To not have called an ambulance?

[covidaintacrime]

Bit of an odd one, and wasn't exactly sure where to put this.

Last night after dinner I was in the shower with DH (not doing anything other than showering, was pregame for a nice bath) and after about 15 minutes my vision went blurry and I grabbed his arm and said "I'm going to pass out". I don't know what happened after that but I hit the deck pretty hard and he moved quickly to get me out of the shower, and I remember "waking up" and crawling to the toilet because I thought I was going to be ill. Thankfully I wasn't physically sick or I probably would have called NHS 24, but I was faint and lightheaded for about an hour after getting out of the shower.

Does anyone know what this would have been? I'm in my twenties and no prior health conditions that I know of other than being a bit chubby. I have been getting a bit faint in the shower recently but I usually have enough time to hop out, whereas this time I fully lost consciousness.

(Not looking for expert medical opinions, just interested to see if anyone has had a similar experience and if it led to any diagnoses or medical conditions)

Absolutely not worth getting an ambulance for. Scary as it was you could have got a taxi or driven in. Lie down with raised feet and drink water. Once it passes or happens again go to the GP.

When I was a teenager I sometimes used to get fuzzy vision when I stood up out of the bath and a couple of times it went completely black (but I was still standing there - didn’t faint). My mum took me to the dr who said it was possibly a kind of migraine. I grew out of the problem pretty much.

They would not have sent an ambulance for you anyway.

Could you be pregnant? I fainted a lot in my second pregnancy. Dizzy spells, blurred vision, often fainted in the shower. We're u too hot? Cld be ur blood pressure too. Think mine was low.

Absolutely not worth getting an ambulance for. Scary as it was you could have got a taxi or driven in.

DH was mostly worried as I hit my head on the way down off the tiles in the shower, plus me then feeling like I was going to vomit. Will keep in mind driving though in case this ever happens again (which I hope it doesn't).

Low blood pressure will definitely cause the faintness and nausea.

Can you have low blood pressure and be overweight? Serious question, sorry if stupid.

Definitely not pregnant, got a negative test and awaiting period in the next few days!

This happened to me a few years ago. I was out shopping with my youngster, heavily pregnant. If I hadn't sat down on the floor, I would have fallen down. Bloody scary, it really is.
Turns out, I have extremely low iron, some iron tablets soon sorted it out.

I get this if my bath is too hot.

People saying dont call an ambulance, why?

In September i fainted twice once in tesco and again the next day, no known cause. I called 111 and they said if i even feel faint again i need to call an ambulance straight away.

Hopefully its nothing op but do get checked out if it happens again.

Given the circumstances, it's most likely that you were standing for an extended period of time, which causes blood to pool in your legs/feet. The warmth of the water caused you blood vessels to widen (vasodilate), which dropped your blood pressure. Your brain is the most important organ for blood supply, so your body reacts by making you faint, so that you lie flat and the blood circulates to your brain. Another time, as soon as you see stars, get your head down, and it should equalise.

Having said that, if you are at all worried about your health, you should contact your Dr.

Thank you Lougle, that's interesting. Maybe I need to set up crash mats in my shower then

I feel dizzy a lot and have blacked out a fair few times. I've never called an ambulance. I know i have low iron, B6 and B12 but I suspect I have low blood pressure too. I hold no faith in doctors though and have not been back since last test results 5 years ago so probably not the best person to answer this

You need to speak to your gp. They’ll want to do blood tests

Hi OP, I'm a HCP. This sounds like it could be what's called a vaso-vagal episode. In short, the warm water of the shower causes your blood vessels to dilate which results in a drop in blood pressure, causing light-headedness. I'm not saying this is a definitive diagnosis, but faintness in a warm bath or shower is a very common pre-hospital presentation. Have a look online for associated conditions/symptoms, and if any raise concerns speak to your GP.

I don't actually have a GP at the moment (new flat) and I've got a needle phobia. Maybe I'll just invest in a shower chair

Hot showers can open up the peripheral blood vessels, causing blood pressure to drop.

Thank you Cynara that's very helpful! Is there anything I should do if this happens again?

Blood pressure from a hot shower.....this happened to my 6 year old after the bath 2 days ago. However I did call an ambulance. I would maybe get your BP checked

Get your head down between your knees and your back against the wall. Breathe normally with your eyes closed. It will pass if it's simple low blood pressure. Avoid standing suddenly after sitting for a long time.

I'm terrible for deciding to do something, suddenly standing up and walking. I get about 4 paces in before everything goes blue and I have to clutch a wall!

@covidaintacrime

Absolutely not worth getting an ambulance for. Scary as it was you could have got a taxi or driven in.

DH was mostly worried as I hit my head on the way down off the tiles in the shower, plus me then feeling like I was going to vomit. Will keep in mind driving though in case this ever happens again (which I hope it doesn't).

Low blood pressure will definitely cause the faintness and nausea.

Can you have low blood pressure and be overweight? Serious question, sorry if stupid.

Yes you can have low BP and be overweight if its a long standing thing.

I have low BP and often get the same, plenty of water to keep hydrated, salty foods can help if feeling faint and also if you feel yourself about to go then quickly clench your bum cheeks and fists - it will send blood back to your heart a bit quicker and can stop you fainting.

Definitely book a GP appointment though to get to the bottom of it as there are many reasons for why it's happening.

Sounds like you just fainted. Would never call an ambulance for that . I'm always fainting .

I always faint in the shower.
I have POTS.

I'd suggest making sure you're well hydrated; taking cooler (not cold, just not as warm as usual) showers/baths, standing up slowly when getting out of a bath, and if you do feel faint either lying down and propping your legs higher than your head (best solution) or if necessary due to space or strength of dizziness, sitting down and putting your head between your knees. As I say though - if you have other symptoms or any new concerns like palpitations, chest pain or faintness at other times, talk to your GP.

random question - are you (or could you be) pregnant?

I am currently pregnant and the birth board is full of girls having dizzy/lightheaded spells in the shower and it maybe linked to the nausia/morning sickness, I have to admit I have had to sit down in the shower recently too and have thrown up a few times after showering.

Well not always lol, but you know what I mean. Now and then. Too hot, low blood sugars etc. Unless you had other symptoms I wouldn't worry. The first time you faint is extremely frightening !

My guess would be low blood pressure or low sugar levels.

My Mum faints a lot and she has a low blood pressure it usually helps her to have something sugary afterwards and that perks her up. I would get you BP checked.

I have a normal blood pressure verging on low and like you described get dizzy sometimes if I get up to quickly or black out for a few seconds.