Autonomic Nervous System Disorders: Symptoms and Solutions - Neurology

Severe autonomic nervous system dysfunction?

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Dear Doctor,
I have read a lot of relevant information and would like to focus on my daily routine and dietary intake.
I would also like to explain my symptoms.
In recent years, I have developed a strong liking for very spicy food, to the point where I feel unsatisfied without it.
This is a minor issue compared to what followed.
Since last year, I have been experiencing frequent vivid dreams and shallow sleep.
At that time, I felt unusually excited, and despite seeing a doctor, no cause was found.
I was prescribed medication for a mild cold, which was fine, but after finishing the medication, I developed stomach pain.
However, I recovered after taking more medication.
A few months later, the problems returned.
I thought it was stomach pain again, so I took over-the-counter antacids, which helped.
Then I experienced sleep deprivation and unusual excitement again.
In the past, I also had episodes of dizziness after soaking in hot water for too long, which resolved after using a fan for over 30 minutes.
I suspected it was due to the hot water, and I did not experience any discomfort afterward.
On the evening of April 14, 2012, after taking a warm shower, I experienced dizziness, nausea, weakness in my limbs, difficulty breathing, and swallowing.
I sat on the edge of the bathtub for nearly 10 minutes before I could slowly walk to my room.
During that short walk, I experienced dizziness to the point of not being able to see, but I was fully aware of my surroundings.
Once in my room, I sat on the edge of my bed with a fan on, unable to move for almost 10 minutes before I felt normal again.
Although I felt better, I had lingering symptoms that could be described as sequelae.
After that incident, everything seemed normal until the next morning when I woke up feeling dizzy, as if my blood pressure was unstable.
By noon, I began to experience an abnormal rise in body temperature that wouldn't go down, palpitations, chest tightness, difficulty breathing, and a rapid heartbeat (over 80 beats per minute, sometimes approaching 90).
After enduring these symptoms for a few days, I decided to see a doctor.
The initial diagnosis was tachycardia and high blood pressure.
An electrocardiogram and blood tests were performed, and the doctor noted two possibilities: palpitations and autonomic nervous system dysfunction.
He prescribed medication for angina and hypertension to be taken after breakfast and dinner, along with an anti-anxiety medication to be taken before bed.
After taking the medication, I felt somewhat better and thought I would be fine.
However, two days later, I returned for a follow-up.
This time, the doctor reviewed my chest X-ray and blood test results and confidently stated that everything was completely normal.
There were no abnormalities in my chest, and my heart appeared to be in excellent condition.
I was taken aback; if everything was normal, why was I experiencing these issues? I continued to report symptoms of chest tightness, palpitations, and difficulty breathing, and the doctor prescribed the same medication again, this time increasing the dosage to three times a day.
After taking it, I felt slightly better, but the next day, I noticed something was wrong.
My heart rate was so slow that I felt extremely dizzy.
I decided to stop the medication and see the doctor again.
This was my third visit.
I expressed my concerns about the medication to another highly regarded doctor and showed him my chest X-ray and blood test results, which he confirmed were normal, including normal thyroid function.
I directly asked if it could be autonomic nervous system dysfunction, as the diagnosis indicated no abnormalities despite my symptoms.
I insisted that since my heart was fine, I did not want to take this medication, especially since it seemed to have adverse effects.
I also mentioned that whenever I felt nervous or excited, my heart rate would increase, leading to difficulty breathing.
I explained that I had not slept the previous night due to heightened emotions and excitement, which made it impossible to fall asleep.
Consequently, he prescribed Alprox 0.5 mg to be taken twice a day for three days, followed by another five days at the same dosage, with the indication for anxiety and a noted side effect of dizziness.
On my third visit on April 30, after taking the medication, I slept from 2 PM to 7 PM.
After dinner, I took another dose and slept from 8 PM to 11 PM, then again from 2 AM to 7 AM.
Upon waking, I experienced pain at the back of my head.
After starting the medication, I found myself uncontrollably falling asleep in the afternoon, which led to insomnia on the night of May 1, continuing until the early hours of May 4.
I lay with my eyes closed, unable to stop my mind from racing with thoughts.
On the morning of May 4, I woke up feeling like my heart was out of control; any movement caused it to race.
I also experienced dizziness and eye pain.
I posted related questions on Yahoo Knowledge, but the responses seemed generic and unhelpful.
I desperately need a doctor's advice as I feel like I'm on the brink of collapse.
Please, I beg you to help me.

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Nai Zhong, 20~29 year old female. Ask Date: 2012/05/04