Wondering if I have dysautonomia?

[yellowrose2277]

Hi, All! I have noticed all my life that I had bad "head rushes" upon standing up, especially when stooping down. I would get really dizzy and feel my heart beating hard. I've been through a period of intense panic attacks for the past 5 weeks, in which I've had fast heartbeats that the doctors can't find a reason for (my cardiac tests are all normal). I have these intermittently and they are controlled by Xanax. I have started to have a really rapid heartbeat upon waking up in the morning and getting out of bed. My heart will go up to 130 bpm or more within a few minutes of getting out of bed. It is very distressing. I take Xanax for it but it takes a while to get my bpms down. Does this sound like a dysautonomia problem to any of you? Thanks!

[morgan617]

welcome! yea what you describe fits into orthostatic intolerance problems. but what does your doctor say? it's important to let him/her know this is happening and maybe have your blood pressure and pulse taken in his office, going from lying to standing. however don't let them take it immediately. wait until you start having the symptoms. also have you been tested for thyroid, or anything else? the problem with POTS is that it can also mimic a lot of other things, so it's sometimes a matter of ruling out other things till you get to pots. this site has lots of info on pots and orthostatic intolerance and you should read about it. i am sorry you are having these problems, because they really bite, but it is really important for you to get a very thorough physical, including blood work. sometimes it takes a long time and can be very frustrating, but we are always here and will help you as much as possible. good luck. morgan

[Merrill]

As Morgan said, Welcome here! I'd talk to your doctor about getting a tilt table test (which helps to diagnose POTS) ... My cardiac tests all were normal too, and it's important that you've had those ... but my TTT was postive for POTS.

In the meantime, seriously up your salt and fluid intake and get yourself some 30-40 compression hose (if you've got health insurance, a doctor's prescription will mean the cost will be covered--order/buy through medical supply store).

Good luck,

Merrill

[Ernie]

I would ask my doctor for a TTT.

Ernie

[ethansmom]

I agree, the Tilt Table Test is the best way to rule out dysautonomia (or diagnose it!). The symptoms you have are ones we are all familiar with, but the previous posts mentioned that autonomic problems can mimic so many other things. I would definitely have it checked out by a specialist. Good luck

[friday]

  it's important to let him/her know this is happening and maybe have your blood pressure and pulse taken in his office, going from lying to standing.  however don't let them take it immediately. 

I just wanted to add, you have to get them to check you BP that way. Most of the time they'll just do it sitting. Also it doesn't always happen everytime, so It'd be good if you could get the TTT. I knew nothing about the TTT when I suspected something up with my BP and heart rate. I would tell the docs, but since my bp was low normal sitting, they'd say that was good. Getting the home BP monitor for me was good because it allowed me to check things myself. From Lying down, to standing up, to Standing for ten minutes. When I did it over and over and kept getting the same results POTS patients did, it gave me confidence to fight with the doctors and get them to listen to me. Finally they started to realize I had a major point. I wish someone had just given me a TTT in the first place.

Friday.

[yogini]

Do you have any of the other symptoms of POTS? (If you go to potsplace.com and click on "Symptoms" you will see the common symptoms) What is your blood pressure? If your heart is racing shortly after you stand up, there is defintely a chance you have POTS and you should talk to a cardiologist as soon as you can. But there are endocrine, neurological and other conditions other which have symptoms similar to POTS. So it may be better to wait to try anything until you talk to a Dr., except drinking lots of water to make sure you're well hydrated.