My 17 years old faints every 2 months. Prior to the attack she experiences body pains and dizziness.?

Question

She has undergone several investigations some of which are the brain CT scan, the EEG, Hb tests and blood pressure monitoring. Her brain tests have not shown anything abnormal while her Hb level drops every time she stops taking blood boosters. Her blood pressure is normal but rises when she is experiencing the body pains. She is overweight and has put herself on an exercise regime that is working for her as she is gradually losing weight. She has calcifications on her skull along the suture lines and suffers constant headaches. She is studying at the University and has work pressure to some extent. What could be causing this ailment?

Answer 1

I would be more concerned about a cardiac problem that causes these fainting spells rather than 'stress" (stress could change her heart rate- but she may have an underlying cardiac rhythm problem - like "Q-T syndrome") she could also be having migraines or seizures. it sounds like she has had a lot of tests (maybe the wrong ones?) but no answers. You may want to take her to a cardiologist or other specialist. There is a test that can check for blood pressure changes as a cause of fainting - does she drink enough liquids?
There are many causes of syncope ('fainting') and most of them are not serious- but the few ones that are need to be ruled out. Good luck

Answer 2

When you are prenant, your blood volume increases, causing fainting in some pregnant women. What you are doing is not only very dangerous, it's making it worse for you. You're fainting because you aren't being smart. Stay out of the sun, eat, and DO NOT take really hot baths, that is a big no-no during pregnant, the baby could be born with defects as a result of this lifestyle. Get off the Aderol now, and NO MORE caffeine!!! That is another huge no-no during pregnancy. The heart problems are probably due to the Aderol and high doses of caffeine. I have heart stuff sometimes, and caffeine sometimes makes it worse for me, again you are pregnant, so this would be even worse. And get to a doctor, you may need to get to the emergency room. Get and ultrasound to see if baby is still okay. I seriously fear for this child for all that you are putting it through. Be an adult, own up to what you did, and see your doctor!!!! Let him know everything, what you've doing, the fainting, the chest pains. This is why teens should NOT get pregnant...they have no idea what they're doing.

Answer 3

Was the bran CT performed with IV contrast? Sometimes you can see an aneurysm if so, or you might have to have a cerebral angiogram to rule that out. An MRI would also be another good step.

This also sounds like it could be some sort of metabolic disorder. She could be tested for this with a blood sample. Some physicians may want to rule out any foods or environmental factors that she may be ingesting that could be toxic as well. It's probably not that, but a responsible doc would look into it.

Any family history of epilepsy? Sometimes people with epilepsy can feel when a seizure is about to come one, and it doesn't have to be tremors all of the time... it can mimic a fainting episode.

Answer 4

It sounds like you know more about this then most here. I would guess stress but, if she's been evaluated by a doctor and found little wrong then, I would guess stress. maybe a vacation or some time off from studying, I know what it's like, up 'till one or two in the A.M. and then start school at six and, in a lab and microscope all day with bugs. It isn't easy.

She's both trying to lose weight, study, and the stress of weight loss and school, maybe to much at once.

Answer 5

It's very possible that one part of her problem could be related to iron deficiency.

I don't know how long ago the other tests were done but I would recommend a consultation with a gynecologist as well to check to see if something is going on with her periods that could be playing in to this. A rheumatologist (dr who treats diseases and disorders of the joints) might be another option to find out if she is dealing with a form of arthritis such as juvenille rheumatoid arthritis (this can cause body pain) and fibromyalgia.

Also have her keep a pain diary to track how intense the pain is and also what things she notices makes this pain worse or better in addition to these other symptoms.

Also, have her try keeping a food and drink diary to see if maybe this indicates that she could be allergic to something in her diet such as gluten (which is found in some products such as wheat and rye).

If you have any other questions for me please feel free to e-mail or IM me off site any time. My e-mail is: [e-mail]

Answer 6

If it started when stress began then it's likely to be stress. Also, make sure she's eating healthy, getting enough water and potassium because it helps in the electrolyte balance in the body. I had fainting spells and my doctor told me that and it worked for me.
Oh, and if she's working herself to exhaustion while working out, encourage her to slow it down a bit :)

Answer 7

Stress.