Step 1: Faint in class Step 2: Wait… nevermind, Step 1 took care of it
Yes, my friends.Yesterday, I was The Girl Who Passed Out in Class, 2008 edition.I say “2008 edition” because it happened last year in class as well.This fainting thing is not new to me, as it happens about once a year it seems.The first time it occurred when I was giving blood, and ever since, it’s been on days when I’m not feeling particularly well and my stomach hurts.Last year in class, I slumped over on my friend Erin and was out for about 20 seconds.The teacher didn’t even notice, and a few friends helped me out of the classroom and took me to the health center next door.After telling them repeatedly that no, I was not pregnant (standard initial diagnosis over there), they did some blood tests and everything was fine.The doctor decided that the baroreceptors in my carotid arteries might be just a bit too sensitive.Basically, the major arteries in the neck have “sensors” for pressure, and if something causes the blood pressure to spike, the baroreceptors send a signal to slow down blood flow to the brain, and you pass out.Sounds crazy, but it’s not.He said that since it happened so infrequently, it really wasn’t a big deal or even an official diagnosis, and I was fine. End of story.
Or so I thought.Unfortunately, this incident was a bit more dramatic.I didn’t get much sleep this weekend, and headed to class on Monday morning at 7:30 not really feeling the best.A little bit into the lecture, my stomach hurt worse and I started feeling “woozy” but thought I could shake it off.Then things started going white and I remember moving my leg to try to snap out of it.The next thing I know, I was waking up on the shoulder of my roommate sitting next to me, with my teacher in my face and gripping my arms, and somehow missing one of my flip-flops.The rest of the room was dead silent and staring, except for the girl on the other side of me who was on the phone calling the paramedics.The first rational thought in my mind involved profanity once I realized what had happened.I tried to tell the teacher (the worried mother type) that I was okay and that it had happened before, but she insisted on the paramedics and helped me into the hall, with my roommate and a TA following.It’s SUCH a horrible feeling to have 160 pairs of eyes staring at you on your way out of the room.I thought once I got into the hall I’d be okay, but that wasn’t really the case.I still felt clammy but also entirely too hot, and I also stayed dizzy and nauseous.For some reason, this time was just worse.My roommate said I was out longer, around 45 seconds, and another friend later told me I twitched a little.(This apparently made my teacher think I was potentially having a seizure.)The paramedics arrived, checked out my blood pressure, asked me about the situation, and asked if I’d like to be taken to the hospital.I declined, signed the waiver, and decided to have my roommate take me home.
The great twist to all of this?We The Living was in town, and half the guys were asleep in my living room with the rest due to show up sometime in the morning.I explained what happened when I got back, and decided to take a shower to cool down before getting back in bed.All I managed to do was lay on the shower floor, and at one point I had to get halfway out to throw up.(Another thing that’s never happened post-fainting before.)When I was done, Jeremy and Amanda demanded I get in bed, so I did.Ama had to leave early, so she checked on me and made sure I was okay before she did.I spent the rest of the morning in bed, dozing off and on, and talking with whoever wandered into my room.The guys kept a good watch over me and kept checking to see if I needed anything.I know I wasn’t much fun, but I was really glad they were there to keep me company.I even got treated to an old song, courtesy of JP and my guitar.(So maybe this sick thing wasn’t entirely bad…heh.)I managed to get out of bed around noon, and we spent the rest of the time watching episodes of The Office before they left around 1:30.I felt bad because I couldn’t do the usual big breakfast, but they seemed content with cereal, fruit, cinnamon rolls, and coffee.(Lots and lots of coffee.)The timing on this whole fainting thing was terrible, but at least I had Amanda and then the guys to make sure I didn’t die.I really hope this doesn’t happen again anytime soon.A few people suggested I go to the doctor about this, but unless it happens again, I don’t think it’s worth it.Keep your fingers crossed… I’d prefer to not deal with this again.
[Side note: Doing a Google Image Search for “fainting” primarily results in pictures of fainting goats.Sweet.]
Edit: For the love of God, watch this fainting goat video.
