Unexpected 'fainting'

[Islay]

I'm not talking a swoon here more I knew it was going to happen but couldn't stop it!!

I had spent a lovely afternoon sitting in a bar listening to music over a course of 5 hours I had 4 drinks. Then 3 hours later I had a balanced meal with a glass of wine.

We got back to our room and I suddenly felt very hot, but my face was icecold, I called to hubby who came and talked to me and that's the last thing I remember until this morning when I wake up in bed feeling utterly drained.

Hubby has filled in the missing timeline, apparently despite him talking to me I went a deathly shade of white the sweat was pouring off me and I totally passed out. I was out for 5 minutes and he brought me round by slapping my hand face and knuckles in my chest.

He then put a cold cloth on my neck and face got me to drink some water and eat something sweet kept me awake for 30 mins then finally let me sleep (as I said I don't remember any of this)

Do I need to seek medical assistance apart from feeling drained I feel a little nauseous

Did he do the the right thing he is concerned that this may happen again

Typical it happens on my birthday whilst we are abroad

Thanks

[DTCwordfan]

could be an arrhythmic faint from what you have told us - my mother suffers from them if she over-heats, the same sort of symptoms.... should be alright but get checked out when you get back.

[Zacs-Master]

Of course you need medical assistance. I'm not really sure why 'hubby' didn't call reception or even an ambulance.

[Islay]

Over the last 10 years this has happened about 4 times each time we have been in the uk and normally in a pub or restaurant ambulances have been called but no reason found.

As it had not happened in 4 years I thought I had out grown it.

He did not call the ambulance as I was on the loo at the time not dressed and would have been mortified to be found in that state!

[bednobs]

if someone i knew passed out for 5 minutes, i wouldn;t be bringing them round with flannel!

[Mamyalynne]

Did you ever discuss the previous instances with your GP? If so what did they think?

I don't know how long you're away but I'd make sure you kept fully hydrated and out of the sun - also check with reception re the nearest medical facility you could get checked over at, if not now then certainly if you feel this way again.

[Buenchico]

Sqad has accused me of scaremongering on more than one occasion before now. I certainly don't want to do that but I will relate a true story to you and leave it entirely to you to decide as to whether:
(a) it's relevant ; and
(b) you want to do anything about it.

Back in my teaching days I was in charge of first aid in the school. During a staff meeting a colleague said that she felt unwell and went outside, accompanied by another colleague. (Nobody was greatly surprised as the room was hot and oppressive). A few minutes later however I got called outside as the lady had fainted. (She was a fit and apparently healthy PE teacher). She was 'out' far longer than I would have expected for a 'normal' faint and I was considering calling an ambulance when she came round and seemed to be OK. She insisted upon driving herself home (although someone followed behind in their own car, in case she felt unwell again).

The following morning she came to school as normal but, before I'd arrived at school she had another 'long faint' in the staffroom and her friends insisted upon taking her to hospital (despite her protests to the contrary).

The A&E staff didn't seem too concerned but carried out a few tests, including one on her blood hormone levels. She was left sitting in the waiting room until suddenly a group of nurses arrived and rushed her into intensive care because the tests had shown that she'd actually had two heart attacks.

So that's why I get a bit concerned when I hear about 'long faints'.

[Cloverjo]

I think you should check for diabetes. You can go to your doctor or buy a test test from a chemist or Amazon.

[Buenchico]

A PS to my post above:

Another colleague (also a fit PE teacher) was having a pub meal with his wife when he suddenly fainted, ending up face down in his food. He also took quite some time to come round and an ambulance was called.

The subsequent tests showed that he needed a pacemaker fitted, which seemed to solve the problem. (He's over 80 now, and still going strong).

[Zacs-Master]

I was on the loo at the time not dressed and would have been mortified to be found in that state!

Do you realise the irony I your use of the word 'mortified'?

Get yourself a FULL medical.

[Buenchico]

From the NHS website:
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Fainting/Pages/Causes.aspx

[Smowball]

Agree with all of the above - it's NOT normal.

[Islay]

My husband is not completely without medical training he did some in the army all be it several years ago. I will seek medical advice on my return to the uk.

[anneasquith]

Seek medical advice now.

[Gromit]

The symptoms sound similar to a friend of mine, and the problem turned out to be blood pressure. You mention alcohol in both stories, so that is my prognosis.

[wolf63]

Go and get it checked out.

It could be so many things and you feel a right twit if it happened on the plane home.

[237SJ]

I went through a phase of passing out many years ago. I put it down to low blood pressure because it always happened after I had eaten a large meal. I assumed it was because the blood had gone to the digestive system after eating. BTW your husband should raise your legs if you fall down with a faint and make sure your airway is open

[Buenchico]

>>> BTW your husband should raise your legs if you fall down with a faint and make sure your airway is open

Your first aid manual appears to be over half a century out of date, 237SJ !
http://www.redcross.org.uk/What-we-do/First-aid/Everyday-First-Aid/Unresponsive-and-breathing

[Islay]

Bit difficult to do when one is sitting on the loo!! He did a sterling job of keeping me upright!

[jennyjoan]

My cousin when she was about 68 went to visit her son in Philadelphia - anyway was away for 3 weeks and she is a very fit and agile lady. Felt a bit tired but when she came home got checked out by own gp - she had been walking the whole time with a heart attack. So you need to take care.

That is my own fear taking really ill whilst you are so far away.