handmadebyemy

I heard a statistic that 75% of marriages in which one or more mate(s) have some sort of chronic illness end in divorce. Its pretty shocking, but also consider that 50% of all marriages end in divorce anyway. But I can see how this can happen. Its been discussed here over and over - the sick mate doesn't want to complain to the healthy mate in fear of adding to the problem and as a result feels like they have something to hide leading to a feeling of inadequacy and communication failure. The healthy mate wants to help but can't and feels frustrated with that, along with the impact that the sick one has on the marriage and how that affects their healthy life. I think balance is key - just like anything else. I try to remain positive (at least on the outside) and follow up seemingly negative statements with "but I'm not complaining - I could have it much worse" or something to that effect. My husband couldn't be healthier and has admitted that he thinks most illnesses are "just in your head" or made worse by thinking about them. He got much more supportive and seemingly understanding once I had a diagnosis for all of my symptoms and he could actually see my legs get purple when I stood up and feel my pulse skyrocket. I think a lot of guys are like that - they need tangible evidence. Like many of us, I literally woke up one morning sick (3 1/2 years ago) and am still not back to normal. I just wish that the timing was different - we had just gotten engaged, so our entire marriage has included me being sick. We only dated for less than a year before getting engaged so most of what he know of me included me being sick. I try to remind him of how I was before - I'm not lazy, remember? Every marriage has its struggles so remain positive! If it wasn't chronic illness, it would be something else. And even if you were completely healed today, it wouldn't make your marriage perfect.

Hey Angela, Try this to relieve your bronchitis: Get (or have someone get for you) some ginger root from the grocery store. Its very cheap. Cut a 1" section of the ginger root off and slice that part into thin slices. Place them in a small saucepan on your stove with about 1 cup of water. Heat on high heat until the water is boiling and the ginger is bright yellow & pungent. Breathe in the steam through your mouth and into your chest. I like to pull a stool over to the stove or sit on the countertop and breathe in all the steam - this will take about 20 minutes. Or, you can bring the saucepan over to the table and put it on a hotplate and breathe in the steam with a towel over your head to help trap the steam. This ginger steam method was recommended to me by my doctor and it works great. The first time I did it when I had bronchitis it stopped my coughing immediately. Ginger is a natural anti-spasmodic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-viral, and anti-histamine. You can do this steam several times a day until you are feeling better. This method also works for sinus infections - just breathe through your nose instead of your mouth. I hope this works for you! Emy

It would help if my title said "POTS" not "Post" oops sorry!

I'm going to the dentist on Monday to have a filling repaired. I know I've read about POTS patients and dental procedures, particularly with anesthesia. I found one article about it online but its an article from a medical journal & I found it hard to understand. Does anyone have any experience with this? I printed out a section from that article to give to my dentist but that's as far as I could get by myself. Any experience would be appreciated Thanks in advance!

Yes, I had tingling, esp the left side, in the beginning. sometimes it would be on my whole left side, sometimes my arm or leg,sometimes my hand, or even just a finger. used to happen on the right side too. haven't had it in a while though

My Doctor always reminds me that this may not be forever and "most" people with POTS recover completely. I'm not into taking lots of medications either ... have you tried compression stockings? They work great for me ... that and swimming. Before I started swimming I though that adding exercise to my weekly routine was the last thing I should do (I was already missing out on so much) but it has really helped. I found a hotel nearby that I can swim at during different days/hours for about $30 a month. I go 3 times a week and I feel better every time. Try it!

i don't like gatorade or powerade either because of the high sugar content. i drink this: http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/store/en/brow....jsp?id=TM-1075 they have other flavors too but i've only tried orange. they have lemonlime, grape, raspberry, cranberry too

i did a 30 day holter monitor and it doesn't diagnose pots but i remember something about POTS patients should only show "sinus tachycardia" on the holter readings. so i guess it could rule out other conditions

i'm 5'10" and wear jobst brand 30-40 mmHg compresson stockings waist high. i got a prescription so they are covered by my insurance but i think they are $100 and up otherwise. definitely DO NOT get the "Relief" brand - they ride down terribly and are just cheap. go for the "opaque" or "sheer" lines

i've tried the cats claw and felt no difference.

swimming helps for me. i feel great when i'm in the pool & my legs are white, not PURPLE!

i haven't seen dr novak but i see dr martin in boston ma: http://lahey.org/PhysDir/Detail.asp love him!

Hi, I joined the forum just so that I could answer this question for you. I live in southeastern CT & I go to the Lahey Clinic in Boston ... I see Dr Martin (cardiologist) who diagnosed me in July with POTS. He is quite knowledgeable & imo a wonderful doctor. I'd definitely recommend him. The other thing I like is that he isn't in a hurry to prescribe a lot of drugs. I am dealing quite well with swimming, water, salt, and compression stockings. Heres his info: http://lahey.org/PhysDir/Detail.asp It might take a while to get an appt with him but its WELL worth it!

i wear the 30-40mmHg compression stockings - waist high. i got a prescription from my dr for them so they are covered by my insurance. i think they are about $100 retail. i wear the jobst opaque & sheer lines and they WORK GREAT!!! i literally put them on the second i get out of bed and take them off right before i go to sleep at night. they are sometimes uncomfortable & definitely a pain to put on but its nothing compared to my POTS symptoms. i'd recommed them to anyone!

I drink electrolyte drinks - my doctor recommended Gatorade but I don't like it because of all the sugar. So I get an alternative at the health food store - you can get it at vitaminshoppe.com, its a powdered packet that you mix with water & its sweetened with sugar. I like the orange: http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/store/en/brow....jsp?id=TM-1075

I have gotten carsickness ever since having POTS ... I've never ready anywhere that its related but it seems to make sense that it is.