Any other off-the-toilet fainters out there?

[nevergoogle]

Tell me I'm not alone with this affliction.

It's really not cool.

A what now?

Is it only toilets?

yup just toilets.
stomach cramps like labour pains.
then massive 'evacuation' shall we say
then i fall on the floor unconscious.

have been checked by neurologist as on one occasion i didn't fall off the loo, but fell back so then started to kind of fit. he said it was just fainting.

anyway, i was wondering if i had any other toilet fainter pals out there?

Yikes!

Sounds like you need to see a doctor for tests.

I have occasionally had similar. I go grey and get helicopter-head then find myself on the floor. GP said it was low blood pressure.

Of all the micro-quiches I could have joined, I get the Throne Tumblers

You need to find out why the stomach pains and big poo. Is it the pain of this that causes you to faint?

here

Fainting on the loo is common with low blood pressure, often associated with old age. You have to relax (the anal sphincter muscle) to go which drops the blood pressure further, hence the fainting.

The large evacuation does sound like an odd symptom. And I'm not accusing you of being old of course!

Only once, 13 years ago in Kenya, whilst suffering horrendous diarrhoea.

This is interesting. I feel really faint if I have severe diarrhea or vomiting. If I remember correctly it's all to do with the vagus nerve which connects your digestive system to your brain amongst other things.

I understood it that too much blood is drawn from your brain to your digestive system and therefore you faint.
A doctor might be along to explain it properly.

Presumably the stomach cramps are setting the fainting off rather than the other way round. At any rate I'd see my GP.

ta, noddy

"Straining with urination, bowel movement, or coughing can cause a vagal response, increase acetylcholine levels and decrease blood flow to the brain"

I get more glamorous every day

Happened to me once, just as you say. Happened in the night and I came round on the floor v confused thinking I was in bed!

STARS are really helpful and informative for people who faint. This page has some other "interesting" triggers - brushing your hair is one!.

i've seen a couple of GP's who said vasovagal syncope.
i've seen one neurologist who said the same.
he recommended i get an appointment with a gastro specialist if it continues, nut then nothing for over 2 years.
then last night.
4 times in 5 years with no common factor, so probably not much anyone can do.

nut?
ah 'but'

wow, great website. i'll let my GP know what i've been up to.

Throne tumblers micro-quiche. love it.

DD2 faints (haven't worked out what her triggers are yet) and was having a really miserable feeling sorry for herself time over the summer, then she read that it could be a lot worse, having to explain to everyone at school that she fainted when she pooed . (sorry, that wasn't especially helpful, was it ?). At least you know what your fainting trigger is though, that's something [hopeful]. Be prepared for doctors not to take you especially seriously IME. If you can show you've done your research and know what it's called, it might help amstillwaitingforbloodypaediatriciantotakeDD2seriously

doc says i've to have an ECG and blood tests. fucksake.

You need a tilt table test. I had this for 10 years. Tablets helped and then I out grew it. Hang in there

there are some NICE guidelines which tell doctors how to investigate fainting - the path seems to be:
check if it's epilepsy
check if it's a heart problem
check if it's a physical brain problem (tumour etc)
reluctantly admit it might be autonomic and pass you on to someone who knows what they're talking about.

As you're over 18, there's a Professor Matthias at St Marys in London who is supposed to be the best for this kind of thing, and worth the waiting list and travelling if you're not in the south east.

thanks.