Many mths ago I saw a well-respected doctor who specializes in Dysautonomia and he Rx'd me Atenolol and flurocortisone. He says he Rx's these even for kids and has never had any problems... well.. kids have parents and I live alone except for occasional help.
I think I'm in the middle of a big ole' Dysautonomic flare and if I don't try these meds I'll go nuts. I'm so fragile medically and disabled that sometimes I wonder how my body has kept me alive.
I'd love to hear how you felt when you first started any of the above meds (or similar ones) for POTS, OT or another type of ANS dysfunction. Many thanks.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Well, lving alone or not, POTS &/or NMH or ANS dysfunction must be addressed - somehow.
I would first approach it with adrenal support, sea salt and talking with LLMD. Your LLMD should review all medication decision. Follow their lead.
Generally, the adrenal support comes first. That might be enough, along with assertive treatment for the infections that are the likely CAUSE of this and liver support to help decrease toxic load (another cause).
The beta blockers like Atenolol can be a but of an adjustment and I found Hawthorn to work so much better for me.
WITH ADRNENAL SUPPORT (which is absolutely vital for anyone with POTS, NMH, etc) . . . Sea Salt is best to begin with before the flurocortisone Rx - as sea salt may be enough and has less potential side effects.
If not, then ta LOW DOSE (very low to begin) of flurocortisone seems logical and many do take that during lyme treatment, too. Again, it is very important for your LLMD to be involved in this part of treatment, too.
Hawthorn helps with all kinds of ANS function. If your LLMD is not familiar with it, a LL ND (naturopathic doctor) will be.
I could not tolerate any Rx but with Adrenal Support, Sea Salt and Hawthorn, all that passing out due to ANS dysfunctioin is far in my past. -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
EXERCISE INTOLERANCE is (partially) explained in the article: "when exercise doesn't work out" (and what we can do about that)
ADRENAL, CARDIAC, MITOCHONDRIA & MYELIN SUPPORT - that all helps movement better work for us
Styles discussed: Pilates; Qi Gong; Tai Chi; Yoga; water; strolling; etc. -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- When I talk about Sea Salt for ANS support, I am not talking about the Sea Salt / Vitamin C protocol.
I am talking about taking carefully figured amounts of sea salt, especially first thing upon awakening in the a.m. with enough water and then little bits throughout the day.
See Wilson's discussion about sodium in the Adrenal book.
And your LLMD likely would have more specific ideas for YOUR body. -
[ 08-22-2013, 02:01 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Additives and certain processed foods can also trigger POTS, NMH, ANS "events" - be sure to look over everything you consume, even gum or breath mints.
Aspartame used to make my blood pressure drop like a rock (and I did the same but my head kept hitting the rocks!). I had no idea until I stopped all additives. A remarkable difference. A major piece of the puzzle.
This made a huge difference for me. So did going gluten-free as gluten clobbered me in so many ways.
GREEN TEA - Links Set -
Posted by tailfeathers (Member # 39328) on :
Wow Keebler, thank you so much for all this information. A lot to digest but you are right, my doc even told me to start off w/ sea salt but I honestly didn't think my stomach could handle salty water. I need to do something, because obviously doing nothing isn't helping either.
Glad going gluten free helped you and I really appreciated all your info!
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Hope the detail helps - as an addition to your study & reference file.
With a good amount of water, you stomach should not be bothered by the salt. You can take a bit of sea salt in a little water and then chase it with a full glass of clear water.
Or you can put the salt in food. It need not be a salt-water drink. Just add extra to a few bites of your breakfast. It's just that it's really best to start off as soon as possible after waking up but just do the best you can.
Don't over salt your whole meal, though, just a few bites of it so that it does not ruin the overall enjoyment of your food.
Be mindful of the measurement, though, so you get the desired dose. Enough but not too much. And start at the lower end and gradually move up to recommended dose of sea salt.
Good luck. -
Posted by opus2828 (Member # 15407) on :
I could not tolerate flurocortisone. It made the vertigo much worse. I chose to take atenolol but got it prescribed in a pediatric suspension so I could dose it lower. One ml of the liquid atenolol is 2mg of medicine. I found that 4-5 mg took the edge off the tachycardia. Since it is whort acting I dose about 4-5 mg three times a day at 5 hour intervals. That ends up being a lot less than what they would have had me take. And my blood pressure has not dropped from this low dose.
Posted by lax mom (Member # 38743) on :
When starting the beta-blocker, I was extra sleepy for a few days. I weaned up slowly. I have had to go off the med temporarily a couple of times and realized just how much it helps me.
I tried Florinef but it made me extremely jittery. I need to try it again though.
If I lived alone, I think I would be fine trying these meds by slowly weaning up. The benefits far outweigh the initial side effects.
Posted by WPinVA (Member # 33581) on :
I take Thermatabs and they have helped me immensely! I take it on an empty stomach first thing in the morning and that usually goes ok. But if my stomach is off, I do skip it for that day.
Posted by Al (Member # 9420) on :
Support hose is another thing to consider adding , It keeps the blood from pooling in your legs, hence fainting.
Keebler !
Keep up the great research!!
Posted by lax mom (Member # 38743) on :
quote:Originally posted by Al: Support hose is another thing to consider adding , It keeps the blood from pooling in your legs, hence fainting.
An abdominal binder helps as well. Combining it with support hose or compression thigh highs really helps keep the blood flowing back up to the brain.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
I would try the sea salt first. You just sprinkle a little in your glass of water. You ARE drinking lots of water, right?
Drink it all day (with the salt.)
The fludrocortisone made me crazy with hunger. I could not stand being on it. I'm glad I gave it up!!!
Beta blockers will make you tired, but may help. Take a very low dose.