Introduction

[loot]

I'm new to this forum and would like to explain my situation. I developed POTS, sudden onset after a traumatic event. I can't be certain that's the cause but considering they happened at pretty much exactly the same time I'm guessing it must be. My symptoms are:

1. obviously my heart rate raises whenever I stand up (supine ~58 to ~110 or sitting ~72 up to ~110).

2. neuropathy - mainly in the thighs but also gradually has spread to almost everywhere being relatively numb.

3. tiredness but not really severe.

4. constant thirst and general dryness despite drinking inordinate amounts of water every day.

5. low blood pressure - has been around 100/60 but varies.

6. a few other little troubles but basically that's it.

I've had this for almost a year now and haven't been able to fix it yet. The thing is, I don't seem to have actual problems with anything, physically. I'm aware most of the time that my heart is racing when I've stood up but other than that it has no other effect. I have no problem with any amount of intensive cardio or weight lifting etc. Oh and I forgot to mention, I'm a man.

[corina]

Hi loot, welcome to the forum! I'm sorry for the symptoms you're having but think it's great that you do not have too many problems! Hope you'll find our forums helpful!

[KareBear]

Hi loot, welcome! I hope you continue to be able to function well physically, It's good to keep that up if possible. Do they have you on any treatments or meds for your POTS?

[loot]

No I don't take any medications. I don't want to, especially since its sudden onset, trauma based, I believe it must be possible to solve it myself. There's people who can control their heart rate, temperature etc with their mind so why can't I learn to fix this too..

[Chaos]

Sorry to hear of your problems you are having. You haven't said if your trauma was physical or more emotional, or both. Since the same neuro-transmitters are involved with all these processes (both physical and emotional) the end result probably doesn't matter too much which it was- you get physical symptoms. However, the way you approach treating it might be different.

There are definitely articles that discuss the results of injuries such as whiplash and concussion and their role in causing onset of dysautonomia and orthostatic intolerance issues. Emotional trauma can certainly also cause similar symptoms as has been shown time and again with PTSD.

When you say you are wondering why you can't control your symptoms with your mind...have you tried various practices such as meditation and bio-feedback and found them to be not helpful?

[MomtoGiuliana]

Hi loot

There certainly are breathing exercises and other things you can practice that can affect/calm the autonomic nervous system. I have found some of this to be useful (along with medications, in my case). Going to a biofeedback specialist might help. There has been other discussion about this on DINET--you might try a search for it.

[Guest Hanice]

Hi Loot! Nice to meet you.

I just wanted to say, that I avoid Nutmeg ever since it sent me to the hospital. It has a nasty chemical in it called Myrsticin that causes tachycardia and convulsions. I wouldn't wish that on anyone. I hope you get better everyday, meanwhile, here's a place where peopke understand your troubles. Sorry about them troubles.

[loot]

Oh yes I forgot, my trauma was emotional and its no longer really felt, but my POTS symptoms remain. Biofeedback isn't too popular here in England unfortunately but I have my own biofeedback equipment anyway. I also started pranayama recently. I started cardio a few weeks back and have been doing 30 minutes every morning. Also I've been doing intensive calf training, trying to build their circumference since it seems blood flow in POTS patients is directly proportional to calf circumference:

http://ajpheart.physiology.org/content/286/3/H1216

Haven't really had any results with anything yet but haven't been doing it that long so have to see how it goes.

[looneymom]

Hi Loot

Just wanted to welcome you to the fourm. Sounds like you may just have plain old POTS without any several medical underlying problems. That's the best kind of POTS to have. Keep up the exercise and keep your immune system up. Drink your fluids and keep the salt level up. Hopefully you won't have any bad flares and be able to keep your current level of functioning.

Rachel

[lfreem02]

Have you tried qigong? It helps to calm the autonomic nervous system, and there are exercise you can do while sitting at work or home. I found it very helpful in building up the strength in my legs. In a matter of a month of my onset my legs were so weak I couldn't walk a straight line at the nervous system clinic I went to. I had terrible shaking while doing some of the exercises that required squatting, but over time I was able to start jogging again. It is also very calming. You can also try taking vitamin D3, magnesium, and alpha lipoic acid (recommended by the Mayo clinic). I am working with a chiropractor to get off the medications I have been on, and resolve my issues in a more natural way.

[Chaos]

Glad to hear you are doing pranayama. That can be very helpful, and the exercise as well. Would encourage you to keep both of those up. Biofeedback may help as well.

There is a book called Healing Trauma by Peter A Levine Ph.D which you might find helpful. He addresses the issues of what happens physiologically in the body (to the autonomic nervous system) when people undergo emotional trauma and how humans frequently get "stuck" in that pattern as we have lost the ways that other mammals have of releasing that "fight or flight" reaction after the event. It's very interesting reading and you might find the exercises and CD that comes with the book to be of benefit.

Sure hope you can find some relief from your symptoms!

[loot]

Ok I'll have a look into that. I think I must certainly be stuck in sympathetic mode. Technically you could say people with POTS are all so 'frightened' we're too scared to even stand up...so our hearts race upon the 'shock' of standing. Pranayama, specifically analoma viloma (alternate nostril breathing) has been shown to increase parasympathetic activity. Actually its specifically the left nostril breathing for parasympathetic and right for sympathetic, so make sure your left nostril is clear at all times since each nostril will be slightly more blocked than the other at any one time.

Glad to hear you are doing pranayama. That can be very helpful, and the exercise as well. Would encourage you to keep both of those up. Biofeedback may help as well.

There is a book called Healing Trauma by Peter A Levine Ph.D which you might find helpful. He addresses the issues of what happens physiologically in the body (to the autonomic nervous system) when people undergo emotional trauma and how humans frequently get "stuck" in that pattern as we have lost the ways that other mammals have of releasing that "fight or flight" reaction after the event. It's very interesting reading and you might find the exercises and CD that comes with the book to be of benefit.

Sure hope you can find some relief from your symptoms!