Adrenaline spikes: Med detective needed, award given

Concerning the apnea. I didn't have a clue I had it. I was getting up a few times nightly ostensibly to use the toilet, but if that was a symptom I didn't note it as such. Then, I was tasked with a 5 plus hour drive and suddenly I was so tired an hour and a half in I had to stop at a rest area to take a nap. How strange is that? I had been previously going about my day unaware of any specific feelings of tiredness. Well, that was a wake up call. Something was wrong and I took a sleep study which showed I needed a CPAP machine. The first night I used it I slept through the night. Sleep studies are expensive. I was told I needed to take a $1200 study when I needed a new machine. But I refused to be whipped around by the established powers that be and purchased my own machine on Amazon. Don't know for sure if they still have, but if you are an accomplished researcher you may be able to find one and try out. You said you would spend a million. if you had it. This would not cost a million but still requires willingness to spend a bit if you want to give that a try. Who knows if any issues will be resolved but at least you can cross that one off your list.

Yes, I did have a hard time with my own doctor, but a walk-in clinic doctor actually prescribed Cytomel the first time based on bloodwork, and then an endocrinologist chose to continue it for me. It was a life-changer! So thankful that I found a doctor who believed in it.

Another option is to find a naturopathic doctor who can prescribe desiccated thyroid because it has both T3 and T4, so it may help you…

Thanks. I guess it is going to be based on luck at finding the right person to prescribe.

Last night it just came to me that you may have an issue with electromagnetic pollution. My bed is on the second story and my modem and router are in a closet directly beneath it on the first floor. Despite taking many supplements and treating sleep apnea I had not been getting much rest for years. About 6 months ago I put both modem and router on a timer so that they are off during my sleep hours. This change has made a big improvement in my sleep pattern. There are still nights that I have sleep issues due to anxiety and life experiences, but there are also nights where I sleep through which is very unique. You may want to consider removing that possible source of sleep disruption. It could easily be overlooked.

Has anyone had any luck with figuring out the adrenaline surges that wake you up in the early morning?

Hey all 🙂

Just joining in on the thread. I've had similar issues with adrenaline rushes since last summer (and coincidentally after my second covid vaccine?) . I'm 32 years old, have always had anxiety which is why I can tell this is very much a different beast.

Similar story, been waking up to adrenaline rushes and increased heartrate. I also have exercise intolerance, tiredness, brain fog, thermal irregularities and muscle twitches and weird buzzing sensation in my body.

Been to the ER etc, they say I'm healthy and it is just anxiety. I'm on SSRIs and have been on and off for years. Beta blockers helped me a little, but since I have already very low blood pressure, I couldn't continue taking them. They would also bring my resting HR to the 40's which is very unpleasant, so I stopped using them.

I started taking salt tablets that have potassium in them to help with the BP a bit and have continued taking them. I stopped waking up at night and started feeling a lot better.

Last month I had one day where I experienced the adrenaline rush while walking my dog in the morning - the only thing different was that I had a glass of wine the night before (I haven't had any alcohol in around 6months or so due to the issues I've been having).

This morning I also had the adrenaline rush after I got out of bed to go to work at 5am. Called in sick, had some juice and a salt tablet. Only thing different was that last night I took ibuprofen for a slight headache.

My hunch is something to do with potassium/BP/autonomic dysfunction... All I can say is that i think the salt&potassium tablets have helped me. If I was brave enough to experiment, I would try to be without them for a month and see if things deteriorate quickly but for now, I need to be able to go to work :/

@veeravee Welcome to Connect. We’re a large group patients, caregivers and friends who try to help each other. The first thing i would ask, is have you seen a doctor? Emergency room doctors aren’t really equipped to deal with issues such as yours. Your family doctor should be able to do blood work and tests to see if your body is working correctly and to help you if its not.
Did a doctor tell you to take the salt tablets with potassium? Unless the pills were prescribed, i would strongly suggest that you not use them. Any imbalance in the amounts of potassium in your blood can be lethal. (As a nurse, i used to work on a cardiac unit)
Do you think you can call for an appointment tomorrow to see your doctor?

Thank you for your reply!

A doctor has said I can take a tablet a day considering it helps with retaining fluid and helps me feel less dizzy from low blood pressure. The amount of potassium is only 50mg per tablet so it's quite little.

I have seen a doctor for general blood work up but not any special tests and my problem is deemed to be anxiety related...

Hi- I am sorry you are experiencing
this. I have had similar symptoms for 2 months with no answers. Have you heard of POTS? It is something I am also looking into. Best wishes!

Please read my comment below. Best of luck on your journey to wellness!