Seeking Advice on Persistent Symptoms
Greetings! I’m a 25-year-old woman, standing at 5'3" and weighing 135 pounds. Currently, I’m on a dosage of 10 mg of Prozac to manage my anxiety and depression. After spending over ten years consulting various medical professionals, I've finally secured an appointment with a neurologist, though it won’t be until December. I’m interested in connecting with anyone who might be experiencing similar issues or can offer advice. Do you think my symptoms suggest Dysautonomia, or what tests might be beneficial to explore? Here are the symptoms I’ve been dealing with: I often experience a rapid heart rate whenever I stand up, and occasionally, even while resting, my heart rate unexpectedly jumps over 100 BPM. Dizziness, exercise intolerance, and feelings of lightheadedness are frequent. I also deal with tinnitus, persistent fatigue that feels like I’m running on empty, nausea, and occasional blurred vision. Sometimes, I feel a peculiar nausea that seems to originate in my head. When I need to use the restroom, my body goes into a sort of panic, resulting in shaking, sweating, feelings of nausea, and cramping—these sensations persist for about an hour post-incident. During severe flare-ups, just as I begin to drift off to sleep, my heart rate spikes, jolting me awake repeatedly throughout the night. I experience increased sensitivity to heat, a sensation of air hunger, random pain in my arms and neck, and I notice blood pooling during showers. Additionally, I suffer from brain fog to the extent that it impairs my ability to focus at work, and I occasionally go through periods of either sudden diarrhea or constipation lasting up to two weeks without any in-between. Standing up consistently triggers a spike in my heart rate. These symptoms can fluctuate significantly; some days I feel incapacitated, while other days I manage to perform my usual activities, only to overexert myself and trigger another flare-up. My body also seems to have an aversion to summer, where symptoms exacerbate dramatically, while winter occasionally brings relief. I’ve consulted a cardiologist who conducted a month-long Holter monitor assessment and a stress test, and surprisingly, all results were normal. An ENT specialist noted a minor hearing disparity between my ears but found everything else to be within normal ranges. Additionally, a recent MRI revealed a small anomaly near my pons, which does not appear to be indicative of MS. Thank you for taking the time to read my message. I appreciate any feedback or shared experiences you might have! Warm regards! <3
Answers (1)
8/7/2025, 3:02:15 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you are facing a complex set of symptoms that significantly impact your quality of life. Based on what you’ve described, there is a possibility that you may be experiencing Dysautonomia, a condition where the autonomic nervous system does not function properly, leading to a variety of symptoms like the rapid heart rate when standing, dizziness, and fatigue.
Explanation
Your symptoms, such as the rapid heart rate upon standing (often referred to as orthostatic tachycardia), dizziness, lightheadedness, and fatigue, align with Dysautonomia. The condition can also be associated with other issues like hyperadrenergic POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome), which could explain the severe symptoms you mentioned. The fluctuating nature of your symptoms can make it particularly frustrating, and it's good that you're scheduled to see a neurologist.
Next Steps
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Symptom Diary: Begin keeping a detailed diary of your symptoms over the next few weeks until your appointment. Note the time of day when symptoms occur, their duration, and any triggers you observe (e.g., standing up, heat, specific activities). This information can be very revealing and helpful for your healthcare team.
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Hydration and Diet: Increase your fluid intake with electrolytes, as dehydration can exacerbate your symptoms. Consider high-salt foods (unless contraindicated) to help manage blood volume, which may minimize symptoms of dizziness and rapid heart rate.
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Physical Maneuvers: When you feel lightheaded or dizzy, try to do physical maneuvers such as crossing your legs while sitting or tensing your leg muscles; this can help improve circulation.
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Rest and Activity Management: Pay attention to your activity levels and avoid overexertion, which seems to trigger flare-ups. Balance is key—on days you feel better, engage in light activities gradually.
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Cooling Measures: Since you mentioned an aversion to heat, consider cooling techniques (like using a fan, staying hydrated, or cool showers) during warmer months to help manage symptoms.
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Discussion with Your Neurologist: When you meet with your neurologist, bring your symptom diary and discuss the possibility of autonomic testing or further evaluations, such as tilt table tests or blood work to explore other potential conditions (like thyroid disorders or autoimmune conditions).
It's important to have ongoing conversations with your healthcare providers and keep advocating for your health. You're not alone in this, and it's great that you're looking for support and advice. If symptoms become acute or if new concerning symptoms arise, be proactive in seeking help. Take care!
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