Black Outs?

@Ragman,

I have only grown about 2 inches in the last three years, so growing is definitely not my problem. I'm in the process of changing healthcare and I am not accepted anywhere currently. I haven't been able to get accepted for anything serious for several months because no place near is accepting new patients. For now, I have no real choice but to adjust to my problem.

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@IceB0x,

You seem like a smart very aware young lady. And you're aware of a lot of training details. Your mom seems aware too; however, I would not wait for these symptoms to occur again.

You have some sort arrhythmia and a not-so-minor cardiac issue that needs better diagnosis. Get your mom to make an appointment with a heart specialist.

FYi, I have cardiac issues myself. My symptoms were caught in checkup after my complaining of similar issues. I learned in time what it was to have a blockage of blood flow. In my case, I had a birth defect that lay dormant for over 50 years. My situation might not have anything to do with yours, but the seriousness of your symptoms merit a real cardiac specialist. I sought an expert answer and found out I had an enlarged heart (obstructive cardiomyopathy). This may have nothing to do with you, but you need a real diagnosis - NOW!

Make sure you go to real 'big city' medical facility with cardiologists who specialize in Cardiology- EPS. OK? If you need my help, I'll research where you should go for you. OK?

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Have you had a stress test before, where they monitor your heart while it's under stress (walking on a treadmill or something)?

It sounds like you live in Smalltown, USA, where you've got older doctors who are not up-to-date on diagnoses and treatments, and "hospitals" that are probably not equipped with adequate diagnostic equipment.

Get an appointment with a doctor at a large hospital in the nearest big city, perhaps a teaching hospital at a good university. There's nothing we can do here beyond speculate what might be wrong with you. You need a good doctor who will run a battery of tests.

Have you considered that these black outs could be psychological? Do they occur during times of fear, stress/anxiety, or strong emotions? Are you depressed? These are also questions that a doctor should ask...

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Usually girls are over growth/and hormone spurts by 17 although not always.
Your symptoms seem have been ongoing for some years.

I think your best bet is to get all your medical checkups and doctors vist files into one place and have a complete review of the facts.
Get a referal to a cardiologist if the GP thinks this is worthwhile.

Keep a diary of food, water, any episodes, your periods, anything you think might be asociated.
Otherise just monitor and be aware of changes to your body and report these to your doctor.
Your mother sounds like she knows what she's doing.

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@IceB0x,

IceB0x wrote:

I have no real choice but to adjust to my problem.

Wrong! This is more serious than you or your parents think it is. Even if it requires taking a loan, you should see a specialist. This is not a hangnail or a minor broken bone that will set on it's own. You can't adjust to passing out and to a heart arrhythmia.

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She needs to get to a new, good doctor at a major research hospital ASAP. Good health is worth the trip.

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@Ragman,

Thank you; coming from someone who seems to know enough about health, I'll take that as a sweet compliment. I'm a fan of House, Mystery Diagnosis, and Dr. Oz. Health just interests me.

I'm sorry about your heart problems. It's strange how issues appear sometimes. My brother has MVP, which is why I was even checked for it. His heart problem and heart attacks on my father's side are the only problems in my family. My mother was adopted, though, which leaves half of my history out. I can only dream of what may be unknown.

Thank you very much, Ragman. With money as it is right now, and my healthcare, any doctor is really out of the question though. When my healthcare is back in the running, I'll push my mother about getting my heart checked more thoroughly. I really appriciate the warning, concern, and the advice.

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Quote:

You can't adjust to passing out and to a heart arrhythmia

It wasnt a problem for me.
But i do agree worthy of further investigation

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You could move to Australia and get decent healthcare.
Free (its not really we all pay through our taes) or low cost medical care here is a godsend.
Look into doing a student exchange.

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Teen hormones have nothing to do with blackouts and loss of vision. Neither does diet.

Icebox, don't waste any more time with the local doctors. Request copies of all of your health records, which you're entitled to, and get to a major hospital as quickly as you can for a proper diagnosis.

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@IceB0x,

IceB0x wrote:

My mother felt it had something to do with my heart also, but I haven't had any tests done for about 3 years.

Get testing done. You're condition has obviously changed and has become worse.

IceB0x wrote:

I've had these symptoms and other symptoms of poor blood flow, especially when I exercise. My joints turn red and I get red vein-looking lines on my thighs especially. I can get sick to my stomach when I jog or ride bike. I've been told that everything is okay and nothing is wrong by a couple doctors also. I took it as low endurance at first, but I have done endurance running [about 2 hours straight a day] when I was in track and field. I know I'm not out of shape.
[/quote="IceB0x"]

The nausea is from bloodflow being cut off to your stomach and digestive tract. If you're at rest and stand up or climb stairs after being still, you'll probably be lightheaded? Possibly not every time but many times, right?
How about when you do a lot of exercise regardless of the heat or your hydration level? you get the symptoms, don't you? Rubber legs, clammy skin...nausea...lightheadedness? Last for 45 mins sometimes..maybe longer?

I likewise ran for 2 hours and at another occasion biked for 6 hrs with brief stops. This is not an issue of athletic endurance as it is about a sudden demand of blood-flow in the cardiac system, which gets obstructed.

IceB0x wrote:

My doctor had prescribed me to gain weight also, but it didn't change my symptoms. I'm of very small stature. I've always been underweight, but none of my doctors have felt it was an extreme problem other than one. I'm not anorexic or bulimic (spelling?). I eat complete meals. I love fruits, meats [I know for a fact that I do eat more protein than is recommended], and pastas. I used to take vitamins on a daily basis, but have been out of that schedule for a little bit. I will admit I'm not a large vegetable person, but I eat as many vegetables as I can stand with every meal.

I am aware of athletic training. I'm not sure if you are familiar with P90X? My mother began it and I did with her to support her. I did for about a month and I gained muscle mass and ate more, but I lost weight so I quit. I haven't done it for about two months now. It didn't affect the frequency of my symptoms, so it leads me to believe I am not over-exercising.

The longer you keep from getting this diagnosed the more dangerous situation you're in, Please ask your mom to read this. I'll be glad to help with info however I can.

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@Pangloss,

I've never had a stress test, although I'm sure it would probably benefit me in some way. I do live in Smalltown, USA. We have many older doctors. Our younger doctors put me under the impression of not caring.

I have been prone to panic attacks, which I have been admitted to the ER for. My panic attacks are accompanied with extreme stress, dread, anxiousness, etc. They also last much, much longer and I have medicine to reduce my symptoms. The first time I had vision loss and a racing heart, I took my medicine because I, too, thought a panic attack was occuring. It wasn't. My vision loss does not follow strong emotions.

My symptoms mirror hyperventilation, but I've only hyperventilated once and I had different symptoms with it that I don't get along with these symptoms. My fingers tingled, I couldn't sit up because of such a severe stomach ache, I was unaware of my surroundings, and I couldn't think well enough to formulate a reply to anything. My vision loss isn't like that. I can think perfectly fine and my fingers don't tingle no matter how severe my episode has been.

I have never been diagnosed with depression or a Type A personality.

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@IceB0x,

IceB0x wrote:

Thank you very much, Ragman. With money as it is right now, and my healthcare, any doctor is really out of the question though. When my healthcare is back in the running, I'll push my mother about getting my heart checked more thoroughly. I really appriciate the warning, concern, and the advice.

I repeat. Do NOT wait to get coverage. You don't grasp the importance! show your mother this info, please!

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@dadpad,

We have journals of what I ate/drank/episodes I had. My doctors couldn't find any correlation. I considered hormonal issues. I don't have regular cycles, as I may skip several. I've been told it can be related to stress, body fat percentage, and eating habits. Because of my low BMI, I dismissed it as simply because of my very low body fat.

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Cardiovascular problems typically show up, or are worse, while exercising. If the issues are taking place during times of rest, it would seem to point more towards a psychological problem. Once again, more speculation. Get to a good doctor.

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@IceB0x,

diet an exercise will affect your weight and muscle tone. stress will affect his too. this is not related to that. focusing on that will distract you from the arrhythmia and syncope and near syncope.

In the meanwhile, when you work out, gradually ease into your exercise..and when done, cool down slowly. Do not work out in the heat at all. Hydrate before your thirsty. And don't do drastic routine changes.
Rest 8-10 hrs per night.

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@dadpad,

Haha. Thanks, dadpad, but I don't think my parents would consent to moving across the globe to get me to a cardiologist. My senior year has also been scheduled and I'm not missing out on my current college course.

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@IceB0x,

IceB0x wrote:

I have been prone to panic attacks, which I have been admitted to the ER for. My panic attacks are accompanied with extreme stress, dread, anxiousness, etc. They also last much, much longer and I have medicine to reduce my symptoms. The first time I had vision loss and a racing heart, I took my medicine because I, too, thought a panic attack was occuring. It wasn't. My vision loss does not follow strong emotions.

My symptoms mirror hyperventilation, but I've only hyperventilated once and I had different symptoms with it that I don't get along with these symptoms. My fingers tingled, I couldn't sit up because of such a severe stomach ache, I was unaware of my surroundings, and I couldn't think well enough to formulate a reply to anything. My vision loss isn't like that. I can think perfectly fine and my fingers don't tingle no matter how severe my episode has been.

If you are having panic attacks and anxiety, all of the symptoms you've listed can be due to this. Have you, or do you, regularly see(n) a psychiatrist? It may not seem like you are experiencing panic when you have the blackouts and vision problems, but they could be caused by general anxiety...nausea, heart palpitations, and everything else too.

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@Ragman,

Alright! I'll get to it in the morning and see what she has to say. She expressed concern when it began about getting me checked out, but has since let the issue collect dust. I'll have to do something about it.

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@IceB0x,

Where do you live? (don't want an address, but your general location)

Certainly you can travel for doctor appointments...no need to move across the globe.

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