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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not have called an ambulance?

140 replies

covidaintacrime · 29/12/2020 18:40

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)

OP posts:
Blabla81 · 29/12/2020 19:19

I’m always going dizzy and nearly passing out. I have low iron, low bloody pressure and recently have discovered very low vitamin D. Am on medication now so hopefully things will improve.

Imapotato · 29/12/2020 19:21

You can be overweight and have low blood pressure. It could have been that.

PurplePansy05 · 29/12/2020 19:22

It happened to me 3 times when I was a child/teenager, it was concluded due to overheating and low blood pressure (which has increased since, but it's always been low). Have you had your blood pressure checked recently?

JacobReesMogadishu · 29/12/2020 19:22

Dd has POTS and gets this.

PurplePansy05 · 29/12/2020 19:23

Wow thatsa lot of repeated posts, maybe we're on to something Smile Good luck, OP!

PurplePansy05 · 29/12/2020 19:25

PS - you haven't hit your head or anything?

Sittinginmyoodie · 29/12/2020 19:25

I think you need to have some follow up with your GP.

Regardless of what randoms on the Internet tell you, it's not "normal" to fall unconscious and wack your head in the shower. What would have happened if your DH had not been home with you.

At best, it could be something like low iron which can easily be rectified. It could also be high blood pressure, which is very worrying.

You need to get it checked.

Original poster
covidaintacrime · 29/12/2020 19:26

Thank you, I'm reading all the posts!

Have you had your blood pressure checked recently?

Not recently no, probably about 4/5 years ago (that was for a violent puking during period spell, though). Would low BP be a long-standing thing e.g. something from childhood or can it happen randomly?

OP posts:
AnnaMagnani · 29/12/2020 19:27

If it happens again lie on the floor, much better than head between knees, and do not be tempted to get up until you are ready. If you can get someone else do get you some water then do but don't let them sit you up.

As you do get symptoms of feeling dizzy at other times I'd make an appointment to discuss it with your GP.

As a v frequent fainter, I actively discourage people from calling an ambulance for me, even though I look like death and have terrifyingly low BP as I know exactly what is happening to me and what to do about it - lie on the floor, drink some water, forget the rest of the day as will feel like shit. Waste of everyone's time having an ambulance.

Original poster
covidaintacrime · 29/12/2020 19:27

PS - you haven't hit your head or anything?

I hit my head when I passed out off the shower tiles (hence maybe why my immediate reaction when waking up was feeling like I was going to be sick) but I haven't suffered any head injuries prior to that I don't think.

OP posts:
PurplePansy05 · 29/12/2020 19:27

Re low BP, you can develop it later, it's not always the case that it's apparent early on.

Nowaynothappening · 29/12/2020 19:28

I wouldn’t worry about it too much unless it happens again. I have felt faint in hot baths a fair few times in my life, it’s pretty normal.

PurplePansy05 · 29/12/2020 19:29

Right, if you hit your head and then felt sick afterwards, I personally would have gone to hospital. There is a risk of concussion if you hit your head hard, passed out and felt sick afterwards. How is the head today? Any blurred vision? Feeling sick? Feeling numb or any strange tingling sensations, for example in your arms, legs, neck/shoulders?

Thaimoon · 29/12/2020 19:31

Sounds like vasovagal syncope

www.cedars-sinai.org/health-library/diseases-and-conditions/v/vasovagal-syncope.html

Common but wise to see your gp if happens again

CharlotteRose90 · 29/12/2020 19:31

Sorry but I definitely would have called an ambulance you hit your head when you fell.

I had a spell of this in March I kept fainting and was told straight away by A&E that unless you are prone to fainting always call an ambulance if you can’t get to hospital. I hit my head when I fell as well.

Take it easy and if you get any further symptoms take yourself in.

Christmasfairy2020 · 29/12/2020 19:32

Vaso vagal

winterinmadeira · 29/12/2020 19:32

Definitely sounds like low blood pressure to me - I have had spells such as you describe frequently over the years. I second lying down on the floor with your legs up to get it back up again. It can take several hours before you feel like usual again.

PurplePansy05 · 29/12/2020 19:32

OP, definitely, watch yourself now and get your DH to watch you as well. Have a read on the NHS website about concussion and what to do now. It's better to be safe than sorry.

ThatDreamSheep · 29/12/2020 19:33

Happened to me when showering with my hubby. Tunnel vision, then just fully passed out. Hubby panicked and called 111, because I woke up and kept saying I was tired they send a paramedic then sent me to A&E to be checked but I was fine. They said it was most probably too hot, plus extra body heat from hubby and blood pressure.

Original poster
covidaintacrime · 29/12/2020 19:34

How is the head today? Any blurred vision? Feeling sick? Feeling numb or any strange tingling sensations, for example in your arms, legs, neck/shoulders?

I still feel quite light-headed and I've got some tightness in my shoulders and back (though I usually have that). So I don't feel completely myself, but I'm not getting the panic feeling of being about to pass out.

OP posts:
Teakind · 29/12/2020 19:35

I wouldn't have called an ambulance but I would have gone to hospital if I felt awful or at least called my GP the next day.

You say you aren't pregnant as you've tested negative and your period is due in a few days. However, depending on the sensitivity of the test it wont always show as positive until the day you are due on. I'm not saying you are pregnant but just that you can't rule it out yet.

foreverandalways · 29/12/2020 19:36

Pregnant

Brunt0n · 29/12/2020 19:37

Yep I’d be thinking pregnant too

Original poster
covidaintacrime · 29/12/2020 19:37

Pregnant

Took a test last night which was negative and I've not had any other pregnancy symptoms. We had unprotected sex once about a month ago, but it was the first day of my period and I feel as though I'm about to come on anyway. No babies here, just some blood pressure issue I think!

OP posts:
Londontown12 · 29/12/2020 19:37

Low blood pressure if u get it from being prone and standing up and hot showers also standing in same spot can do it and being dehydrated !
I have it and mainly gets worse in the summer ! But can go periods where I’m fine it can make u feel super Poorly
Also eating large meals and drinking alcohol I always drink water With meals now x

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