Adrenaline rush

Adrenaline rush, also called adrenaline crash, and adrenaline surge is a physiological state described in some people with ME/CFS and Long COVID.

Although the word "adrenaline" is used for the phenomenon, it is unknown if the release of adrenaline (epinephrine) is the cause of the phenomenon, which is described as being characterised by:

• A temporary increase in energy levels compared to baseline
• Inability to rest
• Lessening of some symptoms
• Autonomic dysfunction (fast heart rate, jittering / muscle spasms, low heart rate variability etc.)

Possible causes

Adrenaline rushes have been described in some patients during and after overexertion, but before post-exertional malaise (or a crash) begins.

Co-Occurring Symptoms

Some patients report Adrenaline rushes co-occurring with temperature dysregulation, specifically a feeling described as “overheating” in various parts of the body.

Prevalence

In a 2020 CPET-based study of 44 patients diagnosed with ME/CFS, 25% reported experiencing an adrenaline rush during the study and also in their personal lives during and/or after overexertion.

Symptom recognition

An adrenaline rush is similar to the state of being "wired but tired", however tiredness is not necessarily a feature of an adrenaline rush.

It is not to be confused with a panic attack, as a panic attack has a psychological cause, whilst an adrenaline rush has an organic cause.

Notable studies

• Stussman B, Williams A, Snow J, Gavin A, Scott R, Nath A and Walitt B (2020) Characterization of Post–exertional Malaise in Patients With Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Front. Neurol. 11:1025. doi: 10.3389/fneur.2020.01025

See also

• Post-exertional malaise
• Adrenaline

References

‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎

flare-up A symptoms flare in ME/CFS is a temporary increase in symptoms, alternatively known as experiencing post-exertional malaise. May be referred to as a "crash" or "collapse".

See post-exertional malaise.

Concerning living organisms, such as cells or the human body.  Physio logical (as in physio) is not to be confused with psych ological (emotional stress).

physiological Concerning living organisms, such as cells or the human body.  Physio logical (as in physio) is not to be confused with psych ological (emotional stress).

See myalgic encephalomyelitis.

See chronic fatigue syndrome.

myalgic encephalomyelitis (M.E.) - A disease often marked by neurological symptoms, but fatigue is sometimes a symptom as well. Some diagnostic criteria distinguish it from chronic fatigue syndrome, while other diagnostic criteria consider it to be a synonym for chronic fatigue syndrome. A defining characteristic of ME is post-exertional malaise (PEM), or post-exertional neuroimmune exhaustion (PENE), which is a notable exacerbation of symptoms brought on by small exertions. PEM can last for days or weeks. Symptoms can include cognitive impairments, muscle pain (myalgia), trouble remaining upright (orthostatic intolerance), sleep abnormalities, and gastro-intestinal impairments, among others. An estimated 25% of those suffering from ME are housebound or bedbound. The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies ME as a neurological disease.