Repeated Fainting

[doofy88]

Ok so last October I started uni and became ill with glandular fever. I started suffering from regular faints (3 or 4 times a week) and the doctor ran a lot of tests to check it wasn't my heart or head or anything. He also checked for Addison's disease. My ECG showed that my heart rate was slightly irregular but apparently that's fairly common. Anyway, I began to get really fatigued and in January I was "diagnosed" with M.E/CFS after tests for other thyroid and muscular illnesses. The doctor has seemingly given up and used that diagnosis as a last solution. He's not bothered by the fainting but considering it has now increased to an average of twice a day I'm a little concerned despite the fact that all tests have come back clear. I've noticed that it worsens when I'm more fatigued, for example my worst day was 12 times but I was extremely tired and had about 3 hours sleep that night. When I am more rested I find the fainting is less frequent...over Easter vacation I managed my first clear week since October. I just wondered if anyone had any suggestions as to what could be the cause? Or if there are any solutions? Could it just be a phase and eventually stop? It's just so frustrating and inconvenient! Thanks guys. Oh, and I'm not anaemic or malnourished or anything like that.

[doofy88]

I hadn't heard of POTS until you mentioned it but having had a read of some articles I can see quite a few similarities between myself and sufferers of POTS...think I may mention this to my doctor during my next appointment, thank you! I haven't actually had a tilt table test, it wasn't suggested before but again, I'll mention it to my doc. This is quite hopeful news...if I were to have this POTS thing and it were treated then hopefully the symptoms of my CFS would improve! Thanks so much for your help :)

[ku111]

Read about POTS from Mayo Clinic.  A Dr. there specializes in this and it can be treated.  Have you had the "tilt table test"?  See what you think.  I had never heard of this until my son became ill.  He did not have this but I learned a lot.  Wish you the best.  It's hard not knowing what's wrong.  Sorry.