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Original poster

Husband passing out after D&V

14 replies

Unipo · 19/09/2023 19:49

Hello all

I wonder if anyone has any experience of this?
My husband has fallen unconscious after vomiting and diarrhoea about six times in the last ten years. One time we all had food poisoning but the other times we were fine.

We are thinking he has a Food intolerance or it is stress related? If it were just D&V it would me manageable but the falling unconscious is scary and worrying

OP posts:

NanTheWiser · 19/09/2023 22:16

Possibly Vasovagal syncope, when blood pressure drops suddenly, because of stress, trauma or shock.

https://www.healthline.com/health/types-of-syncope#orthostatic-syncope

It might be a good idea to get a check up with his GP, to see if he has an underlying condition.

(I am not a doctor, but the same happened to my husband who had heart failure).

Types of Syncope: What Are They, Symptoms, and Causes

Syncope is a loss of consciousness that happens due to a decrease in blood flow to your brain. It is more commonly known as fainting, and can happen for many different reasons.

https://www.healthline.com/health/types-of-syncope#orthostatic-syncope

Isitthathardtobekind · 19/09/2023 22:21

Definitely doctors! I would also call 111 if my husband ‘fell unconscious’.

SkyFullofStars1975 · 19/09/2023 22:27

It's normal to faint after repeated d & v episodes. You get dehydrated, which lowers your blood pressure so when you stand up, boom. DH passed out cold on the bathroom floor when he'd caught it once from our DC. GP wasn't remotely interested and I felt a bit stupid for calling!

HowcanIhelp123 · 19/09/2023 22:29

Depends on what you mean by fell unconscious.

If I have D&V I'm an every 15 mins on 15 mins for several hours kind of puker. My DH throws up like twice then sleeps it off. I end up just lying on the bathroom floor with a pillow and conk out between episodes. I'm not unconscious, but its literally puke and out until next puke. If you try shake me I just groan.

Thats very different to actually losing consciousness and risking throwing up and aspirating.

FoxSticks · 19/09/2023 22:38

I'm the same, I started fainting when having V and D after my first child was born. I've developed a fear of vomiting now and always have to be on all fours with a bowl if I'm sick as I'm scared of fainting. I fainted right off the toilet once and bashed my nose badly! I've put it down to Vasovagal syncope after googling as I have naturally low blood pressure anyway. I did go to A&E after the first episode as 111 advised me to but they weren't overly concerned so I've not looked into it anymore. But I probably should!

DappledOliveGroves · 19/09/2023 22:43

Whenever I have bad norovirus I tend to faint repeatedly. Had it a few months ago, fainted in the bathroom and came round to finding myself vomiting all over the floor. I stand up, fall down in a faint and feel like death. It just seems to be how my body reacts.

LightSpeeds · 19/09/2023 23:02

Yes, I also get this when I have D&V. Very unpleasant.

I'm a fainter...

fiddlesticksandotherwords · 19/09/2023 23:26

It happened to me once, after a particularly horrible session of vomiting. DH had to call an ambulance for me as I was totally flat out unconscious. I did come round before the paramedics arrived, but they were concerned about my blood pressure so they carted me off to hospital. I had to be put on a saline drip for several hours. The doctor there said basically I passed out because the prolonged vomiting had caused my blood pressure to crash. I now have a small supply of anti-emetics to take if I ever get a stomach upset, to prevent it from happening again.

Scampuss · 19/09/2023 23:45

What have the hospital/his doctors suggested?

determinedtomakethiswork · 20/09/2023 00:20

Do you mean he is fainting and coming to within seconds or do you mean he is literally passing out and staying unconscious for ages?

VariationsonaTheme · 20/09/2023 02:48

I do this. Vasovagal syncope. Have given myself some nasty bruises from the tiles on the bathroom floor over the years. Assuming that you mean fainting and coming round quickly, and not actually falling unconscious for any length of time?

rubydoobydoo · 20/09/2023 13:40

Happened to me yesterday morning, stood up in the bathroom and came to on the floor bleeding everywhere from where I banged my head.

It's not unusual for me, pain (I had a stomach ache) and blood tests are the biggest culprits and I have low blood pressure anyway. Took me a few hours to feel normal again which is more unusual but I feel fine today apart from still having a dodgy stomach. It just happens to some people and your DH will be one of the unlucky ones! He could maybe see a GP to set your minds at rest.

Boredofmyguts · 20/09/2023 15:01

I once fainted from just stomach pain! It’s probably the vagus nerve doing its thing - v closely linked stomach to brain (it’s why you get butterflies etc).
Prob worth a chat to GP but wouldn’t be unduly concerned if it were me.

Original poster

Unipo · 20/09/2023 19:52

Thank you all so much for responses.

DH talked to doctor today about anti emetics. Thank you for that advice.

He only passes out for a minute or so but it’s enough to be dangerous…and I worry what would happen if he fell badly

OP posts:

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