Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Neurology (Expert Forum)
Re: Severe Autonomic Dysfunction
This forum is for questions and support regarding neurology issues such as: Alzheimer's Disease, ALS, Autism, Brain Cancer, Cerebral Palsy, Chronic Pain, Epilepsy, Fibromyalgia, Headaches, MS, Neuralgia, Neuropathy, Parkinson's Disease, RSD, Sleep Disorders, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury.
Re: Severe Autonomic Dysfunction
by CCF neurology MD MM, Jan 01, 1995 12:00AM
Posted By CCF neuro MD MM on October 17, 1998 at 09:44:20:
In Reply to: Severe Autonomic Dysfunction posted by Gerald P. Finan on October 17, 1998 at 01:25:07:
1. I suffer severe autonomic dysfunction due to a severe head and neck injury from a skiing accident in 1990. I function pretty good except if I do any exceretion or am stressed. I have hypotension - my normal BP is 90/60 and a pulse rate between 30-50. I suffer pre-syncope & synocope whenever my parasympathic nervous system kicks in to counter a sympathic stimulus.
2. This condition has been confirmed by tilt-table, EMG's, EKG's, PET scans, MRI's. I've been a test subject for some research projects at the IU Hospital.
3. I know I'm very fortunate to be a spinal cord injury survior. I recently had a bout with a stomach flu - vomiting and diareah triggered an autonomic attack. I called 911 after I came to, the paramedic's transported me to the hospital. The paramedic's couldn't start an IV because my vascular system is affected. I couldn't get anyone to understand what was happenning to me. At the ER, some blood work was ordered - but I was just left hooked up to monitors. Finally, a couple of hours later after the blood work came back, I was given an IV, antibodics, anti-nausau and pain medication. I couldn't expalin that my vital signs were off the chart for me. The BP 150/90 and a pulse of 85-95 might be in a normal range for someone else but not me - my body felt like it was being ravaged by a storm with my head being blasted by the surf and the waves.
4. My main question is how can I explain to Emergency Personnel what an autonomic attack is? I don't want to fight this battle again in the future.
I'm followed every 3-6 months by an electro-cardiogolist and a general practioneer, so this would only come up in an emergency situation.
5. I'm interested in any research being conducted in the area of autonomc dysfunction. Thanks
The situation you describe is very famiiliar to people who work in the
area of spinal injury and rehabilitation but is obviusly full of risks in
a situation where you are dealing with people who do not know your history.
A number of options suggest themselves, in an ER situation everyone is very grateful
to have access to any possibe information on a patients past medical history since
so many people are wheeled in off the street without recodrs and unable togive
a history themselves.
You could ask the cardilogist to give you a letter which explains your condition
and the normal range of vital signs in yoru condition, copy the letter, laminate
it if nrecessary, have copies at home in your wallet in your car etc.
I would also suggest that you write the director of the ER closest to home
explaining what happened and asking him to keep the letter in his file.
Ultimatly the best option in this case is an official, letter spelling out
you special needs.
You should also wear a medic-alert bracelet orther device which explains the
situation, there are searched for avidly by ER personnel and in a situation where
information is scanty are usually given maximum attention.
In Reply to: Severe Autonomic Dysfunction posted by Gerald P. Finan on October 17, 1998 at 01:25:07:
1. I suffer severe autonomic dysfunction due to a severe head and neck injury from a skiing accident in 1990. I function pretty good except if I do any exceretion or am stressed. I have hypotension - my normal BP is 90/60 and a pulse rate between 30-50. I suffer pre-syncope & synocope whenever my parasympathic nervous system kicks in to counter a sympathic stimulus.
2. This condition has been confirmed by tilt-table, EMG's, EKG's, PET scans, MRI's. I've been a test subject for some research projects at the IU Hospital.
3. I know I'm very fortunate to be a spinal cord injury survior. I recently had a bout with a stomach flu - vomiting and diareah triggered an autonomic attack. I called 911 after I came to, the paramedic's transported me to the hospital. The paramedic's couldn't start an IV because my vascular system is affected. I couldn't get anyone to understand what was happenning to me. At the ER, some blood work was ordered - but I was just left hooked up to monitors. Finally, a couple of hours later after the blood work came back, I was given an IV, antibodics, anti-nausau and pain medication. I couldn't expalin that my vital signs were off the chart for me. The BP 150/90 and a pulse of 85-95 might be in a normal range for someone else but not me - my body felt like it was being ravaged by a storm with my head being blasted by the surf and the waves.
4. My main question is how can I explain to Emergency Personnel what an autonomic attack is? I don't want to fight this battle again in the future.
I'm followed every 3-6 months by an electro-cardiogolist and a general practioneer, so this would only come up in an emergency situation.
5. I'm interested in any research being conducted in the area of autonomc dysfunction. Thanks
The situation you describe is very famiiliar to people who work in the
area of spinal injury and rehabilitation but is obviusly full of risks in
a situation where you are dealing with people who do not know your history.
A number of options suggest themselves, in an ER situation everyone is very grateful
to have access to any possibe information on a patients past medical history since
so many people are wheeled in off the street without recodrs and unable togive
a history themselves.
You could ask the cardilogist to give you a letter which explains your condition
and the normal range of vital signs in yoru condition, copy the letter, laminate
it if nrecessary, have copies at home in your wallet in your car etc.
I would also suggest that you write the director of the ER closest to home
explaining what happened and asking him to keep the letter in his file.
Ultimatly the best option in this case is an official, letter spelling out
you special needs.
You should also wear a medic-alert bracelet orther device which explains the
situation, there are searched for avidly by ER personnel and in a situation where
information is scanty are usually given maximum attention.
