STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

XtinaStyles · Marc Jacobs

I almost passed out today on the subway...

jettie · Kate Spade

Never had any experience like that before - sounds scarey!

NCshopper · Hermes

Wow! That is scary! But that's awesome that people were so nice about helping you.

As far as what caused it, did you have enough protein during the day? Your body will burn through its protein supply during a workout and when that's gone, it can leave you feeling light-headed. But your experience sounds kind of odd because it happened 45 min. after the workout as opposed to during or immediately following the workout. I also think you may want to bring a small snack with you for after your workout--something like a banana or a protein bar might really help.

Anyway, I'm sorry that happened to you! That sounds terrifying.

KaffeeKlatsch · Marc Jacobs

Goodness...that must have been frightening...thank goodness for the helpfulness of strangers.

Aurora · Marc Jacobs

Oh that is scary. I also am of the thought that maybe you didn't eat enough before you went to work out. There have been a few times where I've gone and worked out after eating something light and have had to stop and eat my emergency cashews or Pria bar in my bag before heading home as I've burned off the food too fast.

member · Hermes

That's so scary - it happened to me, but I actually did pass out and everyone just let me fall on the floor - only one girl helped me up and off the train. I'm glad people were so nice to you

I think you probably needed to eat something - sounds like you didn't have enough protein prior to working out.

BellinaJessica · Kenneth Cole

I would guess that you either need electrolytes (salt, potassium, etc, depletes through sweating) or possibly iron. I've had that happen to me a couple times just after or during my period and taking an iron supplement seems to help it.

-- Edited by BellinaJessica on Friday 22nd of May 2009 10:07:43 AM

blink · Coach

This has happened to me a few times. Sometimes after a workout, but most often when I am just on my feet for too long exerting myself without enough to eat. When it happens, just sit down and let some of the blood pump back to your head.

It's sounding like low blood pressure, or hypotension. Keep some salty peanut butter crackers available in your car.

Funny story, this happened to me when I was pregnant as I approached the counter at a post office. I knew what it was, so I just said...um, I can't see my wallet, let me sit down for a sec... I ducked beneath the counter and sat on the floor, had a brown out that lasted a few minutes, the staff had ran to get me a chair, but by that time I was seeing clearly again and I paid for my postage and got the heck out of there before they called an ambulance!!

fairywings · Dooney & Bourke

I feel like this after I work out sometimes too. It could be your blood sugar dropping rapidly, which the best thing to do is bring a granola bar with you everywhere. Or it could be low iron, which makes your heart beat really fast for no reason, and I would get checked for anemia and just make sure to keep a snack on hand like nuts or even a piece of chocolate.

Boots · Gucci

I get faint when it's too stuffy somewhere. Once it was on the EL here (that's like Chicago's subway.) Was the subway car crowded and stuffy? It's the worst feeling when it hits you, isn't it? You know it's coming but there's very little you can do about it! So glad there were some good people around you to help.

FashionPrincess · Hermes

Wow! I'm glad you didn't pass out! And I'm also glad that everyone was so helpful. That could be a scary place to randomly faint, I also echo the suggestions of keeping an emergency snack on ya, trail mix, granola bar, etc. I sometimes feel that way after I work out and need to eat, a quick snack takes the edge off.

stardust · Kenneth Cole

I'm what a doctor called a "fainter" which seems to mean my blood pressure can drop very low at times and I've blacked out completely quite a few times in my life. I'm sorry this happened- it's scary and I get embarrassed and it's great people were so helpful.

Basically now if I feel my self getting faint (seeing black dots, feeling clammy) I sit down and put my head between my knees and if possible (better) lie down with legs elevated. The problem is it's not always possible. I did have a cardiologist check me out because of this and if it is strange for you maybe you could get checked out?

It happens to me when as the other ladies said I'm short on electrolytes or food, too hot, standing too still (I've learned to keep tensing muscles etc when standing to keep blood flowing- wiggling toes etc). The doctor said it was most important to stay hydrated and cool - suggested avoiding overdressing and being in stuffy hot rooms. Salt can help too.

Hope you're feeling better!

alb · Marc Jacobs

wow, that's really scary! i'm so glad you had help and that you're okay. as far as the cause, it could very well have been caused by not eating enough protein (as others have mentioned), but i wonder if it was dehydration. i know you said you had a bottle of h2o but you may have needed even more if you did 45 mins of cardio and if you maybe had some caffeine earlier that day (anything more than usual can make a difference). also, this is just my opinion but i hate advil and never buy it (i buy motrin or tylenol instead). it has caffeine in it, so if i take it before i go to bed it helps relieve the pain but annoyingly keeps me awake. caffeine leads to dehydration, and even in small amounts it can add up over the day. chocolate also has caffeine in it. i am extremely sensitive to caffeine and can only have it in small doses (for ex, i have one chai latte a day in the morning and that's it). if i add even a small amount of caffeine to that - which is usually in the form of chocolate b/c i don't drink any other caffeinated beverages) and i workout and i don't drink enough water, it all kind of adds up and i end up feeling nauseous, dizzy, and dehydrated. so if i had to guess i'd say it could have been dehydration. just something to think about.