[Zeke]

Actually, I've had a handful of similar experiences, but most of them predate this site (yep, all nine years of it). I collapsed after running for the bus once, and on another occasion I fainted on my front step after my first bike ride in a long time. The most recent collapse happened at home in Waterloo, back in '05 or so. Exertion or stress seems to be the only common element.

I got checked out at the hospital the last two times this happened; the bus incident was especially worrying since I fell down in the road (fortunately, the driver was doing his job and stopped well in advance). But the tests never turned up anything. This time was different in a couple of ways -- it was more severe than the others and it happened in the middle of a cafeteria line. The people around were very helpful; they called the paramedics right away and kept an eye on me till they arrived. It would have been much worse if I'd been alone, assuming I took the same damage on the way down. (The floor did a number on my back, and I chomped my tongue hard enough that it looked like I was bleeding from the mouth while I was out.)

Anyway, the doc wouldn't say for sure that it's epilepsy. Even if it is, I'm in no immediate danger. I got some tests on the day itself and I'm supposed to go back for an MRI; I'll also be seeing a neurologist. Otherwise I'm okay. Back's still sore, but getting better. And the rest of the math camp went smoothly.

Wowbagger: You may actually be surprised how close that is. Or you may not.