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28 October 2014

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Inside Out - North East & Cumbria: Monday June 23, 2003

VASOVAGAL SYNCOPE

Shelley Wilson suffered faints and fits

The Falls and Syncope Unit at the RVI in Newcastle has pioneered a treatment which has transformed the lives of those suffering from falls.

Shelley Wilson, from Workington is a drama teacher from Cumbria.

She really does know what it's like to fall over and pass out.

Shelley has a rare medical condition that caused her heart to stop.

"From being in the real world, I was suddenly taken somewhere else - just as others have described a near-death experience."

Shelley Wilson

She would faint and have a fit. Eventually her heart would restart, but it left her disorientated for days afterwards.

Vasovagal syndrome

Shelley was treated by Professor Rose Anne Kenny from the Falls and Syncope Unit at the RVI in Newcastle.

Shelley's condition was diagnosed as vasovagal syncope, a malfunction in the way blood is supplied to her body which in turn stops her heart.

Falls - Facts and figures

1 in 7 people who are falling can be completely cured.

Falls can be reduced by 30% overall with appropriate treatment.

In order to ensure that falls are correctly treated a full multidisciplinary falls assessment is necessary.

Two thirds of recurrent falls are due to medications or heart rate or blood pressure abnormalities - all of which can be successfully treated.

One third of older persons who lose consciousness present as a' fall' because of amnesia for the loss of consciousness. In these patients the cause of the 'fall' will be overlooked without appropriate medical assessment - and in most - these falls can be cured with correct treatments.

The RVI in Newcastle, which runs a special day case clinic for falls and collapses, saved the equivalent of 拢3m in 2000 on emergency admissions for patients with falls and collapses.

Falls and blackouts were the sixth commonest reason for admission to emergency beds in the UK.

The problem was overcome with a pacemaker.

The cure for sufferers like Shelley is relatively cheap and simple. But up until now diagnosing the condition has been more difficult.

Doctors baffled

Previously those suffering unexplained blackouts left doctors baffled and they had to cope on their own with not knowing when their next attack would happen.

Forty per cent of us faint, but extreme and regular blackouts are much rarer.

Jack Hayley from Chopwell has suffered years of blackouts before being referred to Professor Kenney's unit.

Professor Kenny carried out a series of tests, including shifting the patient's body weight on a tilting bed.

This induces the very same blackouts which had previously gone undiagnosed

Within days of his diagnosis he was in the operating theater being fitted with a pacemaker. He now feels 'champion'.

Readers' Comments

We are not adding any new comments to this page but you can still read some of the comments previously submitted by readers.

Natalia Anderson
I am 23 years old, have 2 young children and have been suffering from fainting attacks for almost 2 years.

The faints have become so regular that I can't work, drive or care for my children.

I had been poked, proded and have seen so many doctors that almost all hope had gone, until 6 weeks ago when I was put in touch with Professor Rose Anne Kenny at the RVI Newcastle, where she diagnosed me with vasovagal syncope.

I have been on medication for 2 weeks now and have contacted STARS who have made me realise that i'm not alone and that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

My thanks to Professor Rose Anne Kenny and to STARS.

Sarah Boxall
2 of our 3 daughters have suffered from Reflex Anoxic Seizures for most of their lives (now 3 & 5). They are normal healthy, active children interupted every now and again by what we lovingly refer to as a 'turn'!

We are confident in dealing with this condition now we understand it. Although our girls have 6 monthly appointments with their consultant to monitor the condition - All of our information has been received from STARS. It has all been extremely helpful and relevent.

Trudie Lobban, the Chief executive of the charity has a very personal touch and nothing seems to be too much trouble.

We were lost at sea until we discovered STARS. It is such a relief to know that we are not alone dealing with this condition.

Cathrine Reid
My son was diagnosed with reflex anoxic seizures when he was 10 months old. He is almost 4 and continues to have reflex anoxic seizures.

When he first was diagnosed I was given no information on the condition. In desperation for more information and support I found STARS online and this group has been our families lifeline ever since.Trudie and STARS work tirelessly supporting families living with reflex anoxic seizures and syncope.

Paula Fairweather
My daughter now aged 81/2 suffers with reflex anoxic seisures. It took 7 years to get the correct diagnosis as she was diagnosed and treated as having epilepsy.

Trudie and stars have been a great support to us at a time of uncertainty and a great deal of worry. I sometimes wonder how we would have survived without their support and committment.

Julie Fear
I have been a sufferer of Vaso Vagal syncope for the last 28 years most of which I was treated for Eplilepsy.

Thanks to STARS I was put in touch with a wonderful Doctor in London and was diagnosed with condition in September 2002. I am due to go into Hospital within the next week for tests and treatment.

I can't thank Trudie Lobban and STARS enought for all their help if it wasn't for Trudies time and committment I would still be mis diagnosed a Eplieptic and on medication.

Margaret Cavanagh
Further to the comment from Susan Broatch, I am glad to see that you have now added a link to STARS.

As she so rightly said, they are indeed a wonderful source of information and support for individuals and families dealing with any form of syncope.

Inside Out webteam
In response to Avril Quinn and Joyce Noble.

For further information and advice, please ring STARS - Syncope Trust And Reflex anoxic Seizures, on freephone 0800 028 6362. Or alternatively visit the website at www.stars.org.uk

Susan Broatch
STARS is superb support and information group for individuals with any form of syncope including vasovagal syncope.

They work with medical professionals on research - arrange seminars and family conferences and have been a great support to me - 2 of my children have this condition - known in childhood as Reflex Anoxic Saeizures.

Joyce Noble
Very interesting as my husband has suffered 3 unexplainable blackouts at my mums funeral and on our last two holidays which has left us very anxious and doubtful if we'll ever go on holiday again.

He went private and had loads of tests not very conclusive I may add. Maybe someone could help us and check John out?

It is reassuring that there might be help out there. Sadly we never got a chance to watch the programme however I knew there was a website where I could try and seek some help or information.

Avril Quinn
I have suffered from similar for over 3 years now - I have all the tests and it has been put down to depression.

I have never thought I was depressed. I was also thought to be diabetic or epileptic and even lost my licence for 5 months. Do I now go back to my doctor with this article?

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