CityOfAngels

Hey. I've always wondered if this was a common occurence or if there is something wrong with me. Sometimes I have these really quick "black-outs" that only last a few seconds. I don't completely black-out, but rather my vision goes away except for the very center of what I'm looking at. It's like my eyes are focusing directly through a narrow, dark tunnel, but I'm not really thinking of anything specific. My head feels as if I just woke up (y'know that feeling like someone just stopped massaging your brain), and if I'm standing, I'll often lose my balance. I've only completely fallen once, but luckily there was a couch behind me. When this happens, I experience temporary memory loss but only for a few seconds. It's like when you lose your train of thought and suddenly regain it again, only your train of thought is the names of your family and where you are.

One time when this happened, I was sitting down, watching TV with my mother, and while I was "blacking-out", I was squeezing my mother's hand continuous and very hard. I "woke up" to her saying "Ow! What're you doing to my hand?" I didn't know I was doing it, but when I came to, I remembered doing it while I was blacked out. I've noticed this usually happens on days that I'm stuck inside and very inactive, and it usually happens directly after I stretch or if I stand up really quick. My dad says that my blood is rushing to my head, but I'm not sure, as my face doesn't get blush when it happens.

Anyone know what this is? This has been happening to me since I was in 9th grade, and I graduated in '02.

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spectre

Yup, I had that for a while. I stood up once and nearly did a face-plant. It turned out to be hypotension (low blood pressure). Everything you said sounded pretty similar.

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shakran

have you ever seen a doctor about this? This is not anywhere near normal, and could indicate a life-threatening problem. Sounds like bloodflow to the brain is being blocked off for some reason to me.

Could also be seizures however, which, while they may not be normally life threatening, should be looked at and controlled if possible anyway. What if this happens while you're driving, forinstance?

SiNai

A "head rush"? I get those pretty often too. Once, I was taking a really hot bath, stood up quickly and fell right over. Most aren't that bad, though, but I always lose vision for a few seconds. I think it has something to do with your blood.. hahah, that's about it. Don't really know, and I couldn't google anything significant. Anyways, I know what you're talking about, but I don't know why it happens.

Edit: for Spectre, hypertension is borderline high blood pressure, and I get these pretty often and I have low blood pressure.. It's low blood pressure that's giving us these?

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amonkie

He said hypo - one small letter makes a world of difference!


This happens to me, but I have a history of seizures from meningitis, and every once in a while get really dizzy, and have only fallen in a black out once recently. It's worse right after I get out of a hot tob, or when I'm extremely tired and haven't eaten for a while. Are these things that happen around the time you have yours? I may not be able to give more specifics, because I'm not sure what's from the meningitis and what's from other causes.

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iamnormal

What would you do if you blacked out wile driveing?

spectre

Possibly, but your doctor would be better able to diagnose it than a random stranger over the internet.

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CityOfAngels

Lucky for everyone I don't drive yet. So if this happens to me while I'm on my bicycle then it's MY ass.
Hmmm...low blood pressure? Thing is, my blood pressure has always checked out fine whenever I see a doctor.

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1slOwCD8

Yea, i get these "black outs" too. Mostly in the summer though, and yes im scared to drive sometimes. It seems to moslty happen when i get up quickly after sitting for a long while. Its kinda wierd cuz it happened at school a couple of years ago, and i just stopped in the middle of the hall, waiting for my vision to come back.

SiNai

amonkie, good point on the spelling, I guess I should read things more closely.. Your experiences sound the same as mine. Bathtubs, getting up quick, etc. I've always been under the impression that they are completely normal and everybody gets them. In fact, when I get one I tend to shout "head rush!!" so people know what's going on. My family does this too.. So I know they get it often. I don't think anybody that gets these has a health problem, but I'm really curious now to know what causes them.. hmm..

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alpo

CityofAngels - While it is not unusual for people to get a"head rush", the symptoms you describe are not quite consistent with that. You sound like you are still young, so these occurances are somewhat worrisome. Hypotension (low blood pressure) can make people pass out or feel lightheaded when standing. However, other problems, like seizures and heart arrythmias can also give you these feelings. Even though you may be young and otherwise healthy, that does not preclude a heart problem.

I'd STRONGLY recommend going to see your doctor.

uncle_el

hypertension is not borderline high blood pressure, it is in fact high blood pressure! they're synonyms.


as a 4th year medical student, about to be a doctor in a few short months, i can't concur with this enough! please go and see a doctor. what you are experiencing is not normal!!!!
as cityofangels has written: seizures and heart arrythmias can give you these feelings, as well as hypotension.

Baron Opal

OK, that's an MD, an almost MD, and now a Pharm.D. telling you to see a physician.

Make the time. That shouldn't happen if you are just sitting there.

Baron Opal, Pharm.D.

Stug

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dman2

See a doctor. My wife was having these spells but it was when she just began a workout program. What about your diet and water intake? This could be some of the problem/solution. Start by seeing a doctor. It can only do you good to know from a professional what is wrong with you.

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joemc91

The used to happen to me when I would stand up and stretch after not doing anything for a while. It doesn't happen much anymore, maybe once or twice a semester. The only real difference between now and then is that I'm in much better shape now.

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tspikes51

I had an EEG done to test for these weird seizures. I forget what they're called, but basically what happens is that you "space out" for a moment and don't have any of your faculties, but you appear to be just daydreaming to anybody else. It's caused by an irregularity of brain waves. Go to your doc and talk to him about an EEG or "sleep test."

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alpo

First thing to do is just go to your doc. Certain tests, like an EEG or cardiac event monitor, can be done if clinically indicated. Your doctor will be able to determine which, if any, of these tests are needed.

MSD

It's probably either low blood pressure or minor seizures. Talk to a doctor, especially if you blood pressure is normal.

Painted

I get them a lot too. It's kind of weird but lately I've been looking forward to having one, It's like I enjoy them.

darkangel

I dunno that just made me laugh. I have the same thing, and it's only after I'm laying in bed, someone knocks on the door, jump up to answer, almost crash into the wall, and my vision turns almost black from spots. Lasts a few seconds, but it's kind of weird to attempt to talk to the person at my bedroom door while trying to stay alive

Oh, and I did have my blood pressure checked at the doc once, and he said it was normal I'm 19.

Arroe

i get stuff like that every once and a while but ussually when i stand up. Not very common but every few months it will happen and it's totally a "woah" experience!