adrenaline-like surges

[GravelyOptimistic]

Does anyone else with hyperthyroid experience adreneline-like surges that are uncontrollable? If I have too many irritants, and become overwhelmed with them, my neck will start throbbing/pulsing (I guess its just blood rushing thru veins) and my heart rate skyrockets, and my arms and leg muscle tingle with.. I don't know what to call it.. But I have to move them.. Maybe its just energy pumping into the muscle. I feel like I could run a marathon or storm into battle. What is it? I hate it. And I'd love it if it never happened again.

[rach7612]

it is truly draining.. i have hashimotos, not graves and the episodes totally vanished when my levels got more normal with only an occasional episode every few months. when they re-appeared in rapid clusters a year later, no surprise, my levels turned out to be off again. i hope you can get to a point where they go away.

[GravelyOptimistic]

rach7612 wow. I didn't realize how serious the rage was. I sort of subconciously feared how it might get out of control oneday if it took over and I couldn't stop it. But didn't realize how important it was to get away. I am absolutely going to get away from everyone instantly the next time. I normally tell my husband sharply to "leave me alone NOW" shortly after the episode begins. And that isn't a very nice way to say "give me space" or "I need to be alone" lol. My god its wonderful to finally be getting proper coping techniques. I think simply getting away quickly and saying "hulk need to be alone now" will be a world of difference for my husband and I both psychologically. It will empower me and make me feel like I'm in control as soon as I feel it happening, and will make him feel less pushed away, or like HE is the problem and needs to leave me alone. By saying "I need to be alone" (instead of telling him to leave me alone) it places the responsibility rightly on me, and not on him. I've been trying to find a way to do that, I don't want him to ever feel like any of this is his fault.

[rach7612]

anxiety pills i think literally saved my life from irrational actions i could have taken during one of those attacks. at the worst, when my thyroid levels were really off, there was nothing else that helped. now, if my levels get off a little, its much easier to control (it still shakes me up a lot though).

cannot stress how important it is to get away from other people asap. i tell my husband "i need to be alone", and he understands immediately and will go run errands or take a walk for an hour. he would rather i be proactive even if it feels a little rude because he understands its an adrenaline attack and doesnt want to get caught in the crossfire. from experience, there isn't any amount of reasoning or calming down someone else can do that will help. just causes more agitation.

i actually found some helpful info on rage attacks in relation to children with tourrettes syndrome. it basically reiterated to parents not to touch or follow after the person having the rage. make sure they are in a safe environment, but give them space and wait it out

[GravelyOptimistic]

rach7612, thank you SO much for giving me ways to cope with these terrible episodes (my husband and I call them my "hulk-fits" or "Hulking out".) They have been a strain on us, and I absolutely had started hating myself because I feel like a monster when it happens. I'm an extremely empathetic and very caring person, I've been horrified at the anger and energy that rushes me at times. I've gotten a response on another post calling it "graves' rage" I googled the term and have found so many helpful results.
My husband and I had considered getting me kickboxing lessons and a heavy bag! Just to use up all that anger and adrenaline. But I didn't want to direct the feelings into anything remotely violent.  But passive attempts to control it (meditating, breathing, counting, running) all fail. I'm going to get my thyroid dosage corrected, and then ask for a fast acting anxiety medication for me to use while I learn how to run away from everyone before I "hulk-out" :) its a relief to know that once my thyroid is under control it will be far easier to deal with.

[rach7612]

yes- i have experienced this when my medicine is not right. puts a serious strain on relationships. while you are trying to treat the hormone issues, ive found a few things help me survive the episodes. it is usually possible to wait it out until the hormones die down, if you can remove as many triggers as possible. you need to give yourself space and quickly get away from other people, sounds, bright lights, barking dogs, etc. any of that will trigger the adrenaline to keep flowing.

on occasion, it helps to distracting myself with tv (something funny) or pinterest or a simple game on my phone. or a very brisk walk. it may also be blood sugar related as ive found drinking a glass of juice sometimes helps very rapidly

i also was given an anxiety tablet, but since getting a better handle on it, i have somewhat figured out when i can calm myself down, and when it will just continue escalating until i take my pill

[GravelyOptimistic]

Thanks so much for your response pantx. I've been wondering if my adrenaline glad was malfunctioning or something. I have tried to calm it with breathing exercises, running, etc. Nothing works, it stops when it wants to stop, not when I want it to. Also I am highly agitable when it surges. I can snap at people (be short with them etc.) if they irritate me during a surge. I was wondering if this is the beginning of some kine of horrible rage problem or what. But its definitely a physical change, not emotional. I'm relieved to hear that its from the thyroid. I was wondering if some kind of fast-acting sedative could stop the surge. What is anxyolitocs?

[Pantx]

Yes. This is very normal and is one of the most negative side effects that drive people with hyperthyroidism to the doctor. Something to be mindful of sense you are having those is to reduce or cut out ALL stimulants as this will only aggravate it.  Do you have a blood pressure monitor at home?
Also, let your endocrinologist or PCP know that you are having these episodes if the endocrinologist does not feel that your hyperthyroidism is at a level that needs radiation treatment at this point they may be able to help you control the side effects.  I don't know how you would be treated but my physician treated me with low dose anxiolytics for those adrenaline surges