So.....

I went to see my doctor and... Nothing! She wants me to do more tests that has nothing to do with my NCS. She didn't listen to me or my complaints and it just doesn't make sense. Why would you order blood work, thyroid tests to be done when those things has already been done several times before?! It looks like I'm going to have to find myself an out-of-town Cardiologist. I have to believe it will get better. I trust everything works out well!

Petit Mal with NCS

 

I was wondering if I have been going insane or maybe it was just me, but yesterday I posted to a Facebook group and found out that what I have been experiencing wasn't "in my head."

My mom knows about my "blackout" spells, where everything around me goes completely black and everything gets extremely quiet for about one minute. It never lasts longer than that, but after the incident, I know something wasn't right because it's like I have actually lost minutes of my day!

It can be dangerous, according to last experiences and research conducted. Once, I was driving to my hometown which is 2.5 hours away and while behind the wheel I had an episode. When I came to, I actually was super close behind an sheriff's cruiser!!!! Talk about scary!

I have mentioned this before to my cardiologist, yet I don't think he took it seriously because he did nothing about it and kinda brushed it off like it was no big deal. I really get that a lot and every time I get that nonchalant reaction from a health care professional, it still makes me upset! I just don't like that.

I have an appointment coming up on Monday and I am going to ask for some referrals. I need to see a Electrophysiologist for an EP Test and a Cardiologist. Here in Fort Smith, you MUST have a referral and to me, that is very wasteful. My insurance doesn't require it, but the doctors does. In my hometown in Arkansas, we don't need a referral IF your insurance doesn't ask for one. With referrals being necessary, it makes me have to pay co-pays more than once! I don't have money that grows on a tree...

I will update after my appointment. :)

**My life with NCS (Neurocardiogenic Syncope)**

  This is the video I did about NCS and how it is affecting me.

Petit Mal Epilepsy???

Hello, everyone! So, today I was given some info on Petit Mal epilepsy because of what I have been experiencing. I lose minutes of my day...on a daily basis! I actually have moments of my day where everything goes completely black for maybe a minute or so and then I am fine, as if nothing has happened. I know something has happened because if I am watching TV the show on doesn't make sense anymore or something serious has happened. I remember one time I was driving and had an episode where everything went black and I came to and found myself really close behind a sheriff. Just another added health concern that will be addressed Monday. I finally have an appointment schedule

Denied Medical Service Today!

I can't believe it! This morning I was denied medical service and I am at a lost to why. I emailed a local cardiology place yesterday and never received a response, so I called them. When I called them, all I got from the lady on the other end was that they weren't going to help me. I wanted a second opinion because I have new symptoms that weren't there before! To be denied service is wrong and and to be denied service without an explanation is even worse. I am disappointed. I wonder if this is even legal?

Today with NCS

Hello!

Today was a bad day for me because I woke up with this feeling of dizziness and overwhelming chest pressure. A few years ago I would've been bothered by it all, but after living with Neurocardiogenic Syncope this long I have become used to it, like a dog gets used to fleas. It was really uncomfortable, though because I have church in the morning and evening. To make matters more complicated, I have to drive me, my daughter and my mom to and from service. All the while I am forced to fight back tears.

Tears? Well, my dad is sick and he won't allow me to know anymore than that. Although, I know it is more serious then he actually lets on, he won't "trouble" me with the details. I assume it is a way to attempt to shield his little girl from the horrible truth. He won't go to the hospital or seek any other professional advice because he says he'll just "call on the Man above" and that's it. My mom doesn't like my situation because she knows how I feel and she knows how this will trigger my NCS.

Although I shouldn't be stressing or getting upset, I am still human. I, just like you, face challenges everyday. We either survive or crumple and become crippled. I refuse to allow this or my dad's selfishness cripple me. I do feel like crying, though and I will not deny that truth. I wonder if it's meant to happen like this...the pain and frustration?

I still have another worship service to attend in a few, so I will update my evening later. Please let me know if you suggest me not updating so often or if updating often is helping you. I really appreciate the support. I hate suffering alone, so if you have anything you want to add or comment about, please feel free to do so!

Cheers!

Living With NCS

Living with NCS is exhausting! I have to force myself to get up, to do daily things and sometimes it is very difficult. I am always telling my mom on the phone that I'm "so tired" and how I "just want to go to sleep." My problem is that I just can't do it. I always seem to think someone will knock on the door or I might get a phone call. It's sad, but true. Everyday, I will be planning to update this blog with a new entry...kinda like a diary! I want to share my journey with you all. Feel free to share your similar stories too!

My NCS Introduction

Hello! Welcome to my blog! My name is Natalie and I'm 28 with a 4 years old. I am originally from Central Arkansas, but currently reside in Fort Smith, Arkansas. I decided to create this blog to shine some light on NCS and how it effects me. I hope that in the process this blog will help someone else! I found out that I had NCS at age 24 after years of fainting without warning. My NCS is a bit funny, though because I will faint sitting down as well. A lot of people faint standing up or walking, but not me. The first time I fainted was when I was 19 and I was standing near my car as my brother worked on my car. When I passed out I remember being able to see everything that was happening! It is really confusing and scary when you can see yourself faint and fall straight to the ground and not be able to stop yourself or protect your head from hitting a rock or tree. As soon as I fainted, it didn't take me long to want to get back up, but as anyone would be my brother was freaking out and wasn't letting me up until my mom took me to the hospital. At the hospital, I was examined and everything. CAT Scan, MRIs and all type of tests were done, but nothing showed up and I was sent home to "rest." I used to get upset and assume they were being jerks and jerking me around until my 5th episode in under 2 years. I kept fainting and it started to scare me. I did some research and decided to seek help. After visiting my PCP at the time, I was "prescribed" a live-in aide because by this point, I have had my daughter and she was not even 2 years old. She couldn't help herself if needed. I was feeling bad...really awful! This was the only thing good my PCP did for me. I eventually had to move to Little Rock to get a diagnosis after wearing a monitor for an entire month. While wearing it, I fainted twice and finally had proof. Two weeks later, I had a diagnosis and I started my journey...and was disabled! :(