Mindy Pettigrew

After about 8 years I have finally been officially diagnosed with Dysautonomia. 11 years ago I went through a very traumatic divorce leading me to leave state for my protection with the courts approval. Before then I live in constant fear and stress for 3 years straight. Once moved I came down with shingles two weeks after the move. And after about two months ther I noticed I could sit still my heart would POUND and race when I would get up in the mornings and I would have to sit while getting ready. It slowing got worse to where I was having severe tachycardia episodes even waking me from my sleep. I had so much anxiety inside that it felt like there was a “motor” vibrating inside my body. After 7 months I returned back to my home state in a deep depression. I had several ER trips just for them to say I had anxiety. I finally saw a cardiologist that prescribe a beta blocker which seems to help a lot except for it cause an even lower blood pressure. Eventually about two years later I had a cardiac ablation. It took them 3 hours to trigger the tachycardia area, and they burned it. It did honestly help. But two weeks later I was sent to the hospital by urgent care because I was so week because my blood pressure had bottoms out... 70/40. After a battery of tests the next morning the cardiologist walked in and said “tell me about your life the past few years, tell me what’s been going on.” So reluctantly I told when the truth of how I lived in constant stress and fear and gave the details of just some of the things that had taken place.He then replied, you have Automatic Nervous System Dysfunction. Basically he said “your brain isn’t talking to your heart and body correctly”. Of course I was confused at the age of thirty and didn’t really know what that meant for me.Now that was at the age of 32. Now here I am at almost 40 and once again my new primary care Dr has diagnosed me with Dysautonomia again. Two years ago I started having bouts of tachycardia when getting out of bed then what they thought to Be gallbladder problems. A hydascan showed my gallbladder to be functioning at 90%. A recent gallbladder ultrasound showed a healthy gallbladder, no inflammation, stones, or sludge. Just a mildy dilated bile duct, but no Evidence of stones anywhere (through CT). I also have developed a reaction to any medicines that can increase your serotonin levels. One Zoloft pill sent me to the ER with dilated pupils& tachycardia, flushed face, and a general feeling of scared because I knew something was off. Then I had a reaction to two anti nausea medications (all know to mess with your serotonin) looking back a few years ago the day before I was in the hospital with my BP 70/40 I had taken a reglan for nausea. I then had a hysterectomy at 32 as well and came out of anesthesia with tachycardia with blood pressure that dropped when standing, I was then again admitted to the cardiac unit. They treated me with a beta blocker and was sent home the next day. With all this being said....over the last 10 years I have had a multitude of medical episodes and issues. My dr now is treating me with Kolonopin because I am again under a lot of stress which makes Dysautonomia worse. He just wants me to be at an balanced calm state instead of up and down with the stress.I also want to mention for the last 7 years I have been treated for chronic neck pain due to an accident which crest two herniated discs. One cause spinal stenosis. I take 10 mg twice daily for this. Long story short. I want to know if you have ever heard of anyone becoming so sensitive to medications that increase serotonin? Serotonin syndrome ca be very dangerous not to mention horrible!I’ve wondered if CBD oil would help to balance my autonomic Nervous System. Because in video they talk about how it creates homeostasis in your body. But because I’m so sensitive to things that mess with serotonin, I’m terrified of any other medications in my body. Do you all have any suggestions? Or recommend any thing to help my body?? I feel so lost and alone in this. At my next drs visit I’m also going to mention my extreme flexibility. My elbows bend way forward when I put my arm Down to bend them out. Been that way since a child and people use to be grossed out by it! So now I wonder if I could have Ehlors Danlos (spelling)?Please give me any input! I’m anxiously waiting a response. ❤️