AllAboutPeace Posted February 25, 2012 Report Share Posted February 25, 2012 I read a past post about some people having an ANS "reset" after syncope. I know this sounds crazy, but I had a "reset" after a sneezing fit. My POTS came on suddenly and has been with me for the past 4 months (I rarely leave the house except for doc appts). There was one day in January however that I woke up 'potsy' as usual. I dragged myself out of bed after a symptomatic night to go to the bathroom and was short of breath, as usual. I took my blood pressure which was low - as usual. It was no different than any other day, then I sneezed about 8 times.Once I realized that I actually survived the violent sneezing (I'm sure you are all aware how brutal that can be when you already feel awful- chest, head and overall pain), I discovered that I could stand without my heart rate shooting up. My heart rate and blood pressure were perfect! I repeated the supine/ standing bp and hr all afternoon and it remained perfect for 8 hours! Knowing what I know now, I wish I would have gone out to participate in society...It has never happened again and other than that one time, I haven't had breaks in the symptoms at all. My internist was quite curious to see my journal for that day and all of the bp and hr numbers - but of course he couldn't explain it. He did joke though, that maybe I should be adding pepper to my salt and water regimen!Does anyone have any ideas or experience with this??BTW...I'm new here and appreciate any feedback you might have Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corina Posted February 26, 2012 Report Share Posted February 26, 2012 hi allaboutpeace, welcome at the forum!i haven't heard of reset after sneezing before, but maybe others have?hope you find the answers you're looking for and the info you might want here at the website and forums! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
julieph85 Posted February 26, 2012 Report Share Posted February 26, 2012 OMG!!!! This exact same thing happens to me and I thought I was either the only one or I was crazy! I feel SO much better after I sneeze. It is the weirdest thing but it is like instant relief from the shortness of breath an dizziness. I actually feel a sense of well being after and just like you my OI is much better for a few minutes afterwards. It has got to be some sort of neurotransmitter release from the sneezing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lgtaylor100 Posted February 26, 2012 Report Share Posted February 26, 2012 I find that when I am nauseated (not a common symptom with me) I sometimes sneeze just once and I am no longer nauseated.I could never understand it, but what Julie said sounds right- a neurotransmitter release from the sneezing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinkerbella Posted February 26, 2012 Report Share Posted February 26, 2012 Maybe we should sniff pepper everyday for a good old sneeze or two ~ Salt and pepper, shake, shake, shake. Salt and pepper sneeze reset! Sounds good to me!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AllAboutPeace Posted February 26, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 26, 2012 Thank you for your responses! I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one who has experienced it.It was the only time I even came close to feeling like the old me - like someone flipped a switch - and then it was back. I have sneezed since then with no affect, but I haven't sneezed that many times in a row. I don't have access to any docs who know anything about POTS, so I'm not sure if a specialist would have any ideas about it. That's probably when I'd get that "you-must-be-out-of-your-mind look".Hmmm, I'll have to get educated on the neurotransmitters. One of these days I will be desperate enough to go for the pepper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wendy C. Posted February 26, 2012 Report Share Posted February 26, 2012 That is interesting! I think I've experienced relief from sneezing, too, but never really put two and two together about it. I will keep an eye on it in the future, to notice better if it helps me. I wonder if sneezing is like a violent version of a vagal maneuver, since a cough is one?If I go outside on a sunny day and look up at the sun for a brief moment, I can usually make myself sneeze, so perhaps that'd work for others instead of pepper... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunny Posted February 27, 2012 Report Share Posted February 27, 2012 Maybe I'm just an oddball, but sneezing usually makes me very dizzy. BUT say 10 mins afterwards, I'm not sure. I can't say I've ever noticed. I have a slight cold at the moment so I'll keep an eye on it. I'm curious now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bellgirl Posted February 27, 2012 Report Share Posted February 27, 2012 Could be considered a Valsalva Maneuver, depending on how you sneeze, which temporarily can reset the ANS. Are you holding your breath? Also the vagus nerve is also affected in ANS disorders; now they have Vagal pacemakers for those with uncontrollable seizures, interesting...You just sparked some more medical research ideas for me...I'll be looking into it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AllAboutPeace Posted February 27, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2012 Kim, I also wondered about the vagus nerve because of the fact that others had mentioned a reset after syncope. I'm only starting to climb up the steep learning curve though, so I'm open to any and all speculations! I'm not sure if I was holding my breath or not - it is possible I was - with 8 sneezes all together like that. I'm not familiar with the Valsalva Maneuver, so I'm going to look it up. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilawhiehead Posted June 17, 2021 Report Share Posted June 17, 2021 I sneeze quite often when I start to have POTS symptoms and the sneezing usually makes me feel much better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James420 Posted 22 hours ago Report Share Posted 22 hours ago How about feeling the sensation of a sneeze coming, accompanied with nausea and vomiting? This happens to me ALL THE TIME. I have high blood pressure and take meds for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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