Radha Posted May 16, 2007 Report Share Posted May 16, 2007 do any of you get startled very very easily, i mean when someone just talks suddenly even if they are not talking loudly, or if you hear a sudden noice and its not even that loud?? i always feel like i am about to jump out of my skin, and it just feels so so terrible and i cant even have a normal conversation with anyone for fear they will just talk suddenly! and when i get tense and startled, it takes a while to calm down and relax again, is this a part of POTS, is there any scientific reasoning for this? i would really appreciate any input, thanksradha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lukkychrm42 Posted May 16, 2007 Report Share Posted May 16, 2007 Absolutely.Any sudden noise or sometimes movement or something, and I "jump" and it sets the heart off. I dunno why, other than supposing that since that part of the nervous system is overactive anyway, the body overreacts to every little thing. It stinks, especially if you're trying to sleep, study, work, or something. To calm things down quickly, I just take deep breaths and wait! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanniBunny Posted May 16, 2007 Report Share Posted May 16, 2007 Same here. 'since that part of the nervous system is overactive' - makes so much sense to me, I can't believe I never heard it in those words, sheds a whole new light on my jumpyness - I also have overly sensative joint reflexes, I wonder if that now could be related as well. I've been startled out of the beginning of naps so may times, I've given up on trying to get one most days. It's hard for me to get back to a state where I can relax enough again to fall asleep fully. It also gives me troubles while I'm trying to get school work accomplished - drives me crazy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MomtoGiuliana Posted May 16, 2007 Report Share Posted May 16, 2007 Yes this happens to me and it is embarrassing at times! Last week our office secretary came in my office and I didn't see her until she started talking and I jumped out of my chair (almost literally). She apologized and I felt ridiculous.Katherine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellen Posted May 17, 2007 Report Share Posted May 17, 2007 Definitely Yes, it IS embarassing- my family knows not to enter the room suddenly because I also jump out of my skin when startled. Oh well, it's the least of my symptoms. Nice to know we're not alone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldicedance Posted May 17, 2007 Report Share Posted May 17, 2007 I startle very easily as well. However, I think that many people, including those without POTS, startle just as easily. I can remember the "startle response," going back some 40 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doctorguest Posted May 17, 2007 Report Share Posted May 17, 2007 Startle response is mediated by many structures, including parts of the brain, as well as the peripheral autonomic nervous system. It's a very primitive reflex that is also a component of the "fight and flight" system. Increased startle response can be seen in many neurologic diseases, but what is pertinent to this discussion is that it can indicate "an overactive state of alertness". It can also be associated with anxiety states, as both anxiety and autonomic dysfunction are mediated by the same output system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maxine Posted May 17, 2007 Report Share Posted May 17, 2007 Since being a small child I have had this problem of being startled, but mostly by loud noises. I had a fear of balloons as a child. I love them now----but I still fear the loud noise if they pop. However, I think anyone who doesn't expect a balloon to pop will jump, but for me the effect just lasts longer.I think it's just lovely that we have a guy down the street that loves to light those m-80 fireworks/or whatever it is he lights------------sounds like a major bomb if you ask me. There is no warning, just the loud explosions.I also find that I'm over stimulated very easily-----------------bright lights, loud TVs, loud music, and even watching a action flick can mess me up for a night---maybe longer.Here's s funny thing. I have two cat's, one of them being a long hair, and once in a while I see a little hair ball flying accross the floor. Sometimes I mistake it for one of those centipedes because they run so fast. I jump out of my skin, then I'm overstimulated for a while. I'm just wondering if this is just another part of ANS dysfunction also.Maxine :0) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yogini Posted May 17, 2007 Report Share Posted May 17, 2007 I'm definitely hypersensitive to sensory stimulation. I keep my phone unplugged a lot of the time because I jump a mile every time it rings. Bright lights are awful, and I even wear sunglasses indoors sometimes too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Radha Posted May 17, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 17, 2007 wow! its so great to know i am not the only one, but this problem really really interferes with daily life, my mom who is my primary caregiver is so understanding, i have told her to just not talk to me at all because i just cannot stand getting startled because it takes so so long to calm down again and if happens even few times, i get very emotional, angry and even cry. and if she does have to tell me something i need her to put her finger up and give me plenty of warning, its that bad, and i cant handle a normal conversation with anyone in person or on phone for fear they will talk suddenly, even if its not shouting, is there anything other than drugging yourself with tons of xanax or valium to help this? thanks again for all your replies,radha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lthomas521 Posted May 17, 2007 Report Share Posted May 17, 2007 I think I would try a beta blocker before a tranquilizer, for excessive "startle" in POTS. The beta blocker will probably work better, and it's not habit-forming. Magnesium supplementation might also help. Magnesium deficiency causes excessive "startle" responses. If you are taking Florinef, you probably need a magnesium supplement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandy Posted May 17, 2007 Report Share Posted May 17, 2007 I'm known as the jumpy queen. I jump and get scared over every little noise, and I am so sensitive in the car with other people driving. I drive people crazy while they are driving cause I always feel like other people get to close to us or like we are going to hit something.. It's annoying for me and for the people I am driving with.. I have such a sensitivity to sounds and sudden motions. I work in a spa and salon for dogs and evertime I am working on an animal and he flinches it sends me to the moon. I have all my coworkers laughing at me.. It's relly pretty funny... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yogini Posted May 17, 2007 Report Share Posted May 17, 2007 I've found that these type of ancillary symptoms seem to go away when my main POTS symptoms are under control. So rather than trying something like Xanax, my vote would be to stick with the more traditional POTS meds which help all of your symptoms as a whole. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Radha Posted May 18, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 18, 2007 i am already taking alot of beta blockers and magnesium supplements too, thanks so much for replying at least i dont feel so alone with this problem, wishing all of you well radha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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