migraine

Urgh, why do we have to go to the ER! And why don't they ever call your doctor or their office from the ER to get your records or speak to your doctor! I am so happy that I am pregnant right now, because it enables me to bypass the ER and go directly to the maternity ward where a doctor, who at least has my case history, can take care of me. There has to be a better system! I think when you receive our diagnosis (or even other chronic illnesses) you should skip the ER and be admitted for even a less than 24 hour observation! My daughter was in the hospital a couple weeks ago and I learned an observation is less costly than a full admittance and sometimes even the ER! We should have those standing orders. Why won't our doctors give us this standing order!!!!!! I'm not sure what all of your initials stand for either, but it does not sound pretty at all. My BP is usually very low and also stays that way because of my beta blocker. When I get nervous I can feel it beating fast. I get sort of jerky motions and talk funny and am usually very snappy with people. If it continues I take another beta blocker. I have never even thought of checking the rate to find out if I have this similar problem. My guess is it is not severe enough or occur that often to even warrant further testing. I couldn't imagine if I had all of these other POTSY symptoms along with your heart issues. The heart cath can be very scary. I think it's important to fully investigate this route. My Step-Dad has had several of these and was totally fine. His Aunt on the other hand had one and passed away during the procedure. (That shouldn't scare you because she went several years with a heart disease and no doctor's visits.) Anyway, just get all the facts. You seem to be at more severe end of this POTS syndrome. I really hope you find some help and can somehow avoid all of these idiots that don't know @#$% about this disease. Hang in there!

Katherine, your comments about your Mother and Grandmother are so familiar. My Mother does not show any signs of POTS. My Grandmother, however, forever has been known for having headaches, dizzy spells, and having to take afternoon naps. Now in her 80s she has major syncope issues and has a pacemaker. Her story sounds very familar to those on the forum, however she and my Aunt have been told, and convinced, she has a heart issue...even though she has had quirky issues with that diagnosis and passed out cold from the tilt table test. Just like blue eyes or red hair, maybe this is just a genetic thing that could pop up at any lineage rate? I was not diagnosed with POTS until after my 3rd child was born. I'm not sure that diagnosis would have stopped me from having more kids...and this fourth one. While this disease has been a minor to major pain during each day of my life, I don't feel it has totally prevented me from having a normal life...and I guess that's what I hope for my kids. Hopefully we will at least have the upper hand of at least knowing what it is and possibly how to treat it. My problem is I over-anylyze...does she have a headache because of POTS...or because she just has a headache? Merrill, I am sending some fertility vibes your way! I was told I would not be able to have children due to a lack of mensus (probably due to POTS issues)(Sorry to the guy readers ) We just stoped trying and became pregnant. That sort of started a flow as I have had a child every other year since. I actually thought I was in early menapause when I became pregnant with this fouth one. Anyway, I wish you the best and you never know when the fertility Gods will strike As for my little one...she just turned 3. Her appointment with the immunologist went well...finally a doctor that did not think I was nuts! Unfortunately she has to go through tons of tests. Yesterday she had 4 little needles placed under her skin for an allergy test. Today she had bloodwork drawn for about 15 different tests. Tomorrow she will have her arm looked at for the allergy tests. Friday we go in for a head CT and hopefully a reading of some of the results that have come in. I feel like I have put her through the ringer, but probably better to get it all done at once. The doctor has a hunch it is a cyclical white cell count deficiency. He thinks each month her white cell count dips below normal leaving her susceptible to viral and bacterial infections that may be lurking. Because her white cell count is then so low, she has a very high fever and may take her longer to beat the infection. If the test results point in this direction he thinks it is easilbly managable and we might be on our way to a healthy toddler. To me it doesn't sound like it's POTS related either. More next week... My husband and I have been looking into cord blood for this new baby. It is expensive, but I am frightened that due to my weird disease, my kids may be prone to getting other diseases. We know so very little about this POTS still. Thanks for your support and I will keep you posted.

Since I have been diagnosed with POTS, I constantly look for signs of it in my children. I have 3 girls and a boy on the way. When I was a child I constantly had headaches, was thirsty, and many of the other POTS symptoms. I was tested for everything and never seemed to be diagnosed. More frustrating was that no one believed me! My Mother, a nurse, knew that there was an actual problem, but rarely let me come home from school for headaches or just not feeling well...Oh yes, I had to have a fever! My oldest child displays some of these symptoms as well. We were called about 3 times this year from school to come pick her up for a headache. In all honesty I admit I did not believe her. I made her stay at school one time and she came home finally with a fever. How could I do that knowing what I went through as a child. Was she having one of my childhood migraine episodes? She also got headaches as a toddler and I took her to a neurologist who found nothing. It's just such a generic symptom ...but could it be POTS? Today I am taking my youngest daughter to an immunologist. Since she was 3 months old she has been sick about every other month with a viral or bacterial infections. We were shocked last summer that she actually went a whole month without being sick. We usually let this illness run about 3 days and then take her to the doctor who tells us nothing is wrong. We try to just treat her at home alternating motrin and tylenol. She usually has no other symptoms except a high fever of 105 or 106 that runs for 1 week to 10 days. Occaisionally we find out that it was an ear infection or strep...but usually just classified as a viral infection. She has been in the hospital twice because at some point we were unable to get the fever down. They have tested her for everything under the sun including a painful spinal tap. We have been told at some point she had citomigalo viurs (CMV) which has been explained to me about 100 different ways and still is confusing and means nothing, and a few months ago chronic sinus disease. At times she has been anemic and I have taken her to a different doctor for a second opinion who also came up clueless. Most people/doctors just tell me "some kids just get sick a lot," but I'm not feeling settled with that...and I'm sorry, but no one should have that high of a fever that often and for that long. My husband thinks I am a little sensitive to this issue because of all the junk I deal with with the POTS and being misdiagnosed for so long. I just want to find out what the heck is going on. And could this eventually be POTS related? I hope to find out more info with the immunologist today. I can't help but blame myself that maybe some of my POTS symptoms have somehow passed down to her. I guess I'm just venting because I don't know what else to do. I'm hoping the doctor today will have an answer and a cure and that she will not have to go down the same POTSy road as myself.

Hi There: Yes, I do the treadmill in the winter and walk outside in the summer. I did find a couple things I had to watch out for on the treadmill... I would not do the incline if your treadmill has one. I find it displaces my hips and I spend more time trying to stay on the treadmill than actually getting a good work-out. Balance is also a big issue...hang on! I have already fallen off a couple times because of my quirky balance and stride. Also, hold on to something when you step off. If you have any type of syncope you may feel a little dizzy once your feet stop moving and the rest of the world is still. Even though everything I listed sounds awful, I have learned to cope with them and it seems to be the best aerobic excersise along with swimming (which I never have time to do.) I used to be an aerobics class guru in my younger days, but the bouncing makes me dizzy now and makes my feet go numb. Stretching and yoga also seem to be helpful. The most important thing would be your BP. Make sure your doctor says your little ticker can take the treadmill. I also read that you will get a better work-out not going too fast for a 1/2 hour than if you go really fast for 10 minutes. My husband has been listening to financial self help tapes. The author said something like, "It is better to underachieve than to not achieve anything at all." For excerise, instead of pushing for 1/2 hour each day, I try to give myself credit for the 10 or 15 minutes I attempted! Good Luck!

I wouldn't say I have a standing order of IV Hydration, but when I get really bad migraines and can't stop throwing up, or the common flu that just won't go away...my body can't seem to bounce back and I think that has a lot to do with fluids and POTS. I usually end up at the ER (With lovely comments about me just being there for a headache or flu.) and the first thing they do it start fluids. I usually just sleep for 5-8 hours with fluids and then feel better enough to go home and let my body heal. My last flu was about 2 months ago. Since I was pregnant I just spent the night on the maternity ward with fluids going all night. I just woke up, felt better, and was on my way. I'm finally at a point where I can get a migraine and then go in for fluids, something to stop throwing up, and something for the pain. I guess you could call that a standing order, but I am still reluctant to go to the ER. I used to go to Dr. Stillman, but the 1.5 hour drive was a little too much for me because I am definately not a Cleveland City girl. I have seen many people in his office doing the IV theapy so it must be a common thing he tries. I drink tons of water at work during the week, but don't usually drink my yucky tap water at home on the weekends. I can definately see a difference with energy level and headaches. I have to force myself to drink water on the weekends. If you have the time and some good veins I think it can be helpful.

Wow, that sounds really interesting. Do they at least rub your feet while they do it. I usually get facials and messages. That is supposed to remove toxins as well. Unfortunately it tends to dehydrate me, so I drink lot of water before I go. Are you sure it's not just a chemical reaction?

Hey Merrill: My name is Jennifer. I haven't been using it because, since I found this sight, I have been venting venting venting. My Step-Father told me the sleep lab was no sweat...but he can sleep standing up and had a wonderful technician. I'm just so picky about everything that I always assume, whatever can go wrong with any test...will If you need the test, you should take it. It's only one night of being uncomfortable. I usually sleep with my husband, 3 kids, and a cat...so I don't know why I am complaining so much...at least I got the whole bed to myself Thanks for the info. -Jennifer

Danelle: I'm glad your husband's lightbulb finally went on! I wish I had something more physically concrete to show my husband. Most of us have heat issues, but I am usually cold. He's not impressed anymore by me pressing my icy cold hands against his to prove that I AM REALLY COLD! The throwing up and moaning with migraines is also not really impressive to him anymore. I even spoke to one of my doctors about the lack of spousal support with this disease. He actually sent a letter directly to my husband stating that if I did not slow down and get some naps in once in awhile that eventually I would not have a migraine...I would have a stroke! No response! We both work and the only real day we are both home together is Sunday. We struggle each week with demanding some alone time. After 9 years I finally worked out a little nap plan. For some reason if I go up to my room to bed, he becomes furious that he is stuck with the kids on is only day off. But...if I sleep on the couch while he watches TV or plays with the kids...it's somehow acceptable. Ahhhh, the games we play. Oh Danelle...the age thing was my only hope for some empathy. I'm just greatful I have my Mother and Step-Father around for support. I don't know what I would do without them. Last night I felt horrible that I had posted such a horrible description of my spouse.. because he is really a good person and a great Father. I just think this forum allows for some room to vent which is just what most of us need. Thanks Ethansmom for bringing this up so we can get some of this frustration out of our system

Hi again Merrill: Yes, I will have to wait two weeks for my results. The technician repeatedly told me I was not allowed to ask her any questions about the exam, or my results, or how I slept. I did ask her what some of the wires were for and in particular the little unit on my lip that slightely went up my nose. I guess that measures and splits how much you breath through your nose and how much through your mouth. Yes michiganjan, watch out for the finger pulsox. Merrill and I seemed to have the same "indented finger" experience. I finally ended up moving the thing to another finger because it hurt so bad. I'm not sure if that messed anything up or not. You may want to ask about it before your exam. Yes, my technician was not that great. I thought when she woke me up she would be really gentle, but she just sort of flipped on the lights and TV and started ripping cords off of me. Not very pleasant. I also really had to scrub my scalp hard to get all the glue out. I'm 6 months pregnant and really should have gotten up at least once to go to the restroom. Maybe if I had a different technician, I would have felt more comfortable getting up. I think it's important to share all the gritty components of all the testing that us POTS patients go through, so we know what to expect and are not shocked by anything. Thanks for your input and I will post my results when I get them.

I think Merril had the last sleep lab experience. I'm just wondering if you got the results? Mine was horrible. I finally found someone out there that talks more than I. I rushed there at 8:30 pm after bathing and getting the kids to bed. I waited in line for awhile (You know how us POTs patients love to do that!) to check in while the technician yapped on the phone, but did not actually get hooked up until 9:30 or 10:00pm. The lab person was friendly but just kept going on and on. I was tired so I pretty much fell right to sleep. The 20 cables they have attached to your body seemed to be only half the length of say, an IV cord. I'm a tosser/turner, so it was very hard to flip over or get comfortable. The room was set up like a hotel with a double bed but it was freezing. I always forget that hosptial-type places only use a sheet and blanket (no comforter) on the beds, so I was really cold. I usually try to bring a twin size comforter, but I forgot this time. I usually wake up to roll over or get comfortable and then go back to sleep several times during the night. I did the same here, but had trouble going back to sleep each time because the wires were tugging at me and the stupid pulsox (sp) thing on my finger was digging into my skin. I pretty much laid there from 4:00-5:15am when the test was finally over. I also didn't go to the bathroom the whole time because I was ambarrased to sit up and wave to the camera to get unplugged or ring the bell laying next to my bed. I actually don't think it was anyone's fault, I just think I'm such a picky sleeper. Anyway, I'm not sure what kind of results they'll get based on that night's lack of sleep. I felt hungover the entire next day. So, I guess that's a yucky outlook on a sleep lab. I'm more interested in mine and Merril's results and how they might be related to POTS. Again, I don't think I actually stop breathing...but I think the drop in blood pressure at night decreases our oxygen intake making a not so restful sleep.... making me tired all the time. Even if this turns out to be the case, I'm not sure how to fix this. Wish me luck.

Wow, sounds like we all need some couples "POTS" therapy. Veryblue, you are so very blue, and I'm not really sure how to follow up on your posting. I actually spent a lot of time really reading everyone's postings because this really hit one of my emotional nerves. I wish I could print it off and give it to my husband, but he can't read and stay focused for that long. He has resorted to financial books on CDs to listen to in his car...again that material society. I posted something a while back about my husband finally coming to an appointment. Things are back to normal now, and because I haven't died or passed out, he still thinks the doctors are full of it and if I would just lose weight everything would be fine. Labeled a "complainer" I'm often amazed at how many things I don't comlain about. That fast food line thing was a perfect example. My husband doesn't get it either and it would take too long to explain to him that I feel faint waiting in line, that my head starts to hurt, I sweat, and I get very angry with other people and the idiot cashiers that are moving at a snail's pace. This is a normal task for normal people, but it ***** the life out of me for an entire day. But I do it because yes, just that one more complaint would again ruin our lunch and our day. Some stuff I don't even realize like if I spend the morning throwing up and then prepare a massive birthday party in the afternoon because it just has to get done. Usually my Mom will point out that I should have asked for help. As I have metnioned before, my husband thinks this illness is just one generic title doctors give us when we have a bunch of problems and don't know why. Even during my worst migraines throwing up or in the hospital on bed rest I have never felt a strand of sympathy from him. He would be hurt if he read this, but he lacks in the empathy department. He is so wonderful at everything else, but so lousy at this...or maybe he just doesn't have any more to give. (Yes, blaming myself again.) I think age really plays a large factor. It seems like most of you who posted who were older had more understanding spouses. The original poster's is 22 and my husband is 33. About a year ago I had a migraine so bad and could not stop throwing up. I wished that someone could simply cut my brain in half to releave the pressure. I was in tears. I tried Imitrex for the first time and had a severe reaction to it. For available support I only had my husband and step-Dad. I chose my step-Dad. I remember being so impressed that he sat in the tiny ER room with me for 8 hours. He stroked my forhead, emptied my little basin, and brought fresh cold towels for my head. I'm not even that close with him. I remember crying even more because I knew my husband would have never done that...and would I have to wait for him to turn 50 to have that kind of love and patience? And so myself and it seems like many of you are stuck in this rut. I don't have any advice, but I am moved at your comments and know that other people are in my shoes. Sorry, I didn't mean to end up on a negative note, but like I said this posing really struck a nerve and probably one of the single most important conflict issues in my marriage.

Sorry, I have been off-line for a few days. What conference is this, where, and when?

Good idea. This forum actually has a symptoms page listed. I suffer (though not severely) from 90% of the symptoms. I usually take that list to the docs with me and highlight the ones I have. Maybe you could list each one of those symptoms and we could all checkmark the ones we have. Then we could get a % for each symptom we have as a group and so on. Just an idea, though I would have no clue how to set this up on this forum

Hey Ethansmom: Thanks for the heads up on the beta blocker. I will definately watch the heartrate like a hawk. During my last 2 months I have docs visits every two weeks and then every week. I plan on really charting the heart rate during this time. I take the beta blocker for migraines and potsy symptoms. I have not had a migraine since early in my first trimester, so I am tempted to just ween myself off the beta blocker during the final month and see what happens. The birthing center sounds wonderful. I have been wanting to try midwives and a birthing center for some time now. It sounds silly, but I feel loyal and a little superstitious about my OB/GYN. Like if I try someone else, something will go wrong. Several family members and friends work at my hospital and always say that even though his bedside manner is not that great, he is the one you want when you or your baby is seriously in trouble. My neighbor had 5 little girls with midwives and loved the experience. With the last one she had placenta previa and ended up with my doctor. I was comforted to know that the midwives trusted him as well. I'm hoping (since this makes #4) that I will be one of those women that just wake up and say, "it's time", drive to the hospital, and have the baby...but that probably won't happen

Hey April: Sorry to open this posting back up. I have wanted to respond for a couple days, but my youngest daughter was in the hospital for high fever and dehydration. Supposedly just a viral infection but not fun just the same. She is home now and doing fine! Anyway congrats on your news. It is so exciting. I still say that the blessing of usually healthy babies and Moms far outways the risks of any research on POTs and Pregnancy presented. I am about 24 weeks along now. I already have 3 girls and just found out I am having a boy! I am usually very sick and POTSY throughout my entire pregnancies...but this one has been different. A little increase in nausea and migraines during the first trimester and now everything has subsided. I don't know if it's even too soon to note that many of my POTS symptoms have toned down as well....maybe it's because it's a boy - just proof that every pregnancy is different. Merrill's research is a little scary. I did not find out I had POTs until after my third pregnancy, so I'm taking this delivery with an entirely new precaution. I have done a lot of my own research on this and also used my past delivery experiences. This time around I have involved my OB/GYN, Neorologist, Cardiologist, Pediatrician, and a heads up will go to the Neonatologist on call. All parties seem to agree that everything will be just fine. There is a little discrepancy about my beta blocker, Toprol, during delivery. My cardiologist is worried that it will slow down the baby's heart rate. My OB/GYN has never seen any effect from this drug. ...So I turned to a third party, my Pediatrician who informed me that my OB/GYN would be most up to date on the drug and its effect on my baby. She suggested that I take the OB/GYN's advice, but give the neonatologist a heads up when I go into labor just in case. I will also have a list of all of these doctor and their numbers so they can be contacted in case of any emergency. So I guess my point is that I would contact your OB/GYN regarding your florinf. He/She will have better knowledge on its effect on your baby. I also think the water intake factor is huge. If you have an epidural they usually dump two bags of fluid in your IV before they do the insertion. This helps with your water/blood volume. Of course you'll have to do your own research on the pros and cons of POTS patients and epidurals. Be sure to request the fluid if you get one or not. Any way, it is good to have advice like Merrill's to give you a heads up, but I didn't want it to scare you either. I'm sure you and your baby will be just fine. While I was in the hopsital this weekend there were signs posted everywhere that said, "Patients - Speak Up!" It listed 10 things you can do to help your caregivers take care of you. As a POTs patient, make sure you speak up about your concerns and give all of your drug and symptom info to your nurses. You should repeat it when they switch shifts too because they don't always have time to read all the previous notes. OK - I'm getting off my preaching block! Have a great pregnancy

My test is next week. I'm curious as to your results. Did they say why you woke up 5 times?

For migraines, I am on a beta blocker toprol. It seems to fight off my dibilitating migraines. I have noticed lately that allegy season has hit. I don't take alergy medication because I was told it messes with the headache medication...but I find using the air conditioning and drinking tons of water helps these sinus/allergy headaches. Try and try again

Ooo, I had the glucose tolerance test and had a grandmal seizure. This was when I was undiagnosed with POTs and they were checking to see if I was hyplogycemic, epileptic, or diabetic. Niether disease won and to this day no one has a clue what the heck happend. I still have sugar in my urine at any given time for no reason. Here's a catch phrase for ya..."Unknown Etiology." It means they don't have a clue what it is or where it came from...but apparently it sounds more professional. Maybe I'll check out this Porphyria! Good luck, but be careful with this testing and be ready for anything.

I'm sorry to hear about your vacation plans. I cancelled mine as well. Every year we go camping Memorial Day weekend. It's a great adventure, but I usually end up sick and cold, our tent floods or blows away, and it wipes me out before I have to start the work week. We went to Florida in March and it was totally stressfull for me, the planning, the plane, staying at a friend's and being on their non-POTS schedule. I push myself every year to make these trips, and for right now it's just not worth it. Staying home Memorial Day was fabulous. I cleaned the house, did laundry, and played with the kids at a nice slow clip. I even slept in a few mornings. I even had one of those moments when you look around and say, "Isn't life wonderful." I did get a headache, but I was able to fix it with water and a quick nap. And as the rain came down on our roof while tucked in my cozy bed I thought, "I'm so glad we didn't go camping:)" Eventually I would love to have the energy to run around, take trips, and so on...but it's so much healthier for me at this time to just sit at home and relax. Try to look at this non-trip as time for yourself. Read a book, get a message, work on a project you have been putting off. Save that trip for when your POTS is not as symptomatic and you have more energy to party the night away:) A side note: For those who have been following my other posts...I have 3 girls and am due again in October. I just found out I am having a boy and I couldn't be more excited! I also spent my weekend going through all of my baby clothes and little newborn outfits. The girls and I had so much fun looking through everything. I'm really glad we had the long weekend for such a special project:)

Sorry to get off the subject. I was told that I couldn't take any allergy medicine because it would depleat the effect of the toprol which I really need for migraines. I have awful allergies, but I would much rather have a sinus headache than a full out migraine. What are your thoughts?

It sounds crazy, but I was given effexor before being diagnosed with POTS. I had a lot of anxiety and had trouble sleeping. I tried it only for 2 weeks. It made me hyper and shaky and it was hard to concentrate. I don't know if I slept better or not...it was more like sleeping after going out on a drinking binge. Going off the drug I had the same shaky effect until it finally went away. I guess I would not suggest this for POTSy patients because we seem to react with drugs like that.

This weight thing is curious to me as well. There were so many postings...I wonder how many people would post the other way about weight gain as well. I would imagine it works one way or another. Our POTS must completely mess up whatever balances weight in your body. I have gained 20 pounds with each pregnancy and it never came off. When I married I was 135-140 and about 5'6". I ate so poorly then. Now I keep gaining no matter how well I eat. I have tried every diet and am mortified when I see my weight announced on T.V. as obese and see pictures of people eating buckets of ice cream and chicken. In fact I have trouble eating a lot due to symptoms of this stupid POTS....so why this weight gain? Because I am on my 4th child every doctor has just assumed I've fallen into the same rut as many women with kids and let myself go. I really think it is POTS related and after this pregnancy I'm going to look into thyroid and hormone issues and see if I can be given POTS benficial drugs that also promote weight loss. I was on topomax for awhile which was supposed to make me lose weight, but nothing happend. I understand your pain of being thin...but I can't help but think I would much rather have a weight loss problem than a weight gain problem. My sister-in-law is anorexic and wears a size o. She is very emotional about her weight. I used to sing in a band and I was mortified one night when an audience member said he loved it when the "heavy girls got up to sing." About an hour later someone told her, "I hate you because you're so thin!" We sort of looked at each other and realized we were sort of in the same boat. Most people would not say anything to an overweight person, but make comments to thin people because in this society they think they are actually giving a compliment. The thing that I notice most is that there doesn't seem to be a steady weight gain or weight loss. Most of us seem to add or lose many pounds in a month or so. Unless you're eating tons or not eating at all this would not make sense. It just has to be a POTS thing! While I still sort of , in a sick way, envy your thinnes problem...I will certainly be more aware before I make comments about anyone's weight....gain....or loss.

Sorry, I'm backtracking to Ethansmom's posting. I really do find it so amazing and helpful that more young people are finding a diagnosis to this early on. I have had it my whole life and wasn't diagnosed until I turned 29. Most people don't seem to understand/believe us anyway, but it is harder when you're younger and going through so many other changes. I remember having a swim coach that made me swim a 1000 while I was having one of my episodes. I almost drowned. My head was killing me and I was sobbing and inhaling water. Or the fact that we tend to be cryers...I seemed to be even more emotionaly than your average teen. And I probably should have been sent home for headaches that no one believed, or been allowed to go to the bathroom or get a drink when needed. If these teachers had been informed of this disease, I'm sure they would have been more understanding. I hope that your child and others have an easier time in high school with the proper diagnosis and assistance.

Oh, I really feel for your child. Though undiagnosed, I had POTS as a child and teenager. Puberty was awful. My junior year, I skipped 23 days of school. When I was finally caught, my school and Mother asked me what I was doing on these days...."Sleeping!" I ended up in detention the rest of the year, but no one took this problem seriously. I went from a 3.7 GPA to failing half of my classes that year and getting kicked off my soccer team. I'm sure I was viewed as a slacker. I think things would be different now... I have mentioned a few times on this forum that since we do have a disease we really need to take advantage of the programs that are being offered in our schools and colleges. Your child should be able to get assistance through their school with an advisor and a proper IEP (or is it EAP) program. This lets the school better teach your child for their condition. In my case it probably would have been better if I was able to sleep in in the morning (missing study hall or something like that) and then filling my day with classes with maybe an afternoon study hall. Teachers should also know that water should be allowed in the classroom for this student and that a possible afternoon snack might benefit as well. I have other symptoms now, but nothing was as hard as having this while going through puberty. I encourage you to use the school program to help with your child's symptoms. Best of luck.

Paige, I would not wait for anyone to contact you or inform you about Cobra. This is the time to take everything into your hands. Insurance is a tricky game and we can be penalized left and right if we don't keep up on it. I quit a job after my first child was born. We were paying about $27 a month premium for insurance. Cobra would have been around $600 for family coverage. We opted for self-employment insurance. It was around $200 per month. This was only for hospital type coverage and did not include doctor's appointments or maternity. You also have to check out if a self-employment/self-insurance type coverage would accept your POTS pre-existing condition. You will have to take all of that into consideration and weigh which one would be more cost effective. I know I definately only went to the doctor when I was seriously ill and I was not on meds at that time. Finally, you might check with your local hospital. You may be able to qualify for a bill reduction based on your income. This is a pain because you have to go down and file for wellfare....be denied from wellfare...and then take the denial letter to apply to the hospital. Unfortunately we were caught in the middle and did not qualify for any assistance....so I went back to work. And you wonder why our nation is shouting out healthcare issues!