Autonomic nervous system

I had my ANSAR test I told you guys about today. They found out that I have problem with blood flow in an artery. They said it is not a problem that will kill me or that I should freak out about. She gave me a paper. It says I have depleted autonomic tone at baseline with sympathetic withdraw to stand.

I actually believe in the testing 100% now. She told me things that I had been experiencing that I had not even told her about. She said this will cause headaches, anxiety, exhaustion, and tons of other issues I have. She did not try to get me to buy any weird vitamins or anything. She told me that I need to drink at least a quart of sugar free power aid or gatoraid a day. I need to take this new blood pressure pill.

Does anyone know anything about this? Thank you

I do have high blood pressure but adding the new BP pill was because of this issue on the test. My BP was in check with the meds I was already on. But my body was not getting enough oxygen to my brain when standing because of this issue discovered today. I was very skeptical about this but I did not tell her that doing the slightest activity exhausts me. She said to me, even though this this test is easy when you go home you will be completely exhausted like you ran a marathon. I had not given her any indication of that.

So far as the gatoraid or power aid she says that when a person drinks a quart of water it stays in their blood stream moving nutrients around for thirty minutes. Because my blood isn't moving right this is not good enough. I need longer. The gatoraid or power aid will move nutrients around the blood for three hours.

I am so shocked by how right on target this feels. I really thought I will do this test because it is free. ( I have reached my out of pocket maximum on my ins.) but I didn't think I would really learn anything. I am really shocked.

She is a nurse practitioner neurologist. She is getting her PHD in the autonomic nervous system. According to her the same amount of water moves out of your system in thirty minutes versus the same amount of gatoraid takes three hours. So the gatoraid is in your blood stream longer.

You have always been really helpful to me. I know that you have my best interest at heart so I don't mind answering questions. My understanding is because I have this problem my nutrients are not getting to my brain. If I drink the gatoraid the liquid will stay in my blood longer and give it more chance to deposit nutrients in my brain. I drink a lot of really dehydrating things. She thinks I am dehydrated and that I am not getting nutrients to the places needed because of that.

Also I was mistaken. It is not just a BP med. it is given to people who have trouble when they stand they feel like they will faint. My husband is a pharmacy tech and only new of the one use. I just called the pharmacy and they told me the reason they gave it to me is because enough blood isn't getting to my brain and that is why I feel faint when I stand.

Sherrie,

I posted a long thing about dysautonomia and so forth on your other thread. I'm glad you got your testing done... and I hope this gets to the root of your issues.

Just curious if you were scripted Midodrine? That, combined w/ the gatorade/etc (along w/ other things) is a way that the symptoms of dysautonomia are treated.

Anyway, if you have any specific questions - let me know.... I've dealt w/ this for several years now....

I hope this works well for you and that you feel better :)

--Tina

Re: the gatorade, it's the salt/electrolytes in it that help w/ things.... some people dysautonomia take salt tablets.

It's also just the increase in fluids that helps me. When I'm in a huge flare - I often need to go in just for a round of IV fluids to stabilize.

I'm trying to find a link to a better explanation of all of this.... but just can't find it tonight. :)

--Tina

I drink that Vitcoco water. I knew it was good for you but I didn't know it was that good. I do not drink it everyday because it is expensive where I live. It is 2.50-3.00 for one thing. Maybe I need to look into buying it on amazon and see if I can buy it in bulk.

Thanks Tina. It is great to know someone that I can talk to about this. My husband is still leery. I don't see how he can be when she described symptoms I didn't tell her I had. But he did just drop me off for the appt. and not actually see it with his own two eyes. How long till I feel better. It is Midodrine that she put me on. Is that good?

:)

Definitely try buying it in bulk online and comparing prices...I actually go to the manager of the store where they sell near me and ask them what sort of discount can I get if I buy 12 or more of them and they usually find a way to help. Obviously it is too expensive to have you drink every day, but glad you know about them and like them to supplement when you can.

Post Edited (Snowbunny21) : 7/2/2013 9:09:18 AM (GMT-6)

YES on the Vitacoco water!

It's been shown to help w/ BP issues too. Some say that it's just "hype" in terms of using it for various health issues. The only thing I can say is that I used to have to go get IV fluids about 1x every 6 weeks or so.... and I've only been 1x this entire year. That's huge for me.

So for anyone dealing w/ hydration issues - seriously, the coconut water is the way to go. To me, it's better when it's chilled. My neighbor/friend was the one who got me started on it.... when she knows I'm not doing well (our kids are good friends), I'll come home from something and find a can of coco water on my porch :)

Check around on the pricing. There are now different brands.... and a couple of the stores here will have it on sale occasionally for $1.00/can.

Sherrie - the midodrine should help you feel better.... It's been so long since I was first started on it that I can't remember how long it took to help -- but I think you should see "some" level of improvement within a few days.

Midodrine raises blood pressure. Just keep an eye on it. I have to take a BP med to lower my BP because of the midrodrine. The two meds "sandwich" my heart when it's supposed to be. (Well, in theory, that's what is supposed to happen.... I still really fight hypertension).

Good luck Sherrie; will be curious to see your updates. Really hope it helps.

--Tina

Hi Sherrie I was going to explain that Gatorade has elecrtolytes in it as well, and that's the reason that she said drinking sugar free, is it won't have the extra sugar that you don't need.

How I know about these things is that Jerome (my husband) was in the hospital the middle of last month because he was dehydrated. His potassium was low. It just popped in my head when you were talking about Gatorade, that this would help him too.

I've been trying to get him to drink water, but he gets on his computer, and forgets that he needs to drink water. He will say "I just drank some pop". I will tell him that it's not the same as drinking water. Maybe we should buy some Gatorade.

Well, I'm glad that you got the test done, so you know what is going on now. Also Tina knows a whole lot about it as well. Take care, and be careful standing up, as you don't want to pass out and fall.

I hope you're having a low pain evening.

love and hugs
Loretta

Tina how much caffiene is too much in a day? My dr told me to ween down over a week or two but i dont know if i can go all the way off. Is all the way off neccessary?