Fainting

[DElizabethE]

Hi,

I wanted to write yesterday but couldn't even find the energy for that. I wanted to know if anyone has had to deal with a lot of light headedness and actual fainting. I eat a very limited diet but a healthy one. I don't mind being gluten free because I was never a big eater anyways. I deal with severe abdominal about half the month (before gluten free it was every day) and between my gastro Dr. and ob/gyn they can't figure it out. I am soooo careful with cc too.

So here's what happened. On Thurs. night my abdominal pain started up. By the time I put my daughter to bed I felt really weak. I was in the middle of an email when I thought I'd better lay down. I shut off the computer, grabbed my heating pad (feels good for the pain) walked a couple of steps and then all I remember is coming to and realizing I was on the floor...wondering what I was doing down there. Made it to my room (barely), laid on the bed but was too weak to get under the covers. Almost called the ambulance for myself but I'm a single Mom and my daughters were fast asleep. Very scary night. Yesterday I did tell my daughters and what to do if that happened when they were up. Sometimes they ask, "should we leave our clothes out if we have to go to the ER tonight." It's become too common an event for them.

One last thing. I called both my Dr's to have it noted in my chart. My gastro Dr. was very nice...concerned. I had seen him the day before and blood work was done. My ob/gyn had me in tears...asking what I expected her to do with this info and to go to my primary care Dr. Then she said she didn't feel comfortable with me calling with that info...like I was bothering her. I know my pain is more gyn now (makes the intestinal spasms 100% worse) and that is who the specialist is. I know I'm switching Dr's after that app't. I have never felt so alone in my life . My family is in other states. Thanks for listening.

Diane

[RiceGuy]

Wow, so sorry that you're having such problems.

The very first thing that comes to mind is a sublingual methylcobalamin (vitamin B12) supplement. Others might be vitamin D and magnesium. Ignore test results for these and go with how you feel after trying them.

I'm sure other members will have helpful advice as well.

Hope you get to the bottom of this. Do let us know what works when you find it.

[jerseyangel]

Hi Diane,

I'm sorry you're having such lightheadedness.

I noticed that you had blood work done, I'm not sure if you've gotten the results back?--perhaps you are anemic. It's not uncommon among Celiacs.

You also said that at least some of your pain was gyn. in nature. If heavy bleeding is also occuring, that could lead to a low red blood count as well.

I would contact the doctor who did the blood work and see what they say. I was severly anemic before being diagnosed, and had the same lightheadedness and fainting as you--it's very scary.

I hope you get it figured out very soon

[missy'smom]

My heart goes out to you. I really know how that made you feel. I don't want to compare your situation to mine because it seems a little different but I hope sharing my experience can help. I have had a problem with fainting my whole life-since I was a kid. I suspect mine is related to anxiety and most recently I found that unstable blood pressure is a factor, but I've never found what causes it or how to get relief from it. Since I was a teenager, I've suspected a dietary element as well. One of the things that helps me is to eat a good meal before going in to the doctor's, If I don't I'm much more likely to faint. Except three, who have tried to do some tesing and offer support, most doctors have been very insensitive, and I've moved alot so I've had a good sampling. I have had Dr.'s literally shove me out the door just after I fainted in their office because I was messing up their already tight schedule. I couldn't stand up again or I'd faint again because I was so weak. In one office I had the office staff talking and giggling on the other side of the door as I was coming to. This was in a GYN office and they were giggling about what about the exam could possible cause a woman to faint? Was I the Virgin Mary or something? It had nothing to do with the exam. Maybe I should spare everyone the stories but I'm so mad and hurt by the insensitivity of people in the medical profession(I'm a little tired today too). We're still stuck in Victorian age ideas.

I would definitely find out what's causing the pain and get a blood panel to rule out deficiencies. It may be that you aren't getting enough to eat. I'm not a big eater either and that's OK(I'm very petite) but sometimes because of the limitations I feel from this diet, I eat even less and that can leave me more susceptible to feeling week or dizzy. Add pain to that and I wouldn't be in good shape.

Hope this doesn't sound too much like a rant. I send it out with the intent of support and compassion. Take Care

[DElizabethE]

My heart goes out to you. I really know how that made you feel. I don't want to compare your situation to mine because it seems a little different but I hope sharing my experience can help. I have had a problem with fainting my whole life-since I was a kid. I suspect mine is related to anxiety and most recently I found that unstable blood pressure is a factor, but I've never found what causes it or how to get relief from it. Since I was a teenager, I've suspected a dietary element as well. One of the things that helps me is to eat a good meal before going in to the doctor's, If I don't I'm much more likely to faint. Except three, who have tried to do some tesing and offer support, most doctors have been very insensitive, and I've moved alot so I've had a good sampling. I have had Dr.'s literally shove me out the door just after I fainted in their office because I was messing up their already tight schedule. I couldn't stand up again or I'd faint again because I was so weak. In one office I had the office staff talking and giggling on the other side of the door as I was coming to. This was in a GYN office and they were giggling about what about the exam could possible cause a woman to faint? Was I the Virgin Mary or something? It had nothing to do with the exam. Maybe I should spare everyone the stories but I'm so mad and hurt by the insensitivity of people in the medical profession(I'm a little tired today too). We're still stuck in Victorian age ideas.

I would definitely find out what's causing the pain and get a blood panel to rule out deficiencies. It may be that you aren't getting enough to eat. I'm not a big eater either and that's OK(I'm very petite) but sometimes because of the limitations I feel from this diet, I eat even less and that can leave me more susceptible to feeling week or dizzy. Add pain to that and I wouldn't be in good shape.

Hope this doesn't sound too much like a rant. I send it out with the intent of support and compassion. Take Care

[/quo

It didn't sound like a rant at all. Thank you for writing. I have been trying for months to find out why so much pain. They know it is intestinal spasms but certain times are worse. I know it's gyn related but do you think they'd believe me? So when I see the specialist my sister (who is very loud spoken) is coming with me. I know exactly when the worse time is and it's coming up this week. Enough to scare me and get prepared. This isn't how life should be. But the fainting was something totally different. I just feel like I'm getting sicker.

But today has been an ok day. A little pain but a nice Easter day. Hope everyone else had a good one too.

[NoGluGirl]

Dear DElizabethE,

I would suspect anemia, B-Vitamin deficiencies, low blood sugar, ovarian cysts, and/or uterine fibroids (abdominal pain). First, I would recommend you eat small meals once every four hours. Also, get bloodwork done to rule out deficiencies. If you already had a pelvic exam this year, I would still ask if you could get an ultrasound done. That can test for cysts and fibroids. I had 5 ovarian cysts in less than ten months when I was 17. They had to put me on the Depo-Provera. I was also anemic from bleeding so heavily. I would go through a super plus tampon in an hour at times. I nearly passed out during the pelvic exam as well. For some reason, I got pretty dizzy. Reproductive problems run in the family, so it was no surprise.

Dear missy's mom,

I did not faint during the exam, but came close I think. It hurts me a lot of the time. I am a virgin, so I thought that was why. It turns out, a lot of women have had discomfort during that exam. I have had cysts and it has been difficult. My periods used to be so painful, I could not stand straight for the first few days. I had pain shooting from my uterus down into my rectum. It was excruciating. You are right, doctors and nurses can be so rude. With my stomach issues, I have really had trouble with them. They are often snobbish and could not care less about patients.

Sincerely,

NoGluGirl

[missy'smom]

NoGluGirl,

My new GYN said something about it being not uncommon for women to feel a little dizzy immediately after the exam due to dialation. I understand how your pain is a factor for you as well.