HELP-My daughter passed out!!

[Sweet-n-Low]

I had the biggest scare this morning!

My 15 year old daughter yells mom from upstairs, I dont think much about it because she's always yelling "mom" because some sibling is bugging her....but then she yells again and that time I knew something sounded wrong ....

I run upstairs and can hardly get in the bathroom because she had fallen down behind the door.... she tells me she cant see... (she is fresh out of the shower) So I pick her up and hold her and tell her it okay that Im here and she'll be okay - (trying to calm her down) Then she slips out of my arms passed out ! I yell for my husband to call 911 ,as she comes too I pick her up and she again tells me she cant see ....

She started to get her vision back and the 911 tech said to lay her down ! AHHHHHHHHHHHHH ! My heart was beating out of my chest ! The paramedics came and took her blood pressure and tested her blood .....everything looked fine. They still wanted to take her to the hospital to make sure she wasnt going to do that again and to rule out other things.......the paramedics got here quick !!!
Which I am so thankful for !!! Thank God for medical professionals !!!!

We went to the hospital and finally they decided she passed out because of low blood pressure .... they said to make she she is hydrated and lays down when dizzy! She is always drinking water - and she told me that sometimes she gets "black outs" and lays down for awhile and she feels better.

I was wondering if any one out there has had this problem or know more about it !! Please !

[PamB]

Wow - Hope all goes well. I've never had that problem but I have heard of low blood sugar causing things like this.

[Potaty]

This happens to me fairly frequently. It's always in the shower so she will want to be careful of hot showers. Encourage her to keep the door open and the fan on so it doesn't get too hot in there. It's very scary! Have her add extra salt to her food too. Has she been tested for mitral valve prolapse?

[Sweet-n-Low]

Originally Posted by Potaty

This happens to me fairly frequently. It's always in the shower so she will want to be careful of hot showers. Encourage her to keep the door open and the fan on so it doesn't get too hot in there. It's very scary! Have her add extra salt to her food too. Has she been tested for mitral valve prolapse?

No she hasnt been tested for that! But thanks.... I will look into it !

She passed out coming out of the shower too .... wow ..... thanks so much for responding

[Potaty]

Is she by any chance taking any diet pills or diuretics? That is when all of my problems started. I have no idea if the two are related but you might ask her. When I was on the pills, I was very thin, barely ate, and exercised like a maniac. My "episodes" were very frequent back then, now they are maybe twice a year. Like I said, not sure that it was ever related but might be worth investigating.

[jedswife]

it sure does sound like an episode of low blood pressure either from the heat or it has happened to me after getting up too quickly. i have also had it happen after sitting in a bad chair (like the blood flow was being cut off) and when i got up i fell down - had the same thing vision started blacking out and the weird ringing/tinny sound in my ears.

[Chrystee]

Happened also to my sister.. Sometimes just getting up really fast can cause it. She had started running 3 miles a day, so she had to cut down a little.

[walkthebeach]

This happened to my daughter and they could never figure out what caused it. She was tested for everything it seems: blood sugar, thyroid, stress test, nada. She would really have problems while at the gym, and she had to quit taking her cardio weightlifting and quit running. The scariest part was when she was driving to work in the morning, she would start to feel faint, then get panicky, have a panic attack and have to pull over. Make sure your daughter is getting proper nutrition and taking vitamins, that did help the situation. Good luck.

[Kattbelly]

That happened to me all the time when I was a teenager. I had low blood pressure, the shower, getting up too quick, all of that made me light-headed, dizzy, black out.

It was scary at the time, but I grew out of it. I hope your daughter is doing better and that this is all it is.

[Sweet-n-Low]

Thanks for your replies !

She is doing better now and I will be watching her closely.

I have told her she needs to tell me how often she has these "blackouts" so I can keep record of it....

She also knows not to ever get to hungry and stay hydrated !

I can cry now It was so hard to see my girl pass out ! I have been holding in my tears for her but now I will have to let it out...

Thanks again !

[LoveMyGSDs]

Oh no, how awful for you!

First, have her tested for hypoglycemia.

I'm hypoglycemic. The best thing is a low carb diet and not going for longer then 4 or 5 hours without eating. Carbs should ALWAYS be consumed with protein and/or fat and never alone. I actually haven't had an episode since starting Atkins in 2001.

Also, if she is hypoglycemic, she sould never consume carbs when she gets to the point of feeling light headed. That will just cause a spike in her blood sugar, then she will over-produce insulin and it will plummet again.

I hope this helps a little.

[tiffann4k]

Wow that is scary! No advice, just hugs

[telemetrynurse]

I'm glad your daughter is ok. I'm sorry you both went thru that because I know it can be scary.

Did they actually tell you she was dehydrated? I'm sure they did blood work. I know you were told to make sure she stays hydrated but I have a couple of other suggestions to hopefully help your daughter manage or prevent further problems. Hopefully there won't be any!

She should try to avoid becoming overheated (very hot shower or hot bath) because it can cause peripheral vasodilation which will lower blood pressure. You might ask her if she was taking a hot shower when this happened. Suggest that she takes warm showers.

If she starts to feel like she is going to black out she should immediately lie down and put her legs up (on pillows, books, or whatever is handy) or sit down and put her head down between knees (this will help prevent passing out by getting enough blood flow to the brain).

If she has episodes after getting up from bed or a chair she should make sure to get up very slowly. Don't just suddenly change positions.

If she does have any episodes you should record what she was doing when it happened. Ex. was she taking a hot shower, did she just get up out of bed, was she exercising on a hot day, etc.

I'm not a doctor but I've been a nurse for years and have worked with many hypotensive patients. I hope this helps. Please feel free to PM me if you have any questions, I'll try to find answers for you.

[Sweet-n-Low]

Originally Posted by telemetrynurse

I'm glad your daughter is ok. I'm sorry you both went thru that because I know it can be scary.

Did they actually tell you she was dehydrated? I'm sure they did blood work. I know you were told to make sure she stays hydrated but I have a couple of other suggestions to hopefully help your daughter manage or prevent further problems. Hopefully there won't be any!

She should try to avoid becoming overheated (very hot shower or hot bath) because it can cause peripheral vasodilation which will lower blood pressure. You might ask her if she was taking a hot shower when this happened. Suggest that she takes warm showers.

If she starts to feel like she is going to black out she should immediately lie down and put her legs up (on pillows, books, or whatever is handy) or sit down and put her head down between knees (this will help prevent passing out by getting enough blood flow to the brain).

If she has episodes after getting up from bed or a chair she should make sure to get up very slowly. Don't just suddenly change positions.

If she does have any episodes you should record what she was doing when it happened. Ex. was she taking a hot shower, did she just get up out of bed, was she exercising on a hot day, etc.

I'm not a doctor but I've been a nurse for years and have worked with many hypotensive patients. I hope this helps. Please feel free to PM me if you have any questions, I'll try to find answers for you.

Thank you !

She was just coming out of the shower ... I have already intrusted her to leave the door open (we have 2 doors to the bathroom) and to only take warm showers.

I was not told that she was dehydrated- ( I didnt think she was because she drinks water like a fish) But they still told me to make sure she stays hydrated.

She is normally very heathy...which is why this scared me so bad... she told me she has been having "black outs" but just lays down and then she feels better. I will be documenting them now. She knows now to tell me when they happen.

She is a small girl 5'2 95lbs.... but thats her frame..... she is a picky teenage eater but she still eats plenty. They made some weird comments like make sure you eat.... I know it was meant well but ...... I guess small people get told to eat and larger ones get told to stop LOL

Thanks for your help !

[Tylar_Connar]

I do that when I take VERY hot showers. I have never passed out because I get out of there and get to a cool place and lay down.

I also have Mitral Valve Prolapse.

[yakara]

I had the same problem growing up, and during this summer my daughter passed out. She was 9 at the time, going on 10. After being rushed to the hospital and told that she was fine, I took her to her family doctor.

Here is what she told me - There are 2 "blood pressures" that can cause this problem. The regular blood pressure being low can cause this, but so can the blood pressure around the brain. (I think she said something about the fluid not being blood but that it maintains a certain pressure just the same). She said that when this happens (World goes black, can't see or hear anything ranging from a couple of seconds to a couple of minutes) she should put her head as low to the ground as it she can get. Try to get head below heart. She said that this happens to many girls around puberty and can last into their 20s. She also said that it was only dangerous if the person was stuck in an upright position because the pressure would not be able to regulate itself.

I used to have these all the time and was never given a reason. I don't have them as often now. They started a couple times a month, then went up to a couple of times a day, not I only have a problem once in a great while.

Hope this helps a little. Good luck!!

[jnjer]

Hi I'm a paramedic and may help you with your question!

It is very common for women to have low blood pressure.
There is also a common condition called postural hypotension. It’s a condition where when you stand up quickly you get dizzy and may collapse.

It could also be an inner ear issue. That leads to lack of balance and can cause you to collapse.

But definitely being dehydrated lowers your blood pressure. You can get low blood pressure by not drinking enough, using diuretics and fluid loss, excess perspiration, or loss of blood by having a heavy period.

It could also bee a low blood sugar issue, did the medics check her sugar?

[xfatchik]

I've always had low blood pressure too. Sometimes I feel faint and very weak. Especially during my periods. When I was a teenager I used to faint sometimes. Even though my blood pressure is still pretty low, I've not been fainting lately. I also feel weaker when taking hot showers, sometimes lose partial eyesight too.

Glad she is doing better.

[Sweet-n-Low]

Originally Posted by xfatchik

I've always had low blood pressure too. Sometimes I feel faint and very weak. Especially during my periods. When I was a teenager I used to faint sometimes. Even though my blood pressure is still pretty low, I've not been fainting lately. I also feel weaker when taking hot showers, sometimes lose partial eyesight too.

Glad she is doing better.

Thanks, we are watching her closely-

Not to change the topic but I showed dh your before and after pics !!! We both agree that you look awesome !!! You are a true inspiration for me!!

[Lil Donna]

I get that shaky feeling when I haven't eaten. I have learned that once I get that feeling that I better eat something fast. I have never passed out but feel like I could have. I also get that feeling sometimes during a hot shower if I am hungry.

I got called to the school last year because they thought my dd10 was having an anxiety attack. I rushed in and my daughter described herself as being shaky. It was about 30 minutes before lunch and she had had a high carb breakfast so it was definitely low blood sugar. I brought her to lunch and then she was fine. It scared her alot! She now knows that if she ever gets that shaky feeling again to tell the teacher so she can grab some crackers or fruit.

[Sweet-n-Low]

Originally Posted by Lil Donna

I get that shaky feeling when I haven't eaten. I have learned that once I get that feeling that I better eat something fast. I have never passed out but feel like I could have. I also get that feeling sometimes during a hot shower if I am hungry.

I got called to the school last year because they thought my dd10 was having an anxiety attack. I rushed in and my daughter described herself as being shaky. It was about 30 minutes before lunch and she had had a high carb breakfast so it was definitely low blood sugar. I brought her to lunch and then she was fine. It scared her alot! She now knows that if she ever gets that shaky feeling again to tell the teacher so she can grab some crackers or fruit.

Yikes!

[JennyJ]

That is SUPER scary! I passed out in church when I was about 13. I still remember it like it was yesterday. I was sitting there watching the minister and all of a sudden, I couldn't hear anything. I went completely deaf. Then my vision started to go. By the time I was halfway to the end of the pew, I was totally blind and passed out. I came to and passed out about 3 more times in the following 15 minutes, but never did get an explanation for it. for the scare you had!!

~Jen~

[Denise85]

I have orthostatic hypotention. It's caused from my eating disorder (Bulimia). I have low blood pressure and a slow pulse from the years of my ED. Even though I've been recovered for several years I still have this problem. Heat and humidity are the biggest triggers for me. Also, having to stand in one spot causes it. I have to move my feet around or I pass out. I pray for your dd's sake that this is something that passes. I've had this for 7 years and it effects me daily.

I would also be very careful to watch for signs of an ED. I'm not saying at all that she has one, but 1 in 4 teenagers do and its' not something to write off. I've had an ED since I was 8 years old and my parents never knew and still don't. I nearly died twice and had no idea. I have a heart condition now and a miriad of other health problems. It's just a thought.

[Sweet-n-Low]

Thanks Denise~ Stay well!

[cekayak]

We all have low blood pressure, 63 yr. 37 yr. and 14 yr old. We can't stand in choir without bending our knees. Can you imagine when one of the altos disappears while singing the cantata? It wasn't funny til all the altos looked down instead of at the conductor. We all have low blood sugar, also. dgd has three active classes in a row before a 1:00 lunch period. Her gym teacher is convinced she is a hypochondriac and having a nervous break down. Thank goodness her Latin teacher lets her snack before class starts.
Tell your daughter that when she starts to get the physical signals of an impending black out she should put her head level with her heart. Usually putting your head between your knees is good enough. She can disguise this as tying her shoes if she gets embarrassed. It usually only takes a minute or two for the blood pressure to stabilize. I hope this helps, don't want to seem know-it-all just sharing what works for us.
Maggie

[Sweet-n-Low]

Originally Posted by cekayak

We all have low blood pressure, 63 yr. 37 yr. and 14 yr old. We can't stand in choir without bending our knees. Can you imagine when one of the altos disappears while singing the cantata? It wasn't funny til all the altos looked down instead of at the conductor. We all have low blood sugar, also. dgd has three active classes in a row before a 1:00 lunch period. Her gym teacher is convinced she is a hypochondriac and having a nervous break down. Thank goodness her Latin teacher lets her snack before class starts.
Tell your daughter that when she starts to get the physical signals of an impending black out she should put her head level with her heart. Usually putting your head between your knees is good enough. She can disguise this as tying her shoes if she gets embarrassed. It usually only takes a minute or two for the blood pressure to stabilize. I hope this helps, don't want to seem know-it-all just sharing what works for us.
Maggie

Thanks ~