It happened again...
Ugh. Okay. So I have a problem. On March 7th, I passed out again. Exactly the same as the last time, except this time I was on a treadmill at this little gym I joined. So--I am going through a different hell this time out. I have had blood tests, an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart) and stress test (EKG and blood pressure while on a treadmill) to rule out cardio problems, and now have to see a neurologist, again. This time I probably won't have to have all the EEGs and MRIs as I haven't had a head injury--but my primary physician wants a neurologist's opinion on my migraine issue as it's not his "forte." I can't drive. Again.
I cannot begin to describe how frustrating and scary this whole experience is... Evidently, my syncope--the medical term for loss of consciousness--involves a certain amount of clenching and twitching which lay-people are quick to describe as a seizure. I do not go through the true thrashing and loss of control of bodily functions that are hallmarks of a grand mal. Nonetheless, I'm sure it is frightening for a witness. I know that this last time, I was on a treadmill without wearing the emergency stop strap (which, come on, NO ONE wears) so when I dropped the machine kept going, and I ended up with painful abrasions on my face and arm that I have no memory of receiving. That had to be awful to witness.
Still, the research I have done on my own--previously and recently--leads me to a very true belief that these episodes are a form of migraine aura. There is a type of migraine, variously called "basiliar" or "vertebrobasiliar" (my spelling may be slightly off) which comes from the brain-stem and involves fainting as part of the aura. Each time I have experienced a sense of de ja vu for a minute or two before losing conciousness, and each time I have ended up having a migraine start within the hour after regaining conciousness. I have a very long history of migraines back to childhood. Most usually the form called "common" migraine, but also a few of the form known as "classic" migraine--which have an "aura." I hope that I will be able to find a treatment for this problem that will still allow me to go forward in all of my other endeavors as planned...
Clearly, I have been remiss about this blog. I don't know who--if anyone--still checks up on it, but, I will try to be a bit better about posting in the coming weeks...
If anyone out there is a fellow migraine sufferer of any form, or knows someone with resources on the subject, please, let me know...
I cannot begin to describe how frustrating and scary this whole experience is... Evidently, my syncope--the medical term for loss of consciousness--involves a certain amount of clenching and twitching which lay-people are quick to describe as a seizure. I do not go through the true thrashing and loss of control of bodily functions that are hallmarks of a grand mal. Nonetheless, I'm sure it is frightening for a witness. I know that this last time, I was on a treadmill without wearing the emergency stop strap (which, come on, NO ONE wears) so when I dropped the machine kept going, and I ended up with painful abrasions on my face and arm that I have no memory of receiving. That had to be awful to witness.
Still, the research I have done on my own--previously and recently--leads me to a very true belief that these episodes are a form of migraine aura. There is a type of migraine, variously called "basiliar" or "vertebrobasiliar" (my spelling may be slightly off) which comes from the brain-stem and involves fainting as part of the aura. Each time I have experienced a sense of de ja vu for a minute or two before losing conciousness, and each time I have ended up having a migraine start within the hour after regaining conciousness. I have a very long history of migraines back to childhood. Most usually the form called "common" migraine, but also a few of the form known as "classic" migraine--which have an "aura." I hope that I will be able to find a treatment for this problem that will still allow me to go forward in all of my other endeavors as planned...
Clearly, I have been remiss about this blog. I don't know who--if anyone--still checks up on it, but, I will try to be a bit better about posting in the coming weeks...
If anyone out there is a fellow migraine sufferer of any form, or knows someone with resources on the subject, please, let me know...
posted by Veronica Jude @ 12:46 AM
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