Hi, newbie here. Would love and greatly appreciate input from anyone that is dealing with this overwhelming disease.
I have seen a cardiologist and a primary care/researcher locally (both have average knowledge), but they are not interested in figuring out what type of dysautonomia I have and treating it accordingly. I do not fit what they say is a POTS patient, but they agree I most likely have some type of dysautonomia and one even suggested MCAD due to my histamine sensitivity (get migraines if too much histamine, but no other reactions). I am super sensitive to meds now and I am terrified to be a human guinea pig. I failed the TTT and the poor man's tilt. That is the extent of testing they do locally, so they want to just try me on meds. So I live in the South and would prefer to fly to Vanderbilt, but my ultimate goal is to find someone who is curious and extremely knowledgable on all dysautonomia types. So my question is if you had to fly anyhow, where would you go...Vanderbilt, Mayo?
My main issue is my fast heart rate and the anxiety, fatigue, shakiness, brain fog and GI issues that comes from it. Migraines are a little better and controllable with rescue meds. I get a fast HR randomly through the month (I cannot find a pattern and have been using a calendar for months) and always get an uncomfortable spike after breakfast and lunch, but not dinner. When I am having flares, my HR stays in the high 90's/low 100's most of the day, so not crazy high, but I feel so incredibly bad.
I feel completely overwhelmed by all of this and really need some answers. I do understand treatment is a little trial and error, but I have read that some meds can help vs harm depending on what type you have.
I am not a beta blocker candidate due to low BP. Cardiologist has suggested a Corlenor trial, but I am scared because on my non flares days my standing HR can be in the 60-70 range. Claritin and Zantac were suggested to try for MCAD. Claritin possibly helps, Zantac lowers my stomach acid too much and then I have more digestive issues. I do take digestive enzymes at every meal and a histamine blocker as needed.
My history:
1993: mono
1993: migraines started and averaged 4-5/month
1989-2006: 7 or 8 neurocardiogenic syncope episdoes with seizure like movements all pain induced. Last episode/2006 I was put on Lexapro 5mg. *Health is overall good with the exception of the migraines and rare syncope.
2011-severe fatigue, flu like body aching start, no problems with HR or other dysautonomia symptoms
2015 (may)-almost daily migraines, decide to stop lexapro to see if that is making migraines and health worse. Start a diet high in potassium and salt (Stanton Migraine protocol). no problems with HR or other dysautonomia symptoms
2015(nov): diagnosed with lyme and heavy metals (they suspect Ive had for a long time), start doing IV ozone, IV UVBI, and IV vitamins.
2015 (dec): after 4 weeks of IV treatment I start having severe reactions (extremely high HR, body tremors, hot/cold, panic attacks, diarrhea etc). Start reacting to all vitamins and meds I am taking. No history of anxiety or depression prior to this.
2016 (Jan-June): a week of feeling 80% healthy and normal and then the next week would be extreme with full on panic attacks, high heart rates, hot/cold, GI issues and what felt like adrenaline running through my veins. averaging 10-12 days a month where I am functional. I cannot keep weight on and loose weight everytime these episodes come on.
2016-CURRENT: Still no syncope episodes since 2006. Cortisol is high, which is adding to the severity of symptoms. No more panic, just manageable anxiety. Brain fog and numb to the world feeling is frequent though. Dizziness is getting more severe. Still reacting to baby doses of supplements I am trying. Averaging 5 days a month I am functional.