A very strange thing happened to both myself and my son in 2011. Then it happened to my daughter in 2016. Apparently it's happened to quite a few other people, too. I am also learning the same thing can happen to people when they hit their knee. I share our stories here with what I have learned. MANY others have also shared their stories. Check out the COMMENTS and add your story.
While at work one day, I hit my elbow on a sharp corner on my computer desk I felt faint and light-headed, and told my co-worker I had hit my elbow really hard and I didn’t feel well....
Next thing I knew, there were people all around me, and one of my co-workers was on the phone with the paramedics. Eventually the paramedics arrived, took my vital signs (blood pressure, blood sugar, heart rate) and determined that I had fainted (vasovagal syncope) in response to the pain inflicted to my funny bone (ulnar nerve).
My Story
While at work one day, I hit my elbow on a sharp corner on my computer desk I felt faint and light-headed, and told my co-worker I had hit my elbow really hard and I didn’t feel well....
Next thing I knew, there were people all around me, and one of my co-workers was on the phone with the paramedics. Eventually the paramedics arrived, took my vital signs (blood pressure, blood sugar, heart rate) and determined that I had fainted (vasovagal syncope) in response to the pain inflicted to my funny bone (ulnar nerve).
My Son's Story
Oddly enough, not too long after my incident, the same thing happened to my teenage son (16). It was piano lesson time, and he ran to get a sweater. As he swung it over his shoulders, he hit his elbow on the corner of the thermostat on the wall. He immediately joined his teacher at the piano...and passed out! Witnessing my son pass out was the scariest thing I have ever been through. His eyes rolled back, he stiffened up and he wasn’t responding. He came to in about 30 seconds or so.
My Daughter's Story
My daughter (18) was home alone, in her room, getting changed. She hit her elbow on the corner of her night stand and it hurt. She said her arm started to feel funny and she knew she was going to faint so she laid down on her bed right away. She came too a few minutes later (she knew the timing based on some texts she had received and sent). She was disorientated and scared, but otherwise fine.
The experiences we shared were so similar and rare, I decided to write about it in hopes of helping others who have experienced this.
We joke now about needing to wear elbow pads. :)
Please explore my pages, and offer your experiences, questions or comments.
Please note: This information is not intended to replace the advice of a physician or other health care practitioner. My wish is to educate you so you are better informed when and if you decide to seek medical advice for your medical problems.
Please note: This information is not intended to replace the advice of a physician or other health care practitioner. My wish is to educate you so you are better informed when and if you decide to seek medical advice for your medical problems.
Sincerely,
Angela G. Gentile, MSW, RSW
