Stormie74

Flushing: Several years ago before I was diagnosed with POTS, I had a period of time where my face and upper torso (even on to the top of my arms) turned bright red. It lasted about two weeks, and my PCP sent me to a dermatologist who did a skin biopsy. Nothing turned up, and it eventually went away. Now, every day about 11 AM I get flushing on my neck and upper chest. It lasts until about 7 or 8 PM then goes away. Sure wish it didn't look so strange! Everyone points it out to me. Thanks, I know I'm red! Just please tell me why, and what to do about it! Caron

That sounds just like me! Doctors always said my thyroid was to blame for the low temps, even when my thyroid hormone tests showed all my levels to be "perfect" on the meds I was taking. When I don't feel good, my body temp is ALWAYS low. YOU ARE NOT ALONE! Caron

I am another POTS person you can toss into the "Over 50" bucket! I am 53, though that's only a number. (I keep telling myself that!) I was just diagnosed within the last two weeks with POTS, thought I have had it my whole life, or as long as I can remember (no wise cracks about my age, please). I'm located in Michigan as well, Maggie. Caron Mosey, Ed.S.

Maggie, I am new here but have been a quilter since the mod-1970's. I'd love to participate! Please contact me with the directions. caronmosey at gmail dot com Caron Mosey, Ed.S.

My thyroid has always bounced around a lot. In fact, I left my last PCP after being with him for almost ten years because he intimated that I was strange/crazy and "messing with my thyroid meds" because there was no reason that it should bounce around like it does. Right I was first diagnosed with Hashimoto's, before I started on meds, I remember falling asleep during the day on the couch. I didn't INTEND to fall asleep, but I did. I would try and wake up, and I could hear everyone talking around me and wanted to participate in the conversation, but I couldn't. I couldn't get myself alert enough to open my eyes or say anything. I'm on two different thyroid meds: Levothyroxine and Compounded Liothyronine. Fortunatly, I work at a Specialty Pharmacy and my meds are much cheaper.

I was just diagnosed a few weeks ago, but in learning about POTS, I realize how long I have had it. I, too, remember back to my days in school... and I am now 53~ and gym teachers telling me to work harder to keep up, especially when running laps. I always wondered how it was that I was always the last one, the slowest one, etc., and wondered how so little exercise could make me feel so badly when everyone else was going, going, going. You know, it's almost funny, but one of the things I would love to do is walk a long distance. I'm not talking five miles... I'm talking across the state. I've read books about people on long walks, and it sounds so exciting~

I can't do cardio right now, but I just joined a physical therapy place that allows me to come in and do weight exercises on their equipment. I've been going for about three weeks now, and I go slowly, but I notice an improvement already. I'm not trying to push myself too quickly, but slow and steady. I am hoping it helps... I can see already that I feel better when I work out. Caron

Jen, You are not alone. I am also new here, and also from Michigan... Perhaps it's something in the water? LOL Yes, my doctors all thought I was crazy, too, but I finally found a few who took me seriously and finally got a POTS diagnosis. I also have to have a Cortisone Stimulation Test on Tuesday, and I see my cardio to find out how he wants to treat my POTS on Monday. Hang in there!