Fainting

[Carolss]

I have passed out and taken to emergency 5 times in the last 16 months. I don't know if that's part of ataxia. Anyone have that experience

[violasrbest]

Hi Carloss

I also passed out a few weeks ago. I didn't think it was my ataxia, and I still don't. I did go and see my doctor and she thought it may have been low blood pressure due to me waking up in the middle of the night, rather than my ataxia.

[Leona89]

I fainted once on the train about 2 years ago, an ambulance was called and I spent 12 days in hospital. After this episode my ataxia became more marked and I lost my job. Since then I frequently feel faint in the mornings, I personally don't think this is a result of ataxia but perhaps due to not sleeping well.

[TELEEN]

Hi Carolssi have had Ataxia for 20 yrs and have never fainted or passed out due to Ataxia.There are many different types of Ataxia,mine is SCA2 and fainting is not part of the symptoms but it may be for other Ataxias..take care.

[_ada]

Don't know if this information is useful but no one ever fainted in my family (SCA1).

[Marz]

How are your Iron levels ? Ferritin too. Iron adheres to red blood cells and oxygen sticks to the iron for transportation around the body. Low Iron = Low Oxygen. Always obtain a copy of all test results - that are legally yours and keep a Wellness File - so you can monitor your own progress and check the things that have been missed

[february]

Dear Carolss, I've had ataxia (found out in 2017 it's due to Niemann Pick C disease-late or adult onset) some 20+ years and have never fainted. I always thought fainting was a result of blood pressure dropping. What kind of ataxia have you been diagnosed with? My best to you..., ;o)

[Litty]

My Dad had SCA1 and when he got up quickly he often thought he might faint and had to wait and in hospital they often worried about his low blood pressure but my doctor sister explained it was normal for him x

[ninotchka]

YES! I went through fainting about once a month for 6 months, until the paramedics in the ambulance found out why....ataxia controls the nervous system and the nervous system controls the heart to a certain extent. The fainting is caused by the heart stopping -- a "heart block" -- which is not related to any other heart issues. I had to get a pacemaker, to keep my heart rate above 60bpm. No more fainting, for 4 years now. It's very difficult to detect because the heart starts again and then the moment is gone. You could try wearing a monitor to see if it detects the stoppage. Good luck!