2 replies to this topic

[dielivnsin]

Soon as I get up I start having pressure in my neck and the back of my head. By the time im done with breakfast the the pain is unbearable. My vision starts to fade, within minutes im completly blind, and my muscles become very weak. My arms and neck give out, my body weaves back and forth and my neck twitches and jerks. In 15 minutes or so the pressure lets up and my vision slowly returns, my neck continues to hurt. But everytime I tilt my chair for pressure release it happens again, the spell are getting worse and more frequent. My parents are afraid as well am I, at times I think im dying. The doctors blame it souly on disreflexia but I disagree, has anyone else experienced these kind of blackouts? I really need some answers

[qbounce]

You say your having blackouts, but don't give us much back ground to go by.

Have you had them ever since yo were paralyzed? Did you have them in rehab, or is this something new??

Most higher injuries have this after their sci. In fact, the very first time I attempted to raise my head after injury (with the help of a therapist and a reclining chair), I completely passed out.

The blackout feeling still affects me after eating breakfast.

What you can do for now is get an abdominal binder. It's like a girdle or corset that wraps around the stomach area to help keep your blood circulation flowing more rapidly. This allows the blood to travel more quickly from your legs to your brain.

Also, because your legs don't work like they used to, blood tends to pool in your feet and move slower through the legs. Ace bandage wraps and/or TED HOSE over your feet and legs will help the blood flow more quickly too.

I was useing all these things to keep my energy going when I got out of the hospital. Maybe 8-9 months later I had slowly weaned myself off of all these devices, but I still get that feeling once in awhile, kinda like rising too fast off the couch. It goes away much quicker now.

Also, If you're taking Tylenol or Ibuprofen, they thin the blood, and that could be causing your problem. And of course, coumadin, warfarin (actual blood thinners).

Let us know if you get it sorted, because it sucks having the energy zapped from you.

Edited by qbounce, 23 January 2010 - 10:50 AM.

[Apparelyzed]

Quote

Soon as I get up I start having pressure in my neck and the back of my head.

Try to get your blood pressure checked when this is happening. If you are getting high blood pressure when you get up, with a headache, it could be Autonomic Dysreflexia, does the skin around your neck go blotchy and red as well?

If you were passing out after getting up, without a headache or other symptoms of Autonomic Dysreflexia, then I would say it's Postural Hypotension, low blood pressure due to you sitting in an upright position, and gravity draining your blood to the lower half of your body.

These are two different symptoms, which need treating differently, so you need first to find your blood pressure when these attacks happen.

Regards

Simon.