I am riding on the BART train this morning, standing because there are no seats left. I’m feeling great after a lovely breakfast with C, and reading this most intriguing book. Somewhere in the transbay tunnel I start to feel this weird sensation in my gut, almost like an internal tickle with a hot poker or an electric shock. I breathe into it hoping it will go away because it’s very uncomfortable. It starts to spread through my body – it feels like nausea at first, then like I am about to lose consciousness. I contemplate sitting on the floor, but it’s nasty and I fear puking. So instead, I grab the bar to keep from falling down, shut my eyes, and breathe really deep. There is a woman next to me snoring, and the snoring gets REALLY SUPER LOUD and echoes in my head like I’m in a tunnel. I keep breathing and thinking “I will make it - I just have to hold on and keep breathing” Finally, FINALLY we reach the Embarcadero station and I stumble off to make my way on to one of those benches where I can put my head down. It takes a few moments, but eventually I feel okay again.
Is this normal? I think I have passed out like this once before, after a couple of months of starving myself in high school. I eagerly await the return call of my OB/GYN.
Update: Spoke to my ob/gyn about this, and she said that it’s totally normal to have these kinds of episodes when you’re pregnant — getting light headed, passing out etc. I googled and found nothing. So there ya go – don’t operate heavy machinery, I guess.
davee said,
October 25, 2007 at 1:06 pm
not sure about the pain that started it, but the tunnel vision or hearing sounds like pretty basic shock or low blood sugar/low blood pressure. did you eat enough that morning? or end up running to catch the bart? sometimes just stress or illness combined with other factors can cause that kind of sudden low blood pressure. not too out of the ordinary to me.
Over40Sis said,
October 25, 2007 at 7:57 pm
Did she do any blood work? I’d be interested to hear about your iron levels. Plus, your blood pressure might be too low.
I always get nauseated when I pass out, too, not that I’ve done it that often, and odd things happen to my hearing. Also, if you stand too long, especially if you lock your knees, that can cause you to faint.
Whatever it is, glad you’re both okay.
fishmama said,
October 26, 2007 at 9:28 am
It happened to me when I was pregnant and it was very scary. And the OB told me the same thing, normal – unless there’s bleeding, don’t worry about it.
mama pajama said,
October 31, 2007 at 10:18 am
Yeah, I had that once or twice too. Remember, your body is doing new and crazy things every day. You are in a constant state of flux all the time. Try to always carry a granola bar or something, and maybe a bottle of water. Might help you perk up/recover.