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Dysautonomia (Autonomic Dysfunction) Community
This patient support community is for discussions relating to Dysautonomia (Autonomic Dysfunction) including: Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), neurocardiogenic syncope, mitral valve prolapse dysautonomia, pure autonomic failure, autonomic instability and others.
Dysautonomia Treatments
by halbashes, May 20, 2008 08:02PM
, May 20, 2008 08:02PM
Since autonomic dysfunction can be so difficult to treat, I was thinking it might be a good idea for us to list all of the possible treatments we are aware of. So here is my list:
Fludrocortisone/Florinef:
Pros: Helps to keep the body hydrated by retaining salt/water, raises blood pressure,
Cons: Possible contradictory side effects (hypokalemia),
Beta Blockers:
Pros: Reduces adrenalin sensitivity, helps to stabilize autonomic functions,
Cons: Possible contradictory side effects (low blood pressure and heart rate),
Examples: Atenolol/Tenormin, Metoprolol/Toprol XL, Acebutolol/Sectral, etc.
Midodrine/ProAmatine:
Pros: Increases blood pressure, decreases blood pooling by constricting blood vessels, can be taken as needed,
Cons: Wears off quickly, not recommended for individuals with possible Long QT Syndrome,
SSRI's:
Pros: Aids central serotonin regulation, reduces fainting-related anxiety, helpful at very low dosages,
Cons: Generally used for anxiety/depression, suicide warnings,
Examples: Fluoxetine/Prozac, Paroxetine/Paxil, Sertraline/Zoloft, etc.
Methylphenidate/Ritalin:
Pros: Mild vasoconstriction, can raise blood pressure/heart rate,
Cons: Generally used for ADD/ADHD, can be addictive,
Theophylline:
Pros: Mild vasoconstriction, can raise blood pressure/heart rate,
Cons: Possible contradictory side effects (dehydration), chemically similar to caffeine, narrow therapeutic index,
Disopyramide/Norpace:
Pros: Stabilizes heart rate, helpful in severe bradycardia, can be an effective alternative to a pacemaker,
Cons: Life-threatening side effects, not recommended for individuals with possible Long QT Syndrome,
IV Hydration Therapy:
Pros: Helps to keep the body hydrated despite vomiting, raises blood pressure,
Cons: Usually administered through a PICC, time consuming, difficult to obtain permission from a doctor,
Pacemaker:
Pros: Helpful in preventing symptoms directly related to bradycardia,
Cons: Requires surgery, doesn't treat sudden drops in blood pressure, difficult to obtain permission from a doctor,
Supplemental Oxygen:
Pros: Relatively benign treatment, clears brain fog, can be used as needed,
Cons: Difficult to obtain permission from a doctor, difficult to obtain payment from insurance company,
Compression stockings:
Pros: Decreases blood pooling, increases blood pressure, helpful when used as needed
Cons: Extremely uncomfortable, effectiveness fades with continued use,
Tilt Training:
Pros: Can be helpful in preventing symptoms associated with orthostatic intolerance,
Cons: Time consuming, appointment based,
High salt/liquid diet:
Pros: Raises blood pressure without the use of medication,
Cons: Difficult to maintain, probably not entirely healthy,
Physical therapy:
Pros: Improves venous tone, reduces blood pooling,
Cons: Appointment based, time consuming,
Fludrocortisone/Florinef:
Pros: Helps to keep the body hydrated by retaining salt/water, raises blood pressure,
Cons: Possible contradictory side effects (hypokalemia),
Beta Blockers:
Pros: Reduces adrenalin sensitivity, helps to stabilize autonomic functions,
Cons: Possible contradictory side effects (low blood pressure and heart rate),
Examples: Atenolol/Tenormin, Metoprolol/Toprol XL, Acebutolol/Sectral, etc.
Midodrine/ProAmatine:
Pros: Increases blood pressure, decreases blood pooling by constricting blood vessels, can be taken as needed,
Cons: Wears off quickly, not recommended for individuals with possible Long QT Syndrome,
SSRI's:
Pros: Aids central serotonin regulation, reduces fainting-related anxiety, helpful at very low dosages,
Cons: Generally used for anxiety/depression, suicide warnings,
Examples: Fluoxetine/Prozac, Paroxetine/Paxil, Sertraline/Zoloft, etc.
Methylphenidate/Ritalin:
Pros: Mild vasoconstriction, can raise blood pressure/heart rate,
Cons: Generally used for ADD/ADHD, can be addictive,
Theophylline:
Pros: Mild vasoconstriction, can raise blood pressure/heart rate,
Cons: Possible contradictory side effects (dehydration), chemically similar to caffeine, narrow therapeutic index,
Disopyramide/Norpace:
Pros: Stabilizes heart rate, helpful in severe bradycardia, can be an effective alternative to a pacemaker,
Cons: Life-threatening side effects, not recommended for individuals with possible Long QT Syndrome,
IV Hydration Therapy:
Pros: Helps to keep the body hydrated despite vomiting, raises blood pressure,
Cons: Usually administered through a PICC, time consuming, difficult to obtain permission from a doctor,
Pacemaker:
Pros: Helpful in preventing symptoms directly related to bradycardia,
Cons: Requires surgery, doesn't treat sudden drops in blood pressure, difficult to obtain permission from a doctor,
Supplemental Oxygen:
Pros: Relatively benign treatment, clears brain fog, can be used as needed,
Cons: Difficult to obtain permission from a doctor, difficult to obtain payment from insurance company,
Compression stockings:
Pros: Decreases blood pooling, increases blood pressure, helpful when used as needed
Cons: Extremely uncomfortable, effectiveness fades with continued use,
Tilt Training:
Pros: Can be helpful in preventing symptoms associated with orthostatic intolerance,
Cons: Time consuming, appointment based,
High salt/liquid diet:
Pros: Raises blood pressure without the use of medication,
Cons: Difficult to maintain, probably not entirely healthy,
Physical therapy:
Pros: Improves venous tone, reduces blood pooling,
Cons: Appointment based, time consuming,
Post Comment
A couple of times throughout my life, I've felt like whatever treatment I was on at the time, was the last possible option. That if it didn't work, there was nothing else I could try. This community has really opened my eyes to other possible treatments. Thank you for the informative posts!
I also find that a good vitamin supplement tossed into the equation helps too. :)