Anxiety about the adrenaline rushes

[mollydoll]

Hello,

I have POTS and i get days where my adrenaline rushes keep happening throughout the day. I recent had a week without them and I was so happy but they are back today. I had a stressful night last night I don't know if that had anything to do with it. Anyway, I am seeking reassurance that as long as my heart is "healthy" that these won't harm me? It's hard enough because they give that "doom" feeling but I need better self talk and I'm scared to google it. 

[angelloz]

When I get the doom feeling I do the in-breath to the count of eight...hold a bit the out-breath to the count of 12. It helps me a bit. It is an awful feeling so I totally understand. 

 

[kalamazoo]

adrenaline rushes were the start of my POTS symptoms years ago. Doctors told me I had anxiety and panic and that I was having panic attacks. Well little they did they find out that I had hyper POTS and it was something along the lines of excess adrenaline being released etc. I would look into it, don't believe it's just simply black and white. Adrenaline rushes aren't dangerous from what I have been told and I've had my heart checked out several times. I've been having them for about 15 years now.

[kalamazoo]

One odd way I cope with them is I tap on my collar bones so it drowns out how fast my pulse is going and I can't feel it and then I count the tapping and eventually I can calm down. That works for me anyways.

[BuffRockChick]

I used to do deep breathing but it never worked. Most recently, I noticed shortness of breath and elevated heart rate while driving. I was not cognitively anxious, so I was able to quickly deduce I was experiencing blood pooling. I chugged a soda ( caffeine for vasoconstriction) and turned the air conditioning on max with just floor vents on to chill my legs.  It worked! My heart rate dropped and the edgy, unsettled feelings went away too.

[mollydoll]

Thanks for these answers. I get so scared my heart is being damaged but I try to block that out.

[HangingByAThread]

I get the adrenaline rushes as well but my heart is super-healthy.  Besides super-fast tachycardia, I think the adrenaline rushes are the worst symptom ever!  They were enough to drive me crazy and keep me from getting any sleep.  Most doctors looked at me like I was nuts but my endocrinologist believed me and kept testing me again and again for an adrenaline-producing tumor (all those test were negative).  I now take a low dose of Methyldopa (it blunts the adrenaline rushes) and also helps to lower my blood pressure/heart rate a bit when I'm standing.  One specialist I saw suggested beta blockers but then I since found out that (due to other medical issues) I definitely should not take beta blockers so then a specialist at Vanderbilt prescribed the Methyldopa.  Once in a while I can feel a very blunted surge coming on but the panic is gone, I don't jump or shake, etc. - their intensity has gone from a level 10 down to a 1 (I am hyperandrenergic).  I also found that when I had all that adrenaline cursing through me, it helped to get up and do something - no matter how tired I was - like clean the house or vacuum the rug - it more normal to me to engage in an activity that "released" the adrenaline rather than lie down or sit watching tv.  I also find that the more I exercise each day, the less I get the episodes of adrenaline. 

[Lily]

As far as I know a healthy heart will not be damaged by adrenaline rushes.  

[Jemima]

Did fluteocortisone or Clonipine help with adrenal surges...I feel a constant adrenal surge most of the day particulalry in the morning and am finding it unbearable.

[katcanny]

My adrenaline rushes were horrible constant uncontrollable shaking, fast breathing and they would happen at night mostly. My doc put me on a beta blocker and they have stopped I feel the surge about to happen then my body sort of jolts and then it stops, extremely weird sensation but apparently normal.