fits when i faint...

[pinksmartie]

Over the past couple of years whenever i faint i have a fit. I'm sort of prone to fainting, like i've fainted when i wacked my elbow off a door frame (oh the shame), fell down the stairs, went over the handle bars of a scooter (a push one not a real one), fell down the stairs again, but bounced on my bum to the bottom, had the TB jab etc. I usually faint when i get a shock of some sort. (A painful shock, not mental)

On most of the above i haven't had a fit, but over the past couple of years i've started to have them when i faint, and my mom said that i sort of go all rigid and tense and start to shake. I come round normal and don't have any memory of doing this. It doesn't happen all the time when i faint, but it's happened at least 4 times.

My brother also had this when he was around my age (don't know if he still does have it), and he said that he went to the doctors and the doctor said it was somewhere between epilepsy and fainting. Does anyone have any ideas as to what these fits are and if i should go to the doctors too? I feel fine when i wake up, and i don't always have a fit when i faint. I was just wondering what they were if any one could tell me. I don't have epilepsy so im puzzled.

Phew, i'm going to go rest my fingers lol. xxxx

[maximo]

It could be epileptic episodes. You should go to your GP asap, as this can be treated. You could hurt yourself badly if you knocked your head on something hard when you faint, or fell down some stairs...All the best ! x

[pinksmartie]

thanks maximo :)

[Rubyrose]

Hey Pinksmartie,

These are Epileptic seizures. I am Epileptic but have only ever had one Grande Maul attack. Mine are caused by strobe lighting but fits can be triggered by almost anything.

I don't know how old you are but up until the age of 21 your brain is still developing which is when most people get their first fits. I had mine at the age of 15 and I had an EEG exam and they found out I was Epileptic.

I would go to the GP immediatly and ask to be referred to an Neurologist. They will do an EEG on you and find out whether you are Epileptic or not. It definately sounds like it to me but also this could be something you will grow out of. The EEG isn't scary or anything. They stick some wires on your head and lay you on a bed and do some tests on you and ask you Q's and just read your brain activity.

The fits don't harm you in anyway, they just knock you out for a bit and its actually worse for the people with you, coz they are worrying and you are just sort of asleep! Lol. My best mate still has nightmares about when I had my fit but to be honest.. I don't remember it! I am 21 now but she still talks about it. :o)

Ruby xx

[lisa8880]

When I was younger this happened to me. I went for brain scans and all sorts. It wasnt epilepsy it was due to the surge in hormones when i was going through puberty. Ihavent had one for about 8 years now *touch wood* . So depending on your age it could be that! but i would deffo speak to ur GP.

GOOD LUCK

[pinksmartie]

thanks all :)

[silverdale5]

you really must go to your gp to get tested for epilepsy. if it is that (and i hope it isnt) and you dont take medication, your condition could get worse. you may not be able to drive for example, you have to consider other peoples safety as well as your own. my brother had similar problems and it was epilepsy.

does anyone else in your family have it as it does sometimes run in families. good luck x

[Belle Fast]

Anybody who faints can have a seizure, but it is an anoxic seizure (due to temporary lack of oxygen to the brain) not an epileptic one (due to excessive electrical activity in the brain). You need to see your doctor just to make sure that you are not fainting because of intermittent heart problems, but probably you just have a wee bit of low blood pressure.