Mcad Flushing

[summer]

Some things I have read here have me wondering about MCAD. I have been diagnosed with POTS, and it seems to be the hyperadrenergic type. For a long time I have had occassional flushing, especially in the evenings. I used to often get it while working the evening shift, especially if it was very busy at work. People used to comment on it. My ears and cheeks would feel like they were burning. I had no idea why this would happen while I was working, but knew it did not seem to happen to others. Does this sound like the flushing that might happen with MCAD? It does not happen every day - perhaps two or three times a month.

Thanks,

Summer

[janiedelite]

I'd love to know more about this too! For me, it usually happens with too much talking or stress (like at Drs appts) and starts in my face but spreads to my ears, scalp and neck. Even my torso gets pink. My hands and feet are usually pale and cold and sweaty. Benadryl helps somewhat, although it takes a couple hours to be of benefit. I've tried taking H1 and H2 blockers daily but my POTS and flushing seemed to be unchanged. I wonder if the benadryl helps just because it calms my sympathetic nervous system a bit?

[ramakentesh]

when my pots is bad and im feeling like im going to faint while simultaneously shaking and getting all quesy I have noticed that my throat area gets SUPER RED AND HOT. Its quite noticable. No idea why but I always assumed it was to do with the catorid arteries being constricted by too much sympo activity.

[summer]

Thanks for the replies. Yes, I'm not sure... maybe it's just POTS... The thing that made me wonder more recently is that I was taking Zantac for acid reflux, but about a week ago I switched to a Proton Pump Inhibitor, and since coming off Zantac, I have had several flushing episodes, which is more than my usual. I have not had an increase in my other symptoms, though.

I would say that my flushing can be related to stressful events like appts, but it does not neccessarily happen during, but more often after - sometimes lasting for a couple of hours. I would not say I have anxiety with it either. It just seems to happen if I've been "pumped up" for some reason - like an appointment, Christmas dinner, housework... Does this sound familiar to anyone?

[toddm1960]

I seem to have the flushing all the time, but like you when something happens it worsens. I'm also on Zegrid (PPI) now, but I don't see any difference from when I was taking Nexium. I wish doctors in my area knew more about any of this, I seem to have to bring them idea I read on a few of these message boards. Good luck with your flushing and let us know if you find anything out.

[Potsie007]

I'm a newbie here for the most part, but what I've observed with myself is that in the beginning, I'd get flushing at random times. It would last anywhere from several minutes to an hour or far more. Now, 6 months into POTS, I notice that it mostly appears when I've been thinking of something that makes me nervous/anxious/stressed, and it usually lasts just several minutes now. After all I've read, my hunch is that it is related to adrenaline/hormones, but I'm not sure what's happening scientifically. I've weaned away from most of my meds, yet I still get them. Now, intstead of feeling like I'm on fire, I feel like I've got the cool breeze of a York Peppermint Pattie rushing through my hair/face/neck/shoulders/arms/upper back! lol I'd now describe mine like someone has put Icy Hot all over my face/neck/shoulders/arms/upper back. Strange.......I so want to get to the bottom of it all!

[valliali]

Flushing was actually my first symptom. I went one day from never having turned red in my whole life to suddenly turning beet red and burning for hours. It was so bad for the first year that I had all these broken blood vessels on my face, which fortunately are much improved. At first, my flushing was strongly connected to anxiety - talking to people, going to doctors, etc - as well as cold to warm. Then, the flushing was really only when my body temp was low, then I became warm, in which case my body temp shot up and I flushed and turned really red for many, many hours. Now, three years later, I am much improved since those days and my flushing is mitigated quite a bit. When I am cold and then take a warm shower or spend time in a warm room, I will notice my face turn a bit red and it feels quite hot, but it's nothing compared to the first year.

I went to a prime rosacea specialist, certain that I had rosacea, and he pretty much laughed me out of his office. He is the only doctor to have made me cry. He told me it was ridiculous that I thought I had rosacea when it's so obviously an autonomic problem. I didn't think it was that ridiculous of a thought considering rosacea is really the only condition that describes bright red burning flushing that can last for ten plus hours, but I guess he assured me that this isn't what I have and it does have to do with a whacky ANS.

I find the flushing to probably be my worst symptom. Maybe because I am just a bit more conscious about my appearance, but I would honestly rank the benign flushing as worse than the crazy heart rates and palpitations.