Is This Normal For An Adrenaline Surge?

[icesktr189]

I am prone to anxiety attacks, but I truley believe that I have been having adrenaline surges. Problem is when I tell my doctor my symptoms, he tells me its anxiety (he does know that I have adrenaline issues).

Is it normal to have your mind race when you have one? I am not talking about having crazy thoughts about going crazy or dying, but I feel like I took a hit of cocaine or something when I have one. My thoughts go kind of crazy where I cant stop thinking about one thing or another, and I have severe tachycardia. HOWEVER I dont feel that "gloom" i get when I have a panic attack.

This morning I woke up and went to the bathroom and layed back down in bed and had one. I was trying to watch tv while it was happening, but I couldnt concentrate, so I then tried to fall back asleep but I kept feeling shaking and couldnt stop moving my legs and arms. After 20 mins of laying there it passed and I feel asleep.

I dont EVER get these laying down. They always happen when I am moving around and my bp drops. Laying down for about 15 to 20 mins stops them completely. Does this sound like it could be anxiety or POTS? I used to be so sure of the difference between the two, but when I have those racing thoughts where I cant turn my mind off, it makes me think different.

[Angelika_23]

Dani,

I can get adrenaline surges at any time. My worst ones have been while I've been asleep, and I wake up and my body is shivering in waves and my heart is racing. While those are happening, it is impossible to not be anxious! I find that Klonopin helps keep these in check. Well, any of the surges really.

So, in short I guess, I think the surges cause anxiety of some degree,(how could they not?) not the other way around. But I'm not a doctor, so that is just my opinion.

I hope this helps,

Angela

[the4richards]

dani,

I was not prone to anxiety prior to POTS. However, that was my worst symptom. I would have it sometimes during an attack, sometimes when I was "normal" and just sitting there doing nothing. I resisted about 3 months and finally took 1/2 a xanax. What a difference. I kicked myself for not doing it earlier. I was prescribed 15 pills and now, 1 1/2 years later I still have 3 left, so I am NOT abusing them. I found that when I was really strung I could take 1/4 and get passed the bad time until my hr and bp settled to "normal". I didn't need it often as I was gradually getting better as my body adjusted to changes I was making.

SO...I think anxiety is a symptom. There are LOTS of alternatives to deal with it. Xanax is an option but not one I would have used if I had to use it often as it can be addictive. But thank God it was there!

Donna

[starby]

I sympathise. While I can't say what you're experiencing, I'm well aware of the very subtle differennce in myself between an anxiety attack and an addrenaline surge. The difficulty is the my doctor really doesn't have a clue and puts it all down to anxiety (I'm currently awaiting a diagnosis of pots from specialist). It is so hard to put this across because the symptoms are incredibly similar. My main difference is that with pots my heart rate usually (not always) calms on lying down and/or when all movement has ceased. With anxiety, it doesn't matter. Also, with anxiety there are usually triggering thoughts or emotions (such as grief or anger) beforehand. Adrennaline surges often occur when I'm particularly struggling, when I'm in a car, when there's a lot of movement around me or on waking up in the morning. It's hard but there is a difference. I hope you find some answers to what you're experiencing.

[potsgirl]

I also get some "racing thoughts" during some of my adrenaline surges, and I think that the surges help cause some anxiety. I have also taken Xanax or Klonopin to help with these, but not too often. Still, they really do help. Perhaps if you tried a small dose of Xanax when you get into this state, you can see if it helps. Then you'll know if you're also having some anxiety attacks along with the surges.

Good luck!

[sue1234]

Boy, it would have been good if you could have tested your blood sugar. I get adrenaline rushes all the time related to my hypoglycemia. It feels exactly like the last time I took cold medicine 15 years ago. I thought I was going to explode with anxiety, palpitations, (and probably high blood pressure, but I didn't check it) for a couple of hours--it was awful. I was pacing the floor(this was prePOTS).

Now when I get hypoglycemia, it is basically like the cold medicine episode. I get so shaky I can barely test my glucose levels, and am dropping things all over the place. My heart is racing, my blood pressure is up, and my thinking abilities are ONLY on getting sugar into my system. I absolutely could not concentrate on anything else, like watching tv, a conversation, etc. I totally understand what is happening to you. I don't get this from my POTS, even though I am hyperPOTS. With my POTS, my b/p goes waaay up, along with my pulse, my heart pounds, and I feel like I'm going to pass out. For some reason, I don't feel that explosion of anxiety like when my glucose drops.

[lieze]

The sensation I get with these is that my whole body is just going to explode or seizure.

It makes me just want to scream right out loud.

I can't take that type of hyperstimulatiom at all.

[sisblostg]

I have had some surges in the middle of the night. My heart will suddenly start going 140+ lying down. I have wondered if the sudden fast pulse causes the surge or vice versa (because it is scary to have your resting heart suddenly go so fast). I told my dr there was no way watching Family Matters at 4am on Nick at night was causing a panic! I'm sorry Urkel does not scare me or make me worry. I have also found that taking a small dose of klonopin regularly helps alot but not 100%. I still have 1 night episodes a month. Luckily I have an understanding husband who will sit up with me till I feel better or can get back to sleep or it is morning! If I get a surge at night I usually take an extra klonopin. It takes about 30-45 minutes to help.