Pots And Feeling Jittery/not Yourself

[Freaked]

Before I came down with POTS (suddenly, during a bad flu), I was normally a very calm and composed sort of person, and I tended to come across well in serious contexts even if I wasn't exactly a social butterfly. But it's very difficult to be like that now. Just the effort of getting ready and being out of the house has normally taken so much out of me that I'm symptomatic by the time I get anywhere. So I find myself trying to talk to doctors or exam coordinators or whoever with a crazy heartrate, sweating, trembling and finding it very hard to sit or stand straight (doubling over or slumping makes my symptoms significantly less severe). And all the adrenaline effects me mentally too, making me lose my train of thought and talk in this jolty way like I've drank ten espressos. Basically I seem like Tweak from South Park.

It's very frustrating because no one really understands. Most docs here have never heard of POTS, and it's a lot harder to convince them you're not crazy when you're shaking and can barely raise your head. And sometimes when I get a bad attack and start freaking out a bit, my family just don't understand that when your body releases that much adrenaline it makes you terribly agitated in a way you really have to fight. They don't understand that hyperventilation happens whenever there's a lot of adrenaline circulating, whether that's due to panic or low blood pressure. They understand what POTS is, but sometimes I don't think they really understand its effects.

I just hate not feeling in control of how I come across. The only way for me to stay 'composed' these days is to sit with my feet out, well fed and watered, and not over-exert myself in any way :-/

[castronovo112587]

I feel the same way. It is really frustrating I definitely miss the way my life used to be and have managed to be a lot more positive lately but sometimes it`s hard to deal. I can definitely relate to not being able to focus during those episodes as well.

[badhbt]

I feel for you. I have tried all sorts of scenarios to try to help people understand. My Dad said that I gave him a good one. I asked him if he knew that feeling that rushes through your body when you almost get into an accident? He knew what I was talking about. I told him well that is a surge of adrenaline your fight or flight system. Mine is pretty much stuck in the on position. This was before I knew I was hyper pots. What a horrible feeling. Hope things calm down for you soon.

[Freaked]

Thanks for the replies :-) That's a good explanation, badhbt. Pretty certain I have hyper pots too, but I don't think I could be tested for it here unfortunately.