said I had concussion, but was puzzled as to why I had blacked out in the first place. My mum explained my condition to him, but he hadn’t even heard of RAS, none of the staff at the hospital had. I was put through tests, MRI scans, wires fixed to my head etc. I was very annoyed at this, as I was feeling awful from the concussion, the last thing I needed was to be put through more stress. To make things worse, the doctors were referring to me as “the girl with the thing”. I wanted to scream ”IT’S RAS!”. When they finally came round to the idea that I didn’t have epilepsy or anything like that, I was allowed to go home. I had spent weeks in hospital, not eating right because of the
concussion, so I had to endure more weeks of stomach problems and all sorts, all because they thought I had epilepsy. I am now 17 and looking back I can’t imagine my life without RAS. I attended the prom at the end of secondary school; I was allowed to remove my bracelet to make way for my fancy jewellery. I haven’t worn it since. My last attack was 4 years ago, and I now know how to handle myself better when faced with shock or pain, telling myself I’m not going to have an attack in my head etc. to be honest, I think I have grown out of it (fingers crossed). Since accepting my condition, I have done more to raise the awareness of others. I was invited recently
to the House of Commons for the launch of National Arrhythmia Awareness Week. I was hoping to meet Sir Roger Moore, who also suffers from the condition, but sadly it was not to be, my only consolation was a fancy name badge and posh finger food. Although saying that I did get a front page spread in my local newspaper about my trip to London, which was the first time I haven’t been ashamed about my condition. I am now an official volunteer for STARS and I attend the annual meetings too. I hope to be raising awareness and hope for sufferers for man years to come. Sarah McClay Aged 17, Cumbria
Neurocardiogenic Syncope I was diagnosed in 1995 at the tender age of 43 with Neurocardiogenic Syncope (NCS) at the cardiovascular investigation unit at the RVI in Newcastle. I was lucky from first faint to diagnosis took about 2-3 weeks, and then another 3 weeks before the pacemaker was implanted. I managed to work for 4 years afterwards but in the end it was suggested I stopped. Now I am down to about 3-4 ‘faints’ a week instead of 3-4 faints a day in 1995! Some of the reduction in fainting was by learning what triggers a faint - when I laugh/cry/cough/ hiccup. I usually faint without warning, other times I have the dreaded pre-syncope for 5-10 minutes. This means recording some of my favourite comedy shows just in case! Stopping work also made a big difference as my job was quite stressful. One important factor is there is life after diagnosis. As long as you are aware of your triggers and can avoid them or mitigate them. In the North East people were aware of NCS, however when we moved to rural Lincolnshire no one had heard of NCS, although some people had heard of ‘drop’ attacks. The local village church has a coffee morning every month where all the proceeds are donated to a charity. I asked them if they would promote STARS and they kindly agreed, so last month’s coffee morning was in aid of STARS. I had to give a 5 minute talk explaining what NCS was, and show my old pacemaker, £192.00 was raised - a big thanks to all the kind people of Saxilby. David Warner, Lincolnshire
NCS 13
