I am more or less housebound. After my career ended nearly 5 years ago because of Trigeminal Neuralgia the pain kept me at home then I found that when the pain retreated from time to time I was too scared to go out at all because I couldn't face having and attack while I was out and having negative attention. As it is we have very harsh winters where we live so if I do go out I have to be bundled up in coats and scarves and get funny looks from strangers. My friends and family also seem to get embarrassed because I am 'different'. And I can't say I don't care because I do. Now, during the last 3 months I have been out into the city (accompanied by my husband and son) and among the public and on both occasions I have fainted. The first time I didn't do any damage to myself but the second time, last Saturday, I was waiting to pay at the cash register and suddenly everything went black around me and I woke up not knowing where I was with my son, 26 shouting 'mom, mom are you all right?'. I had so many people around me trying to help they were suffocating me. I hit my head very hard on the concret floor and was bruised all over my body. My head and my elbows and head took the brunt of the fall. I also got whiplash as my head hit the floor. I am still in a relative amount of pain. Now I am even too scared to take my dog for a walk in case it happens again.
Is this part of the agoraphobia or is it an aspect of the TN that I have not experienced before. I also find that I perspire a lot and get hot flushes and I am way past menopause. I am 64.
Has anybody else experienced fainting? I don't even want to discuss this with my doctor because she said that should anything else occur she would send me for another battery of tests - MRI etc. I have had so much of that over the last I don't know how many years I just can't face more. It took the medical profession some 16 years to diagnose the TN. I have been to hell and back with medical tests and hospitals and it has cost us a fortune. We just cannot afford more.
I am no Dr but I instinctively feel you may be having panic attacks. They form a vicious circle, the more we worry, the more likely it is to happen again.
If cost is an issue, as it is to most of us! Why not look on the net for relaxation techniques and even self hypnosis. I was taught to do this nine yrs ago whilst having chemo. It really did and still does help me a lot.
If you are unable to help yourself after a while maybe a mention to your Dr is needed to eliminate further problems. All the best.
Jackie is right in saying it sounds like a panic attack. they are so scary and overwhelming. I used to have them until a counselor taught me a meditation technique that takes me to a safe place instantly.
You also might have your doctor check your thyroid function. Some of what you mentioned could be caused by a malfunctioning thyroid.
I hope you get a handle on it soon. It is not good to isolate yourself. You are not the only "different" one out there. Remember we are all right beside you and know exactly what you feel!!!!
Positive thoughts and energy and prayer coming your way for peace and joy to return to you!
I would blame it on the agoraphobia -- the Only Way - to make it better is Exposure Therapy - you have to keep getting out - accompanied - until you can graduate to walking the dog!
This of course is assuming there is nothing medically wrong. Join an online group for agoraphobia
I've been there and it sucks!
It went away when my stress got lowered
You may want to consider benzos to calm you down the next few times you go out
It may just be the over whelming stress you're facing and the fear of being out. That's understandable. Have you considered meditation? That has helped me a lot with my anxiety issues and even a little with pain. There are many places to find different types you can do, and you can find the one that best suits you. And don't ever feel bad for having to do what you have to do to make sure you don't put yourself in anymore pain than you already are. If people give you strange looks or the people you're with are embarrassed let them be. It's not your fault and there is nothing wrong with protecting yourself NOTHING. That's their problem. Don't let their problem be yours. I know easier said than done.
I'm so sorry for all that you're going through and I can understand that the idea of going to another doctor and having to hand over a ridiculously large amount of money for something you don't want to have to deal with can be dreadful. I'm not sure what to tell you on that one, if you feel you can't do it anymore then you can't. But perhaps some research on the internet would help (I mean other than what you're doing on here) to see if there's anything you can do for your fainting.
I know this is a reallly hard time for you, and it sounds like you've had a rough time for quite a while. No one deserves that. But please keep hope, that's the best thing you can do. Just try to do some research on anything that can help you, that's how Ive helped myself most of all, is doing what the doctors won't do and figuring it out for myself.
I would like to say thati f you eve rwish to talk or went or just have a nice conversation please feel free to message me. And you're not alone, you are never alone. Especially on here. Please don't hesitate to message me if you need to.
I hope things start working out for you, and I will be keeping you in my mind and sending positive vibes your way.
I've had fainting issues in the past as well, but before any medications and before my diagnosis of TN. Actually, the last time I fainted I ended up breaking my ankle and leg. I'm not sure if fainting is a serious thing or just something that happens because of, like Jackie said, panic attacks. If you start to feel a little off, such as light headed or you get some kind of cold sweats.. the best thing to do is lay down immediately so that the blood can rush back into your head. It's also good to stay relaxed.