Gransnet forums

Health

Scared

(40 Posts)
Luckygirl Fri 09-Mar-18 15:14:49

At the weekend I had a second episode of epigastric pain followed by complete collapse: unconscious for 20 mins+, blood pressure barely detectable, grey. clammy etc. - basically in shock. I managed to call to OH before I lost consciousness and came round later to find a paramedic hanging a fluid bag from the lampshade over my head. They were trying to push my BP up by running some fluids in very fast. Eventually they succeeded and carted me off to A&E. I do not know what would have happened if I had not been able to alert OH - I guess I would quietly have faded away.

This is the second identical episode - the other happened several months ago. I was not too worried the first time - just thought it was "one of those things", but for it to happen twice is starting to make me worried. It is deeply unpleasant and very scary.

I lay on a trolley in A&E for 6 hours, then a doc came and told me I could go home - he did not even examine me. By then I was fully with it and out of pain. So home I came. All well for a few days, then I seem to have some sort of delayed reaction - I have gone into wimp mode and am a bit weepy and just very worried. OH is not fit and not able to rush round if anything happens to me.

I spoke to GP on phone just now and have been able to make an appointment for Thursday. She suggested I where my OH's alarm pendant as an extra protection; but the paramedics would need to get here pretty quickly to be of any use if it happens again. No-one seems to have any idea what is going on.

I am just plain scared - it is not an ordinary faint (no giddiness etc) - I just have this sinking feeling in my stomach and lose consciousness. She suggested postural hypotension, but it is not that as it happens when I am lying down, not when I stand up; and the lack of BP is profound and does not resolve by itself.

I just need a bit of a hand hold as I am feeling a bit emotionally wobbly - I can't die yet - who will look after OH?

winterwhite Fri 09-Mar-18 15:25:06

Goodness me Luckygirl, no wonder you are weepy and scared. The hospital doctor seems to have been a bit carefree. Lots of people on Gransmet have medical knowledge which I don’t, but may I at least hold hands in ignorance. Thinking of you.. brew flowers

Luckygirl Fri 09-Mar-18 15:29:13

Thanks for that hand - it is appreciated.

Charleygirl Fri 09-Mar-18 15:51:13

Luckygirl the very least you need is a proper diagnosis. I agree with winterwhite- that doctor was too casual not examining you etc. You are not 29 so surely one expects something other than be booted out.

It is more than a TIA (transient ischaemic attack) because of the unconsciousness and exceptionally low BP. You need to see a doctor and fortunately you have an appointment booked for next week. Sorry, I cannot really help but that is scary.

Mary59nana Fri 09-Mar-18 15:56:01

Gosh it’s so scary when something happen out of our control.
Your lovely husband properly feels as scared as you do so you both need some info on what going on with your body and what to do next time if it happens again.
Your GP is the best person to speak to and reassure you.
I wish you well and a friendly hug ?

KatyK Fri 09-Mar-18 15:57:30

Heavens Lucky you poor thing. I'm not surprised you are scared. Fortunately, you are being looked at and I'm sure they will sort you out flowers

DanniRae Fri 09-Mar-18 15:57:31

I have no medical knowledge but send you my best wishes and some flowersand I sincerely hope you get some answers soon xx

Charleygirl Fri 09-Mar-18 15:59:49

Luckygirl I am aware years ago your husband would have had a diagnosis for you and made his voice heard at the hospital but I do appreciate his Parkinsons and how thin and unsteady he is so he really would not be able to help you. Hugs from me.

LaraGransnet (GNHQ) Fri 09-Mar-18 16:00:42

Scary for your Luckygirl. flowers from us all at HQ. Hope it's sorted soon.

OldMeg Fri 09-Mar-18 16:30:10

Luckygirl that must have been terrifying and I can only imagine how you must feel now. This really needs to be investigated and I hope you get a clear diagnosis and treatment,

flowers

Luckygirl Fri 09-Mar-18 16:36:39

Thank you all. I do feel I need to know what it is and have some action I can take either to prevent it or to do when it happens.

The GP was talking about postural hypotension - I know it isn't that; and also monitoring heart rhythm, but I doubt it is that as no palpitations or similar.

I suppose I am just being impatient and want an answer now - I know it is going to take ages and I am going to have to wait for appointments and go down various blind alleys first.

Was OK earlier in the week but have gone a bit wobbly now - it is such a worry.

Mamie Fri 09-Mar-18 16:37:57

Luckygirl OH had something like this, though not nearly as bad. He has IBS and one year when we had driven to the south of France he felt dizzy, had severe stomach pain, managed to pull over, got out of the car and collapsed in a faint. He wasn’t really unconcious, but when he tried to get up he fell down again. We called the emergency services and the pompiers arrived in about 15 minutes, checked blood pressure etc and by then everything was normal. When we got home our doctor said the stomach spasm had temporarily cut off the blood supply to the brain and caused the faint. She gave a gallic shrug and said it probably wouldn’t happen again.
Yours sounds much worse and obviously needs proper investigation, but could it be something like that?
?

janeainsworth Fri 09-Mar-18 16:40:56

Luckygirl Considering that you needed a drip set up to maintain your blood pressure, I think that’s appalling that you were sent home without a proper diagnosis.
MrA has a similar episode a few years ago. He was admitted to hospital & kept in the observation ward where his blood pressure and oxygen saturation was continuously monitored overnight. I think he had an ECG as well.
Eventually a diagnosis of dehydration was made - he’d been sailing all day and hadn’t bothered to drink anything.
I would press your GP to obtain all the hospital records and ask her what she thinks could have happened in your case. If you knew it was something simple like dehydration that you could take steps to avoid, it would be some reassurance.

Lona Fri 09-Mar-18 16:49:05

Lucky how frightening for you and your dh. I have no medical knowledge but I do hope your gp will find a diagnosis for you.

cornergran Fri 09-Mar-18 16:54:44

No wonder you’re wobbly lucky. I totally agree with others, it would have been far better to have had a properly considered diagnosis. Hang on in there, next week’s appointment will come and perhaps someone here with medical knowledge could help you in the meantime. Take it as easy as you can and dial 999 if you start to feel unwell, or use the pendant if it’s easier. Sending love and hugs.

petra Fri 09-Mar-18 17:05:56

I understand your fear lucky as I pass out when I have an attack of diverticulitis, although I do come round quiet soon.
Are you saying that you can't get an appointment until next Thursday, that's not good enough angry
Sending a big virtual hug.

kittylester Fri 09-Mar-18 17:15:41

I have nothing to add Lucky, but here is another hand and a (((hug))).

BlueBelle Fri 09-Mar-18 17:18:19

Just to add to others my concern and feeling for you Luckygirl Do you have any family or friends nearby who could be called on in an emergency and be sure to ask your doctor if there’s anything you can do if you feel it haprning like with hearts you are supposed to cough deeply aren’t you or diabetes take a biscuit is there any technique although you seem to get little warning but I think you would feel a bit less worried if you had a contingency plan
Can it be a blood sugar thing ? I m clutching at straws here as don’t have medical knowledge but my friend has just been diagnosed with diabetes and she was not fainting but going completely out of it for frightening periods
Have you ever suffered from low blood pressure before, can it be down to exhaustion and Low blood pressure going lower for some reason they need to find out
Scarey stuff for you and your husband be firm with your doctor you need urgent full tests and a step by step plan for you and your husband hopefully it will never happen again xxx?

annsixty Fri 09-Mar-18 17:43:52

It will be scary until you get an answer and I hope that happens soon.
Lots of people seem to have had or known someone with something similar, with my D it was diverticulitis like Petra , she came round in the ambulance and was kept in for 24 hours.
You were very unlucky to be not treated and sent home so soon without investigation.
I send my best wishes for a good outcome.

ffinnochio Fri 09-Mar-18 17:45:47

Luckygirl What a scary episode for you. No wonder you’re now feeling wobbly. flowers
I hope you’re able to get more info., help and support from your doctor.

sodapop Fri 09-Mar-18 17:49:34

That must have been scary for both of you Lucky Go back to your Dr and insist on an examination and relevant tests.
In the meantime try not to stress, take things steadily and make sure you have small regular meals with plenty of fluids.
I hope things are resolved soon flowers

joolz1954 Fri 09-Mar-18 17:50:03

Hi luckygirl. You mentioned severe epigastric pain followed by collapse. Could the pain be related to gallbladder/gall stones? The pain can be very severe and can last minutes or hours. Could the pain be sending you into shock?

jusnoneed Fri 09-Mar-18 18:43:12

How frightening for you. I hope they get some proper answers for you soon.

Lazigirl Fri 09-Mar-18 18:45:38

Your delayed reaction is so understandable Luckygirl to a really frightening experience. It's natural to feel apprehensive until you get a diagnosis and I hope your GP can help with this. It's odd that they did not do any further tests in A&E. I had vasovagal attacks from awful period pain when I was younger, so perhaps your pain induced shock as joolz has suggested? Hugs and kind thoughts.

nanaK54 Fri 09-Mar-18 18:57:42

Sending you kindest thoughts and offering a hand hold and a huge virtual hug flowers