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'Passing out' in public

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Posted 10/29/2012 2:58 AM (GMT 0)
I'm wondering if this is a symptom of lyme or something else.
Whenever I go out, like to a store, I'm getting weird 'passing out' feelings. The biggest symptoms are the incredible rush of brain fog and sore muscle sensations all over my body. I feel as though I have to sit down or I'll pass out. I don't know how else to explain this. I've never had this before until about a week ago. It's as though my brain is overloaded just trying to process my surroundings. It honestly scares me to death.
Does anyone else experience this?
Posted 10/29/2012 3:52 AM (GMT 0)
Brandenator,
woh, sorry about what you are going through. I don't know if it's lyme, as it could be a bunch of things.

You use the word "overload" and I can't help but wonder if you are dealing with a lot of stress or changes in your life. I know I'm taking "overload" out of context you mean, but for me, my pain and problems are definitely intensified when I have more than average stress. Sometimes stress will surprise me how much it can effect me ... even POSITVE stress. Even good things created MAJOR anxiety symptoms in me, like what you described.

Low serum ferritin can cause a host of problems, so if you are a menstruating woman particularly, you may wan to have your doc check your serum ferritin (different than hemoglobin or hematocrit test).

If I were you, I'd go to your doc and have her run some basic tests to make sure you are ok.

I hope you feel better soon!
Posted 10/29/2012 11:11 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, I have this exact thing and mine is generally provoked by stress and exhaustion. I have NEVER had this reaction to stress in my life until recently with Lyme and co. In my situation, I would speculate that it's a type of seizure. However, I have also had an abnormally high heart rate lately so that could be to blame as well.

It really worries me because if I were to faint in public, I know and ambulance would be called and I do NOT want care from a hospital unless I'm in life-threatening danger. The hospital's solution to everything (around here) is to use steroids. Their are VERY few people taking the amount of abx that I am in the area. It would raise some MAJOR red flags.

I have had to avoid going to certain stores (grocery stores really seem to trigger this feeling with all the chaos, colors and clutter). I have asked several doctors if there is anything I can do. I have actually lost consciousness several times (although I had time to make it into a bathroom and lie down). Nobody seems to know what can be done. I have tried increasing salt, drinking licorice root tea to raise BP, and eating more often to prevent low blood sugar. It only happened 1 time this week so far but that could be coincidental.

Post Edited (Summer3) : 10/29/2012 8:06:20 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 10/29/2012 5:44 PM (GMT 0)
I used to get the same thing, and it was paired with panic attacks. The panic attacks were more a reaction to the weak, sick, woozy about to pass out feeling. I think it was a mix of a few things - my blood pressure was very low - increasing my sodium (and water) intake helped with that. I think I was also just so sick and toxic that my blood was just sludgey and full of "junk" - I don't know of anything specific that helped, but in general it's just gone away as I've gotten healthier, if that offers any hope or consolation.

The best thing that helped was just accepting for a while that that's how I was going to be every time I left the house. Sometimes once you stop caring about your symptoms, they lose their power - I know that's easier said than done though.
Posted 10/30/2012 12:30 PM (GMT 0)
I have similiar problems. For me, I can't tolerate the lights, the noise or the crowds. I have a difficult time trying to pick out items. It's like looking at the shelf of so many choices overloads me. It is related to Lyme and its called sensory overstimulation. It is one of my most debilitating symptoms. I cant go in anywhere....stores, restaurants, doctors offices without feeling this way. I can't even tolerate company most of the time.  I can even get it while trying to talk to someone on the phone. It's horrible.  The doctor has tried Ritalin and some other meds but they dont really help. I have recently started Ativan for my fast heart rate and anxiety and noticed that it calms me down better and I seem to do a little better with the overload on it.  I have also struggled with social anxiety. Thats no fun either.
Posted 10/30/2012 2:37 PM (GMT 0)
I had this pretty bad for a long while a few years ago. I ended up wearing a large-brimmed hat, sunglasses and using a MP3 player with very soothing music in order to go out into public! Although I drew some looks, it worked!! I was able to still get my groceries each week! Of course I was very careful to park in the exact same place every week so that I could find the car to get home too!!! LOL!!

I believe that we have to be creative in order to deal with all of the different symptoms that we have and still be somewhat functional, but if you're not bed or house bound, usually it's just a matter of not giving up until you find something that helps you through the day - no matter what you are needing to do!

Although if you do start passing out - anywhere - you need to be check by a doctor to be sure it's not something really serious.
Posted 10/30/2012 4:38 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for all the replies! Borderlyme, All my symptoms of these episodes sound identical to yours, and of course my doctor ran every test in the book and found nothing. I make an effort to go out everyday no matter how horrible or intense my symptoms are. I'm not going to be stuck in bed over a crazy infection.

80% of the lyme battle is with our minds. Believe that you are getting better and you will. We can all beat this.
Posted 10/31/2012 5:25 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, I get this also. Grocery shopping is very hard for me so my husband does it most of the time. I'm generally ok on a day when I'm feeling better for about 15-30 minutes and then I feel like I need to get out of the store quickly, get to my car, and sit down. For me, I think it's a combination of the the sensory overload (lights, sound, decision making) and the condition that I have, POTS, from Lyme. It is really hard to handle. Before going in stores, make sure that you are well hydrated and have had a salty snack. That might help a bit. I have never actually passed out, which I remind myself of in the midst of it.
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