They sell salted fish in Russian stories -- very good with bear. :) It's called "Vobla", a bit hard to clean from scales, but it worth the trouble. Try it.

I've recently had an attack of vasovagul syncope too, first time I actually got hurt though, broke my nose. I'm just learning about what I have, even though had for several years, and could use some help on how to prevent it. Mine is usually associated with severe intestinal cramps, no stomach trouble, just sudden onset of intestinal cramps. Got any suggestions?

Passing out for any reason totally SUCKS! I've had epilepsy since I was a four years old. By the time I graduated high school, all my friends (and fellow classmates) were good at identifying *the look*, so they always knew before I did that I was on my way out. Fortunately for me now, as an adult, I have extremely long warning phases (known as "auras") and a seizure will no longer ever take me by surprise. That's the only reason I'm allowed to have a driver's license. I hope they can keep this well under control for you Thomas; I don't know anything about this condition you have, but you have my empathy on the whole passing out thing! (And the hospital couldn't have been very fun either.)

Hi all. I was diaginosed with VVS today around 9am. Yet, I have been suffering with this since I was 15 yrs old. My main concern was about weather or not I could have children with this condition. My Dr. told me that this condition worsens with age and that it would put more strain on my heart than was healthy for me or the baby. I would really appreciate any information anyone has that my help.

I did a tilt table test on Friday and was told I had vasovagal syncope. Go see an electrophysiologist (Dr. Peter J. Wells from Baylor Hospital in Dallas is EXCELLENT, and has helped me a lot). The reason someone would feel better after weaning a baby would be the likelyhood you are less dehydrated, and have a higher sodium level maintained in your bloodstream (nursing babies takes lots of energy!) I was told that vasovagal syncope virtually disappears during pregnancy due to increased blood volume, and the onset of symptoms may reappear after delivery. Keep completely hydrated with tons of water, and add table salt to you lifestyle at every chance you can. And when you feel lightheaded, sit or lie down, the blood should then return to your head and you will soon feel better. Also, there is TONS of information online about vasovagal syncope, POTS, OH and anything else related to fainting. My doctor prescribed a low dosage of an SSRI and we are hoping for the best! God's Blessings on anyone who has undiagnosed syncope.

Wow! I didn't expect this topic to generate so much interest. I will do a follow up blog to answer some of the questions that have come up here.

Ian, good luck!

Hi Karen, I am not a medical person, and as you can see from earlier comment have only recently been diagnosed with VVS. I had the pacemaker fitted 4 weeks ago and have been fine since. Actually feel great, more energy than before and feel like I could take on the world! Think that VVS may have been affecting me more than I thought, making me feel quite weak from time to time.... About your daughter, if she has VVS the fits would be consistent with what was happening me. I would pass out due the VVS occurring, then have a mild 'fit', slight tremors/ rolling the eyes etc. This is what led to the epilepsy diagnosis at first, they were diagnosing the effect and not the cause? Anyway, I was advised to try a course of betablockers which did not fully sort me out, then I got the pacemaker fitted... Hope this all makes sense, & hope all goes well for you & your daughter!

Hi, I have been passing out sporatically for 15 years now. I am now 35 and I finally found a doctor that was interested enought to tell me "this is NOT normal, and we need to find out what this is". Passing out is either brain related or heart related as he told me. When I was young, i had petite mal epilepsy, for which I took meds and grew out of. I thought maybe it was coming back, so I went back to the neurologist and all tests came back fine. So the doctor then sent me for a tilt table test, I passed out in 14 minutes while standing up straight. I was told I have vaso vagal syncopy. and was given Floren F to take everyday. I stopped taking it after 30 days, because I fail to believe it would help me and I often would forget to take it. He told me that this is NOT a serious condition that will lead to heart problems. People with VVS experience fainting when standing for a while or even sitting up right. I noticed that when I was passing out I was standing almost always and in the mornings too. Was your daughter standing and was it morning. What happens is your blood is supposed to flow up into your head and through your body and the same consistently. With VVS, the blood stays in your lower extremities causing no blood to the head, causing you to faint. Once you get horizontal, normal flow occurs again and the person wakes up. That is how it was explained to me. I asked "Is there a possibility I would never wake up" and he said "no". A few things he did tell me is that I need to be more hydrated than the average person, so drink LOTS of water and it will help. Also, if I feel a spell coming on, #1 try to lay flat anywhere! Or cross my legs and squeeze tight to stop the blood from going to my legs. I would take her to the doc to have her tested. Hope that helped