eye brows....Heart started racing,
peripheral vision started to go, then that was it..i was out!  I did go to ER this particular time because I was out for about 3 min. When I did come to.....I kinda remember opening my eyes.....as I was gazing up and around (trying to figure out where I was and who I was ,and even who these people were standing over top of me) That was the scariest pass out I had.  It was like I just could not comprehend who I was, where I was and did not know who my hubby and sone were.

      That lasted for around 1 min or so.  Just to add I was laying on my own bed so that was kind of eary!!! Otherwise.....I feel the syncope coming on...No longer get anxious (anxiety) about it, and just lay down quickly! Sometimes It will keep me from going all the way out, others I will go out briefly.

        Ok, I will stop rambling.....Lol
Take Care,
~Tonya

[CHRISTYDRAKE]

My son's blood pressure does not drop, it goes up.  He does not faint either.  On his tilt table he felt like he was going to pass out, but didn't.  He said it kind of got gray on him and his visioin blurred.

I tracked his blood pressure and heart rate daily for 3 months (laying, sitting, and standing).  His blood pressure almost always went up, sometimes a lot, sometimes a little, same with the heart rate, sometimes a lot, sometimes a little.