FAQs for Young People
If you have been recently diagnosed with RAS, Syncope or POTS then you may have questions about how your condition might impact on school life, friends and activities. The FAQs page contains ‘real life’ questions from young people, just like you, with answers provided by STARS experts to deliver information and reassurance for other young people with similar concerns or worries.
All of the questions posted are regulated by STARS experts, ensuring that the content is appropriate and that no personal details are exposed, making it safe and secure for all members to read and learn from.
If your question has not been answered below, please email STARS providing details about your concern. Following your submission, you will receive a response by email and your question will be posted amongst the FAQs for other young people to learn from.
-
How do I explain to my friends about my condition?
The best way is to be honest and explain that RAS is a kind of faint which causes you to sometimes lose 
consciousness when you hurt yourself or have a shock. Although it is frightening to see they must not be frightened. This happens because you have a very sensitive vagus nerve which causes your heart to stop for a few seconds when it is ‘hurt’, but it will very soon start beating again and you will wake up, although you may be a little sleepy.
STARS offers Alert Cards which are the size of a credit card which provide key information on what to do in the event of an RAS or Syncope attack. These are perfect for school and can be passed discreetly to friends. The cards cost £1 for a pack of twenty and can be ordered from the STARS office. Either send a cheque, postal order for £1 or tape a £1 to a piece of paper and place in an envelope with your name and full address and send to STARS indicating whether you would like syncope or RAS Alert Cards. Please send requests to STARS for Alert cards to STARS, PO Box 175, Stratford Upon Avon, CV37 8YD
-
I have been diagnosed with RAS and my legs sometimes feel achy, is this normal?
Unfortunately, yes! This is very common in young people with RAS and some also complain of chest pains. Our STARS survey showed that 57% of young people complain of leg pains and 26% of chest pains. We do not know exactly why but it is an accepted symptom of this condition. The reassurance of gently rubbing your legs will help when this happens.
-
My sister who has RAS keeps holding her hands over her ears when I play music and won’t come to parties with me. Do other siblings who have
RAS act like this?
Young people who suffer with RAS are super-sensitive and everything seems twice as loud as it would to you or I. In fact it ‘hurts’ their ears. This is one of the reasons why your sister may prefer to play by herself and with just a few friends.
-
My teacher is worried about my diagnosis and will not let me take part in certain activities – can you help? How can I reassure her that I will be ok?
When someone does not understand a condition they are very cautious and it may be that your teacher has not heard of RAS. We at STARS have information sheets on RAS that you could show your teacher to help her learn about it. Have you seen these on our website? We also have a STARS Syncope Education DVD which will provide her and the other teachers at your school with lots of information on how to safely allow you to join in all the school activities so you can enjoy school life to the full. Why not ask your teacher to email us at info@stars.org.uk and we will send her a DVD.
STARS also offers alert cards which are a perfect way of passing information to your teachers discreetly. The Alert cards explain what to do in the event of a syncopal or RAS attack. The cards cost £1 for a pack of twenty and can be ordered from the STARS office. Either send a cheque, postal order for £1 or tape a £1 to a piece of paper and place in an envelope with your name and full address and send to STARS indicating whether you would like syncope or RAS Alert Cards. Please send requests to STARS for Alert cards to STARS, PO Box 175, Stratford Upon Avon, CV37 8YD
-
I really want to be like my friends and have my ears pierced, my parents have given their permission, but I am worried that I will have an attack, help!
Do not worry. It is usually the unexpected pain or surprise that causes an RAS attack. Firstly, as it is something that 
you would like, there will be no element of surprise and you should be aware that it may hurt and what the procedure entails. On the day, though your blood pressure will be higher through excitement, it is advisable to ensure that she has plenty to drink and something to eat to ensure she will not be dehydrated or suffering with low blood sugar. There is an anaesthetic cream which can be purchased from a pharmacy that will numb the skin. We suggest you check with the salon when you make the appointment that there would be no problem if this was used.