Jump to content

britishangel6

Members
  • Posts

    38
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Posts posted by britishangel6

  1. This is kind of embarrassing but I don't know who else to ask. When I am really cold I tend to sweat profusely under my arms and these episodes come in spurts but the tendency generally lasts over a week. When the sweat is wet it doesn't smell but it's bad once it dries. It doesn't seem to take long (A couple wears when this occurs) and then I can no longer get the smell from my shirt. (And this is different than when I sweat from heat- don't have this problem then, very bizarre.) Anyone know how to wash out the smell so I don't have to through away my clothes.

    I have tried changing deodorants/anti-perspiratants and placing a barrier between my skin and clothes but it's hard to make it stay in place and awkward. I've even gotten a surgical disinfectant for my armpits in case it was due to bacteria already on my underarm and tried rubbing alcohol after showering as well.

    I have also washed the clothing immediately (when able), washed in hot water, in vinegar, pre-washed, scrubbed.

  2. Kriss444- "Bad news is she said I really need to move. Living in the midwest is only going to aggravate my condition. Until then we will have to treat with meds and hopefully once things calm down I might be able to wean off of them."

    I was told moving to a colder climate would help as well (Floridian born and raised) but they didn't presume tell me I needed to move. Not long afterwards my husband's job took us to DC and I did notice an improvement but I hate the cold! Still, I can be in a store and feel dizzy, foggy, nauseous and when the cold air hits my face it improves. Far from a "cure" though so try not to feel bad about uprooting everything for a 'maybe' help.

    I am glad you are happy with the way things are progressing. :) It's nice when we get good/uplifting news.

    Did she say why no NSAIDS?

  3. In many cases AI and inflammation are undeniably linked. Lyme disease has remained controversial but it's not an autoimmune disease causing inflammation like so many other AI Dx. (Tangent) I have read theories that POTS may be related to inflammation and after having seen many different Dx be treated successfully with IVIG (worked in hospital at one time) I'd love to give it a try but it's leap, I don't really have any concrete link and haven't heard it ever suggested. IVIG is used to treat lyme in some cases and for prolonged periods (if the doctor is willing to risk repercussions as mentioned in an earlier post).

  4. In regards to Vit D levels, there are US tolerable upper limits too and some of the dosage listed are way above it. While some people will surely need abnormally high levels, this would be the rarity instead of the norm. Too much Vitamin D can be toxic but I don't know of established parameters for toxicity. The following is a link from the National Institute of Health site with an abstract and notes tolerable daily upper limit as 250 mug (10,000 IU)/d of vitamin D(3).

    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18290725

    Also, FYI: "An excess of vitamin D causes abnormally high levels of calcium in the blood. This can severely damage the bones, soft tissues, and kidneys over time. It is almost always caused by forms of vitamin D that need a doctor's prescription." From NIH and signs of toxicity:

    constipation, decreased appetite, dehydration, fatigue, irritability, muscle weakness, vomiting.

  5. Propanolol and Klonopin aren't meant to stop panic attacks. The propanolol definately not, the klonopin has a side effect that can sedate so that could help in theory but it's not meant for that. I have had symptoms sitting and when the flare is really bad, also lying and it can sorta feel like anxiety. Sometimes I think the tachycardia/chest pain/palpitations themselves can make me a bit anxious; I know I'm ok but it's disconcerting.

  6. This was posted a while ago but I saw my PMD and he thought it may be related to the PRN status of propanalol (beta blocker). He spaced the dosing out slightly but made it scheduled and over time it improved. Then this summer I weaned off BB ok (in prep to get pregnant). After the first trimester I was told I can resume and when I did I began with episodes of SOB unrelated to exertion. It's improved now after titrating up to a constant dose.

    DIZZY- if respiratory is ruled out chances are oxygen won't help but out of curiosity, did you try it?

  7. My Pots often makes me feel cold disproportionate to the temperature. When it's really acting up the only way to get warm is hot water. Lately I am having these episodes daily, every time I wake up and usually once more later in the day. I wanted to know if anyone has tricks to staying comfortable?

    I don't keep the house hot because I know it makes it worse (and my husband runs hot) but lately I've been in at least 3 layers, often under a sheet, electric blanket, and comforter and half the time a hat. The thermostat is 72! I used to lay on a heat pack and it worked great when I would go to bed but I'm pregnant now so that isn't an answer and I'd like to tolerate getting out of bed a bit more on my otherwise 'good' days.

  8. Potsies are more likely to have dizziness, weakness, ect when raising your arm(s) above your head. When I was finally getting my doctor to listen to me I found an article but can't seem to find anything now, sorry. When I went for my TTT the cardiologist did the test mentioned in the article; if I recall it was just occluding one of the arteries in my neck with his hand and observing my vital sign responses and asking me about symptoms (while laying down). Essentially, I think the problem can be that when you move your arm up it can partially occlude or compress an artery from your body up to your brain, which leads to decreased blood flow and causes the complaints. It's not progressive or anything to add extra fear, just avoid those activities.

    Tpapkik- I was scared when I first got diagnosed too. I was very happy for along-awaited answer but with all the reading online we do we find some very scary conditions that can appear similar to POTS earlier on. However, POTS is to be diagnosed only after those other conditions are ruled-out. Also, having a brain MRI should give you a lot of reassure as many of the scarier conditions would show. Good luck.

  9. Once I went to Vandy as a research patient and was told I don't need neuro so I don't have one. The docs claimed to be familiar with POTS... I am able to contact Vandy to run things by their neuro though. I did let them knno but they didn't mention that they were aware of it. Once I looked into it further, too late, I understand, at least vaguely, that it's probably not the best drug class for POTS patient. Thanks everyone.

  10. Please be aware that natural things (I'm talking supplements, pills, ect) can be just as dangerous as chemicals. Many POTS patients respond very badly to melatonin for example.

    I have not had her experience, but she should get cardio work-up to rule out anything dangerous and TTT to confirm POTS. If that's the case, from what I've read, been told, researched, the tachycardia in-and-of-itself isn't harmful...but she needs a work-up.

  11. I want everyone to be aware but please do NOT make changes or decisions without speaking with your prescribing physician.

    I was prescribed scopolamine patch as an adjunct for morning sickness. I asked about risks, read the pamplet CVS provided, ect. It was as needed so when my nausea and vomiting improved I removed the patch. Well, long story short, this medication can cause withdrawal symptoms! (Usually when using more than 3 days from what I've read but I with dysautonomia we could be more sensitive?) My physicians weren't even aware! I will be contacting CVS regarding the lack of the warning and requesting a physician pamplet so I can provide it to my physician!

    http://www.transdermscop.com/prescribing-information.htmhttp://www.transdermscop.com/prescribing-information.htm

    When I experienced symptoms I looked online and found the reference from the drug manufacturer (as well as many forums reporting/discussing withdrawal).

    I experienced hypotension (80's/40's while laying with legs raised), dizziness, nausea, vomiting, headache, and brain fog. It does not occur immediately and lasts for about a week although by day 4-5 I was significantly improved from the worst of it.

    This is most often given for nausea prevention pre-op and motion sickness.

  12. While a normal cbc is reassuring for certain issues, the fact that you've had a temp for so long is concerning. I would want an explanation from my doc. If they want to attribute it to POTS or dysautonomia, fine, but they need to check for everything else first!

    When it started was it low grade as well? What initially prompted you to take your temp?

    CRP isn't used as much in adults as children but that doesn't mean it wouldn't show anything. It could be viral; cbc would usually show immune response but if it's prolonged the acute response may have passed (and eventually WBC would be low due to prolonged immune response). Just throwing it out there, have you been tested for TB? You don't have many of the signs but with the fever if may be worth ruling out as it's currently a 'fever with undefined origin'; higher risks for TB include working in the medical field, travel to or close contact with countries with high TB rates, work/exposure to jail/prison. Finally, if you had the cdc done soon after the fevers began I would ask the doctor to repeat with any other tests he/she orders.

    Good luck

  13. Joyagh- So sorry for your losses.

    Badhbt- I did see that episode and MomtoGuiliana- I recall that too. One doc said it could be related but the specialist was doubtful.

    It makes sense to me that uncontrolled or flaring POTS could feasibly threaten a pregnancy but the handful of case studies I've read don't show that and one went so far as to say that POTS patients, in general, do not require High Risk OB.

    Having said that I am currently off my meds, making me disabled and essentially homebound. I had a flare the beginning of the week (only lasted 2 days, unually short for me) but I put myself on bedrest...that way even though my heart rate was tachy for lying down, it wasn't so fast that it would reach the aerobic level (which I have read should not exceed 15 minutes for a pregnant, albeit healthy, woman.

    Thanks everyone! This site is such a good resource.

  14. I recently began to ave labored breathing. For a while it was constant progressed to intermittent. I had tried allergy medicine since I was also congestion but found no difference. I tried taking my inhaler but that didn't help either. I didn't have any chest pressure and it's different than the shortness of breath I get with tachycardia from POTS. I did go to the doctor and he checked my lung function, which was normal, ruling out asthma. He mentioned checking for pleural effusion but didn't order a chest x-ray; however, I know enough that with normal lung function and no cough, that doesn't seem to fit (yet it seems worse when I lay down; is that because it could be effusion or because I am more aware of it? I don't know but if it was an effusion I would expect it to be every time I laid down). He also ordered an EKG and Echo since my last was almost a year ago. I don't have the results and figure if anything was found it's minor since results weren't immediately reported. From the start he said it could be due to the propanolol. I was told, at Vanderbilt, to take propanolol as needed. The doctor is a primary physician, although he shares a clinic with a cardiologist and my doctor was aware of POTS, but told me to take routinely and to increase time between pills. The decrease of frequency has increased multiple other POTS symptoms. He said if my heart beat drops too low that could cause the labored breathing and skipping a dose could also lead to symptoms due to stopping a beta blocker. I've made the changes for about 2 weeks and still having intermittent labored breathing. Any thoughts? Experience with similar issue?

  15. My doc and I recently discussed beta-blockers. Mine was originally prescribed as needed but he told me to take routinely to avoid symptoms caused by just stopping a beta blocker. However, if your dose is small chances are you should be ok stopping cold turkey. This is done routinely with various types of medications that usually wouldn't be stopped suddenly but if you think about it, eventually you have to go from a low dose to nothing. I think talking with your doctors is good and I agree with Corina, if you're not sure taper prior but always speak with your doc first. Good Luck

  16. How do you guys feel your surges? I wasn't told I had hyperadrenergic POTS but haven't been told I'm not. I know I am not hypovolemic POTS. I know that a number of POTS symptoms can coincide with high adrenaline but there are some times I get very shaky, weak, and a feeling of being unsettled. I'm also having trouble with sleep; I can feel wired or not, feel exhausted or just tired, and it doesn't mater I won't fall asleep. I am particularly frustrated tonight since recently my fatigue has been quite bad and extremely severe the past 3 days (awake maybe 8 hours a day at most and exhausted after 3 hours of being awake). Even this morning, 3 hours after waking I didn't know how I would stay awake for the rest of a meeting I had but now it's after 1 AM and I can't fall asleep. If I take ativan or Nyquil I'll sleep half the day and often remain tired the rest of the day.

  17. My docs seem to want to avoid salt tabs too, telling me I should be able to get it in my diet. It is very difficult and for the most part I can't get it all in either. I looked into the salt tabs anyway, in desperation, but 1 gram tabs contained less than 400mg sodium so I don't think it's be worth it (being an adult I've been told to take in even more sodium than your son). I drink broth, add salt to food and my drinks, but when you can't stomach much to begin with it's hard. You've probably tried everything already but just in case, there's an old post of mine abouthte same topic, maybe it has a new idea?

  18. what do i eat?

    i try to stay away from sugar because that will mess my stomach up- which would make me lose more weight. i eat mostly meats. i love meat. but fried foods also mess with me so i try to just eat baked, grilled, broiled, or boiled meats. i eat a lot of scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, and ham too. i found a receipe for german pancakes that is very filling and the receipe calls for 6 eggs so i eat that. i drink as much whole milk as i possibly can. cereals, veggies- mostly raw, tuna, fish in general but lots of tuna straight out of the can, crackers, chips, doritos, pretzels, soups, sandwhiches- quick and easy, popcorn, fruits- i love fruit, nuts, and other stuff like that. everything i eat i try to find things that are high in salt and high in calories.

    i am thinking that i am just raising my metabolism too much by how frequently i eat. when i tell people that i have a problem with fainting they also assume it because i don't eat enough. my gyn thought i wasn't eating at all- i thought she was going to go buy me some food to eat.

    my parents are thin too. my mom was pregnant 5 times, she wears my clothes size 1 or 3. my dad is just about 6' and i think he might weight 160. my older brother is 6' and he weights maybe 120. he is skin and bones. so it is genetics too. please can anyone help? thank you.

    dionna :)

    How tall are you? Even with a slim family you would need to be quite petite for 88 lbs to be healthy and like you said, if ppl think you're not eating then you are probably underweight. The foods you are eating sound good, a decent amount of high calorie foods but also nutritious foods too. My only suggestion (since someone already suggested a supplement) is to actually measure and track for a few days how many calories you take in. You may feel like you eat enough because you eat so frequently but the portions might be much less than you realize. It would be almost unheard of for someone, even who eats frequently, to increase metabolism so much it causes harm so I wouldn't decrease your intake unless your dr advises it. Good Luck!

×
×
  • Create New...