u/Fickle_Traffic3518

Age: 19
Sex: Female
Height: 5'4"
Weight: ~145 lbs
Medications: Fluoxetine 20 mg daily, Prazosin 2 mg nightly, Yaz, Montelukast, Nurtec PRN, Zyrtec, Slow-release iron, B-complex, B12, multivitamin.

I'm currently being evaluated by both cardiology and neurology, but my symptoms have continued to worsen while waiting for appointments, and I'm hoping for educational input on what the differential diagnosis might include.

Over the last 3-4 months, I've developed progressively worsening episodes of impaired awareness and loss of consciousness. Initially they were occasional, but they're now occurring approximately every other day.

The episodes vary:

- Sometimes I become extremely difficult to arouse. My eyes close, I stop responding appropriately, and people have to repeatedly call my name or physically stimulate me before I respond. I often "jolt" awake briefly before drifting back into another episode.
- Other episodes involve complete loss of consciousness. On 6/2, after standing for several minutes, I lost consciousness for approximately 20-30 seconds. A witness reported my eyes were closed and that I had some leg twitching. When I woke up, I was confused and repeatedly asked, "Is this real?" and "Is this a dream?"
- My most recent episode occurred after I felt "off" while showering. I remember grabbing a towel and then have no memory until waking up on my bedroom floor approximately 7-10 minutes later. I experienced urinary incontinence during that episode.

These episodes have occurred while sitting, standing, lying down, in class, while shadowing in clinic, watching TV, during conversations, and previously while driving. Because of these episodes, I am no longer driving.

Other symptoms include:
- Heart rate fluctuations from around 60 bpm at rest to as high as 170 bpm, especially with standing or minimal activity.
- Lightheadedness and dizziness, particularly when standing.
- Burning or pulsating headaches that feel different from my usual migraines.
- Memory problems and significant periods of lost time.
- Tingling in my feet.
- Decreased grip strength and generalized weakness, especially before episodes.
- Nausea with occasional vomiting.
- A sensation like my body is in a "wave pool" or dropping, followed by an intense awareness of my heartbeat.
- Occasional bluish discoloration of my lips, although my pulse oximeter is usually 92-98%.

Earlier this year I also developed noticeable changes in color vision, increased floaters, and reduced peripheral vision. Ophthalmology did not identify any structural abnormalities.

My past history includes what was thought to be a possible focal seizure around 6th grade and an episode of sudden left-sided weakness a few years ago that was never explained.

Testing so far includes:
- CT head
- EKG
- Chest X-ray
- Routine blood work
- Zio Patch (results still pending)
- Cardiology follow-up this Friday

I also have a history of anxiety, but these episodes feel completely different from my panic attacks and often occur when I don't feel anxious.

I'm a premed student, so I know enough medicine to realize there are many possible explanations, but I'm also aware that it makes it difficult to look at my own symptoms objectively. I'm trying not to jump to conclusions and instead understand what an appropriate differential diagnosis might look like while I wait for my appointments.

My questions are:

1. What diagnoses would reasonably be on your differential based on this presentation?
2. Are there additional neurologic or cardiac tests that would commonly be considered?
3. Is there anything in this history that stands out as particularly concerning or that I should make sure to bring up at my cardiology appointment this Friday?

I understand no one can diagnose me over Reddit, but I'd really appreciate any educational insight. Thank you.

Age: 19
Sex: Female
Height: 5'4"
Weight: ~145 lbs
Medications: Fluoxetine 20 mg daily, Prazosin 2 mg nightly, Yaz, Montelukast, Nurtec PRN, Zyrtec, Slow-release iron, B-complex, B12, multivitamin.

I'm currently being evaluated by both cardiology and neurology, but my symptoms have continued to worsen while waiting for appointments, and I'm hoping for educational input on what the differential diagnosis might include.

Over the last 3-4 months, I've developed progressively worsening episodes of impaired awareness and loss of consciousness. Initially they were occasional, but they're now occurring approximately every other day.

The episodes vary:

- Sometimes I become extremely difficult to arouse. My eyes close, I stop responding appropriately, and people have to repeatedly call my name or physically stimulate me before I respond. I often "jolt" awake briefly before drifting back into another episode.
- Other episodes involve complete loss of consciousness. On 6/2, after standing for several minutes, I lost consciousness for approximately 20-30 seconds. A witness reported my eyes were closed and that I had some leg twitching. When I woke up, I was confused and repeatedly asked, "Is this real?" and "Is this a dream?"
- My most recent episode occurred after I felt "off" while showering. I remember grabbing a towel and then have no memory until waking up on my bedroom floor approximately 7-10 minutes later. I experienced urinary incontinence during that episode.

These episodes have occurred while sitting, standing, lying down, in class, while shadowing in clinic, watching TV, during conversations, and previously while driving. Because of these episodes, I am no longer driving.

Other symptoms include:
- Heart rate fluctuations from around 60 bpm at rest to as high as 170 bpm, especially with standing or minimal activity.
- Lightheadedness and dizziness, particularly when standing.
- Burning or pulsating headaches that feel different from my usual migraines.
- Memory problems and significant periods of lost time.
- Tingling in my feet.
- Decreased grip strength and generalized weakness, especially before episodes.
- Nausea with occasional vomiting.
- A sensation like my body is in a "wave pool" or dropping, followed by an intense awareness of my heartbeat.
- Occasional bluish discoloration of my lips, although my pulse oximeter is usually 92-98%.

Earlier this year I also developed noticeable changes in color vision, increased floaters, and reduced peripheral vision. Ophthalmology did not identify any structural abnormalities.

My past history includes what was thought to be a possible focal seizure around 6th grade and an episode of sudden left-sided weakness a few years ago that was never explained.

Testing so far includes:
- CT head
- EKG
- Chest X-ray
- Routine blood work
- Zio Patch (results still pending)
- Cardiology follow-up this Friday

I also have a history of anxiety, but these episodes feel completely different from my panic attacks and often occur when I don't feel anxious.

I'm a premed student, so I know enough medicine to realize there are many possible explanations, but I'm also aware that it makes it difficult to look at my own symptoms objectively. I'm trying not to jump to conclusions and instead understand what an appropriate differential diagnosis might look like while I wait for my appointments.

My questions are:

1. What diagnoses would reasonably be on your differential based on this presentation?
2. Are there additional neurologic or cardiac tests that would commonly be considered?
3. Is there anything in this history that stands out as particularly concerning or that I should make sure to bring up at my cardiology appointment this Friday?

The best way to describe it is it feels like I’m not getting enough air and someone is sitting on my chest right before these episodes.
I understand no one can diagnose me over Reddit, but I'd really appreciate any educational insight. Thank you.

Hi everyone. I'm a 19-year-old female currently being evaluated by both neurology and cardiology, and I'm looking for educational input while I wait for more testing. I'm not looking for a diagnosis—I'm just curious if these symptoms sound familiar to anyone or what questions I should ask my neurologist.

Over the past several months, I've been experiencing recurrent episodes of impaired awareness and loss of consciousness that have become more frequent. They're now happening about every other day.

The episodes vary in severity:
- Sometimes I become extremely difficult to arouse. My eyes close, I stop responding appropriately, and people have to repeatedly call my name or physically stimulate me before I respond.
- Other times I completely lose consciousness. One episode lasted approximately 20-30 seconds, and some body twitching.
- These episodes have happened in class, during conversations, while shadowing, and previously while driving. Because of this, I am no longer driving.

Other symptoms I've been experiencing include:
- Brain fog and memory lapses, including not remembering parts of conversations or drives.
- Dizziness and lightheadedness, especially when standing.
- Burning headaches.
- Tingling in my feet and occasional decreased grip strength.
- Nausea with occasional vomiting.
- Episodes of sweating and generally feeling unwell.
- Significant heart rate fluctuations, ranging from around 60 bpm at rest to as high as 170 bpm with standing or minimal activity.

So far I've had a CT scan of my head, an EKG, routine blood work, and wore a cardiac monitor. I'm currently undergoing evaluation by both cardiology and neurology.

My question is whether these episodes of impaired awareness and loss of consciousness sound like something neurologic that you've seen before, or if there are specific tests or questions I should discuss with my neurologist. Again, I'm not asking anyone to diagnose me—I'm just hoping to better understand what possibilities are typically considered.

Thank you for any insight.

Hi everyone. I'm a 19-year-old female looking for educational input while I'm being evaluated by cardiology and neurology. I'm not looking for a diagnosis, just wondering what conditions or cardiac issues these symptoms might make you think of.

For the past several months I've been having episodes where my heart rate fluctuates dramatically. My resting heart rate is usually around 60 bpm, but it frequently increases to 150-170 bpm with standing or even minimal activity. Sometimes it drops back down just as quickly.

I've also been experiencing:
- Recurrent episodes of loss of consciousness or near loss of consciousness occurring every other day or so.
- One episode where I was completely unresponsive for approximately 20-30 seconds with some leg twitching afterward.
- Multiple episodes where I suddenly become extremely difficult to arouse. My eyes close, I stop responding appropriately, and people have to repeatedly call my name or physically stimulate me before I respond. These episodes have happened in class, during conversations, while shadowing, and previously while driving. Because of these episodes, I am no longer driving.
- Dizziness and lightheadedness, especially when standing.
- Burning headaches.
- Nausea with occasional vomiting.
- Brain fog and memory lapses.
- Tingling in my feet and occasional decreased grip strength.
- Episodes of sweating and feeling generally unwell.
- Occasional bluish discoloration of my lips, although my pulse oximeter is usually between 92-98%.

So far I've had an EKG, CT scan of my head, chest X-ray, routine blood work, and wore a cardiac monitor. I'm currently being evaluated by both cardiology and neurology.

I'm mainly wondering what cardiac conditions could present with recurrent episodes of impaired awareness/loss of consciousness together with heart rate fluctuations from around 60 to 170 bpm. Are there specific cardiac conditions or tests I should discuss with my cardiologist?

I understand no one can diagnose me online, but I'd really appreciate any educational insight or thoughts.

pls upvote

Incoming junior—thinking about switching from pre-PA to MD. How am I looking so far?

I'm currently a pre-PA student, but over the past several months I've been seriously considering pursuing medical school instead. I'm most interested in MD programs, although I'm definitely not opposed to DO schools either (especially since I live in Texas). I'm still early enough in undergrad that I have time to make the decision, so I'd really appreciate honest feedback.

Current stats:
\- cGPA: 3.4
\- sGPA: 3.2
\- Incoming junior

I'm hoping to continue an upward trend with upper-level science courses over the next four semesters, including Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, Immunology, Microbiology, Genetics, and other advanced biology courses.

Projected activities by the time I apply:
\- 4 semesters of undergraduate research w/ bio dept
\- 2 semesters as a Biology Statistics Teaching Assistant
\- 2,700–3,200+ clinical hours as a CNA
\- Phlebotomy certification
\- 120+ hours of physician and PA shadowing (multiple specialties)
\- Leadership positions in multiple campus organizations
\- Consistent community service throughout college
\- Planning to participate in several international medical mission trips
\- First-generation college student from a rural, medically underserved community

I know my GPA is probably the weakest part of my application right now, and improving it is my biggest academic priority.

If you were advising someone in my position who's leaning toward medical school, what would you recommend I focus on over the next two years? Would you feel that this trajectory is still competitive for MD, or would you encourage me to lean more toward DO? I'd appreciate any honest feedback.

Incoming junior looking for feedback on my PA school application so far. I know my GPA isn't the strongest part of my application, so I've been trying to build a well-rounded application everywhere else. Planning on applying May 2028.

Current stats:
- Overall GPA: 3.4
- Science GPA: 3.2
- Health Studies major (Pre-PA) with a Biology minor
- Heavy upper-level science coursework ahead (Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, Immunology, Microbiology, etc.)

By the time I apply (planned 2028 cycle), I expect to have:
- 2,700-3,200+ PCE hours as a CNA (currently 800+ hours)
- Phlebotomy certification
- 200+ shadowing hours (urgent care PA, orthopedic MD, plus multiple virtual specialties)
- 4 semesters of undergraduate research
- Leadership in my university's Pre-PA Society and other campus organizations
- Consistent volunteering throughout college
- Several medical mission trips
- First-generation college student from a rural medically underserved community

I'm working hard to show an upward trend academically while strengthening the rest of my application.

For those of you who were accepted with similar GPAs (around a 3.3-3.5 cumulative and 3.1-3.3 science), what helped your application stand out? Anything you'd recommend I focus on over the next two years?