Other issues

[dolfnlvr]

I am noticing that many of us seem to have more than one "symptom."  I started passing out when I was about 14.  At first there were very "good" reasons for passing out.  The first time I had been on the beach all day and had a pretty *bright* sunburn.  We went out to dinner as a family in a very air conditioned building and I went out like a lamp.  Scared EVERYONE, but by the time the ER docs got a hold of me I was A-OK.  After that I passed out due to a wisdom tooth extraction and again two days later.  These are traumas that can cause anyone to faint.  

But then I started fainting when I'd have blood drawn for tests.  I had been getting upwards of two shots per week since I was three for allergies.  Trust me, needles do not scare me in the slightest.  But, the doctors said that it was anxiety based.  Until one day I was in the Dr.'s office having a mole removed and I passed out in front of him.  He couldn't get a pulse and it scared the (well you know) out of him.  THAT'S when I finally got sent for testing.  I was on the tilt table for 11 minutes when I passed out and had a recorded HR of 11 bpm.  

After about 2 years of meds and high salt/fluid intake I seemed to even out a bit.  I came off the Norpace and just lived life.  But not long after my first child was born, my heart began throwing PVC's, and some SVT.  I also had more trouble with fainting then I had had in a LONG time.  I read the posts of many on the Heart Rhythm Forum and I begin to wonder what the connection is between an overactive autonomic response and abnormal heart rhythms.  Personally, I think there is a HUGE connection, but since both are "benign" there's not a lot of research.

What are some of your symptoms due to dysautonomia or that you think are likely related to the core issue of a nervous system malfunction (albeit fairly benign)?

[halbashes]

Unfortunately, I'm not entirely sure how to answer your question.  I don't know much about Conversation Disorder.  I'm sure there are other communities on Medhelp that may provide more information on the subject though.  Perhaps even one of our own community members will have further input.

I hope your niece will feel better soon.  Do you believe she may have some type of Dysautonomia?

[justwanttohelp09]

You seem to be very knowledgeable in this subject. How is dysautonomia different from conversion disorder? I have a niece struggling with undiagnosed symptoms.

[halbashes]

Like Kessie, I also have a SADS arrhythmia.  I have Long QT Syndrome, and severe dysautonomia.  Like you, I also have benign PVC's.  I agree, dysautonomia can absolutely be connected with abnormal heart rhythms.

I'm curious, have you ever had an EP study?  It is possible that your SVT could be treated by catheter ablation.

My dysautonomia causes me to have nearly constant low blood pressure.  My heart rate varies from slow to fast, and my respiration becomes almost non-existent.  Some of my other symptoms include: nausea, dizziness, vomiting, fainting seizures, sweating, disorientation, headaches, darkened vision, fatigue, etc.

[Kestra]

I have a SADS arrhythmia (CPVT) as well as dysautonomia.  In fact, most people with a SADS arrhythmia have some level of dysautonomia.  It's not uncommon for dysautonomia to present as a symptom of another condition, but it can also be a condition by itself.

The reason there are so many possible symptoms in dysautonomia is because the autonomic nervous system regulates so many of the body's functions.  Nearly every part of the body that is controlled automatically (without thought), is controlled by the autonomic nervous system.  Your ANS controls when you blink, when you breath, when your blood vessels constrict or dilate, how your body responds to its own adrenaline, etc.

Doctors have grouped the most commonly occurring symptoms together, and given them names like POTS, NCS, NMS, PAF, SDS, IST, HS, FD, etc.  Not everyone can fit in one of these boxes though, and that's why many people refer to their disorder simply as autonomic dysfunction.

Although most forms of autonomic dysfunction are benign, there are rare progressive forms as well.  Shy-Drager Syndrome, and some forms of Familiar Dysautonomia come to mind.

Theoretically, even a benign form of dysautonomia could be fatal if the unconscious individual was held in a vertical position.  Since fainting normally results in a horizontal position, the autonomic system doesn't have to work against gravity to force blood back into the brain.