Krystal, I am responding because last summer my husband had this happen to him and it scared us to death! He had a small lesion removed off of his stomach and it was only about 1-1/2 inches in length, it was healing nicely and then one morning he woke up and it was bleeding. I didn't know it, he never said anything to me. He went out a few minutes later to smoke and came back to the door and said honey I feel like I'm gonna pass out. I put our baby in his exersaucer and walked outside. He was sitting in a chair in the garage, pale as a ghost and sweating. Thank God he was sitting b/c I don't know if I could have caught him falling. I called 911 b/c I knew he still had stitches and I could not get him to respond to me. At the ER we too found out about that vagus nerve. I don't have this problem but some people pass out easily if they see blood, or have a trauma. Some people's are much more sensitive than others. He felt better after having lots of fluids!!!!!! Not sure if you can actually do anything about it but just wanted you to know I've been there! Good luck!
Johna
Yep. I started doing it when I was 2 after a vaccination. I am now 39 and had an episode at the beginning of this month! I was getting allergy testing (38 shots actually) and I passed out... the vagal nerve controls your respiration and your heart rate. When there is not enough blood pumping up to your brain you pass out. So here is my advice... get her a medic bracelette so that no one overreacts to an episode. (My last one landed me in the ER because 911 was called before I came to... it was very frustrating.) She probably can tell that she is going to pass out. You get this dimming sensation and there are still a few seconds before you actually go unconsious. When that feeling hits her she needs to either put her head between her knees or lay on her back with her feet elevated. I have found that the second method works better to avoid complete fainting. If you are with her blow in her face so that she has to breathe... what we do it we let a breath out and then dont take the next one causing the trigger of the vagal nerve. I am sorry that you are going through this. she probably will grow out of it, but even if she doesnt she will be just fine as long as they are provoked episodes and dont just happen out of the blue... if that happens take her for more testing. The last episode I had prior to this last one was 9 years ago.
Yes, I have experienced this as a child and as an adult, I have passed out from extreme pain and when I've had needles inserted for blood tests and surgery, I am terrified of needles so the stress caused by them makes me pass out. I am 36 and this has happened maybe 5 times in my life so it doesn't happen often nor every time I'm in pain or have needles inserted, I did survive childbirth without the reaction. One time I was so embarassed and a nurse told me it is more common than we think. Neither of my children seem to have this problem. I think it's quite common, I don't know if there is a way to control it, my friend who is nurse says it's best to let the person pass out than try and fight it. As your daughter gets older she might be able to better recognize the signs and sit down or put her head between her knees, this is what I do, also cold pressure on the back of the neck can help stop the fainting. Learning to calm down also will help her, I learned to breath deeply and calm myself down when I started to feel like I was going to "fade". I hope this will help a little. I have a 2 year old and an 8 month old, will it get easier as they get a little older??
Stephanie
Why yes I have! I was diagnosed with vasovagal response when I was 2 years old at UCSF. (1975) I used to scare the hell out of my mom when I'd experience a sharp pain. I would cry for a second, then go unconscious. The first time it happened, I slipped on a plastic ABC book on our kitchen. Floor. My mom (a nurse) thought I was dead. It usually occurred when a bumped my head. However, I hit my tummy while jumping on the bed with sisters and it also happened if I got overheated or was stuffed in a large croud. UCSF ran an EKG and did a sleep study on brain waves. Pretty darn good for 1975!!!! The DR told my folks that I'd prob grow out of it but to be aware and tell teachers and other adult care givers. One VERY scary thing, he told my mom " thank God you didn't check for a heart beat, cuz there wouldn't have been one!" One final thing! DR also told my folks that I may develop dizzy spells or have migraine head aches as an adult. They never told me that info b/c they didn't want me to take on the symptoms. However, as an adult, both were true!!! Lastly, my 3 year old daughter was recently diagnosed as Vasovegal response! Her first episode was at 9 months when she rolled off our bed and hit her head. Talk about scarry!!!!
Wow~ I wasn’t expecting such a big response. I guess it is more popular than I thought, and I feel more comfortable about it now. Although I get nervouse every time my daughter says her tummy hurts :o)- I am taking her to a cardiologist for a heart murmur at the end of the month, so I will ask about it then. Thank you all for your responses.