So I had a weird thing happen to me at work today. I passed out. Or as the folks that know stuff about medicine would say, I experienced "vasovagal syncope."
I was sitting on the floor, searching through a box of documents, and somehow managed to cut my finger on the cardboard. (It was pretty painful, but essentially just a paper cut. The shocking thing is that this did not happen while I was carelessly opening the box with scissors.) I vaguely remember starting to feel dizzy, and the next thing I knew, I found myself slumped over against my book case, in a cold sweat and feeling as if I was numb.
I have passed out before. Usually in doctors' offices after they've given me a shot. Once, it was enough that I was taken to the emergency room and put on intravenous fluids. This was the first time that I've ever done it when there was nobody around.
So, once I regained consciousness, I decided to call my mother, since she would know what to do. But it took her over 6 hours to call me back. So, instead, I just decided to just go back to work.
4 comments:
I once experienced a "vasovagal episode." Because I was driving at the time, it scared the crap out of me. I regained consciousness and immediately drove to the ER. A few months (and several thousand dollars worth of diagnostic tests) later, my G.P., a good friend, explained that such things are very common for wusses like me.
That's no fun.
I think I have something similar. Hasn't happened in a while. I all but pass out (though I remember wishing I would at the time because it feels like hell). I inherited it from my mom, and her mom had it too. My grandma used to pass out. Mine's usually brought on by a combination of things (overheated, blood, etc.)I don't remember the medical term, but I guess it's not uncommon, although I've never heard anyone else talk about it.
The last time it happened, I was down in Florida getting a pedicure with my mom and aunt. The technician cut my toe, and I passed out, and awoke to find paramedics standing over me.
After I spent half a day in the hospital on an iv, the doctors concluded that I was anemic, dehydrated, and stupid for skipping breakfast.
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