EABarnard Posted February 6, 2014 Report Share Posted February 6, 2014 Hi all.I am new to the forum and I really need some advice. I was diagnosed with POTS in May 2013 after an event that happened to me in December 2012. I won't go into the details of it but after lots of tests landed up with an electrophysiologist who made the diagnosis. I live in South Africa and in general I would say that very very few people have ever heard of POTS. I know we all experience this with doctors but it is really quite bad here. I am only on a medication called ivabradine. It works directly on the AV node as I have terrible reaction to beta blockers. My doctor said I could try manage all other symptoms conservatively. I must say that I don't believe my medication makes a huge difference but I am learning to live with all my symptoms. Until last night when suddenly I felt as though my chest was closing up. I am not sick and don't have asthma but if I can imagine, it felt abit like an asthma attack. I have been struggling to breathe since and have a constant tight feeling in my chest. My dizziness feels worse and body temperature goes from extremely cold to extremely hot. The feeling gets worse when I stand. I refuse to go to emergency for any tests as they will only give me medication for what they believe is a panic attack...this has happened to me before. I am abit concerned and just wanted to find out if anybody has experienced this. Please help with advice in any way that you can. I would really appreciate it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjensen Posted February 6, 2014 Report Share Posted February 6, 2014 If you feel concerned enough to consider getting it checked out, then please get it checked out.If you check out fine, and they want to discuss panic attacks, you know how to deal with them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katybug Posted February 6, 2014 Report Share Posted February 6, 2014 I often have chest pain and feel chest tightness and short of breath. Almost like an elephant is sitting on my chest....I can fully inflate my lungs but it feels like it takes extra effort and I'm still not getting enough oxygen for the effort I'm putting into it. And, my body temp swings back and forth wildly as well. All of that being said, I agree with the post above that if this is new and worrisome for you, you should get it checked out. Unfortunately, many pots symptoms mimick the symptoms they tell you to watch for in case of heart attack. It can be scary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corina Posted February 6, 2014 Report Share Posted February 6, 2014 Hi EABarnard, welcome to the forum. Like Katie and gjensen mentioned, if concerned enough you might want to have it checked. Hope you're doing better today! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davecom Posted February 6, 2014 Report Share Posted February 6, 2014 Even if they consider it to be a panic attack, at least they can do an echo/ekg for your piece of mind. Perhaps consider talking to the doctor who diagnosed you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EABarnard Posted February 9, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2014 Hi allThank you so much for your replies. I had another really bad episode yesterday and have been placed into intensive care for cardiac monitoring. The doctor has said that my heart rate was developing an arrythmia and believes that the breathing symptoms are all related to my very high heart rate. What a scary experience!I feel exhausted from the whole thing but I am so thankful for the advice of coming to hospital. I have been trying to figure out what could have caused such a flare up and feel extremely blessed to be under the care of a new physician who wants to get to the bottom of it. I am very slowly and painfully learning that I need to listen to my body and not ignore the warning signs it gives. Thank you all for encouraging me to take ot further. It's so easy to start thinking that it is all in your imagination!Very thankful for this forum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjensen Posted February 9, 2014 Report Share Posted February 9, 2014 I am glad that you chose to go.These kind of issues are scary, but it sounds like you are in a good place. Let us know how it goes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corina Posted February 9, 2014 Report Share Posted February 9, 2014 Hope you will be back on your feet soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
looneymom Posted February 9, 2014 Report Share Posted February 9, 2014 Welcome to the forum and hope you feel better soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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