Daily affirmations of a word mercenary
Thank you. I’ve never fainted before, so imagine my surprise when one minute I was sitting down feeling a little lightheaded, and the next minute I found my head bouncing off the floor. Two of you picked me up and got me back in my chair, handed me water and asked if I needed a ride home. My husband and friend were at my side within seconds, but I never even saw what you looked like before you disappeared into the crowd. You know, the whole eyes rolling back in the head thing? Not so good for focusing on the kind people who pulled your unconscious body off the floor.
Just to clarify, I wasn’t drunk. I realize that you probably thought I was, but I’d only had one cocktail and while I may be a lightweight, I’m certainly not that much of a lightweight. When you saw me pass out, you probably assumed I was really, really wasted, and thought to yourself “Jesus, it’s barely after 11. Why is this girl so drunk?” It was less of a “drunk pass-out” and more of a Victorian swoon. It’s weird because in all my years of getting really wasted, I’ve never passed out. And then there I was last night, distinctly not wasted and suddenly I’m reduced to a slumped over mess? What a divine irony that my early-20s totally-wasted-but-non-swooning self would have found incredibly amusing. Regardless, thanks for pulling me off the floor. I made it home and am feeling just fine today — although it’s going to take me a bit before I trust my body not to randomly lose consciousness.
Hey there. I'm Ariel Meadow Stallings, a native Seattleite who's written my way up and down the Left Coast. Electrolicious is where I post daily randomata, but I also write for a living. My first book, Offbeat Bride, was published last year.
You're reading a page from the archives. Check the homepage for current content.
Melissa
March 11th, 2006 at 7:18 pm
Oh no! And hooray for the help!
I had about a year of swooning. Add a tad more protein if you think that could be at issue. If you do pass out again, orange juice is your friend for a few moments.
amy.leblanc
March 12th, 2006 at 7:30 pm
YIKES!!! if you can, see your general MD and get some bloodwork to make sure you’re not short on something important. love….
nani
March 13th, 2006 at 4:05 am
the first thing i thought was, “oooh maybe she’s pregnant!” but that’s just me.
Leslie
March 13th, 2006 at 1:21 pm
the first thing i thought was, “oooh maybe she’s pregnant!” but that’s just me.
You weren’t the only one to wonder that.
Vera
March 13th, 2006 at 2:31 pm
I third that.
Ariel
March 13th, 2006 at 2:42 pm
I wondered too, but after talking to both my mother the midwife and my physician, they both agree that while pregnant women can faint, it’s virtually unheard of until the third trimester.
Erin
March 13th, 2006 at 7:15 pm
Yup, you’re right. It’s a third trimester thing. I am in the thick of my third trimester right now, and the dizzyness/feeling faint thing definitely happens.
Cthulhulovesmebest
March 13th, 2006 at 8:42 pm
Interesting. I was ’swooning’ into a dizzy recently as well. (thinking wrongly that it was a heart attack) Perhaps a swoon bug is going around?
kerri
March 14th, 2006 at 6:50 am
The first time I fainted was minutes after I assured my little sister that giving blood was no big deal! and good for society! and no one ever faints, anyway, seriously!
I’m glad you weren’t hurt. Lord knows I probably would have broken my face if I hadn’t have been strapped to a bag, and seated in a big green donating chair. I’ve never been much for “graceful.”