fainting/possible seizures

[Erinleigh]

I have had several fainting spells over the last 3 years.  I am an active 22 year old recent college graduate.  Three years ago when I was still in college, I had two separate fainting spells over the course of two months where I felt very nauseous, thought I was going to throw up, and then would wake up passed out on the bathroom floor.  I have had CAT scans, EKGs, insulin challenge tests, Halter (spelling?) monitors, blood tests and met with several doctors and a neurologist.  The only diagnosis was hypoglycemia, and since then, I have been able to manage it well.

This morning I woke up to use the restroom at 5 AM, urinated and then started blacking out and feeling nauseous.  I knew I was going faint, and I laid down on the ground.  My roommates were woken up by my moaning, which I do not remember doing, and I lost control of my bladder.  Then, I woke up from this and began to throw up.

I am a healthy, athletic girl and there are no reasons I can think of for my fainting besides my previously diagnosed hypoglycemia.  Several people I have spoken to wonder if I could be having seizures and not be diagnosed with epilepsy.  I also have very limited health insurance so I am holding out to see a doctor because I have already had so many tests done already, all with negative results.

Thank you

[KateyJane]

Something similar has been happening to me since I was 20.  I have low blood pressure and am otherwise healthy.  About every 12 months I faint, experiencing severe nausea every time.  Occasionally I feel abdominal pain at the time of fainting, but not always. My glucose test has been normal and my blood work has been normal.  My doctor suspects a cyst on my ovaries bursting each time, but he hasn't been able to verify that as the cause. The pelvic ultrasound has not shown any cysts.  Plus the fainting doesn't seem to coincide with the cycles of my period like polycystic ovaries would and I have no other symptoms.  Keeping a log is a good idea and you were smart to lie down when you felt faint.
I fainted again on Friday and peed myself just as you described.  Normally I do not pee myself, so I'm worried that I had a seizure too or that whatever it is its getting worse.  I have a doctor's appointment on Thursday and will let you know if anything comes of it.  Please let me know if you find anything out too.
I doubt you have epilepsy if you were not epileptic as a child, but it is possible.  This is an interesting page for a discussion about adult seizures http://www.e-epilepsy.org.uk/pages/articles/show_article.cfm?id=35.
Katey

[ilovemypug]

hello. I am a 19 year old athletic female who was also diagnosed with hypoglycemia. I faint anywhere from 3 to 11 times a week. I no longer drive, and it is getting harder and harder to live on my own. I often feel that I am going to vomit, but I never do, and I don't lose control of my bladder. The only thing I can tell you is that hypoglycemia can cause fainting. I have to eat every four hours to avoid that pukey-fainty feeling, but the doctors have decided that it has more to do with my heart for fainting. I don't have health insurance at all, but the ER has to take you, and many hospitals have financial assistance to help you pay it off in little payments.  Please let me know what you find out and I will let you know if I find out anything of help to you. Take care.

[jakesmama]

You and me both!  That exact same thing just happened to me the other day at toys r us in line.  i fainted, then woke up throwing up and also wet my pants while out.  I had an mri, normal.  the EEG showed something, he thinks that maybe i had a seizure.  (this has only happened to me 3 times compared to your many).  but in 2 weeks he is going to have a sleep deprived EEG.  Tell me if you figure out anything.  

Chrissy

[Jaybay]

A 24-hour EKG might be a good place to start in order to rule out epilepsy.  You'll have a better chance of catching abnormal brain rhythms that way.  Any other symptoms like weight loss, weight gain, acne?  Do symptoms get worse or better around menstruation?  It might be helpful to keep a diary of your symptoms for a couple weeks or even longer and note any symptoms along with diet and medications.