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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Possible To Have Syncopy Without Fainting? Family History Of White Coat Syndrome, Have Reaction To Injections

I was wondering if it is possible to have syncopy without actually fainting. Everyone in my family (including myself) seems to have serious "white coat" syndrome. We're more anxious than most at the dr. office, but more importantly we all have this reaction to any kind of injection- the room starts spinning, we break out into a cold sweat and we need to lie down. I've never actually fainted, but this response always comes on full force after a shot, not before, and even when my logical mind can say, "that didn't even hurt that much," my body still reacts in this extreme manner. Thoughts?
Mon, 29 Jul 2013
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  User's Response
Your may be suffering from blood-injection phobia. It is a highly inheritable anxiety disorder as you yourself have pointed out (multiple family members have this problem). It occurs almost as a reflex - seeing blood or injury makes the parasympathetic system (vagus nerve) active and leads to drop in heart rate and blood pressure, cold sweats and fainting. Logic may not help as much as it is a reflex happening.

You may try to deliberately tighten your hands and calf muscles (may help a little) but the best way to avoid it is to avoid seeing the blood being drawn.
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General & Family Physician,  Dr. Veera Raghava Rao Buddha.'s  Response
Hi, in some people it happens, some people cry for a shot, some have feeling of fainting. You are a bit more may be due to neuritis, due to diabetis, hypertension, anxiety etc.
You can have relief, by consulting a psychiatrist for relief of anxeity. Thank yo.
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Possible To Have Syncopy Without Fainting? Family History Of White Coat Syndrome, Have Reaction To Injections

Your may be suffering from blood-injection phobia. It is a highly inheritable anxiety disorder as you yourself have pointed out (multiple family members have this problem). It occurs almost as a reflex - seeing blood or injury makes the parasympathetic system (vagus nerve) active and leads to drop in heart rate and blood pressure, cold sweats and fainting. Logic may not help as much as it is a reflex happening. You may try to deliberately tighten your hands and calf muscles (may help a little) but the best way to avoid it is to avoid seeing the blood being drawn.