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Angelika_23

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Posts posted by Angelika_23

  1. Oh boy,

    Sounds like I am in for a great time. lol.

    This weekend has been awful. I have tried to be more active and it has really knocked me back.

    I was told to expect a 3 hour test on Wednesday, and I am thinking I can't even take 15 mins of walking... Not even thinking about running, or walking quickly. My heart rate was running high yesterday, even on my meds, and my BP continues to run high. :( I guess I am really scared. I am trying not to think about it too much.

    Thanks for all the encouraging words,

    Angela

  2. My doctor has decided to do a stress test on me next week. I have never had one... I don't know what to expect.

    Ever since I had that fainting episode, I have been very lightheaded and sometimes dizzy, and I am getting a lot of chest pain. Mostly on my left side (front and back) but sometimes it goes to the middle and the right front.

    I asked the person who scheduled it if I should go to work after, she says she didn't see why not... But I am finding that when I am too active, I start having more symptoms. Isn't a stress test an active test? Won't I be wiped out afterwards? Will I be able to go on to work for four or five hours?

    Thanks,

    Angela

  3. Thanks everyone, you had great suggestions.

    You are right, the ER wasn't any help. The children's doctor wanted me to go there because of my chest and back pain primarily. Since I have a lot of trust in her, I followed her advice.

    I guess my biggest worry is work. My job is stressful, and I just got some bad news today about our departmental situation. They were going to hire some more system support, and now that is probably not going to happen. I couldn't get my work done in 40 hours before I got so sick, now I'm working 20 and they still want everything done. My boss and I clash on a regular basis, and I just don't know how I'm going to handle it. I have to work because I hold the benefits.

    I think the kids will handle things better IF I faint again. I haven't had any more episodes, just light headedness and I fell over once or twice, but only because I got dizzy.

    I don't think I was stressed about the doctor visit. We have been seeing this same doctor for several years and the kids absolutely love her. I enjoy her insights and talking with her. She is great with my kids. Also, since it was at the hospital clinic, they keep that place COLD, so I know I didn't get overheated. Maybe too much walking that day...

    Thanks everyone,

    Angela

  4. Hello,

    I'm sorry you are feeling so scared. From what I have read, that emotion will set off your POTS so be careful.

    I understand about the work thing. I am sorry they are making it hard for you. Do you have anyone at all there that will be there for you? You might feel better having an ally.

    Try to rehearse what you need to say, write stuff on note cards if you have to, or in a planner (then you'll look all slick and professional). Do you have anxiety meds? If so, maybe you should contact your doc and explain the possibly "hostile" situation and see if you can "bump up" your dosage for the day or something like that.

    Sending good vibes your way. Keep us posted!

    Angela

  5. ((((((((((((BIG HUGS))))))))))))))

    I haven't fainted in nearly seven years, but it was a miserable experience when it happened. I'm so sorry this happened to you. How frustrating. Is there someone at work you trust (to not use your medical condition against you) that you can prepare in case of an emergency?

    Hopefully, this won't happen to you again, but it's smart to be prepared. The last thing you want people to do is sit you up!

    To try and find a positive in all of this... how great that it happened around experienced medical personnel who took good care of you!

    Take it easy on yourself today. Syncope and even presyncope can take a lot out of you.

    I hope you are feeling better soon.

    Thanks Deucykub,

    I actually work in the HR department, so I know what they can and can't do to me... I have FMLA. :D So my department can know what's wrong, I'm not worried about them using it against me.

    Yes, the people that take care of my children took great care of me, too. I am grateful to them. I just feel REALLY silly about it happening with doctors and nurses at a children's hospital.

    I am taking it easy. I am so achy today. Especially my legs. :)

    I hope this does not become a regular event. If it happens once, does that mean it will keep happening?

    Thank you so much everyone,

    Angela

  6. I can't believe this. I haven't fainted before. :)

    I was at Children's Hospital with two of my children for a follow up visit (nothing bad). I was getting up to leave, and (I don't emember this) I fainted and fell on the nurse practitioner. The next thing I remember is being flat on my back staring up at the bottom of a chair, and all kinds of people talking. From what I gathered, the nurse practitioner screamed for the doctor when I went down, and the doctor knows a little about my condition and monitored my BP and pulse until they could get my husband there to get me and the kids. My BP was high and my pulse would jump to 150 just by me trying to get my legs bent up. The children were terrified and crying. I feel so stupid, and so bad for my children that they had to see that and be so upset.

    My husband took me to the (adult) hospital. The hospital wasn't impressed, kept me five hours and gave me a liter of fluids and took a lot of blood. Sent me home at 3 am this morning. Of course by the time I got to the hospital, my BP and pulse had somewhat normalized and my EKG was perfect.

    Talked to my doctor's nurse. She wasn't impressed either. Said that is one of the things that happen with POTS. But I've never fainted before... I have to go back to work tomorrow, and now I'm terrified this will happen again.

    Angela

  7. Hi Angela,

    Those are some high numbers for blood pressure. Were they that high before starting Midodrine, salt, and lots of fluids? If not, then it might be wise to ask your doctor about cutting down on the Mido, salt, and fluids. That is a good idea to keep a journal of your bp and symptoms to show your doctor. Also, make sure you're checking your pulse and blood pressure both while lying down and standing up. That way if the rates are fluctuating your doc will know.

    I hope that you can get your symptoms under control soon. Good luck with work.

    Take care,

    Rachel

    Rachel,

    They were not that high before. They have never been that high until this last exacerbation of symptoms that put me in the hospital. :rolleyes:

    Angela

  8. Hello,

    Today has been a "not good" day. I am feeling poorly. I am keeping track of my blood pressure, and it stays between 130/90 - 145/94. I have never paid attention to my blood pressure, as my doctors have always said it was fine. Now it's not fine, and I am wondering if that might be why I am feeling a little "off" sometimes. My doctor doesn't seem concerned about it... I am keeping a journal to show him at my next appointment.

    Sophia3, I am also South of Dayton, but North of Cincinnati. (Butler County). My husband wants to see my current doc on the 25th, then see if we can get a referral to either the Cleveland Clinic or to the other doc I see referenced on here.

    I am supposed to work 40 hours nex week. Ugh. I don't know how I'm going to do it. My doc is happy if I'm not tachycardic, so he won't keep me off work for "feeling bad".

    Thanks for the support everyone,

    Angela

  9. Hello there,

    Today was my first day back to work. I worked 4 hours. I had about 1 1/2 hours of bad time, but the rest was tolerable. The problem is, that the Midodrene only lasts about 4 hours, and since I take it at 6:00 a.m. it wears off before the next scheduled dose at 11:30. If I take the next dose earlier, then I have to take the last dose earlier, then I will start being symptomatic and miserable in the evening while I am trying to be with my family. I called the doctor, got the nurse, and she said she didn't know what to tell me. :(

    Then, on the way home, I got a flat tire. We have major road construction on the highway I got the flat on, so I couldn't pull over. I had to drive on it until I came to an exit. I called my husband, and he yelled at me for driving on the tire. (I think he was really worried about me) I didn't know what to do, I don't have the stamina to try to change the tire. I was almost in tears. Luckily, my stepdad came to my rescue.

    So that was my first day back. :unsure:

    Angela

  10. Thank you everyone for the warm welcome and the good advice. :blink:

    It is certainly going to be hard to start taking things "one day at a time". I have a lot of lifestyle adjusting to do. I am grateful for all the support and advice you guys have given.

    Goldicedance - the first med I was put on was atenolol. It worked somewhat for three days, then exacerbated my symptoms. Then they put me on Cardizem, that totally put me in a tailspin within 30 mins of taking it! For a day there, I thought they might actually be trying to kill me. lol.

    The doctor I have seems to think I have pots, and no further testing is needed. I am thinking of seeking a second opinion. He won't address my "left side" issues. Says they are unrelated to pots.

    Today is a good day so far, I have eaten and actually went for a ride in the car with my husband. We are going to try to go to a birthday party for my youngest son's best friend. We'll see how that goes. I am also expected to return to work on Monday, with a restriction of only working 4 -6 hours/day that week. Ugh. Wish me luck!

    Thanks again,

    Angela

  11. Hello Everyone,

    I am a newly diagnosed POTS person. I had never even heard of it before April 11 of this year. I am so overwhelmed by the way I am feeling, and the fact that I am now so drastically different than I was even four months ago.

    I was admitted to the hospital on the 11th, and that is when I first heard of POTS. I have never been sick for very long, so I thought a stint in the hospital might "fix" me. I was so wrong.

    They think that when I had viral meningitis in 2001 is the cause of the POTS. I have had "anxiety" symptoms off and on since six months after the meningitis.

    Now I am having trouble with medications, they can't seem to get me "adjusted" properly. I do okay for about 3 days on a new med, then the tachycardia, clumsiness, shortness of breath, pain in my throat when swallowing and chest pains come back. I even get dizzy sometimes, not sure why that isn't always a symptom. I also get very red in the face when I get up off the couch, even to just go to the bathroom. I have trouble with the left side of my body, it aches and my hands and feet are colder than their right side counterparts.

    Right now I am on Midodrine, Protonix, Zyrtec, Klonopin. The Midodrine dosage was up to 5mg three times a day, but now it is back down to 2.5, my doctor thinks part of my problem is that I am not tolerating the Midodrine well. I am drinking LOTS of water and have ingested more salt the past week than in my whole previous life I think. I have the compression hose (which I hate because they bind up behind my knees). I have done everything I have been told, and these symptoms are just not abating. I am supposed to go back to work Monday, and I can't even get up and vacuum my house, or make dinner. :blink: I am terrified at the thought of going out in public at this point. What if I have another bad "episode"?

    How do I do this? How do I cope with this problem, and still be a wife and working mother of three children?

    If anyone has the answers, I know it will be here on this forum.

    Thanks,

    Angela

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