Hi there! My name is Summer, and I have been reading all of your posts for a while, but just joined. I must say that you seem like such a great group of people...full of knowledge and compassion! I was just diagnosed with POTS/EDS about 3 weeks ago. I was lucky enough to be connected with a great neurologist and cardiologist right away, both of whom are familiar with POTS. However, I do have a few questions that I am struggling with. The first is regarding swelling. I know that I pool a LOT, but for the past week and a half I have been having really severe swelling in my hands and ankles/calves. It is to the point where I think I am going to have to cut my wedding rings off because they are cutting so much into my ring finger. I am doing everything I can think of to try to reduce the swelling, but nothing seems to help. I am concerned that there may be an underlying cause to this? Second, due to my swelling, my PCP ran routine blood tests on me. On Friday I got a call that my hematocrit level had raised from 36 to 50 (above normal). They are referring me to an hematologist/oncologist. Needless to say this makes me a little nervous because I don't know why my blood has thickened so quickly. Does anybody else have experience with this? Sorry for the rambling, and thank you in advance to anyone who chips in with any advice. I look forward to becoming part of this group!