Shellyh

Yes, I get this exact same feeling more often than I'd like. I panic and pretty much react the same way you do. It's usually worse when I'm lying down which is odd, but I cannot tolerate showers either as this can happen. I wish I knew why it happens. It just seems to be one of those weird issues I have to deal with. The illness sucks!

From what you've described it sounds very much like Dysautonomia. With it, the symptoms are so wide and varied that it can present as both "everything" and "nothing" at the same time due to the general tests being run coming back normal. When that occurs, a less than knowledgeable physician will suggest that it is psychosomatic, which anyone dealing with this condition knows very well that it is anything but. Given that Klonipin is working to stabilize your symptoms, I would speak to your doctor about starting a low dose SSRI which for many of us has reset the nervous system, putting an end to the more disabling symptoms. Starting one may cause even more disabling symptoms at first, as it did for me, but once tolerated it has worked quite well.

I too had enlarged pupils and extreme dizziness. The Ativan was prescribed to calm down the sympathetic nervous system and to assist in the transition to Lexapro. The Toprol helps a little in keeping down the blood pressure but I've noticed the pulse pressure can get very close when I stand which doesn't allow me to stay upright very long without severe headaches. I will ask my doctor about Clonidine. I hate medicine and have a lot of anxiety surrounding taking it but my symptoms are so frightening and disabling I don't have much of a choice.

Hi, Thank you for your reply. I have tried Lexapro three separate times in the last month and on day 2 of taking it, I couldn't stand due to severe headaches. When I checked my blood pressure it was very high, even while lying down but with a very low pulse. One reading was 185/110 with 44 pulse. The worst of it was when I would eat I would feel this awful sensation starting at my feet that went through my body and my heart would beat very fast and erratic. I also noticed an electric like current through my hands and heart. All three times I ended up calling 911 because I was so scared. By the time they arrived, it had calmed down. I really wanted it to work which is why I tried it 3 separate times, but after the last episode I called my doctor and she said to stay off of it. She thinks another SSRI may help but at this point I'm very hesitant to try.

Hi, Five years ago I was diagnosed with Neurocardiogenic Syncope after becoming ill and hospitalized. I was diagnosed via tilt table and given Ativan and Lexapro as i could not tolerate the beta blocker. After two years as I was able to come off the medicine and was relatively symptom free until a few months ago when I began getting very different, but similar symptoms. Rather than experiencing low blood pressure and near fainting, I now have high blood pressure and heart rate after standing or eating. The scariest of the symptoms are when my blood pressure spikes and my heart starts beating very erratically. I was put on Ativan at a very low dose. I tried Lexapro again but it worsened my blood pressure and caused even worse symptoms. I'm now taking Ativan and Toprol but I still cannot stand for long without feeling awful. I've noticed the pulse pressure is really close when I do. I am at a loss as to what to do. My doctor feels the SSRI will reset things but I cannot tolerate it. From reading others stories, I feel like mine is very severe. I am too scared to get off the Ativan but know I shouldn't be on it for long. Any suggestions. Does this really sound like POTS?