does anyone else experience this?

[vinnie1973]

First I would like to introduce myself. 32 year old male with CF. Philadelphia PA I am new to this site.

My Name is Vincent.

I consider myself to be very healthy but sometimes, mostly in the winter season I get coughing attacks to the point of getting dizzy and sometimes blacking out and even fall to the ground. the entire attack is only 10 to 15 seconds long but Wed night was the last occurance and actually fell during this coughing attack and chipped a tooth.

I have a younger brother with CF but he has never had a coughing spell like I have at times and wanted to know if anyone else every dealt with something like this.

Any and all replies are greatly appreciated.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[JazzysMom]

I will just about bet these problems usually occur when you go from the cold outside air to the warmer inside air &/or vice versa. I have that problem & think many CFers do. I cough to the point of gagging & throwing up. Fortunately its hasnt happened lately & I never passed out. I have learned to adapt by covering my mouth in bitterally cold days. I even learned to relax my breathing by concentrating on my it while heading into the change of air temperature. It doesnt always work, but usually. Its an asthmatic reaction since its an airway issue. I am not sure what other ideas to give you except to make sure you do your neb or inhaler before going into the different air. Merry Christmas & Welcome to the board!

 

[anonymous]

I don't black out, but I have coughed hard enough that everything turns white and I feel like I'm going to pass out or something. When I'm driving, it's the scariest!
Another thing, I don't know if this is CF related, but lately I've felt a little dizzy or off-balance sometimes and it doesn't have to be after coughing or anything either, it just hits me every once in awhile and I have to grab onto something to steady myself.
Have you talked to your doctor about your condition and if so-what did the doctor say?

 

[vinnie1973]

I have spoken to my doctor about it, I was told that it is common for people with CF to cough hard enough to black out, lose balance, get dizzy etc.

luckily it has not happened to me while I am driving. Usually it happens late at night for me like right around bed time.

 

[anonymous]

To the poster who gets non-cough related dizzy spells: Are you on Tobi? I get those when I am on Tobi and my docs say it's related... something to do with the inner ear. I guess some other meds can cause that too.

 

[anonymous]

Welcome Vince !! Where do you go for cf treatment? I am in Pa. also and go to Hanhamann Hosp.
I see Dr. Sexauer......... I know the name is funny........lol
i thought it was a joke when i first heard it, but it is his real name......................

 

[Diane]

OOPS sorry that was me ^^ i forgot to log in

 

[vinnie1973]

Hi Diane, my CF clinic is at HUP (Hospital of the University of PA) I see Dr James Shinnick

prior to age 17 I was treated at CHOP.

 

[anonymous]

I have coughed so hard many times & black out just fora few seconds. And hit my head a few times. My Dr sent me to a cardioligst & my heart was good. But when I cough real hard my pulse & blood pressure would drop. He called it something like vegas syncopy. syncopy means passing out & the vegas thing is some kind of nerve that if you cough or push real hard like to grunt or have a bowel movement slows yous heart down. Infact my mom had a racing heart once that put her in the hospital & they told her if it happens again grunt. Mine got so bad blacking so much the dr actualy considered some kind of pace maker that would go off if my pulse got to low. But about the same time I started tobi & getting i.v. antibiotics at home & theses2 things helped my cough not to be so exploive or violent& I rarely black out now I thank God because I did not want a pace maker. Sorry so long but I hope it will help & I know many times it is impossable to control coughs

 

[anonymous]

I am not on TOBI but do have an irregular heart beat sometimes, so maybe that's where the dizziness/off balance feelings come from. I'll have to ask my doc about it next time.

 

[JennifersHope]

I have coughed so hard that I almost blacked out several times.. I have never out and out passed out from coughing.. but I have come close... Sometimes the cough is so hard I can't get a breath in, in between the coughing attacks.. That is really scarry.....

The nerve I think you are reffering to is the vagul nerve. That nerve is part of the parasympathetic system.. and sometimes when you bear down it is stimulated which cause a low heart rate etc... Being that I work in an emergency room, I have seen many older ppl die while going to the bathroom because they "vaguled" out and their heart stopped. Sad but true...

I have never seen that from coughing before.. but it makes sense....because Lord knows how much pressure you bear down when we cough.


Fun Fun and more Fun,

Jennifer

 

[thelizardqueen]

All I can say is the light head, the feeling of passing out may be lack of oxygen to your brain while you're coughing. I've had coughing fits where I've seen stars in front of my eyes. I say temporary lack of oxygen.

 

[vinnie1973]

I want to thank everyone for your input. Glad I found this site so I can talk to people that understand what we endure everyday.

 

[anonymous]

I am the one who wrote about the vegas nerve. Jennifer you are right It was called the vagul nerve. Somehow I think mine was over sensitive. I am guessing because of uncontrolled lung infections lead me to more almost head exploading coughs. I really think tobi & I.V. antibioitics helped my lung infection & lessoned my cough ( even though tobi makes me cough if I hang in their for a week or so I improve lung wise & the force of my cough lessons. ) Part of my passing out probably was also related to low 02 now when I am real low I go on my 50% venty mask & usually home i.v.. Wich I am on my second week again now but I feel better. Vincent part of the reason the dr. was considering a pace maker was because it was effecting my quality of life. I couldn't drive for a while & it also happened in public a couple of times & I was embarased & every one freeked out. Then I got scared to cough. I really hope your tooth feels better & you can quit going black. I have never introduced myself. I have read for 2 years on & off. You have all heiped me & I thank you. I am 40 & live at home with my parents. I am not good on the computer at all or with spelling or grammer. Anyway do you guys all use your real names? Probably a dumb ? but I feel a little nervous not knowing how things work then every once in a while I hear of a scary stalker story. thanks for a ll your help

 

[JazzysMom]

As far as whether we use our real names....some do, some dont. Some make up unusual names & some you figure out are nicknames or part of a family name etc. I put a lot of info in my profile, but some people make up the info or leave it out. If you wanted to register & not put too much or any of your real info, you can do that. As you get to know us & feel comfortable offering more info than you could do so. I recommend registering & using a fictional name or unusual screen name instead of using the annonymous option since there are so many that use annonymous & some who have been problems!