valproic acid for dysautonomia?

Since October 2024, after a viral episode that started like a regular cold, I began experiencing a wide range of persistent symptoms that completely changed my life. Doctors currently suspect dysautonomia, possibly related to a post-viral condition like POTS or long COVID.

Some of my symptoms include ventricular extrasystoles (caught on a Holter monitor), a recurring chest pain that feels more like costochondritis than a cardiac issue, visible muscle twitches under the skin, and tinnitus that pulses in sync with my heartbeat. Back in October, I also had a sudden episode where I woke up with blurry vision in one eye.

At my worst, I couldn’t even walk or climb stairs due to intense dizziness and vertigo. I also had severe brain fog and memory lapses. Fortunately, that has improved a bit—I can now move around more and think more clearly, though many symptoms remain.

I’ve done six Holter monitors in total. I used to have episodes of tachycardia, but those are now controlled with medication. I was also diagnosed with a mild mitral valve prolapse, though it’s considered structurally normal. Also, all of this started after I took hormonal birth control and emergency contraception, which disrupted my cycle and caused extended periods and a range of new symptoms I’d never experienced before.

I’ve seen several neurologists and cardiologists, but none have been able to give me a clear diagnosis. What brings me some relief is knowing that my heart is structurally healthy.

One thing that has helped a little is valproate (valproic acid), which I started taking recently. Since then, I’ve felt somewhat better—especially when it comes to the muscle spasms—but it hasn’t resolved the issue. A neurologist mentioned that these kinds of symptoms can sometimes be seen in people with altered calcium channels, which might be related to what I’m experiencing.

Still, it’s far from over. Every time I catch a cold or go through a minor infection, it feels like all the symptoms return—almost like my whole body enters a state of inflammation. It’s like my system can’t fully reset, and every small trigger brings everything back.

Living like this is terrifying at times. The symptoms shift constantly—some days I feel hopeful, and other days it feels like I’m relapsing all over again.

Has anyone else gone through something similar? What helped?