A person with dysautonomia can have a multitude of ever-changing symptoms. One day may be a good day with little symptoms, followed by three days of feeling awful and unable to do much at all. For the most part, there is no rhyme or reason to the symptoms someone with dysautonomia feels. There is no way of knowing or controlling these symptoms.
There are a few things that someone can do try to lessen the severity of symptoms, such as staying properly hydrated and having adequate sleep. Other than that, the way that someone with dysautonomia feels on a daily basis is constantly changing and unpredictable. The most common symptoms of dysautonomia is a fast heart rate (not in proportion with the amount of exertion), shortness of breath, dizzy/lightheaded, weak, fatigued/exhausted and having difficulty concentrating or memory loss.
There are many other common symptoms that may be felt on a daily basis that include: orthostatic hypotension (blood pressure plummets upon standing), chest discomfort/pain, anxiety, feeling like going to pass out, actually passing out (syncope), and palpitations (irregular heartbeat).
Some people with dysautonomia have more gastrointestinal related symptoms than others. The common symptoms seen are nausea, vomiting, bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and constipation. One of the other systems that can be affected includes the urinary system with varying bladder dysfunction. Dysautonomia often can also cause headaches/migraines, sleep disorders, hypoglycemia, and myofascial and neuropathic pain.
There are other highly life altering and bothersome side effects that include: heat/cold intolerance, excessive or loss of sweating, blurry vision, tremulousness, exercise intolerance, blood pooling, and noise/light sensitivity.
When feeling highly symptomatic during an episode of intense heart rate and/or blood pressure fluctuations, a person may have a variety of symptoms, including getting overheated and flush, dizzy/lightheaded, blurry vision, nauseous, about to pass out, they can't think straight, and shaky.
What other conditions/syndromes can often be seen in people with dysautonomia?
Many other conditions/syndromes seem to coincide in many people with dysautonomia. This does not mean that if you have one then you will then develop the other, but that people with dysautonomia show a trend in having a higher occurrence of these conditions. Some of these conditions are migraines, ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Restless Leg Syndrome, peripheral neuropathy, GERD- Gastro-esophageal Reflux Syndrome, Gastroparesis, Chiari Malformation, insomnia, hypersomnia, fibromyalgia, and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. This is not necessarily a complete list, or does this list apply to every person with dysautonomia. These are just some of the trends. Some of the above conditions are seen as possible causes for POTS, where some of the other conditions may occur due to the blood pressure and heart rate fluctuations.
Dysautonomia is often misdiagnosed due to the overlap of other disorders, and can take years to decades to receive a diagnosis.
How is a diagnosis made?
A diagnosis can be made according to a person's symptoms, Tilt Table Test, nerve tests-QSART/EMG/NCV, additional autonomic testing, and a brain MRI.
What kinds of doctors do people with dysautonomia often see?
A Neurologist with specialty in autonomic disorders, and a Cardiologist with specialty in electrophysiology. Other specialists may be needed according to presenting symptoms.
Once someone receives the diagnosis, what does this mean?
Relief of finally obtaining an answer, and a long road of trial and error to find what works for them.
It also means a lot of life changes that may include: dietary changes (less carbohydrates), hydration (more water), vitamins, salt loading (increased salt intake), keep electrolytes balanced, and wearing compression stockings.
A diagnosis also will likely mean trying to find the right mix of medications that helps to decrease heart rate, increase blood pressure, decrease neuropathic pain, along with meds that work to balance out the functioning of the autonomic nervous system.
Possible medications
Some of the medications that are used are beta-blockers, Midodrine, Florinef, Mestinon, SSRI's, Anti-arrhythmic drugs, Clonazepam/Xanax, Cerefolin, Clonidine, DDAVP, Erythropoietin, sleep medications, birth control pills, Wellbutrin, and Ritalin. This is not an exhaustive list, and what works varies for every person. It is important to work with the doctor to find out what is right for you. It can take months or years to find the best treatment for a person. And even then it likely will only do so much. Also, over time as the person changes, their treatment needs will also likely change. So, it is an ongoing process.