Strange Reaction to Pain?

[AmberWaves]

Yesterday I really hurt my ankle. One second I was upright walking into the library, next second I hear something crack and I''m on the ground. At that point the pain wasn''t too dreadful, but the shock must have been. I started to black out, my vision got fuzzy and darker, my ears seemed plugged up with a bit of a "white noise" effect. Accompanying this was a sense of dizziness (more like a swaying- less like vertigo) and total nausea, along with some cold sweats.

I have no idea why this happens, but it seems to happen whenever I get hurt, whether it''s banging my elbow on a shelving system at Target, or falling in a hole at school. It''s happened for at least a decade now, the severity depending on the injury. My dad compares me to those fainting goats, the ones who keel over when scared. Perhaps it''s shock? I''m not sure, but it''s quite a pain (no pun intended), and makes me wonder about childbirth, and if I would be able to stay conscious. I''ve never actually blacked out, yesterday was the closest I''d come to it, and I think I probably would have if I had continued to stand after I picked myself up instead of sitting in the car.

Can anyone think of what happens to me when I get hurt? The doctors have no idea.

 

[gailrmv]

Almost the exact same thing happens to me. Not the nausea or dizziness though - I just feel like I am about to faint and get the tunnel vision going. I have been told it is a vasovegal (sp?) response, and not a serious issue. I have learned to deal with it by just sitting down immediately and waiting for it to pass. I hadn''t thought about childbirth - hope it won''t be an issue! (I would get an epidural anyway though!) Hope your ankle feels better soon.

 

[PugLover]

I get this same exact sensation too. In fact, I dread bumping my elbow in public because I feel that I might just pass out. It goes away after a minute or so. Just one of those things I guess!

 

[sumbride]

It sounds like shock. I''ve had it happen when I''ve broken a bone or cut my finger so badly I needed stitches, but not for everyday type of pains. Have you talked to your doctor about it?

 

[icekid]

Date: 4/23/2008 2:07:40 PM
Author: TanDogMom
Almost the exact same thing happens to me. Not the nausea or dizziness though - I just feel like I am about to faint and get the tunnel vision going. I have been told it is a vasovegal (sp?) response, and not a serious issue. I have learned to deal with it by just sitting down immediately and waiting for it to pass. I hadn''t thought about childbirth - hope it won''t be an issue! (I would get an epidural anyway though!) Hope your ankle feels better soon.

TDM got it right. It''s vasovagal, and some people are more sensitive to this than others. When you feel like this, make sure you sit down right away so you don''t faint. You can read a bit more on wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vasovagal_syncope I checked it out quickly and it seems pretty accurate!

 

[AmberWaves]

Wow, thanks for all the responses! I''m so glad I''m not the only one. Thanks for clearing it up for me, and the link. Shockingly, my doctor didn''t even know!

 

[Erin]

Doesn''t that always make you feel better when a professional doesn''t know about something you can find on Pricescope in like, an hour???

 

[CrownJewel]

Wow, I can''t believe your doctor didn''t know. But I have to add that you should get as low to the ground as possible. Just sitting in a chair doesn''t help. I faint sometimes for unexplained reasons...most likely some form of hypoglycemia. The first time I felt like that, I tried to walk to the school nurse''s office but, I ended up in the hospital b/c I passed out and fell - cut my chin to the bone. I started to recognize the symptoms (exactly what you described), and the second time I felt like I was going to pass out, I sat down in a chair. But I still ended up fainting, fell out of the chair unconscious and banged my head up and bent my glasses. The next time it happened, I just squatted on the floor holding onto a railing...still passed out and banged my head on the floor.

Sooooo...thank goodness you didn''t actually pass out but I think that if you feel like that again, you should either lie down or get as close to the floor as possible to minimize the injury. Certainly don''t try to let it pass while standing.

 

[AmberWaves]

Starset, totally! And makes me want to find a new doctor!

Crown, you're totally right. At the moment I was going back and forth between my ankle pains and my messed up head- I knew I needed to sit down (and I did after a minute), but I couldn't get there by myself, does that make sense? I had to wait for my dad to come and help me down- my ankle was (and is) pretty messed up. Ugh. Just thinking about it sucks.

ETA: Anyone watch Scrubs? Vasovagal Syncope is what Zach Braff's character has, but his is triggered by poo. Thank god that's not my problem.

I honestly feel a lot better after figuring out what it is. My symptoms seemed to be a perfect match.

 

[nebe]

Date: 4/23/2008 1:41:55 PM
Author:AmberWaves

My dad compares me to those fainting goats, the ones who keel over when scared.

I''m sorry but that was the funniest thing I''ve heard all week. Oh jesus, I really needed that laugh. Thank you so much.

As to the question, I would call a neurologist and just doublecheck that it''s not too abnormal if it is the vasovagal syncope majig.

Sorry I''m not of much help!

 

[AmberWaves]

Nebe, you should check out the fainting goat videos on Youtube, equally hilarious!

 

[Aloros]

Well that''s interesting! The same thing happens to me when I get blood drawn. It''s weird! At least now I know it has a name. The first time it happened, I thought it was because it took them seven tries to find my vein. The second time it was a teensy prick, and it only took the lady once. Still nearly passed out!

Does anyone know if there''s some way to control this reaction or to get rid of it altogether?

 

[Erin]

Date: 4/23/2008 3:39:43 PM
Author: Aloros
Well that''s interesting! The same thing happens to me when I get blood drawn. It''s weird! At least now I know it has a name. The first time it happened, I thought it was because it took them seven tries to find my vein. The second time it was a teensy prick, and it only took the lady once. Still nearly passed out!

Does anyone know if there''s some way to control this reaction or to get rid of it altogether?

I guess that happens to me, too. Just attributed it to a fear of needles (withdrawing only for some strange reason.)
Could it be the same thing?

 

[Aloros]

Y''know, I''m not even afraid of needles, so I''m pretty much baffled!

 

[icekid]

Date: 4/23/2008 2:42:54 PM
Author: Starset Princess
Doesn''t that always make you feel better when a professional doesn''t know about something you can find on Pricescope in like, an hour???

Hey now, I''ll be a doctor in a month!!

I''m surprised though that your doc didn''t know immediately from your description, Amber.

 

[AmberWaves]

icekid, you and me both. I looooved my old doctor but he''s no longer practicing. This new doctor was a test-drive so to speak, and I think I may have to find a new one. Sigh.

 

[icekid]

Date: 4/23/2008 4:23:22 PM
Author: AmberWaves
icekid, you and me both. I looooved my old doctor but he''s no longer practicing. This new doctor was a test-drive so to speak, and I think I may have to find a new one. Sigh.

Probably a good idea! If you lived in Philly, I''d hand pick one for you

 

[movie zombie]

the first time i broke my ankle i had those exact reactions: its called shock, deep body shock. i don''t think its abnormal......and certainly the medicos didn''t think it was either.

movie zombie

 

[diamondfan]

the body secrets adrenalin and other hormones to shield you from the pain right away. You can go into shock too, which can be dangerous, but I think it is the body's way of protecting you. Sort of like natural morphine. The fainting is your way of escaping the situation somehow!

 

[diamondfan]

I have also had something similar. I get lightheaded, and can hear my heart pound and feel a sort of roaring loud sound in my head. Really freaky. I get hot and clammy and sick feeling too. I get it when I am scared about something bad.