So, I passed out this morning.

[MTRJ75]

I must have moved the wrong way in bad and badly yanked a hamstring last night. It was cramping so bad, I had to move and rub it and in the process, I yanked the other one just as bad. Now I had to get up and walk it off because it kept getting worse and worse just lying there. This type of thing has been happening a lot more since I've been exercising at least every other day, mostly working on my legs and core. 

Anyway, I get out of bed and the next thing I know, the dog is licking my face. I'm lying in the doorway between the living room and wash room with my head on the cold hard slab. I didn't hit my head. I must have subconsciously laid myself down there. No pan or blood or bump, but I don't remember that part. This is the FIRST TIME I've ever lost consciousness. 

I think it was only a matter of minutes, if that, but when I tried to pull myself up by the railing that was there, I literally saw stars. Blackness. I know my house well enough that I was just able to make it back to bed without seeing, but still so light headed I couldn't see, drenched in sweat and extremely nauseous. I couldn't even sit up to drink water for quite a while. I surmised that along with low blood volume, too much of the blood rushed down to where the pain was (hamstrings) with too left for the head. 

By the time I was able to sit up and look at my phone and drink, it was nearly 7am. I figure it was about an hour. I tried to go back to sleep, but by now, every muscle in my body was numbing and cramping (pins and needles this time, not like the hamstring, but still enough that I couldn't get back to sleep). 

When I was finally able to stand a little bit, I got some electrolytes in me and went to the bathroom, there was no indication that I was dehydrated at all. 

Anyway, long winded way of asking what (if anything) can I do to shorten the experience should this ever happen again. 

[MikeO]

@MTRJ75best i can say is going into the winter months i get a runny nose and become a bit vasodilated a antihistamine helps. dehydration does also get me from time to time more so in the colder months and will produce some cramping. I routinely get up in the wee hours of the morning to take in fluids. Also during a flare up my CGM will report low blood sugars. not sure how relevant this is but is some thing to look at.

I hope you feel better.  

[MTRJ75]

Thanks Mike. 

I'm already on several antihistamines for mast cell issues. 

I did use the electrolytes afterward, but urine color suggested sufficient hydration.  (I thought the Sjogren's played a part in drying me out and lowering blood volume over-night)

My blood sugar is generally around 100 when I get tested. Never low, but I don't know if that's what you're talking about. 

 

[Sarah Tee]

@MTRJ75, I'm so sorry that happened. I don't have anything useful to suggest, but it was nice that your dog licked your face when you were unconscious. So they really do do that!

[Sarah Tee]

Oh, I have heard people say that they crawl when they have to get out of bed when feeling iffy.

According to an article I read by Dr Grubb, humans are the only animals to get orthostatic intolerance, so going quadrupedal temporarily makes sense.

(Found out those fainting goats don't actually faint ... their muscles seize up.)

[MTRJ75]

Funny, that's the thing though. I don't remember feeling like I was going down as soon as I got out of bed. Don't even remember it happening. 

I don't know about you guys, but I yank muscles pretty painfully all the time to the point where I get light-headed and feel like I'm going to vomit and at these times I usually do go down on all fours until it passes. I've never passed out ever though (debating whether to tell doctor due to driving privileges). Guess I couldn't go down on all four this time because of where the pain was (hammies instead of back/side/neck/shoulders/arms)

[MikeO]

1 hour ago, MTRJ75 said:

Thanks Mike. 

I'm already on several antihistamines for mast cell issues. 

I did use the electrolytes afterward, but urine color suggested sufficient hydration.  (I thought the Sjogren's played a part in drying me out and lowering blood volume over-night)

My blood sugar is generally around 100 when I get tested. Never low, but I don't know if that's what you're talking about. 

 

Well blood sugars eb and flow. my fasting BG's do hang out at 105 again not saying the blood sugar is the issue but for some unknown reason i struggle at controlling them. All i can say is a CGM is just a tool to help and most insurances will pay for a diagnostic version. what we do catch on the monitoring is low BG at times. I suspect the lows is a issue what sparks orthostatic issues. i have been told nOH secondary cause is DM. More pushing for sure

[MTRJ75]

I'll inquire about that the blood sugar for sure. Have a couple of appointments coming up this month. But would the fact that I only have issues when I pull a muscle work against that?