Hi all,
Had some useful insights recently, and thought I would share in case the source could be of help to anybody else.
I recently came across a site that describes what feelings/behaviours are associated with too high/low levels of four of the major neurotransmitters (dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, and GABA). I've always suspected something was off with my neurotransmitters, but have had a tough time piecing together exactly what, even though I knew what each of them did in a basic way. Some of the statements in this really called to me, though, and made it pretty obvious. Wanted to share the site in case the info was helpful to anyone else as well. I don't like taking any one source as gospel, but this was useful. Some of the serotonin statements in particular really resonated with me.
Here are the links I used. The site goes through a description of each:
Dopamine
Serotonin
Norepinephrine
GABA
Interesting to me was that my serotonin seems to tank (REALLY majorly) under stress, but does not seem to be consistently low (which seemed weird, because when it's low, it is LOW). And not just from long term stress, but any stressful situation. Wonder if there's a connection there with my inability to handle stress in general since getting ill. I was looking at adrenals, but it may at least be a mix. I'm pleased to have figured this out, though, as I've been having a heck of a time trying to decide whether or not I'm depressed. Sometimes I seem to be severely, but other times I seem okay, which didn't make sense to me.
Some of the antidepressants I was on most definitely lowered my serotonin levels like crazy. I wonder why that is...
Also interesting was that my GABA seems to be low. ...Which makes me wonder if Cheney et al had something there (as much as I'd be loathe to try Klonopin or any of the GABA meds, given my sensitivities). Maybe I'll stick to theanine.
And is it just me, or does anyone else with POTS issues think that the symptoms of a panic attack sound very, very familiar? No wonder the psychiatrists keep thinking we're crazy (note: I am in NO WAY implying they're right). I like Myhill's description that the body goes into borderline organ failure due to low blood volume when we've stood too long, or that the heart just can't keep up. That makes a lot of sense to me. Also seems to make sense to me that if the body was going into physical crisis it would trigger the fight or flight response and give a shot of norepinephrine. Anyway, from the description on this site, it feels to me like that may be part of what's happening when I've stood too long. Because that's very similar to what happens to me when I've pushed it way too long and get that signal to LIE DOWN NOW.
Hope this helps somebody else piece together another small slice of their puzzle! Anybody else have the serotonin/stress weirdness?
Had some useful insights recently, and thought I would share in case the source could be of help to anybody else.
I recently came across a site that describes what feelings/behaviours are associated with too high/low levels of four of the major neurotransmitters (dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, and GABA). I've always suspected something was off with my neurotransmitters, but have had a tough time piecing together exactly what, even though I knew what each of them did in a basic way. Some of the statements in this really called to me, though, and made it pretty obvious. Wanted to share the site in case the info was helpful to anyone else as well. I don't like taking any one source as gospel, but this was useful. Some of the serotonin statements in particular really resonated with me.
Here are the links I used. The site goes through a description of each:
Dopamine
Serotonin
Norepinephrine
GABA
Interesting to me was that my serotonin seems to tank (REALLY majorly) under stress, but does not seem to be consistently low (which seemed weird, because when it's low, it is LOW). And not just from long term stress, but any stressful situation. Wonder if there's a connection there with my inability to handle stress in general since getting ill. I was looking at adrenals, but it may at least be a mix. I'm pleased to have figured this out, though, as I've been having a heck of a time trying to decide whether or not I'm depressed. Sometimes I seem to be severely, but other times I seem okay, which didn't make sense to me.
Some of the antidepressants I was on most definitely lowered my serotonin levels like crazy. I wonder why that is...
Also interesting was that my GABA seems to be low. ...Which makes me wonder if Cheney et al had something there (as much as I'd be loathe to try Klonopin or any of the GABA meds, given my sensitivities). Maybe I'll stick to theanine.
And is it just me, or does anyone else with POTS issues think that the symptoms of a panic attack sound very, very familiar? No wonder the psychiatrists keep thinking we're crazy (note: I am in NO WAY implying they're right). I like Myhill's description that the body goes into borderline organ failure due to low blood volume when we've stood too long, or that the heart just can't keep up. That makes a lot of sense to me. Also seems to make sense to me that if the body was going into physical crisis it would trigger the fight or flight response and give a shot of norepinephrine. Anyway, from the description on this site, it feels to me like that may be part of what's happening when I've stood too long. Because that's very similar to what happens to me when I've pushed it way too long and get that signal to LIE DOWN NOW.
Hope this helps somebody else piece together another small slice of their puzzle! Anybody else have the serotonin/stress weirdness?
