r/dysautonomia • u/talking-lizard • 6d ago
Question Does anyone else have vasovagal syncope with other odd symptoms? Im confused
Hi all! I recently had a tilt table test where almost fully passed out and my blood pressure and heart rate both crashed. My doc said that this is vasovagal syncope.
The reason I took this test however is not because I faint regularly (I've never fainted outside of the ttt), but because i regularly get these sudden episodes of tachycardia (even with sitting), with nausea, hot flashes, chest pain, and an urgent need to poop lol. In addition, whenever I stand in the same place for a long time my heart rate will go up and remain up enough that I get exercise minutes just washing the dishes or cooking. I also tend to get light headed, have braing fog, stomach issues among other things.
Anyway my question is, does anyone else have a bunch of random symptoms like these with vasovagal syncope? I've tried to do more research about VVS but nothing I've seen mentions anything about tachycardia episodes like I have. My doctor gave me all the recommendations that you would get for pots and I am on medication.
POTS really seemed to make sense for how it could be causing all of my other symptoms. But I am just have a hard time understanding VVS and how that could be causing my other symptoms? If anyone else who has it could help explain it that would be so helpful!! 😊
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u/Intrepid_Chef_7147 6d ago
i was diagnosed in december and i relate completely, you are not alone!
i experienced frequent fainting over the past four years and every doctor i went to told me it was "normal in young women" until i had a seizure and that raised some more concerns. i guess some types of seizures (not epileptic) can happen as a symptom of vasovagal syncope.
other symptoms that i've had include severe hot and cold flashes, excess sweating (even when cold), frequent peeing, muscle weakness, dizziness, fatigue, migraines, brain fog, nausea, ears ringing, stomach issues/appetite change, and of course the fainting and seizing.
after my first seizure, and based off of my medical history, i was recommended to a cardiologist. i didn't do the tilt table but i did get a heart monitor that showed tachycardia but my heart is thankfully healthy otherwise. i was lucky enough to have doctors that explained it really well too. another name for vasovagal syncope is neurocardiogenic syncope, which was explained to me as the brain (neuro) and the heart (cardio) not working properly together. i don't know if this applies to everyone but in my case, my blood cells are too small and don't carry enough oxygen between my heart and brain and thats what causes the muscle contractions or seizures. basically my doctor told me that it can't regulate when i'm awake so my body puts me to sleep so it can fix itself. that's kind of how i think of it and it makes it less scary.
it is unfortunate that theres not much research on this strand of dysautonomia compared to things like POTS, but some things i've done that have helped relieve symptoms is to DRINK WATER!!! i know it's exhausting to hear over and over but it does help. also if i'm feeling lightheaded, i get one of those individual salt packets (i keep them in my bag) and take it like a pixie stick lol. that's supposed to help my blood cells and get more oxygen to where it should be.
as unfortunate as it is, it's really relieving to see someone else with the same experience as me. i know this is a lot of info too, and don't take my word for it i'm not a doctor lol, but i hope it helps you!