DABS

I was wondering if anyone has worn a 30 day event monitor. I've got someone coming out to my house on Monday to hook me up. I've only worn a 24 holter in the past and have no idea what this one will be like. Can you shower? How does it record the irregular rythms only? Or maybe it just records everything? I don't understand how it works. I've had so many tests and just am feeling terribly discouraged. My cardio informed me last week that I have high blood pressure now on top of everything else and prescribed a calcium channel blocker. This is on top of already taking a beta blocker and I'm not happy about it. The good news is that I've located an EP and will be seeing her next month. I hope I have better success with her but don't have much hope. I know she is an EP but I don't know what her experience is with POTS, OI, IST, or CFIDS. I don't know if I will ever get a correct diagnosis. I dream about actually learning what the cause is of my sinus tachycardia. If anyone who has worn a 30 day event monitor would explain what its like to me I'd appreciate it. Thanks! Debbie

I was prescribed 75 mg daily of Zoloft but weaned myself off of it several months ago because I didn't feel I was benefitting from it. However, I now realize that I was doing better while on it and want to try it agin. I've noticed in reading thru the posts that several of us are either taking Zoloft or have in the past and it seems that a low dose is best for POTS sufferers. I was wondering what people mean when they say "low dose". Also, I was wondering if it should be taken in one dose or broken up throughout the day and if its better to take it at nite or in the morning. I'm also taking Bisoprolol (10 mg daily) and Lorazepam (1 mg daily) and don't want to be zombified by too much medication! I'm so glad I could come here to get advice. I hope my post is coherent because I'm suffering from serious brain fog! This forum has been a lifesaver and I don't know what I'd do without it. I hope to be able to contribute advice to those in need in the future rather than just being on the recieving end! Thanks! -- Debbie

I sure can relate to what everyone is saying. I'm not driving right now and the only person I will go out with is my husband. He is the only one that truly understands. He knows that when I say I need to go or I need to sit down that I mean it and he responds immediately. I know I'm sticking close to home right now but thats okay with me. I know that someday I will be out and about again. My family on the other hand thinks that I NEED to get out. They say things to me like if you'd just come out with us you'd feel better. NO WAY! They don't get it. They are welcome to visit my home whenever they want but for now I do things on MY terms. I've only just recently taken control back and it has helped me tremendously. I'm longer trying to put up a strong front and trying to please others. I guess that is the role I've taken in my family. But I had to give it up in order to take care of myself, my husband, and my daughter. I've learned that noone will do it for me. I have to do it myself. Its been an empowering realization. Hopefully my family will learn to understand in time and love me anyway. But for now I can't worry about that - its a waste of time anyhow. --- Debbie

I too am very pale and have circles under my eyes. I've pretty much always had them to some degree but they are much worse now. Friends, family, and even acquaintances often tell me I look tired. Twice my sister and my niece have told me that I actually look like I have blue/gray makeup under my eyes - especially on the inside corners. --- Deb

Wow, Sue. That is interesting. I've had POTS symptoms ever since I was 15 after being operated on for a burst appendix. It wasn't until I began having feritility trouble that the endometriosis was discovered. I had laporoscopic surgery in which the dr removed most of the endo but my tubes are badly damaged and I have tons of scarring, etc. The good news is that three months after the surgery I miraculously conceived, successfully carried, and delivered a very healthy baby girl. Thank you God! It has been 10 years since the birth of my miracle baby and I have not been able to conceive again. I did see my doctor and start looking into further surgeries but in the end decided that it was too hard on my body. I'm so grateful I have my daughter. I'll leave it alone. I'm glad to hear you were able to have 2 babies! Thats great. I don't have any symptoms of the endometriosis that I am aware of other than the infertility but my husband is always prodding me to not forget I have it because we've read that it can cause extreme fatigue which I continually suffer from. That is what led me to post this poll. Thanks so much for responding! --- Debbie

Hi all! Hope you don't mind satisfying my curiosity on this one point. I have endometriosis and was wondering if any other POTS sufferers have it. Some of the symptoms are similar such as intestinal trouble, extreme fatigue, nausea, etc. I'm going through the testing/diagnostic stage of POTS or something POTS-like and was wondering if the two illnesses show up together often. Thanks a bunch!

Hi everyone. I'm new to the group and have just posted my basic story in hopes that someone out there can relate. I hope noone minds that I've also posted a second topic. This is something I've thought about for awhile and I've been researching it as well. Do any of you feel you would benefit from having a service dog? I've often thought that my quality of life would be greatly improved if I did. Having a dog to help me up from sitting, pick items up off the floor, steady me when feeling faint, to detect changes in heart rhythm, etc. Would love to talk about this with others. Thanks. Debbie

Hi there. I am sooo happy to have found you guys! I thought I was the only person in the world with these crazy symptoms. Well, not really but my drs sure have made me feel that way. I've had palps and sinus tach on and off since I was a teenager. I'm 37 now. The first episodes were fleeting and my first major episode occurred when I was in my early twenties at which time I saw a Cardio and he told me I had sinus tach and perscribed Atenolol which I never bothered with. The problem seemed to go away on its own for about 6 years or so but returned with a vengeance sometime after having my daughter who is now 10. During the past several years I've changed my pcp a couple of times and have seen 2 additional cardios because I've basically been dismissed as being "anxious"! One of them told me that the only problem with my being tachy is "that I'm aware of it". What is that supposed to mean?! My current cardio is a compassionate person that I respect but he doesn't seem to know much about this condition and has prescribed Zebeta (isoproprolol) which seemed to have a mild positive affect early on but really isn't helping at all now. I am scheduled to see him on 4/19 but have little hope that anything will come of my visit. Since finding this group and reading thru all of the info here I'm questioning exactly what my paricular "syndrome" is. I've spent time at an IST (Inappropriate Sinus Tachycardia) forum as well. Its all so confusing and overwhelming. I'm hoping that if I describe a little about my symptoms I can get some advice on where to turn. I'm thinking that I may be a POTS candidate but am not sure of the type of dr that would be able to diagnose this. I think I need to see an Electrophysiologist but doubt I'll find one here in RI. Here are my symptoms: Increased heartrate round the clock but somewhat lower during sleep (if I remember the results of my 24 hr. holter test), nearly constant palps, nite sweats, near fainting, chest pain/tightness, shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea, inability to stand without worsening symptoms including weakness/shakiness, lack of concentration, and extreme fatigue. I'm also very sensitive to heat but get cold very easily as well. THIS IS NUTS! Not sure about blood pressure. Testing done: ekg, echo, stress, thyroid levels (many times), 24 halter monitor, various bloodwork - all normal other than increased heartrate. I did have an ANA that was positive and have been diagnosed with Raynaud's Disease by a rheumo dr. Wow - its really harad to actually write all of this personal stuff down. I'm been doing such a good cover up job over the years. Its weird to face up and put it out there. I've begun telling my family members and thats been scary too. Anyway, over the past year my symptoms have worsened to the point where my quality of life is deeply affected especially in the last two months or so. I am currently not driving and hardly go out. My husband is extremely supportive and I'm relying on him way too much. I need to get back on my feet! Wow! Sorry for being so wordy. I tried to be as brief as possible and appreciate your time and concern. Thanks to all of you for caring. --- Debbie