lfreem02

Has anyone noticed that there seems to be different types of lightheadedness? I have too much adrenaline being produced due to my ANS disorder. So, my blood pressure and heart rate go up without medication. I have experienced the type of lightheadedness that happens from getting up too quickly and blood pressure dropping, but I have had this other type of lightheadedness that seems to be caused by an issue with my brain and/or nervous system. I had an EEG done last year that showed activity in the left side of my brain during the strobe light part of the test, and experienced the scary lightheaded feeling that made me stop driving for about 10 months last year. I also noticed that after I started driving again I had the same response to sunlight reflecting off of cars. My doctor put me on a low dose of Klonopin a year ago, and I didn’t realize how much it was helping me. About a week ago I ran out of pills, and the prescription needed to be refilled. I went about a week without taking it hoping I wouldn’t notice a difference. Instead, the feeling that my electrical system was being turned off hit me while driving, and I had to pull over twice on my way to work. It happened a couple of more times. I took the Klonopin last night, and I am better today, and noticed my brain fog hasn’t been as bad. I was really struggling focusing and processing without the medication. I am trying figure out what is going on. The neurologist who reviewed the EEG said that he didn’t think it was a type of seizure. I would have preferred a more definitive response.

I started taking Lexapro about a year ago, and have gained 30+lbs. The only time I have weighed this much was when I was due to have my daughter. I eat a plant based/whole food diet, and exercise regularly. So, if anything, I should be losing weight. My doctor has agreed to change me to Zoloft, which I am doing tonight. Has anyone else made this change? Any side effects without tapering off one SSRI before starting another one? I am guessing since they are in the same family of drugs the change should result in minimal side effects. Also, has anyone noticed a decrease in weight when making a change from Lexapro to another SSRI?

Have you tried qigong? It helps to calm the autonomic nervous system, and there are exercise you can do while sitting at work or home. I found it very helpful in building up the strength in my legs. In a matter of a month of my onset my legs were so weak I couldn't walk a straight line at the nervous system clinic I went to. I had terrible shaking while doing some of the exercises that required squatting, but over time I was able to start jogging again. It is also very calming. You can also try taking vitamin D3, magnesium, and alpha lipoic acid (recommended by the Mayo clinic). I am working with a chiropractor to get off the medications I have been on, and resolve my issues in a more natural way.

I have been taking Lexapro for a year, and it has helped. I am also taking Atenolol, and Klonopin, so I am not sure how much it has helped on its own. I would be prepared for possible weight gain. I have never had issues with weight gain before. I went from 128lbs to 152lbs over the past year. I eat a plant based whole foods diet, and exercise, but I continue to gain weight. I also have issues with extreme abdominal bloating, which I think has played a part in lower back issues I have had over the past week. I tried taking Wellbutrin to offset the weight gain and fatigue, but it only took off a few pounds, and didn't help my bloating or fatigue. I am working with a chiropractor to address my Dysautonomia in a natural way, and also deal with the medication side effects. Dysautonomia appears to be a primary issue, because nothing else has been found to be causing it. So, we are looking at building up my adrenal function, reduce inflammation, and address compression in my spine. I am hoping to see big changes over the next few months. There is a lot of information online about the side effects of the different SSRIs and SSRNs.

I have been dealing with acid reflux, and other gastro issues for twenty years. I am not sure if it has anything to do with my Dysautonomia. Have you had an upper endoscopy? A biopsy can be done to determine if you have anything serious going on. I have Barrett's Esophagus, which causes no symptoms for me at this time, which is why my doctor has to keep a close eye on it. It can progress into cancer without me knowing. I did experience pain last year as a result of the Dysautonomia, and my gastro was able to eliminate any connections with the Barrett's or acid reflux issues with the pain I had. I have had to take Nexium for years, but haven't needed it for over this past year, because I elevated my bed for the Dysautonomia. My Dysautonomia symptoms started December 28, 2011. My doctor thinks it is hereditary, and that a virus I had at the time triggered my flare. I am still on medication and have milder symptoms, but I do have set backs that cause old symptoms to return. The past couple of weeks have been really bad with fatigue. Neuropathy symptoms have also returned in my left arm and both legs. I live in the Atlanta area, so I think the heat and humidity has a lot to do with it. I am hoping for a long cold winter. I am also going to try to visit family in Canada this winter. The weather there really agrees with me. Good luck!

The type of Dysautonomia that I have causes my heart rate and blood pressure to rise. I have never seen my blood pressure drop when I have had lightheaded and pre-syncope symptoms. Doctors were treating me for orthostatic hypotension, which was making my symptoms worse. Now that my hypertension is being treated with a beta blocker, I am doing much better with any type of exertion, which included getting out of bed, and walking.

I was on the generic form of Wellbutrin XL for a little over a month to help with fatigue and weight gain due to medication, but had an unexpected period two weeks in (I am on birth control pills that only allow for periods once every three months), and then started spotting heavily daily. Since I wasn't seeing any major benefits other than losing seven pounds, I stopped taking it. The nice thing for me was that Wellbutrin didn’t cause any other major side effects, and it was easy to stop taking. I have Dysautonomia that causes too much adrenaline to be produced, and am currently taking Lexapro, Atenolol, and Klonopin. I have seen improvement with all of my symptoms except for fatigue. I am trying different supplements, and diets to see if something will finally help. Hopefully the Wellbutrin will work for you.

I feel almost normal when exercising. I may get a little dizzy at times. The medication I started on in October is helping. I can jog or do other exercises, and when I stop, I don’t feel like I am going to pass out. Before the medication I couldn’t walk across campus and stop at an intersection without feeling like I was going to pass out crossing the street. I find that I don’t have to fidget like I used to when I stop moving. The time of day also makes a big difference for me. I ran a 5k last month in the morning and felt bad for days, but if I run the same distance in the evening, I feel fine.

I was told that I have hyperadrenergic Dysautonomia, and that it is hereditary. Some people can go a life time without major symptoms, but others are not so lucky. I read somewhere that his type of ANS disorder tends to be passed down from mother to daughter, but males can get it also. Here is an article that references information from Dr. Grubbs. http://www.hospitalsoup.com/hc/postural-orthostatic-tachycardia-syndrome-by-dr-blair-grubb/

I didn't drive for about eight months last year, but gradually started before Christmas. Medication has helped me to be able to make the 20 mile drive each way to and from work. I don't faint, but do have weird episodes from the sun. I am learning how to avoid and work through the episodes to make it a little easier.

I was emailed this article about weight gain from WebMD today. http://www.webmd.com/depression/features/antidepressants-weight-gain

looneymom - Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), alpha lipoic acid, and magnesium citrate.

I was told I have mild neuropathy on the left side of my body. I had a nerve conduction study done, and was also diagnosed based on symptoms. I was told it could be due to gluten, but after seven months of being on a gluten free diet, I didn't notice a difference. I have had improvements to my symptoms, but I think it is due to healing with time, supplements, and exercise.

abbyw - I have been on Lexapro since August and have gained 20 lbs. I haven't weighed this much since my third trimester of pregnancy. I have had people here at work who don't know I have Dysautonomia ask if I am pregnant. I am seeing the cardiologist next week, and hope to make a change. I was up to 15mg of Lexapro, and am back down to 5mg, but it is not helping with my weight. Have you been successful with losing the extra weight? I am less sleepy since I reduced the Lexapro dosage. Have you had any issues with being sleepy with Prozac?

My daughter and I jogged a 5k this past weekend. I signed up for it last year, but wasn't able to do it. I am hoping to work up to the 10k next year. I ran the Peachtree Rd Race after turning 30, which is a 10k, and wanted to run it last summer after turning 40, but it just didn't happen. My daughter ran ahead of me at the end of the race Saturday, and cheered me on as I crossed the finish line. Being able to drive us there, and jog the whole way was a big accomplishment after this past year of icky symptoms. We celebrated by going to IHOP for breakfast. It has been a rough week, but I am glad I did it. Even if you have to take it slow, and have to walk some of it, you will be glad you did it. It means a lot more when you have to work so hard for it. Good luck!!

I was told that my Dysautonomia is hereditary. My body produces too much adrenaline in response to any activity. From what I have read, hyperadrenic Dysautonomia is genetic, and can either stay dormant for a person's entire life, or pop up in response to trauma, viruses, etc. I can look back over my life and attribute different issues with autonomic nervous system causes. I had a summer of dizzy spells when I was around 10 yrs old. I have always been sensitive to heat. I was in a car accident when I was 19 yrs old, and started having gastro issues. I have been a vegetarian for 16 yrs because I have issues with digesting meat.

Additional salt didn’t help me. Neither did Fludrocortisone, Midodrine, abdominal binders, or compression stockings. This seems to be the standard treatment for Dysautonomia, or orthostatic intolerance. I think this is why one of the general practitioners I saw early on thought I was a hypochondrhyperac since none of it helped. I found out in October that my body produces too much adrenaline, so my heart rate and blood pressure increase. After 10 minutes on the treadmill my heart rate was 190, and my blood pressure was 200/100. So, the last thing I need to do is increase my blood pressure. If the above treatment doesn’t work, people shouldn’t give up or just keep doing it because that is what the doctors and websites tell them to do. It is important to push to determine why. That is how I found out I was taking the wrong medications, and increased salt was bad for me. I do drink 2-3 liters of fluids a day.

I live in Atlanta, and have seen a lot of good doctors at Emory. Unfortunately, none of them specialize in Autonomic Dysfunction. I went to see Dr. Phillip Watkins in Birmingham, AL in October, and will be seeing him again later this month. He and his staff are very good. Dr. Watkins is a Cardiologist and is able to do most of the tests in his office. I have been able to make adjustments to my medications by email and phone, which is great since it is a bit of a drive to go to the office. http://www.mvprolapse.com/

Blurred vision in my left was one of my initial symptoms a year ago. It took me a couple of months to finally see that my left pupil was dilated really big, while my right eye was normal. I even moved to another mirror with more lighting, and there was no change. The only thing the eye doctor found was that I have extremely dry eyes that she couldn't stop talking about. The blurred vision stopped suddenly, and I have read and have been told that pupil issues, and dry eyes can be related to dysautonomia. I have other vision issues that I think are directly related to the dysautonomia. Just recently after a month long cold, and two ruptured eardrums, I started experiencing what was like having hairspray in my left eye. My vision gets foggy, and I have to use a lot of eye drops. There is a neuro-opthamologist at the vision center I go to at Emory, so I need to make an appointment and make sure something serious isn't going on. Good Luck!!!

That was one of my initial symptoms. It only happens on the left side. I thought I was going to have a heart attack, because it and other symptoms I was having is on the list for a woman about to have a heart attack. It comes and goes.

I am wondering if anyone on this forum has experienced an episode like I have been experiencing for several years. It doesn’t happen often, but it has happened more times this year since I developed Dysautonomia. I have found it happens more often when I am lying in bed on my left side at night. I will get a feeling like blood is building up somewhere in my heart, and then all of a sudden it is released with great pressure. I usually lose my breath and cough. It doesn’t last long. The past couple of days I have been having mini episodes multiple times a day. I went to Canada (the cool dry air was wonderful) over Thanksgiving, and had some strange symptoms, and I have had a bit of a setback since I returned, so I am hoping that is what is causing it. I have been checked for mitral valve prolapse, so I am assuming that is not it.

I went to the Autonomic Disorders and MVP Center in Birmingham last week, and received a diagnosis of Dysautonomia. The doctor thinks my symptoms (since December) were triggered by ear issues. I had a double ear infection at the time, and have a long history of ear issues. I have been on Midodrine, Florinef, and Lexapro. The doctor told me that based on my stress test (after 10 mins my hr was 190 and my bp was 200/100), I have way too much adrenaline, and that I was on the wrong medications. I started on a higher dose of Lexapro (10mg – take at bedtime), Klonopin (.5mg – take at bedtime), and Atenolol (25mg – take at breakfast and dinner). I have been so drowsy since Saturday. I am having a tough time functioning, and don’t know if this is normal and will go away with time. I am supposed to check in with the doctor later this week, but am wondering if anyone else has had issues with this combination of medications.

I have the "video camera" vision issue also. I just started taking Klonopin a couple of days ago, and was told by the doctor that it should help. I hope he is right.

I also live in Atlanta, and have not found anyone who specializes in autonomic issues here. I have seen several specialists at Emory since my sudden onset of symptoms nine months ago, and have been referred to Vanderbilt. I am still waiting to get an appointment. I am seeing a specialist in Birmingham next week, who has come highly recommended by others on this site.

This is very helpful! I am seeing Dr. Watkins on the 17th. I live in Atlanta, so we are going to make it an overnight trip to avoid the morning Atlanta traffic. I don't need the extra stress of worrying about making it on time. I was surprised how quickly I was able to get an appointment, and they do seem very organized. I have been waiting for over a month and still have not heard about scheduling an appointment at Vanderbilt. I have had several EKGs, Echo and Echo Stress Test, Regular Stress Test, and Tilt Table Test. I am going to take the results with me in case they want to compare. I had an EEG done a couple of weeks ago, and it did show an imbalance in the brain, but I am not sure which side. The neurologist doesn’t think I am having seizures, but didn’t sound confident. Hopefully Dr. Watkins can finally get me on the right track.