How do I stop the shaky, sweaty, breathless reaction to adrenalin?

[SirChenjin]

Got so excited about Mo Farrah running the last 400m of the Great North Race that I was shaking like a leaf, sweating buckets and could hardly breathe. 10 minutes later and the shakes were only just stopping....

I have this reaction to any time of adrenalin rush (if that's what it is?) - which I'm presuming isn't normal. How do I stop it?

[digerd]

I think you should have it investigated as to why you have this reaction. I always feel good and years younger and fitter until the adrenalin leaves my body and then I just feel rather exhausted 10 minutes after.
No I don't think it is normal, either. Make an appt with GP who can test all your vital signs, to just to make sure. It could be just how you are made but does not sound healthy to me.

[SirChenjin]

Hmm, I probably should - just sounds so ridiculous. I get similar reactions to other things if I'm nervous or if I feel threatened. I'm rubbish in an argument!

[digerd]

Me too. Not so bad now I am older and more bolshy confident.

[teej09]

I don't think you can stop this! I have at times at shaking when the adrenaline is going, not because I am frightened quite the contrary, but I believe, as one other person has posted here, it could be your make-up as it is mine. One way that can help with this is take 10 seconds to recollect yourself; breathing deeply and speak slowly but clearly.

Hope this helps

Best of luck.

[SirChenjin]

I'm 44 Digerd - I'd hoped by now it would stop

I try slow, deep breathing etc, but the adrenalin seems to flood in so quickly and severely that it's impossible to stop it with deep breaths sadly.

[SirChenjin]

Local anaethestic has adrenaline??

[Candlefire]

Think it's something to do with stopping bleeding around injection site.

[SirChenjin]

Wow - I didn't know that. I'm generally terrified of dentists anyway, so just put the shakes, sweats and breathlessness down to fear

[hiddenhome]

Do you drink caffeine?

Adrenaline isn't the only stress hormone. You could be reacting to the other stress hormones that your body produces.

Avoid caffeine and try to eat a long acting carbohydrate to help with these feelings as they're exacerbated by low blood sugar.

[mymatemax]

Run it off, its the bodies way of copying with the hormone release that is designed to aid the fight or flight response. We are designed to use that adrenilin.. So run up & down the stairs, jump on the trampoline or run to the end of the garden & scream.
You'll fine the symptoms go sooner if you use it!

[digerd]

Adrenaline is the body's own miracle super drug and you have no control over it. Normally there to get you out of dangerous situations and gives you super powers for a short time only as can over stress your cardio vascular system if prolonged.
A great amount in your blood stream can even reduce the effects of anaesthesia it is so powerful.
Yours is caused mainly by great excitement/suspense.

This really is a matter of trying mind over matter. Breathing out slowly and deeply helps to lower the BP and heart rate. Have some cooling wipes for the sweating might help. Sips of cold water too
Good luck.

[magso]

Re; dentist: if you know you over react to adrenaline (like I do) you can request an adrenaline free local anaesthetic.

[SirChenjin]

Thanks everyone

No, don't drink caffeine (one cup of coffee and I'm a gibbering idiot...) and make sure that I eat complex carbs as much as possible - although I find it doesn't make a huge difference to me in terms of stopping the massive, fast adrenaline surge followed by the shakes and breathlessness. I do find exercise helps, definitely, although it's not always possible to go for a run, eg if I've got to do a presentation or I'm having a run-in with a shop assistant over poor service (not that I have regular run-ins, I hasten to add!!)

I'll definitely be speaking to the dentist about the local anaesthetic, and will mention it to the GP next time I'm there.

[FrameyMcFrame]

Deep breathing is the worst thing you can do, it just adds fuel (oxygen) to the fire.
Instead breathe shallowly then you will rebalance your blood gasses.

The advice used to be breathe into a paper bag, that isn't used any more but the principle's the same; reduce blood oxygen levels to slow heart rate and stop tremor.

[SirChenjin]

So - silly question I know - how do I do shallow breathing?

[MrsCakesPremonition]

I just wanted to let you know that I got so over-involved in the last few hundred meters of the Great North Run that I hurt my hands from clapping too hard and nearly bust the sofa by bouncing up and down. .

[SirChenjin]

Thank you MrsCakes! It was a very exciting finish wasn't it? Poor old Mo, he was so close...

[MrsCakesPremonition]

I might have been shouting at the TV too

[SirChenjin]

I think I was too a lot a little bit