Aa
Mental or physical????
Good morning,
I am a confused member of the autonomic dysfunction forum who could use some advice for myself, and perhaps for my doctors. First, it is important to know that I was diagnosed with vasovagal syndrome at the age of 18. When I passed out on the tilt table (after only 10 minutes) my HR dropped to severe bradycardia (~12-15 BPM) before I regained consciousness. It is important that you know that there is a medical diagnosis before I tell you the "new" drama.
Approximately one month ago I was sitting at work and suddenly felt nauseas. Nothing severe, but I wondered if eating would make me feel better. By the time I got home that day, I had a horrible headache and felt like I could be sick at any moment. I went to bed and arose the next day feeling "fine" if a bit tired. I figured it was a short lived stomach bug. But that was just the beginning.
I would appreciate ANY insight you may have to share. Below are my progressing symptoms--
7/29/11 Felt 100% normal until approximately 11:00 a.m. on this morning. A wave of nausea overtook me. I attended a lunch meeting, ate normally, and proceeded with the day. Felt fairly fine until approximately 3:00 when I felt nauseas and fatigued. No fever, vomiting or diarrhea, just nausea. Went to bed at 8:00 p.m. and woke feeling tired but otherwise “fine.”
7/30-31/11 Worked out on Sunday evening and was only able to make it through 15 min of a 30 minute (routine) workout before feeling exhausted and over exerted. Layed down to recuperate for approximately 15 minutes. Chalked it up to a physically active weekend and fatigue carry over from stomach “bug” felt on Friday before.
7/31-8/10, 2011 Felt less “able bodied” than usual, but no overt symptoms. No fever, vomiting or diarrhea. Was only able to work out minimally (walking, or easy bike ride—no aerobics or jogging) without feeling exceptionally fatigued. Continued to figure this was part of a “bug” that had begun the previous Friday. Was feeling increase of PVC’s (previously diagnosed and “normal” for me).
8/10/2011 Headache, tired, waves of flushiness and weak legs—like I could pass out but didn’t. Felt “not good” all day. Felt bad enough to warn co-workers of my tendency to pass out and what to do if I did.
8/11 and 8/12/ 2011 Difficulty sleeping. Awoke feeling very weak, ready to “pass out.” Stomach upset (like I could vomit—but never did) and “hot flashes” or “flushiness” with sweatiness. Pulse felt “normal” but perhaps quicker. Was able to pass over the feelings in 30 minutes or less.
8/15/2011 Felt “hot flashes” and/or “flushed” feeling off and on all day. Legs felt weak at times, like I do when I am about to pass out. Sitting down allowed me to pass through the feelings. By 5 p.m. I was worried and went to Emerg Med center to report symptoms. They ran an EKG and orthostatic BP’s and found nothing of concern. I left, but on trip home became very cold and shivery. At 11:00 p.m. that evening I awoke feeling as though I had fully passed out IN MY SLEEP WHILE LAYING DOWN. Husband found me shivering uncontrollably and took me to emergency room. Cardiac tests, blood work, urinalysis and chest x-ray showed nothing also no fever but increased PVC’s and semi-low potassium levels of 3.4. Was given IV fluids and potassium supplement and sent home. Prescribed 25 mg Metoprolol daily (12.5 in a.m. 12.5 in p.m.) Have been taking religiously since then.
8/19/2011 Halter monitor for 8 hours. No symptoms that night. Felt “fine” and was able to sleep through the night with no symptoms. NOTE: Spent most of evening riding in a car then to bed—no exertion at all during time of halter monitoring.
8/26/2011 Appt with Cardio. He stated that he thought the vagal response was tied to stomach bug and that I needed to remain on beta blocker. I left feeling relieved.
8/26/2011 Push mowed grass at 5:00 p.m. (1/2 hour of mowing) Hurricane. Woke up at 11:00 p.m. feeling very “crampy” and faint (not sure which came first cramps or faintness). Stomach cramps, like those associated with diarrhea along with menstrual symptoms were associated. Based on cardiologists discussion, I figured more of the stomach/vagal issues, but called Dr. on call to ask advice (ER or no ER). Discussion led to continued liquids and rest. Husband to watch for possible full passing out—otherwise, wait and see response.
8/27/2011 Tired all day, did actually have a true bout of diarrhea. Very little to eat—no appetite.
8/28/2011 Walked to nearby branch (approximately ¼ mile) to assess hurricane damage—felt crampy during walk—and pre-faintlike (hard to describe). Returned home—no diarrhea but felt weak. Slept from 10:40 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Did not wake with faintness. Went for ride in truck with husband to assess further local damage—several waves of intense nausea/weakness during ride. Returned to bed at 9:00 p.m. and slept through the night.
8/29/2011 Woke at 6:30 a.m. Felt “better” but with a “normal headache” and “foggy headed” kind of like I had been drinking a beer, but not yet “tipsy Stomach upset mild at 7:30 and passed, so I reported to work. Still “foggy” in the head, but not “passing out.” Difficulty getting to sleep at night—but did not “pass out” or waken feeling as though I would.
8/30/2011 Feel on “overdrive” and that my brain is overloaded. Difficulty concentrating—bubble headed feeling is significant. Walked around “block” three times at lunch—felt much worse—dizzy, woozy, pre-syncope upon standing after. Stomach feels weaker as well.
9/5/2011 Have been feeling “better” but while riding in truck during geocaching expedition a sudden wave of nausea swept over me—no warning. Feeling passed in about a minute. HR at the time was approx. 60 BPM, not irregular—figured car sickness or maybe even panic attack?
9/7/2011 Sitting in meeting and suddenly my legs began to feel “heavy,” stomach turned and had a rush of adrenaline or a “flushed” feeling wash over me. Was able to breathe through the discomfort and continue with the day. This experience convinced me that I was experiencing mild/moderate panic attacks that I was misinterpreting as “illness.”
9/8/2011 Had been riding stationary bike for approx 15 minutes/night for three nights in a row. Felt good today so decided to increase to 30 minutes (low setting). When I was done, I felt “dizzy” or “foggy headed” unbalanced and my heart was pounding very hard (not fast, just hard). I felt very jittery and was shaky, like I had had too much caffeine—but had not actually had any, so decided to eat dinner and a banana and to drink some powerade. Jitteryness faded after about 15 minutes, but I was “wiped out.” Also noticed that my left arm felt particularly weak, but I had full use of my hand and muscles. HR was approx. 70-80 BPM but not noticeably irregular.
Was awakened in sleep to feeling very poorly—pre-syncopal or at least nauseaus. HR was still approx 68-70 BPM and PVC’s were prevalent. I had felt completely fine until I rode the bike, after that I was tired and “weak”. Sleep was interrupted both by discomfort and fitful dreams throughout the night.
NOTE: As of the 27th of July I had been riding a real bike for upwards of 10 miles at a time or participating in Zuumba classes or moderate aerobics for 30-40 minutes at least 5 times per week. This small exertion with such pronounced symptoms was unnerving—and continued well into the following day.
9/12/2011 Have not worked out or exerted myself more than walking since 9/8. Feeling better but afraid to exert as it seems that increased physical activity is triggering the unwanted “symptoms.”
I'm wondering if I should ask for a Lyme disease test--or if I should sincerely address this as a psychiatric/autonomic dysfunction. I don't know what direction to go, or which direction to request or discuss with my physician(s).
Appreciatively yours,
I am a confused member of the autonomic dysfunction forum who could use some advice for myself, and perhaps for my doctors. First, it is important to know that I was diagnosed with vasovagal syndrome at the age of 18. When I passed out on the tilt table (after only 10 minutes) my HR dropped to severe bradycardia (~12-15 BPM) before I regained consciousness. It is important that you know that there is a medical diagnosis before I tell you the "new" drama.
Approximately one month ago I was sitting at work and suddenly felt nauseas. Nothing severe, but I wondered if eating would make me feel better. By the time I got home that day, I had a horrible headache and felt like I could be sick at any moment. I went to bed and arose the next day feeling "fine" if a bit tired. I figured it was a short lived stomach bug. But that was just the beginning.
I would appreciate ANY insight you may have to share. Below are my progressing symptoms--
7/29/11 Felt 100% normal until approximately 11:00 a.m. on this morning. A wave of nausea overtook me. I attended a lunch meeting, ate normally, and proceeded with the day. Felt fairly fine until approximately 3:00 when I felt nauseas and fatigued. No fever, vomiting or diarrhea, just nausea. Went to bed at 8:00 p.m. and woke feeling tired but otherwise “fine.”
7/30-31/11 Worked out on Sunday evening and was only able to make it through 15 min of a 30 minute (routine) workout before feeling exhausted and over exerted. Layed down to recuperate for approximately 15 minutes. Chalked it up to a physically active weekend and fatigue carry over from stomach “bug” felt on Friday before.
7/31-8/10, 2011 Felt less “able bodied” than usual, but no overt symptoms. No fever, vomiting or diarrhea. Was only able to work out minimally (walking, or easy bike ride—no aerobics or jogging) without feeling exceptionally fatigued. Continued to figure this was part of a “bug” that had begun the previous Friday. Was feeling increase of PVC’s (previously diagnosed and “normal” for me).
8/10/2011 Headache, tired, waves of flushiness and weak legs—like I could pass out but didn’t. Felt “not good” all day. Felt bad enough to warn co-workers of my tendency to pass out and what to do if I did.
8/11 and 8/12/ 2011 Difficulty sleeping. Awoke feeling very weak, ready to “pass out.” Stomach upset (like I could vomit—but never did) and “hot flashes” or “flushiness” with sweatiness. Pulse felt “normal” but perhaps quicker. Was able to pass over the feelings in 30 minutes or less.
8/15/2011 Felt “hot flashes” and/or “flushed” feeling off and on all day. Legs felt weak at times, like I do when I am about to pass out. Sitting down allowed me to pass through the feelings. By 5 p.m. I was worried and went to Emerg Med center to report symptoms. They ran an EKG and orthostatic BP’s and found nothing of concern. I left, but on trip home became very cold and shivery. At 11:00 p.m. that evening I awoke feeling as though I had fully passed out IN MY SLEEP WHILE LAYING DOWN. Husband found me shivering uncontrollably and took me to emergency room. Cardiac tests, blood work, urinalysis and chest x-ray showed nothing also no fever but increased PVC’s and semi-low potassium levels of 3.4. Was given IV fluids and potassium supplement and sent home. Prescribed 25 mg Metoprolol daily (12.5 in a.m. 12.5 in p.m.) Have been taking religiously since then.
8/19/2011 Halter monitor for 8 hours. No symptoms that night. Felt “fine” and was able to sleep through the night with no symptoms. NOTE: Spent most of evening riding in a car then to bed—no exertion at all during time of halter monitoring.
8/26/2011 Appt with Cardio. He stated that he thought the vagal response was tied to stomach bug and that I needed to remain on beta blocker. I left feeling relieved.
8/26/2011 Push mowed grass at 5:00 p.m. (1/2 hour of mowing) Hurricane. Woke up at 11:00 p.m. feeling very “crampy” and faint (not sure which came first cramps or faintness). Stomach cramps, like those associated with diarrhea along with menstrual symptoms were associated. Based on cardiologists discussion, I figured more of the stomach/vagal issues, but called Dr. on call to ask advice (ER or no ER). Discussion led to continued liquids and rest. Husband to watch for possible full passing out—otherwise, wait and see response.
8/27/2011 Tired all day, did actually have a true bout of diarrhea. Very little to eat—no appetite.
8/28/2011 Walked to nearby branch (approximately ¼ mile) to assess hurricane damage—felt crampy during walk—and pre-faintlike (hard to describe). Returned home—no diarrhea but felt weak. Slept from 10:40 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Did not wake with faintness. Went for ride in truck with husband to assess further local damage—several waves of intense nausea/weakness during ride. Returned to bed at 9:00 p.m. and slept through the night.
8/29/2011 Woke at 6:30 a.m. Felt “better” but with a “normal headache” and “foggy headed” kind of like I had been drinking a beer, but not yet “tipsy Stomach upset mild at 7:30 and passed, so I reported to work. Still “foggy” in the head, but not “passing out.” Difficulty getting to sleep at night—but did not “pass out” or waken feeling as though I would.
8/30/2011 Feel on “overdrive” and that my brain is overloaded. Difficulty concentrating—bubble headed feeling is significant. Walked around “block” three times at lunch—felt much worse—dizzy, woozy, pre-syncope upon standing after. Stomach feels weaker as well.
9/5/2011 Have been feeling “better” but while riding in truck during geocaching expedition a sudden wave of nausea swept over me—no warning. Feeling passed in about a minute. HR at the time was approx. 60 BPM, not irregular—figured car sickness or maybe even panic attack?
9/7/2011 Sitting in meeting and suddenly my legs began to feel “heavy,” stomach turned and had a rush of adrenaline or a “flushed” feeling wash over me. Was able to breathe through the discomfort and continue with the day. This experience convinced me that I was experiencing mild/moderate panic attacks that I was misinterpreting as “illness.”
9/8/2011 Had been riding stationary bike for approx 15 minutes/night for three nights in a row. Felt good today so decided to increase to 30 minutes (low setting). When I was done, I felt “dizzy” or “foggy headed” unbalanced and my heart was pounding very hard (not fast, just hard). I felt very jittery and was shaky, like I had had too much caffeine—but had not actually had any, so decided to eat dinner and a banana and to drink some powerade. Jitteryness faded after about 15 minutes, but I was “wiped out.” Also noticed that my left arm felt particularly weak, but I had full use of my hand and muscles. HR was approx. 70-80 BPM but not noticeably irregular.
Was awakened in sleep to feeling very poorly—pre-syncopal or at least nauseaus. HR was still approx 68-70 BPM and PVC’s were prevalent. I had felt completely fine until I rode the bike, after that I was tired and “weak”. Sleep was interrupted both by discomfort and fitful dreams throughout the night.
NOTE: As of the 27th of July I had been riding a real bike for upwards of 10 miles at a time or participating in Zuumba classes or moderate aerobics for 30-40 minutes at least 5 times per week. This small exertion with such pronounced symptoms was unnerving—and continued well into the following day.
9/12/2011 Have not worked out or exerted myself more than walking since 9/8. Feeling better but afraid to exert as it seems that increased physical activity is triggering the unwanted “symptoms.”
I'm wondering if I should ask for a Lyme disease test--or if I should sincerely address this as a psychiatric/autonomic dysfunction. I don't know what direction to go, or which direction to request or discuss with my physician(s).
Appreciatively yours,
Have you seen a Cardiologist or had blood work done? This could be many things from low blood sugar to heart problems. I would have a very thorough check-up and go from there...it does appear that something more than anxiety may be going on.
As a guess you have an ailment, possibly minor, which you are so focused on as to increase its seriousness. but there does appear to be a physical problem.
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