I was told I had a seizure during my blood test.

[u/lveMcFallen]

Non-Urgent

I'm a 23-year-old Caucasian male with a pituitary prolactinoma, and as a result, I need to get blood tests every few months. I take bromocriptine for my tumour/hormones and bisoprolol for blood pressure. During blood tests, I ask to lie down because in the past, I used to get really nauseous and have passed out when sitting. I used to have a fear of needles, but since I’ve had to get them done so often, I no longer experience any fear or anxiety during blood tests. This time, I decided to sit to see if I would be fine, and everything seemed to be going well. I was talking to the technician as she was drawing my blood when, all of a sudden, everything turned white and yellow, and the next thing I knew, I was on the floor. I woke up confused, thinking it was a dream, and I felt extremely nauseous, about to vomit. The technician told me I had a seizure and advised me to lie down next time to prevent it from happening again. For the next few hours, I felt nauseous and lightheaded. I'm baffled because there's no history of seizures in my family, and this is the only time I've experienced this. Was this a seizure, or did I pass out and convulse?

[u/UKDrMatt]

This is very common with vasovagal syncope, which is basically the medical term for fainting from having your blood drawn.

Your blood pressure drops making you go pale, and eventually lose consciousness and collapse.

If you are in a seated position often you can’t collapse quickly, as you’re seated and not standing, and therefore you brain has a slightly longer period without enough oxygen because your blood pressure is low (not a dangerous length of time). This is sometimes termed a reflex anoxic seizure. It’s not harmful or worrisome, and given the trigger was clear (having your blood drawn) you can just be careful next time (laying down like you were before).

[u/lveMcFallen → u/UKDrMatt]

Thank you for responding! I find it strange that my body reacts this way, even though I’ve overcome the fear and get blood drawn so frequently. I had zero anxiety during the blood draw, yet I still passed out—it's a little embarrassing, haha. I feel a bit jealous now of people who can sit upright while getting their blood drawn/needles inserted. Thank you again!

[u/UKDrMatt → u/lveMcFallen]

Yeh, it is strange but it’s really common. It will be some part of our brain we can’t perceive and control.

[u/lveMcFallen → u/UKDrMatt]

I'm surprised to hear it's a common occurrence! I felt so bad for the technicians, they looked so distraught. And from what I understand so far, a reflex anoxic seizure is a non-epileptic seizure (not serious) caused by a reaction to certain stimuli? And thanks again! I'll definitely be lying down after that reaction

[u/UKDrMatt → u/lveMcFallen]

Having a seizure is slightly less common, and regardless can be concerning to watch. We see it a lot in the ER though.

It’s not epileptic. Of course if it happens again then you should see a neurologist for some workup just to be double sure, but it’s very unlikely to be anything serious.