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My sister keeps fainting. Does anyone know what it might be?

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Question - (21 June 2008) 31 Answers - (Newest, 3 August 2008)
A age 30-35, * writes:

My little sister keeps on fainting.

It's pretty scray.

She says that it only happens when she's really tired.

She'll get up out of bed or from sitting down and a few minuets later she'll hit the deck.

I saw her faint this morning (It was the first time anyone has seen her faint), I thought it looked more like a fit or an attack because she shook a little and her eyes were popping out of her skull. She looked horrofied. And said afterwards that she couldn't see, hear or feel me when I was trying to wake her up.

She's been to the doctors about it and had blood tests... But they said nothing was wrong there.

Does anyone have any clues?

Thank you so much.

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A female reader, anonymous, writes (3 August 2008):

helo...im the little sister!!! I duno what to say about all of this....its quite worrying reading all the stuff that has been writen and thanks emivia i do indeed eat like a horse lik every person should!!! Still no further along on the tests. still waiting on the tip table test as the doctor in charge of this was away on holiday..but hopefully i shall be called this month and get things over and done with!Quite nerve wracking tho. I hate hospitals. And the blood smaple they lost was a test called sanactn test...basically the inject you in the hip and take four blood samples at diffrent intervals... i was very mad when the doctor came back and asked me had i seen where he had left it! I mean if had been sitting ther e beside me i wud have been sick!! Either way its irrisponsible! Anyway...thanks for all the support your offering emivia...its a great help for her im sure!!!

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A reader, anonymous, writes (1 August 2008):

Hi Emivia,

Welcome back, I hope you enjoyed your trip. Still thinking about you and your sister. I'm hoping everything will be sorted out soon. Hang in there, it'll all work out ok... Blessings.

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A reader, anonymous, writes (26 July 2008):

It is great to have you back; so happy to hear it is going better with your sister; my thoughts have been with you; do keep an close eye on her and the tests;

Welcome back, lots of hugs and SMILES.

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A reader, anonymous, writes (26 July 2008):

This is verified as being by the original poster of the question

Hi everyone.

I'm back in Ireland now... So I should take up my old role of Aunt here on D.C.

My wee sister is here beside me. She says that She's fine. She hasn't fainted since she came out of hospital and she's doing much better.

They still don't know what's wrong with her but she's getting a tip-table test soon.

Oh... Thailand was very nice. I want to warn everyone about mosquito burning repelants.... One of them set fire to a hut I was staying in there... Whilst I was asleep. Luckily I got away with only a burnt foot (a plastic burn). I didn't let it ruin my holiday... Even though I missed out on a night dive and seeing tigers. :)

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A reader, anonymous, writes (6 July 2008):

Hi Emivia, try to have a little fun on your holiday, you need and deserve it for all your hard work. Don't worry about the sister, I'm sure whatever it is the doctors are working hard at finding out how to rebuild her. We got to put our trust in them, even if the admin system can't even keep the records safe, I'm sure she's in good hands. Blessings, take care of you, good wishes to everyone you love...

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A female reader, pepper27 United Kingdom +, writes (6 July 2008):

pepper27 agony auntoh hunny Im glad they have found something so it can be sorted hopefully but they lost a blood test ooooh that makes me mad...you enjoy your holiday and i'll carry on praying for u xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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A reader, anonymous, writes (6 July 2008):

This is verified as being by the original poster of the question

Hey thanks everyone.

It's brilliant here in Thailand.

So beautiful.

My little sister eats like a horse :)... And she doesn't really spend enought ime away from the kitchen to make herself sick. She burns it all off again, but she definatey doesn't have an eatting dissorder.

Some test have come back.

Some bad news.

They took a blood test and LOST it.... My little sister is EXTREMLY scared of needles and passes out and throws up at the site of them, so no suprises that we were all VERY mad about that. But she luckily doesn't have to get it done as they have disscovered what is wrong with her.

There is something wrong with her pass-maker.

more bad news

She's getting a little sicker. She collasped yesturday (two days after they had let her out of hospital). My mum found her lying in her own sick. :(

I feel pretty bad that I can't be with ehr or ask her how she's doning.

But I'm trying to enjoy my holiday.

But I'm very, very glad that they know what it is now.

They're hopefully going to be able to fix this now.

Thanks to you all.

Lots of love,

Emivia. x

I'll keep you all updated.

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A female reader, anonymous, writes (4 July 2008):

It's low blood pressure. Makes sure she has salt and carries licorice around with her, -keeps the blood pressure up. I suffer with it.

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A female reader, anonymous, writes (2 July 2008):

I know you said that she eats a good diet, but if she is doing LOTS of sports is she eating enough to keep up with what she is burning off? And does she eat in front of you and stick around for a while afterwards? I think possibly that if blood tests aren't showing anything you might want to read up on the signs of eating disorders such as bulemia and anorexia and watch her eating habits (as sufferers of these disorders can be VERY good at making people think that they are eating well and normally when really they are eating very little or making themselves sick afterwards to avoid gaining weight. Extreme exercise can also be another possible sign). Keep badgering the doctors to try and find what is causing this, too, and good luck with helping her become healthy again.

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A reader, anonymous, writes (2 July 2008):

Emivia hope you have a great holiday. LOts of fun in the sun!

Lots of relaxing and smiling!

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A female reader, pepper27 United Kingdom +, writes (2 July 2008):

pepper27 agony aunthave fun in the sun (:0) hun xXxXxXx

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A reader, anonymous, writes (2 July 2008):

Take care Emivia, have fun. Don't worry you know us, we're not going anywhere and will still be here. I hope for some good news about your sister very soon.

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A reader, anonymous, writes (2 July 2008):

This is verified as being by the original poster of the question

:) I'm going to Thailand for three weeks tomorrow, but I'm hoping to keep in contact with everyone at home and hear what's going on and get enough time to pop on and answer an occasional question and keep everyone here posted.

So sorry if it takes a while to get back to you all and tell you what's going on.

Have a good few weeks with out me :D.

See you all again soon.

Emivia. x

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A female reader, pepper27 United Kingdom +, writes (1 July 2008):

pepper27 agony auntkeep us posted hunny best of luck and lots of prayers love MANDY XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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A reader, anonymous, writes (1 July 2008):

Big Hugs Emivia, I'm glad their running more tests on her. My mother has a heart tremor, she collapsed one day and they found out she had it from birth without ever knowing. They check her every year, and it's never interfered with her life. I hope the same happens with your sister.

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A reader, anonymous, writes (1 July 2008):

This is verified as being by the original poster of the question

Hello All.

There's an update I feel I should tell you all.

My little sister collasped last night when she was walking off a pitch after playing one of her many, MANY sports.

She was taken to hospital and has been recieving tests that she was waiting for.

There was a tremor on the EEG, but that's all I know so far. I'm going to find out what's going on tomorrow.

I'm so happy that we're finally getting somewhere with it.

Even if it's not the best results. I'm just glad that we are finally going to know. It was very fustrating hearing that she was just going to grow out of it.

Wish her luck.

She thanks you all for your wonderful advice and support aswel.

Emivia. x

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A reader, anonymous, writes (24 June 2008):

This is verified as being by the original poster of the question

Thanks... I will do that. :D

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A reader, anonymous, writes (24 June 2008):

Thanks, for the feedback; I am happy about the news; but do take her for the tests; only then will yu have complete peace of mind;

Keep us posted.

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A reader, anonymous, writes (24 June 2008):

This is verified as being by the original poster of the question

Well I took my little sister back to the doctor today.

She just said it still sounded like normal faints. And that she should just grow out of them. But she has refered her to the a hospital out put so that she can get an EEG and a few other tests.

Thanks everyone. x

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A male reader, theOC United States +, writes (23 June 2008):

The way that you're describing the symptoms may indicate that she was having a seizure, which may happen when blood flow to the brain is stopped for a period of time. Susan mentioned that your sister should get an electroencephalogram, which is an EEG. It tests for abnormalities in brain waves which may cause her to have those seizure-like symptoms and would test to see if she has epilepsy.

I'm not a doctor, but an EEG and the stress tests mentioned earlier is something the doctor should have a look at. Best of luck to you and your sister. Hope all goes well!

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A reader, anonymous, writes (22 June 2008):

This is verified as being by the original poster of the question

Hey thanks for your answers.

To those who are anemic: How did you find out that you were anemic. They symptoms do sound similar, but I keep thinking that they would have seen if it was anemia in the blood test they did. Or do you think there's a chance they could have done it at the wrong time and gotten good results, whether she had anemia or not?

She's not a vegetarian. And she has a very good diet. My dad cannot absorb Vitamin B12 into his blood stream and needs an injection for it every once in a while, but I think they would have ruled that out with the blood test too.

Thanks Sofia for your suggestions. I will tell her to try those things out on the mornings. I don't think she can feel it coming until she's gone though.

Thanks to all of you.

I am taking my little sister to the doctors on Tuesday. I will update then and tell you what's going on and I will tell you the results when they are back.

Thanks so much for all of your concern.

Emivia. x

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A female reader, anonymous, writes (22 June 2008):

I gave blood and four hours later hit the tile floor in a grocery store, and I hit my dad's stomach. He didn't even try to catch me, lol.

I also get extreme head-rush when I stand up too fast after sleeping, sitting, or laying for long periods. It all goes black and I get dizzy and light headed. My hair, skin and head hurt, and it feels like I can't breathe...Then it slowly disappears and my vision returns. One time I had a bee in the room with me (scary!), and I ran across the house so fast that my headrush didn't hit me until I got there. lol

Could be anemia, though.

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A reader, anonymous, writes (22 June 2008):

i had the same thing for a while

and it was because i am anaemic.

basicaly it was bad for a while but then got really bad when i had a really heavy period and was on for 10 days, then passed out and had to have a blood transfusion.

iron tablets can help if she is anaemic as well.

does she eat alot of iron? she isnt a veggie is she?

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A female reader, Sophia_Sweetheart United Kingdom +, writes (21 June 2008):

Sophia_Sweetheart agony auntHoney I had this at exactly her age and I had anaemia. It might be worth going back to the doctors and if someone older goes in with her, they'll take her more seriously! It sounds like she may be missing iron in her diet, is she vegetarian? Also, how much sleep does she get? When she feels faint, tell her to tense and relax her leg muscles, take deep breaths and think clear thoughts. Good luck! Mail me if you have any questions!

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A reader, anonymous, writes (21 June 2008):

This is verified as being by the original poster of the question

Thanks for all your support and answers.

My little sister is nearly 17 now. These "faints" began just over a year ago and only happens every few weeks... Some times a few months have gone by with nothing and then there will be a week when she'll faint a lot.

She didn't appear fully conscious. I didn't think that she could hear me or see me as she was not reacting to anything I did. Her eyes then closed when she had slumped all the way to the floor and still didn't react for about a minute.

She says that when she had her head between her knees and was coming around she felt really sick, but once she had been put back in bed she felt fine again.

She knows that it's not low blood pressure, Vertigo, an anxiety disorder, is having a panic attack or diabetes. But thanks for those suggestions.

The doctors haven't done anything other than blood tests... Which I think is outragious. Thank you Mandy, Susan and Oldersister. I have taken a list of your suggestions and tests and I will take them to the doctor with my little sister.

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A reader, anonymous, writes (21 June 2008):

I agree totally with the previous postings and don't waste time;

get her back to the doctors; copy the postings and take it with you if need be;

insist that they do all the necessary test;

this is not something to take lightly;

Be strong and take care!

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A female reader, Susan Strict United Kingdom +, writes (21 June 2008):

Susan Strict agony auntWhen she goes to the doctor (as soon as possible, I would suggest) you should go with her and describe what YOU saw. This is important. VERY important.

In particular describe the slight shaking, the appearance of her "eyes popping out", and that she couldn't see, hear or feel you even though she appeared to be not fully unconscious (you didn't actually say that, but I'm guessing that was the case from what you did say).

And IF she felt extreme tiredness afterwards (MUCH more tired than she was before she "fainted") - you didn't mention it but IF it was a symptom then it's a very important indicator.

Try to make it clear and concise.

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A female reader, pepper27 United Kingdom +, writes (21 June 2008):

pepper27 agony auntHi Hunny

Your sister needs to go back to the doctor there are more test that can be done to see what the problem is hunny.

Heart tests such as ECG, Holter monitoring, echocardiogram, or an exercise stress test.

A tilt table test. This test checks how your body responds to changes in position.

Tests for nervous system problems, such as CT scan of the head, MRI of the brain, or EEG. This is for the doctor sweetheart your sister needs to go back and get all the tests possible..TAKE CARE WITH LOVE MANDY XXXXXXXXXXXXX

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A female reader, anonymous, writes (21 June 2008):

She should have a secound opinion. She could have low blood pressure or Vertigo when you get real dizzy like, or she could suffer from an anxiety disorder and be having a panic attack what about diabetes? Keep going to the doctor there has to be a reason. Good luck

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A female reader, Susan Strict United Kingdom +, writes (21 June 2008):

Susan Strict agony auntYes.

But it's inappropriate for me to try to diagnose it from what you write here.

She MUST to back to the doctor and discuss having an electroencephalogram.

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A female reader, supermum United Kingdom +, writes (21 June 2008):

supermum agony auntwhats her age? go back to docs and pester!!!!! if she does it again, call 911 (999 or whatever the emergancy number is over there for an ambulance)

i hope this gets better as it must be hard

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