Brye

I have both 20-30 and 30-40 and I decide which ones to wear based on how I'm feeling. If it's a hotter day outside I wear the lighter compression ones since they are more comfortable for me and easier to put on . If I'm more lightheaded the higher compression definitely are more helpful so I wear those. I've never tried the open toe ones. I also have problems with toe pain from the support hose. I've even noticed I get occasional ingrown toenails I think because they squeeze my toes together. I wish I had a solution to that. My big problem right now is I have a hard time with heat tolerance and they are so Hot. I dread wearing them during the summer months. I think I may have to get a cooling vest just so I can keep my hose on this summer. I also get mine at a medical supply store. They were very helpful with the fitting of my support hose so I got the right size and they've also been good about taking them back if there is a problem. Good luck!! Brye

I would love to do a square! This site has been so helpfull with my POTS dx. I'll attempt to get you my address. Thanks!! Brye

I have never been so inactive in my live. I'm 37 and have been trying to gradually get back in shape by walking in the neighborhood with my 2 youngest kids in the stroller. That was helping until about 1 month ago I blacked out during a walk. It scared my kids and me and my stroller was broken by the emt's trying to fold it up so now I'm back to just staying home. My back actually went out about 2 weeks ago and that's the last thing I needed right now. I know I really need to get back in shape and that will help prevent these types of injuries. I barely have enough energy to keep up with my life and now I have one more thing to work on before I can try walking again. I've also had bulged discs in the past. My next task is to find out if my insurance covers chiro visits since that has helped me. I also have some back stretches I can do while laying down or sitting and watching T.V. and those have helped some. Good luck to you. I hope you can find something to get you back to feeling a little better! Brye

Thanks for all the input. I actually do live in AR(Arkansas) I should have specified this since a lot of people confuse it with Arizona. We're planning the WI family tour for this summer and I need to get my appointments lined up soon! I'm hoping the WI doctors can give me some advice because that would be a very convenient location for appointments. I would even have good family child care to help with appts rather than dragging all my kiddos along. THANKS!! Brye

I've been dx with POTS just over a year ago and have been having difficulty finding the right med combo to control my symptoms. My EP was really giving it a good try and had even consulted with Dr. Grubb over the phone for some recommendations. He retired in January though and left me with an EP who has never treated a POTS pt and doesn't have time to figure out how. I live in AR but I have a lot of family in WI and I was wondering if anyone had any good/bad experiences with the doctors listed on the DINET site in Wisconsin. I've called Vanderbilt and Toledo and the waits are so long. I don't think I need the million dollar work up at this point I just need some treatment advice. Thanks!! Brye

I end up feeling guilty a lot also. Every time I have an appt my husband has to take off of work. Some times I feel like he thinks I'm lazy because I can't keep up with the chaos of my life and keep the house spotless and have dinner on the table. I draw my strength from my closest friends. I always felt he should be my #1 support system but I've found he just doesn't get it. My kids are 6,5,2, and 1. I can barely muster the energy to keep up with them much less all the other daily tasks that go along with it. I can say that when I do have a crisis I have VERY dependable friends who do understand and will cover for me. The last time I passed out I was walking in my neighborhood with my 2 kids in the stroller. I made 1 phone call to a friend when the ambulance got there and I had someone to pick up my babes and rides lined up for my older 2 after school. There is a MOMS club in our area that is organized through a Yahoo group. You should see if there is one in your area. It's a support group for moms and has been my saving grace. I've met some of my best friends through that group. I so understand the need to vent and I'm so thankful to all my friends who have listened to me vent over the years. Brye

I'm trying to control my POTS symptoms one step at a time. Any suggestions on control of tremors. I asked my EP doctor if he had any suggestions and he told me that is what the beta blocker is for. If I increase that dose any I think my heart will stop. It already is dropping in the 30's. I take xanax at bedtime to try to control the adrenaline surge I seem to get when I lay down. Any other suggestions. The xanax doesn't really help the tremors it just makes me sleepy so I don't have to endure them quite as long. My worst tremors come when I try to hurry to do something or when I'm stressed. I cross my arms a lot to try to hide it but if you have any suggestions I would love to hear them!! Thanks!! Brye

My last baby boy was born 1/28/08. I have 2 boys and 2 girls now. My last E.F. was back to normal thank goodness!! Now I'm just trying to control the POTS symptoms. It's a challenge getting the right med combo. It's also been a challenge to get a doctor willing to take the time to figure out proper treatment options. I have 4 kids so it's difficult to find time to travel to see a specialist. When was your delivery date? Hope you get it all figured out! It's so hard to keep up with little ones when your not feeling well. I was actually thrilled to get the mono dx because at least that usually gets better! Take care! Brye

My problems developed just over a year ago after baby #4. I developed N/V and was hospitalized for a kidney infection. My HR dropped in the 20's to 30's during that visit. My echo showed an EF of 30% at that time. They also told me this was viral or pregnancy induced. I've now been dx with POTS after a TTT. About 4 months ago I started running fevers and severe fatigue. They finally figured out it was MONO. It made me wonder if it was the pregnancy that caused all this or if it was the EB virus that just wasn't diagnosed initially. I guess I'll never know but I'm hoping it's the virus that caused it because I think the chances of recovery are higher with that. Good luck and hope you start feeling better!! Brye

My appearance has changed. I've gained weight and retain a lot of fluid. People keep telling me I look tired. I don't like people knowing I'm sick though. I've tried really hard to keep my kids from knowing because they're still too young to understand. Brye

I've been melting already and it's only been in the 80's. I haven't tried the cooling vests but I'm thinking this may be a must have this summer! I'm hoping I can get this covered by my health insurance. I'm sure it'll be worth every cent though even if they won't cover it. I would hibernate for the summer if I could but my kids love the park!! Brye

I've been having a terrible time finding a doctor who is willing to treat my P.O.T.S. They made a fairly quick diagnosis and seemed very proud of themselves but now don't seem to know the best treatment to control my symptoms. I finally found a great E.P. doctor who was willing to try to help and he retired in January. I think my favorite quote from one of my cardiologists was "people your age (36) don't die from heart rates in the 30's" Do they pass out from heart rates that low because if you can fix that problem for me I promise I won't be back. My new E.P. doctor I don't think knows how to treat P.O.T.S. and doesn't have the time to figure it out. My other favorite quote was "I can put a pacemaker in if you want" If I want??? Who wants one of those? If it will help sign me up!! There are no specialists in my area (Arkansas) but I was wondering if anyone has any input on any of the Milwaukee area specialists. I grew up in that area and that would be a convenient place for me to travel. This is my 1st post on this site but I have been reading them for the past few months and have gotten some great advice!! THANKS TO ALL!! Brye