Michelle Sawicki

Hi! I've heard other patients complain of "burning sensations" too. I'm not sure if it part of dysautonomia or not. If it truly "feels like it is on fire" you should probably see a doctor ASAP to rule out anything serious. Let us know how things turn out! Michelle

I've had a positive ANA. I don't think I was ever tested for EBV. Michelle

Congrats Nina! And 3.9 is something to be VERY proud of...you little perfectionist... Michelle

I second the hand washing suggestion. And Nina, my co-workers probably think I have some obsessive compulsive hand washing disorder too. But I think it is really gross when I go out to eat with some of them and I am the only one who gets up from the table to wash my hands before I eat. (Gee, I hope my co-workers aren't reading this...hehe!) Lever 2000 hand wipes can be great too. I keep them in my car and on my desk. Gee, maybe I am obsessive compulisive ...LOL! Or maybe my mother just taught me well... Michelle

I find that writing things down really helps me to remember them. If I write something down just once I am apt to remember it much better than if I try to verbally memorize it over and over again. I hope you find something that works for you! On another note, best of luck on the GRE! Michelle

Ok...now I know this website was once called POTS Place, but I really didn't mean that literally! (You didn't think I was going to let you get away with that one without teasing you just a little, now did you....?) Michelle

Don't forget to check your "junk mail" for Meet Others mailings. The contact information is mass mailed and often ends up in "junk email". Michelle

Great to hear all went well. Happy Holidays, Jessica! Michelle

I've never tried DDAVP, but I have wondered if it would help me. I, like you, cannot keep weight on...and I eat like a horse. Also, being EXCESSIVELY thirsty was one of my biggest and most annoying symptoms when I first became ill...I just could not drink enough water to quench my thirst. I'm interested in hearing how DDAVP works for you and also other's experiences as well. Michelle

First, let me say THANK YOU to Nina for being the little shopaholic that she is!!! She has raised almost all the money DINET has gotten through igive and it does help. I have thought about Pay Pal and may go that route. We already are set up through Network for Good. Thanks for the suggestions! Michelle

Yep, same thing. Michelle

I also want to wish everyone Happy Holidays and a happy and healthy New Year! Michelle

Just want to let you know that I got the prescription with no problems AND I saved $547.00 for a 3 month supply. That is just AWESOME! I will never buy meds in the US again! Thanks for the help! Michelle

Hi Nicole, I never took Celexa, but I did try a Beta-Blocker/Prozac/Reserpine combination that a doctor by my house was experimenting with. I definitely noticed I was more uninhibited on the SSRI...not exactly the best of things for someone who is already quite outgoing. As with any med, if you are experiencing more negatives than positives this might not be the right med for you. I wish you the best. Michelle

The host does have a live chat feature, but it's not free and not something we can afford at this time. I have thought about adding it in the future, but have also heard some "nightmare stories" from others who have implemented 24/7 live chats....so I am a bit weary. I do think there are some free chatrooms available on the web. We could also decide on a designated time to meet in an AOL chatroom (or something along those lines) if enough people are interested... Also, this group has designated chat times. Let me know what you think... Michelle

I take a beta-blocker every day, and have for the last 5 years. Out of all the medications I've experimented with, the beta-blocker helps the most. Beta-blockers aren't for everyone, and some of the top dysautonomia docs think less is more when it comes to beta-blockers -meaning people often have a more beneficial effect on lower doses. I hope you find it helps! Michelle

I was out of work for a year after becoming ill. Now (almost 5 years later) I am working 3 days a week outside of the home. I do believe I now have the energy to work full-time outside the home once again...if I wanted to. Michelle

Some patients have found this article helpful in obtaining disability. The results of this study show that POTS patients have a quality of life similar to those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and those with congestive heart failure. I hope this helps, Michelle

Hi Elaine! I've read the article again. Personally, I think there will be more discovered relating to nitric oxide in the future and it's relationship to vasodilation in dysautonomia patients. This article touched on that just a bit. I'm not sure if increased MSNA leads to more muscle twitching/palpitations. That might be a good question for your Dr. Dr. Grubb lectured on hormones & dysautonomia (specifically menopause) at a support group meeting I attended. I covered what he said in a newsletter: http://www.dinet.org/images/newsletter2.pdf I definitely feel like more blood is pooling in my legs around my period. That is the one time that I can take proamatine and it does help, which makes me think I do experience more vasodilation at this time. Keep in mind that most of the studies out there on the menstrual cycle/ANS were done on "normal" people....of which we are not. Here is another study you might find interesting. It is an easier read if you just go down to the "Discussion" section: http://www.clinsci.org/cs/102/0639/1020639.pdf Take care, Michelle

Hi Elaine! It's been awhile since I read this article. I printed it out and will take a look at it tomorrow and let you know what I think. Michelle

Florinef made me just the opposite...I was really happy. Exceedingly happy. My son loved it because I would buy him whatever he wanted whenever he wanted. Unfortunately I did not find it beneficial for my POTS symptoms, and stopped taking it. But I do miss those "always happy" days. Michelle

I don't numb well either, and I have EDS as well. My dentist gives me a ton of shots, but I still usually have some feeling. BTW, I have TMJ as well, but it doesn't bother me too much. Hope you find something that works well for you, Alex. Michelle

Thanks Nina! You're the greatest! Michelle

I was wondering how things went with your surgery. Thanks for letting us know. I'm glad to hear everything turned out OK. Michelle

Hope you're feeling better now, Nina. My son stayed home sick from school today too. Michelle