Blackout!

Everyday living
1

Hi

I have been living with MS for 10 years and to be honest, I have been very lucky, have had great treatment and handled most things well. Like most who come here, i have suffered pain from time to time, numbness in places and that general feeling of fatigue. However, yesterday something happened to me that has never happened to me before, I blackout.

One minute I was standing with my hands on the kitchen worktop talking to my wife, the next my legs collapsed, I cracked my chin on the worktop and the world went very scary. In fact, I sort of recall trying to stop the fall pushing my legs to a standing position but apparently this only caused me to collapse again, again hitting my chin on on the work top the way down!

My wife wrapped me in a blanket and I lay on the floor for over half an hour. I was struggling to speak (must have a glass chin) and my limbs where heavy and hard to move. Once I had regained a little composer, I managed to craw up stairs and back to bed (this all happened about 6.30am, I have been up for 10 to 15 minutes before I collapsed)

Its now Monday, I have driven to work, I have a head ache, I feel a little weak and a little shaky. Now here’s the question, do we think this is my MS? You might think that this is a silly question to ask, but I was not aware that MS can do this, and I wonder if I am just run down. Any comments would be greatly received.

Jason

(Ps, blood pressure normally average)

2

you have pm

3

MS can (uncommonly) cause blackouts, but you will need tests (MRI and EEG) to rule out other causes and determine whether or not treatment is necessary. I think it would be wise to contact your GP. Making a note of what happened is a good idea, as the doctor will need a full history from you and any witnesses. I worked in Neurology for 30 years, and can assure you that a loss of consciousness should always be taken seriously. Hope you’re feeling better now.

4

Sorry, that may have sounded a bit serious, and it may well have been nothing - what I meant is that a LOC is worth checking out!

5

Hi Gingernut

Thanks for coming back to me and no worries, I don’t panic easily. I have decided to speak to my GP but I am feeling a bit better, just a head ache now, yesterday was a struggle but today is much brighter (so far!!)

Thank you for your advice.

Jason

6

Frankly you shd have gone to A and E. collapsing and losing consciousness and cracking your chin. 3 reasons right there. Should get jaw x rayed if nothing else. And you certainly should not be driving! what happens if you black out then!!

1 Like
7

Hi Jason, I’m so sorry you had the blackout and obviously hurt yourself. Please see your GP and do not drive. It’s actually illegal to do so. You have no insurance cover or a valid licence after what happened to you, obviously you have other road users to consider as well.