Was this a fainting episode?

[Anonymous]

I guess I’m wondering - is this worth bothering the doctor on-call on Christmas? Ugh!

[Anonymous]

When you faint from vasovagal it is low blood pressure.

OP I’ve never actually lost consciousness from my vasovagal problem but it sounds just like that when I come close - I get tunnel vision, clammy, can’t speak well, tingly hands. You have to talk to a doctor though.

When she feels like that she should try:
Lying down. This helps a lot.
Ice pack or wet cloth on neck
Clenching/squeezing her glutes

Also look for something to throw up in. I throw up during it often and I actually think it helps keep me from fainting so 🤷‍♀️.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I guess I’m wondering - is this worth bothering the doctor on-call on Christmas? Ugh!

Just tell the doctor doing the wisdom teeth. You don’t need her pediatrician.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would not dismiss as "normal." As the afib poster points out, healthy teenagers should not be regularly passing out. Run tests, see specialists (because most doctors are morons).

She passed out once, four years ago. This second time she got a little dizzy.

If you are prone to fainting you will quickly recognize the feeling and learn to sit or lie down or put your head between your legs when you feel it coming on. This reduces any sort of fall or injury that might occur if you do pass out. I’ve only injured myself once—and that’s because it was my first time fainting and I just stood there not knowing what was happening (and hit my head when I fainted).

I had a friend who had a heart problem. Her fainting was completely different. She just lost consciousness wherever. One time she was walking down the stairs at school. One time she was doing her hair. She was injured badly after each fall because it was so out of the blue. She could have been driving and killed someone. This is of course very serious and she was hospitalized quickly (after those two incidences).

I don’t think a doctor is going to worry much if you say my daughter got dizzy while hot in a crowded store. But def go ahead and ask because that’s what doctors are there for.

[Anonymous]

I have had something like this happen four times in my life (F, 54). It was considered a vasovagal response. My grandfather was fainting prone especially related to a shellfish allergy (so fainted in a restaurant once).

My events and triggers were:

1) fainted immediately after tooth extraction around age 12 in the dentist office. Mom made me wait at the counter while she settled up. My vision went gray but I did not go all the way out (caught before I fell).

2) recovering from fever and respiratory illness. Fainted in bathroom while standing at sink. Around age 20.

3) fainted during medical test while sitting on exam table. My arm was being mildly shocked (age 27). Doctor sent me for an epilepsy test which showed clear.

4) fainted at work while sitting in chair. Was thinking about recent dental work that was bleeding. Had gone light on breakfast and might have been holding my breath. Around 45 or so. Received full ER workup and diagnosis of vasovagal syncope.

I'm sharing this personal history because you are concerned about your child's dental work. I recommend you disclose and let your care provider decide. However, even if your daughter has a fainting episode, it could still be nothing major. Just make sure she is careful and protected against falling for a few days (baths instead of showers, etc.).

Vasovagal syncope is pretty common and there is no treatment for what I experienced.

[Anonymous]

I'm so familiar with what your DS experienced. I have very low blood pressure, and even though I "run cold" normally, put a coat on me in a hot store surrounded by people....and down I go. It's not a fainting spell though. I see spots, and feel extremely light headed. Best thing to do is an ice pack, cold water, take off hat and coat etc., give him space to breathe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I guess I’m wondering - is this worth bothering the doctor on-call on Christmas? Ugh!

No! he needs to hydrate and not get overheated. That's all. If you're still concerned in the morning then call.

[Anonymous]

Lots of teen girls experience a drop in blood pressure causing vision to go dark and weakness. Especially if they don’t drink. Could be on the spectrum toward POTS but I wouldn’t worry much. Mention it to your ped but not on Xmas day.

[Anonymous]

Thanks all. I will mention it to the oral surgeon tomorrow, before the procedure.

[Anonymous]

My teenager had two episodes of passing out about four months apart. I mentioned this as she was seeing her allergist (and wise mother) who suggested she get an EEG and think no more about it if it came back negative.

The EEG was positive. We were totally shocked to learn she has epilepsy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have had something like this happen four times in my life (F, 54). It was considered a vasovagal response. My grandfather was fainting prone especially related to a shellfish allergy (so fainted in a restaurant once).

My events and triggers were:

1) fainted immediately after tooth extraction around age 12 in the dentist office. Mom made me wait at the counter while she settled up. My vision went gray but I did not go all the way out (caught before I fell).

2) recovering from fever and respiratory illness. Fainted in bathroom while standing at sink. Around age 20.

3) fainted during medical test while sitting on exam table. My arm was being mildly shocked (age 27). Doctor sent me for an epilepsy test which showed clear.

4) fainted at work while sitting in chair. Was thinking about recent dental work that was bleeding. Had gone light on breakfast and might have been holding my breath. Around 45 or so. Received full ER workup and diagnosis of vasovagal syncope.

I'm sharing this personal history because you are concerned about your child's dental work. I recommend you disclose and let your care provider decide. However, even if your daughter has a fainting episode, it could still be nothing major. Just make sure she is careful and protected against falling for a few days (baths instead of showers, etc.).

Vasovagal syncope is pretty common and there is no treatment for what I experienced.

If vasovagal syncope is frequent and doesn't respond to behavioral changes, they can prescribe a low dose medication to increase blood pressure which can help in some cases to head off fainting. The motivation for that is to prevent injury from falling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My teenager had two episodes of passing out about four months apart. I mentioned this as she was seeing her allergist (and wise mother) who suggested she get an EEG and think no more about it if it came back negative.

The EEG was positive. We were totally shocked to learn she has epilepsy.

I had no idea that fainting was a symptom of epilepsy.

[Anonymous]

I'm a frequent fainter and these symptoms seem to be typical of a vasovagal episode which causes a sudden drop in blood pressure. This happens to me when I'm dehydrated and overheated. My doctor says its very common - one quarter of the population will faint at some point, and there are no immediate or long-term health consequences.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I guess I’m wondering - is this worth bothering the doctor on-call on Christmas? Ugh!

No, because she didn’t actually faint. She had what is called presyncope, which is what happens just before you faint. Follow up with PCP as soon as they open, but it’s not an emergency. Also Google POTS (postural Orthostatic tachycardia syndrome) and see if that fits.

Have her stay really well hydrated until you see the doctor. Not just fluids but salt too, and some sports drinks.

[Anonymous]

The oral surgeon might want to postpone because of unexplained fainting, or near-fainting. If this is POTS, getting a bunch of IV fluids before and during the dental surgery will keep her from fainting. It’s not about dehydration per se but about low blood volume, and getting more fluids in increases your blood volume. Your story about her fainting after the shower makes me think this is POTS.

If it’s vasovagal, I think surgery will likely be hard for her because blood things often bring on a fainting episode. I don’t know what the advice is to prevent that. I think an ice pack on your chest or something? I have POTS so I’m more familiar with that.

But yeah, the dental surgery does complicate things.