For what it's worth, I'm a tall guy and during puberty I experienced a few fainting spells - orthostatic hypotension the doctor called it - as my height grew faster than my heart. In fact I still...
Wilbur immediately flags his imminent faint to a nearby sheep, the sheep urges him to kneel down so the blood will rush to his head, people start to scream and the geese cheer, the truck begins to roll away, people dash this way and that, and then, amidst the chaos, Wilbur lists over onto his side and faints away. The hysteria of the non-fainters, Wilbur’s acceptance that he can’t fight, but must surrender to, his fate, the fear of both parties—it’s all spot on. And I should know. I’m a life-long fainter.
For what it's worth, I'm a tall guy and during puberty I experienced a few fainting spells - orthostatic hypotension the doctor called it - as my height grew faster than my heart. In fact I still have a chipped tooth from smacking my head on a dog basket after my body decided now was the right time for a little lie down.
Maybe it's because this only lasted a few years instead of a lifetime, but I never got thisuch warning before a faint, and certainly wasn't in a fit state to warn onlookers. I remember feeling very confused and unable to communicate clearly, mumbling about the last thing on my mind I'd "queued up", while unable to parse what I was seeing or keep my balance. The closest analogy I can imagine would be blood rushing to one's head after suddenly standing up, or sleep deprivation.
I had similar experiences as you during my teenage years. I did have enough wherewithal to realize that I was going to go down regardless of what I did and used those last couple of semi-conscious...
I had similar experiences as you during my teenage years.
I did have enough wherewithal to realize that I was going to go down regardless of what I did and used those last couple of semi-conscious moments to get as close to the ground as I could with some amount of intent. That wherewithal only happened after the first couple, so maybe it is something that you start to get a feel for.
I've fainted twice in my life as far as I can remember, and I also didn't have any warning either time. First time was when we had mandatory church service in school. We were standing for a prayer...
I've fainted twice in my life as far as I can remember, and I also didn't have any warning either time.
First time was when we had mandatory church service in school. We were standing for a prayer and I just remember getting really hot. Then I blinked and suddenly I was lying on the steps of the church outside. I blame the incense.
The other time I was having an IV set before a major surgery. After setting my IV the nurse left the room for a second. I only realized that I fainted because my mum was in the room with me and watched it happen. If not for her I would've never even noticed since I was already lying down and I was only out for about 15 seconds. It's just like cutting out a segment of the video in a video editor; no warning, I just jumped from one point of time to the next.
Wow, I have very similar experiences. Once while at church, I locked my knees before knowing that was something you shouldn't do and passed out. I had blood drawn when I was young and fell out of...
Wow, I have very similar experiences. Once while at church, I locked my knees before knowing that was something you shouldn't do and passed out.
I had blood drawn when I was young and fell out of the stool, luckily my mom was with me and caught me so I didn't fall to the ground completely.
I also fainted the first time I got my covid vaccine (likely because I hadn't eaten anything that day as later ones were all fine) and that was the only one I could almost feel coming. I was sitting in the waiting area after the fact and felt woozy and nauseous. It felt like it was starting to pass and then I awoke to people shaking me awake as I was on the floor. Had a mild concussion from my head slamming the floor as I fell out of the chair.
I've never fainted, lost consciousness, or blacked out in my life (I have, however, been put under for surgery). I've always wondered about how fainting feels, and this provides at least one...
I've never fainted, lost consciousness, or blacked out in my life (I have, however, been put under for surgery). I've always wondered about how fainting feels, and this provides at least one glimpse into that world. Thanks!
i get to enjoy the feeling a bit more often and a bit more severe recently. I've always had sort of low blood pressure, so getting up quick can easily cause me to go dizzy to the point of losing...
i get to enjoy the feeling a bit more often and a bit more severe recently. I've always had sort of low blood pressure, so getting up quick can easily cause me to go dizzy to the point of losing my balance, knees weak arms heavy (moms spagetti).
The most extreme case i was barely able to hold on to a wall for a good minute and i could feel my conciousness slipping away, my vision was kind of staticy like a tv turned to a dead channel, and i tried my best to keep holding on to that wall because even as gone as i was with incoherent thoughts (i think i tried mumbling something) i realized how close i am getting to smacking my head on the ground. It made me wonder if this is what it feels like when your heart fails and literally your lights go out.
I only fainted once, and mostly blacked out the experience itself. The part I can remember of regaining consciousness was like I was watching a movie screen play out in my head and the images...
I only fainted once, and mostly blacked out the experience itself. The part I can remember of regaining consciousness was like I was watching a movie screen play out in my head and the images where what my eyes were seeing. The screen itself started small and distant and slowly moved forwards until the screen was so large it completely consumed my “homonculus” visual spectrum. At that point I snapped back to reality, where I was currently laying on the floor in the middle of a church with my entire 8th grade class standing around me thinking I was just possessed by the devil because I had apparently been twitching while knocked out.
For what it’s worth, I’ve woken up after being put under for surgery (and even woke up during one!) and that’s more of an out of body experience with a swirly headspace. More chaotic as your mind tries to fight against it to make sense of it.
The one time I fainted I didn't even realize I fainted (seriously, it still weirds me out). I remember kneeling down to get something and next thing I know my co worker is asking if I'm ok and I...
The one time I fainted I didn't even realize I fainted (seriously, it still weirds me out). I remember kneeling down to get something and next thing I know my co worker is asking if I'm ok and I was confused why he was asking (because I was kneeling down it didn't even bother me I was on the ground, I just thought I was getting up from kneeling down).
I still have to take his word for it honestly (Though I guess I don't remember the middle part from me kneeling down to him asking if I was ok).
I faint nearly every time I have blood drawn, even small samples. Always have. More recently, I have fainted a couple times with getting shots, which had never happened until last couple years and...
I faint nearly every time I have blood drawn, even small samples. Always have. More recently, I have fainted a couple times with getting shots, which had never happened until last couple years and only twice. I also am prone to fainting if I bleed— not every time but common enough that pretty much all my friends know. In fact, I pretty much tell people, if we’re in a situation where it might come up (doing home renovation stuff or going camping).
My hospital chart has it noted. I tell the nurses every time. I think my chart says I have sissyitus.
But as a result, I pretty much know when it’s happening and usually I’ve already prepared myself. When getting shots I make sure I am in a chair I won’t fall off of. If I get a big cut while outside I just lay down for a bit. I bring cookies every time I get a Covid shot.
Basically, my experience: Suddenly I realize my sense of time is off. I can’t stop thinking the same thought, it just repeats for what seems like 30 minutes (likely actually half a second), then I realize it, and suddenly the next thought comes in like a freight train and I repeat that thought for 30 minutes. I guess you could imagine sitting on a train platform, and suddenly you realize that the train that is going by has been passing by for 30 minutes, and every car is red. As soon as you realize it, suddenly every car is blue. And so on.
At some point during this, you wake up. If you are lucky, you get the horribly embarrassing experience of someone leaning over you wondering if you are okay. It takes a hot minute to realize you are on the ground. Likely, extremely sweaty and by all accounts, very pale.
For me, it is physically draining, and basically a nap is guaranteed later in the day. If you didn’t get to the ground before fainting, your head probably hurts from where it cushioned your fall.
If I am expecting something that may cause me to faint, like getting a shot or recently got a big cut, I get into position. If I’m caught off guard, I can usually get myself to the ground before falling, but not much else.
For reference, I’m a mid-30s guy. And have chronic sissyitis.
My fainting presents itself very similar to yours. Several times after shots or blood draws, definitely with the sweating, and almost hangover-like need for a nap afterwards. I was always told it...
My fainting presents itself very similar to yours. Several times after shots or blood draws, definitely with the sweating, and almost hangover-like need for a nap afterwards.
Yeah, I have had episodes like that. I've fainted after dental procedures, after a mild concussion when a hammer fell on my head, after putting a jail through my finger, while getting a tattoo,...
Yeah, I have had episodes like that. I've fainted after dental procedures, after a mild concussion when a hammer fell on my head, after putting a jail through my finger, while getting a tattoo, during really bad bouts of intestinal gas, etc etc.
Oh this is awesome. And I forgot to mention the ringing in the ears. It totally lines up with my experience, though I’m usually okay with the sight of blood that isn’t mine (I don’t love it, but...
Oh this is awesome. And I forgot to mention the ringing in the ears. It totally lines up with my experience, though I’m usually okay with the sight of blood that isn’t mine (I don’t love it, but not same response).
I've only fainted once (due to micturition syncope), and there was a warning sign, but I would still say that the lights just went out. I had just been sitting awkwardly on the couch with my feet...
I've only fainted once (due to micturition syncope), and there was a warning sign, but I would still say that the lights just went out.
I had just been sitting awkwardly on the couch with my feet elevated, and ran upstairs to use the toilet. I was urinating (standing up) and was already a little lightheaded from sitting on the couch and my sprint upstairs. I started to get more lightheaded. I remember thinking "oh, this doesn't feel right", but that might be post-incident revisionism. In any case, I collapsed, ripping the towel rack and the toilet paper holder out of the wall, and woke up on the floor.
According to my wife, she nearly immediately shouted "are you alright", and I responded "no", so I wasn't out for very long at all. However, I was extremely disoriented. It felt like it took a long time to get reoriented, but I was mostly fine before my wife got to the bathroom to help me, so it probably didn't take that long either. Luckily, I was pretty much done urinating by the time I fainted, so I didn't spray it everywhere.
That was nearly four years ago. I still get a little lightheaded when I urinate, but as long as I don't add to it by standing up quickly or running up stairs, I don't think it's a problem.
I've fainted before, but it was from dehydration mixed with humidity and being overtired/working out too hard and having an eating disorder when I was a dancer. It only happened twice then, but I...
I've fainted before, but it was from dehydration mixed with humidity and being overtired/working out too hard and having an eating disorder when I was a dancer. It only happened twice then, but I now know there were warning signs, I just didn't recognize them.
I also came close to fainting a few weeks ago. Similarly, it was very hot and humid, and I had a growing sinus infection, which gives me vertigo if I turn my head or tilt upwards. I made the mistake of looking up in the Haunted Mansion while waiting for the preshow to start, and I started to get very dizzy, and started seeing my vision tunnel. I knew I needed to get onto the floor immediately or my body would do that for me, so I slid down the wall and sat down with my head in my lap.
For what it's worth, I'm a tall guy and during puberty I experienced a few fainting spells - orthostatic hypotension the doctor called it - as my height grew faster than my heart. In fact I still have a chipped tooth from smacking my head on a dog basket after my body decided now was the right time for a little lie down.
Maybe it's because this only lasted a few years instead of a lifetime, but I never got thisuch warning before a faint, and certainly wasn't in a fit state to warn onlookers. I remember feeling very confused and unable to communicate clearly, mumbling about the last thing on my mind I'd "queued up", while unable to parse what I was seeing or keep my balance. The closest analogy I can imagine would be blood rushing to one's head after suddenly standing up, or sleep deprivation.
I had similar experiences as you during my teenage years.
I did have enough wherewithal to realize that I was going to go down regardless of what I did and used those last couple of semi-conscious moments to get as close to the ground as I could with some amount of intent. That wherewithal only happened after the first couple, so maybe it is something that you start to get a feel for.
I've fainted twice in my life as far as I can remember, and I also didn't have any warning either time.
First time was when we had mandatory church service in school. We were standing for a prayer and I just remember getting really hot. Then I blinked and suddenly I was lying on the steps of the church outside. I blame the incense.
The other time I was having an IV set before a major surgery. After setting my IV the nurse left the room for a second. I only realized that I fainted because my mum was in the room with me and watched it happen. If not for her I would've never even noticed since I was already lying down and I was only out for about 15 seconds. It's just like cutting out a segment of the video in a video editor; no warning, I just jumped from one point of time to the next.
Wow, I have very similar experiences. Once while at church, I locked my knees before knowing that was something you shouldn't do and passed out.
I had blood drawn when I was young and fell out of the stool, luckily my mom was with me and caught me so I didn't fall to the ground completely.
I also fainted the first time I got my covid vaccine (likely because I hadn't eaten anything that day as later ones were all fine) and that was the only one I could almost feel coming. I was sitting in the waiting area after the fact and felt woozy and nauseous. It felt like it was starting to pass and then I awoke to people shaking me awake as I was on the floor. Had a mild concussion from my head slamming the floor as I fell out of the chair.
I've never fainted, lost consciousness, or blacked out in my life (I have, however, been put under for surgery). I've always wondered about how fainting feels, and this provides at least one glimpse into that world. Thanks!
i get to enjoy the feeling a bit more often and a bit more severe recently. I've always had sort of low blood pressure, so getting up quick can easily cause me to go dizzy to the point of losing my balance, knees weak arms heavy (moms spagetti).
The most extreme case i was barely able to hold on to a wall for a good minute and i could feel my conciousness slipping away, my vision was kind of staticy like a tv turned to a dead channel, and i tried my best to keep holding on to that wall because even as gone as i was with incoherent thoughts (i think i tried mumbling something) i realized how close i am getting to smacking my head on the ground. It made me wonder if this is what it feels like when your heart fails and literally your lights go out.
I only fainted once, and mostly blacked out the experience itself. The part I can remember of regaining consciousness was like I was watching a movie screen play out in my head and the images where what my eyes were seeing. The screen itself started small and distant and slowly moved forwards until the screen was so large it completely consumed my “homonculus” visual spectrum. At that point I snapped back to reality, where I was currently laying on the floor in the middle of a church with my entire 8th grade class standing around me thinking I was just possessed by the devil because I had apparently been twitching while knocked out.
For what it’s worth, I’ve woken up after being put under for surgery (and even woke up during one!) and that’s more of an out of body experience with a swirly headspace. More chaotic as your mind tries to fight against it to make sense of it.
The one time I fainted I didn't even realize I fainted (seriously, it still weirds me out). I remember kneeling down to get something and next thing I know my co worker is asking if I'm ok and I was confused why he was asking (because I was kneeling down it didn't even bother me I was on the ground, I just thought I was getting up from kneeling down).
I still have to take his word for it honestly (Though I guess I don't remember the middle part from me kneeling down to him asking if I was ok).
I faint nearly every time I have blood drawn, even small samples. Always have. More recently, I have fainted a couple times with getting shots, which had never happened until last couple years and only twice. I also am prone to fainting if I bleed— not every time but common enough that pretty much all my friends know. In fact, I pretty much tell people, if we’re in a situation where it might come up (doing home renovation stuff or going camping).
My hospital chart has it noted. I tell the nurses every time. I think my chart says I have sissyitus.
But as a result, I pretty much know when it’s happening and usually I’ve already prepared myself. When getting shots I make sure I am in a chair I won’t fall off of. If I get a big cut while outside I just lay down for a bit. I bring cookies every time I get a Covid shot.
Basically, my experience: Suddenly I realize my sense of time is off. I can’t stop thinking the same thought, it just repeats for what seems like 30 minutes (likely actually half a second), then I realize it, and suddenly the next thought comes in like a freight train and I repeat that thought for 30 minutes. I guess you could imagine sitting on a train platform, and suddenly you realize that the train that is going by has been passing by for 30 minutes, and every car is red. As soon as you realize it, suddenly every car is blue. And so on.
At some point during this, you wake up. If you are lucky, you get the horribly embarrassing experience of someone leaning over you wondering if you are okay. It takes a hot minute to realize you are on the ground. Likely, extremely sweaty and by all accounts, very pale.
For me, it is physically draining, and basically a nap is guaranteed later in the day. If you didn’t get to the ground before fainting, your head probably hurts from where it cushioned your fall.
If I am expecting something that may cause me to faint, like getting a shot or recently got a big cut, I get into position. If I’m caught off guard, I can usually get myself to the ground before falling, but not much else.
For reference, I’m a mid-30s guy. And have chronic sissyitis.
My fainting presents itself very similar to yours. Several times after shots or blood draws, definitely with the sweating, and almost hangover-like need for a nap afterwards.
I was always told it was a vasovagal attack.
Yeah, I have had episodes like that. I've fainted after dental procedures, after a mild concussion when a hammer fell on my head, after putting a jail through my finger, while getting a tattoo, during really bad bouts of intestinal gas, etc etc.
Oh this is awesome. And I forgot to mention the ringing in the ears. It totally lines up with my experience, though I’m usually okay with the sight of blood that isn’t mine (I don’t love it, but not same response).
Cool to have something to call it
I've only fainted once (due to micturition syncope), and there was a warning sign, but I would still say that the lights just went out.
I had just been sitting awkwardly on the couch with my feet elevated, and ran upstairs to use the toilet. I was urinating (standing up) and was already a little lightheaded from sitting on the couch and my sprint upstairs. I started to get more lightheaded. I remember thinking "oh, this doesn't feel right", but that might be post-incident revisionism. In any case, I collapsed, ripping the towel rack and the toilet paper holder out of the wall, and woke up on the floor.
According to my wife, she nearly immediately shouted "are you alright", and I responded "no", so I wasn't out for very long at all. However, I was extremely disoriented. It felt like it took a long time to get reoriented, but I was mostly fine before my wife got to the bathroom to help me, so it probably didn't take that long either. Luckily, I was pretty much done urinating by the time I fainted, so I didn't spray it everywhere.
That was nearly four years ago. I still get a little lightheaded when I urinate, but as long as I don't add to it by standing up quickly or running up stairs, I don't think it's a problem.
I've fainted before, but it was from dehydration mixed with humidity and being overtired/working out too hard and having an eating disorder when I was a dancer. It only happened twice then, but I now know there were warning signs, I just didn't recognize them.
I also came close to fainting a few weeks ago. Similarly, it was very hot and humid, and I had a growing sinus infection, which gives me vertigo if I turn my head or tilt upwards. I made the mistake of looking up in the Haunted Mansion while waiting for the preshow to start, and I started to get very dizzy, and started seeing my vision tunnel. I knew I needed to get onto the floor immediately or my body would do that for me, so I slid down the wall and sat down with my head in my lap.