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alisande_gw

I feel like I'm stuck in a bout of fight-or-flight mode.

alisande
11 years ago

I posted not too long ago about my overactive autonomic nervous system, which gives me an unpleasant physical reaction to scary movies, etc. Well, last weekend the palpitations and irregular heartbeat kicked in big time--and I wasn't reacting to anything.

I experienced something similar 25 years ago, and at the time I went through cardiac testing and the Holter monitor, etc. I discovered I was reacting to sugar, dairy products, and various other foods. I gave up the foods, and the problem went away--as long as I stayed away from suspenseful entertainment, even including timed games.

And then it started up over the weekend. At first I thought I'd eaten something I shouldn't. But it kept coming no matter what I ate, or didn't. Seemed to be better at night, but started again in the morning. I called my doctor a couple of days ago. Told him what was going on, and reminded him of the weird arm weakness. Asked for a referral to a cardiologist, which he gave me.

But then yesterday I read that this symptom is prominent in some tick infections. I know I've been carrying one (or more?) of those since the spring; I've just been putting off dealing with it, because there's really no clear way to do that. So I called my doctor again and made an appointment to see him next week. He had talked about referring me to an infectious disease specialist, so I'm guessing that's what he'll do.

I just wish I knew if the palpitations are really part of the tick-related issue, or if my nervous system has gone completely out of whack on its own. Although either way, this is not pleasant. I feel weak, lightheaded, brain-fogged, and it's hard to catch my breath. I remember stage fright from many years ago, and this is what it felt like.

All of this probably makes me sound like a nervous wreck, but the truth is I have a calm demeanor. Just ask Maire_Cate! :-)

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