LindsayAs you may remember from my last post, I have had some problems with allergy-like symptoms lately. In preparation for my appointment with the new doctor, I stopped a few medications on Monday night, including the daily antihistamine I have been taking. The first two nights were bearable, but the lack of antihistamine finally took its toll last night. In this case, third night wasn’t the charm.
I woke up in the middle of the night feeling awful – sneezy, short of breath, achy. Additionally, I have recently discovered that the body will produce epinephrine (adrenaline) in response to an increase in histamine (read this article for more information). I may have explained in the past that dysautonomia can sometimes cause adrenaline rushes at inopportune times. Because I tend to experience more dysautonomia symptoms with a change in posture, this often leads to an increase in adrenaline when I’m standing in line somewhere, like a bank, grocery store or post office. I will start to feel the typical “fight or flight” response and suddenly become very aware of my surroundings, the nearest exit, and where every person around me is and exactly what they are doing. I know I’m not in any danger, but my body acts as if it is. I call it the “ninja response.”
Recently I have noticed that when I seem to have a high level of histamine, I also have an increase in adrenaline. So last night, in addition to waking up with typical allergy symptoms, I also woke up with an adrenaline rush, as happens occasionally. Usually I just go hang out on the couch, as that is the extent of my “flight” response when it’s 2:00 a.m. and I’m in my jammies, although I’m guessing the BF prefers this over the “fight” response. 🙂
Unfortunately, today has been equally miserable. I’m exhausted from constant sneezing, but I have the pumped up adrenaline feeling anyway. My nose alternates between bleeding and constant dripping to the point where I am now wearing a kleenex bib to protect my shirt (I hope you didn’t just eat). My head is pounding, I can barely breathe, and every time I sneeze or blow my nose (which happens multiple times per minute), I get dizzy. My ears are cloudy and I can’t hear well. I know I’m dehydrated because I haven’t had much to drink. It’s difficult to take a sip when I can barely stop sneezing long enough to swallow something down. I have a fever and am nauseous. I itch all over. And, it is making my POTS symptoms worse, which is a whole other misery. I’ve had tachycardia all day, and now my heart is tired. Short and simple, today is a miserable day.
The bad news (as if the above was good news…) is that I cannot take any antihistamines until I see the new doctor, so there is nothing I can do to stop this feeling. I can’t read like this, it is difficult to see the computer screen or t.v., and I can’t go anywhere, I can barely talk. All I can do is lay down, stare at the ceiling, and feel like crap and wait for this misery to end.
I apologize if I’m out of commission for a few days, but hope all my (American) readers had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and happy December to you all!
“Dostoevski said once, “There is only one thing that I dread: not to be worthy of my sufferings.” – Viktor Frank
Stay tuned.
– L
Sorry you’re so sick, it sounds miserable. How long until you see the next doctor?
Take care. I hope this doctors visit is soon.
Good luck at the doctor’s. Hope it’s a super simple solution!
Thanks for the great information. I’m recovering very nicely, but one thing that doesn’t seem to go away is waking up with some extra adrenaline in my system. You’d think it would make it easy to wake up, but instead it makes me weak and shaky. Sorry you’re feeling so poorly. Thanks for writing about it.
This sounds really unfortunate! Have you ever tried a nasal rinse? That’s helped with my allergy symptoms (and some migraines as well) quite a bit. The adrenaline rush is definitely frustrating to deal with. Even after 9 years I’m still not completely used to it.
Oh Lindsay I am so sorry you are having such a miserable time right now. Hang in there. We will hear from you when we hear from you. Take care of yourself.
Sorry you feel so lousy. Hope your doctor’s appt goes well & you feel better very soon!!
I’ve been under the weather as well lately (as I am commenting on this two weeks late….lol) I hope you are feeling better now! I’m going to the doctor today. People with chronic illness should be exempt from allergies and colds! Hugs to you, friend.
I am sick as well. Feels like one of my old sinus infections coming on. My face hurts like a MAC truck ran into it and I have a low fever. I did acupuncture and osteopathic manipulation today and am getting an IV of Vitamin C, glutathione and magnesium tomorrow from my ENT. I will have him take a look at the sinuses and do a culture. Last time I got sick just before a weekend and to antibiotics but fortunately never had to take them so they are in the cabinet if all else fails. I have tried silver but it does nothing when my sinuses go crazy.
Something seems to be going around 🙁 Hope you’re feeling better!
Well as much as I don’t want to, I started antibiotics today. My doctor who has been my ENT for many years doesn’t recommend them unless he truly feels that I need to take them. It has been a long time since I have taken any and I really only have one that doesn’t cause a reaction. So here’s to keeping that one as long as possible.
I completely agree!
Love your blog! I also have Dysautonomia and love your “ninja response”, it describes it perfectly.
Thanks for sharing! Write On!
Carrie from justmildlymedicated.blogspot.com
Thank you for your comment! I checked out your blog and really enjoyed it – it’s always reassuring to read about others going through similar experiences!