Worried about - DH vasovagal faint linked with pain in his foot

[NarcissasMumintheDoghouse]

DH (62) has a history of vasovagal fainting - 2 times in the 30 year I have been with him.

One time after turning his ankle, the other in a poorly-lit restaurant.

But something new. For a few days recently he was complaining about the side of his left foot being sore. No bruising, a bit red.

Then, last night we were watching TV for awhile. When he got up, his left foot gave, and he was woozy for about 20 minutes. He describes it as being like when you have pins-and-needles in your foot and can't rely on your limb, but he didn't have the pins-and-needles-numbness that normally signals you that you shouldn't be using that limb for awhile.

Before the incident, he was sat in a recliner chair, with both legs stretched out. If his legs were crossed it would have been at ankle level.

He is going to want to forget this incident, but I am wondering if there are some obvious health-problem indications here.

When did he last see his GP? Good idea to ask for an MoT at that age. Could be something or nothing. But I know someone who had a similar incident and was given a heart monitor to wear. Ended up with a pacemaker. And another who wishes he'd taken up an opportunity to have a blood test for prostate screening.
Don't want to be alarmist. I'm sure there are thousands and thousands of men who are checked out and are perfectly OK. It's good to have a baseline from future reference and there may be a nurse practitioner at the practice who could give him a once-over, referring him on if necessary.

Thanks Thyme. I doubt he will bother to see his GP just for this, though. I'm going to need to point out sore-foot-plus-fainting could = before he'll take it seriously.

Pp is right. Your husband can go to gp and ask for MOT and mention this incident at the same time. Say he wants to be checked over before making some lifestyle changes. Much better and a lot less hassle to address health issues preventatively than reactively.

Ah. Well ... thumbing through my mental Rolodex of getting on a bit gents with similar symptoms....
Sudden onset of neuropathy, not being able to feel the ground under foot: Chris Woodhead, jumped off wall, fell over - MN. Friend's DP, keen rambler, missed a step, fell, had to be helicoptered off mountain in Snowdonia - Parkinson's. Distant relative, v fit and proud of it, soldiered on with pain in leg, which he attributed to muscle strain from wrestling with tree stump. Got up from sitting and had funny turn. Couldn't feel his foot, collapsed and passed out. Reluctantly went to GP. Wore heart monitor - waiting list to get one. Consultant wanted to give him a pacemaker. Unfortunately, bloods showed high levels of prostate cancer marker and it turned out that pain was caused by bone mets in his femur, so he turned down cardiac surgery pro tem.

Wouldn't normally advise Googling, but would likely provide useful ammunition in this case. I'm not a medic, but when you get to my age contemporaries fall ill so you acquire a fair amount of anecdotal knowledge.

I'm a fainter, too. Passed out in dentist's chair during root canal. Dentist called ambulance, thought I'd had a seizure. I resisted going to hospital. Just a faint. I've done it before, tho' not for 20 years. Paramedic argued that they needed to find out why I'd done it now. Turned out to be a large ovarian tumour, fortunately benign, pressing on my vagus nerve. Had to keep still for root canal. Normally, I'd have just shifted position when I felt uncomfortable and I'd never have noticed anything.

So, bottom line, get it checked.

Could be a TIA. My mum had one a few years ago and her main symptom was her hand feeling "a bit funny".

If you don't think he will go and get checked by his GP yet, you could contact the folks at Stars (Syncope Trust And Reflex anoxic Seizures and ask for some information/support to help you attempt to help him.

Has your husband had covid? My DH is complaining of painful feet after his second dose of covid….

Thanks for all your replies.
@Thymeout, that is especially interesting - his brother had prostate cancer recently.

@NarcissasMumintheDoghouse

I take it he hasn’t been to the GP yet? If so, his brother’s diagnosis might be the best incentive. Some prostate cancers do run in families so it’s only common sense to get his PSA checked. And while he’s there...to mention the faint. It’ ll probably be the practice nurse but she will refer according to guidelines.