In early September 2010 I suffered my first syncope. A couple of days later the next one followed. Then a few days later I collapsed again. From being someone who always thought of themselves as being fairly healthy it was quite scary to be losing consciousness every few days with very little warning and for no known reason.
I was back and forth to the doctors over the next few months and had a 5 day stay in hospital while I was monitored. After a tilt-table test, multiple ECG's and a MRI on my head I was told that I was suffering from vasovagal syncope - basically something or other stimulates my vagus nerve which leads to a slowing of my heart rate and a dilation of my blood vessels resulting in less blood getting to my brain which then causes a faint. While it was not nice collapsing, it was reassuring to have a name for the condition! Over the following months I was placed on medication and have been upright for all of this year. That’s not to say the ‘problem’ has disappeared as quickly as it reared its head – every couple of days I get prodromal feelings and have to take precautionary measures to ward off any potential collapses.
I’ve chosen to run the half marathon in aid of STARS as the support I have received, particularly through the forum, has been invaluable. While my condition pales into insignificance compared to some people afflicted by syncope and RAS I found it so helpful to be able to share my experiences with other who had and were going through the same thing.
The work that they do to raise awareness, provide information and support sufferers is a cause extremely close to my heart, so please dig as deep as you like to help me support STARS.
