Mytwogirlsrox

@ I hate bananas -- Thanks for the info. I agree that POTS should be investigated, I just wish my primary care doctor would agree. He seems to think that its all anxiety and that Im a bit crazy. I had a HUGE bout of craziness after being diagnosed. So I dont exactly blame him lol. Its interesting what you said about the tendons rather than the hips. I just always heard my Grandma saying that her hips dislocate, and mine definitely do something wonky.. so I figured that was the case. I read up on it, and it does sound like its super hard to actually dislocate them. So when you talked about your brother, does he have EDS? So you have a family history? I dont have a family history. I have nothing lol.. I barely have any symptoms of anything so Im really trying to figure this all out. @ Mightymouse-- my Dr is kinda a jerk and I have to get a referral through him to see anyone, and he would barely give my a referral to see a vascular surgeon for this huge varicose vein I have. He thought it wasnt a problem, and there was nothing that could be done about it anyway. I laughed since in another state I have a vascular surgeon who was all ready to laser it since its in such a bad spot ( its on my shin) and it could rupture easy and I would bleed alot (infortunately, I moved before I could get it done) I wonder what Rock he lives under sometimes.. people get their varicose veins removed all the time, and there are numerous ways to do it. Im starting to think that maybe I should find a new doc. lol Thanks for sharingyour experience though, I really appreciate it

There are some great articles on pubmed that discuss POTS and anxiety. I like you, had an underlying anxiety issue before my POTS diagnosis I think, but it was definitely worse with the onset of tachycardia. I read an article that was saying something to the extent that anxiety and POTS have similar somatic symptoms but psychologically POTS and anxiety disorder differ. Something like people with pots dont stress about dropping dead (However I do, lol) I fit the bill for anxiety disorder more than I do for POTS. So who knows. I wish I could find that article, but I dont have the time right now. There are also some older studies on "soldiers heart" a sort of psychologically induced orthostatic intolerance; however, there have been many studies stating that GAD, PTSD etc is not a cause of OI. For me, an SSRI (celexa) really helped to stop the anxiety. I would say that 99% of the time my anxiety is non existent. I havent had a "panic attack" or "pots attack" in a long time. I dont know if that means mine is more anxiety since an SSRI helped? There has been much discussion on here regarding anxiety, panic attacks and pots attacks. You might want to try and search those terms to find some great info too

You can google target heart rate zone calculations that will tell you where your heart rate should be to achieve certain levels of fitness. 150-160bpm is right in my target HR for endurance training I think 150bpm for 40 minutes is fantastic. When I first started I tried interval training so it wouldnt stress my poor heart too much, I would go 5 minutes at 140 then 5 minutes at 120 (just lowered the intensity, and speed). I was thinking along the lines of your heart being a muscle and when people work their arms/legs etc they do reps, and little breaks inbetween reps for rest and muscle recovery. So I tried that for the first month, till I built up stamina and strength. Now Im almost in month three and Im running 3.5 miles

Right after I was diagnosed (time when symptoms were the least controlled) I flew from Florida to California and didnt have any problems. I noticed that I was very dehydrated getting off the plane, but I also went from super hot and humid to dry and cold weather. Now, Im on a SSRI and Im asymptomatic, and I would totally fly right now.

Do most people who pool, do their legs turn purple? I have varicose veins in one leg so I just assumed that meant I pool

Celexa -- helped with anxiety attacks, stabilized blood pressure, possibly lowered HR, may have caused eye floaters & visual snow?

Hello all EDS-ers! I'm contemplating asking my Dr of I might have EDS. But I would like to hear what you all think, and your experience with diagnosis, what are your symptoms? I have POTS and NCS. If I self do the Brighton scale, it's a 2. I can touch the floor, I can bend one thumb to my forearm. However, Im double jointed in my thumbs. I can dislocate my shoulder on purpose, and my hips. None with any pain etc I also have a beautiful varicose vein in my leg, and gnarly stretch marks after having two 10+ lbs babies. My skin is kinda stretchy and my veins are very visible in my arms and legs. I have never have a broken bone, torn ligaments or any problems with bruising or healing after surgery. No premature rupture of membranes with pregnancy and C-sections healed perfectly. I've had an echo and I don't have MVP. Nor do I have blue sclera. My doctor kinda thinks I'm a whack job, so I don't really want to bring up something that isn't warranted. I kind of feel like there are a lot of people with EDS who have POTS so could that mean I could have it too? I've never had a doctor even say EDS to me... So maybe i don't fit the bill... What do you guys think?

Oh good! Everyone's testing is so low

Wish I had the work up he had

Why am I such a pots weirdo? My resting (laying down) is 70, sitting its 85-90 and standing its 95 -105. When my heart rate dips down to 60-70 I feel like crap

Hey guys, y'all seem knowledgeable about this testing business, so I have a quick question. Can you have a normal ANA & sedimentation rate and still have an autoimmune process going on?

Ba ha ha ha ha ha!!!!!

I forgot to add that I'm super jealous that your in nursing school!!! I'm applying in sept for the spring semester I really want to get in! I'm kinda nervous though with my newly acquired POTS & NCS diagnosis that school will be so hard for.me but I'm really excited to hear that you got in, and your doing it! Yay for all us POTSYS you give me hope that I can do it too!!

Hi, I just wanted to Share my experience with you, the more stress I'm under the more anxiety I have. I've never had anxiety before POTS, but since my diagnosis I get a lot of the physical anxiety symptoms (numbness, tingling, head aches, tight throat, urgency to pee, shortness of breath, joint pain, derealization etc there is a huge list of possible symptoms all of which sound like I have a hideous disease) but my symptoms disappeared after my anxiety reduced with an SSRI. I don't know what your interest is in an SSRI, but you could try one and see if it helsps or try googling anxiety reducing techniques. Maybe see if meditation works or my therapist recommended making a soothing music play list for when i get too stressed, waterfall or rain etc is very soothing. I don't want to discredit Pots and the hormones that cause anxiety, (meaning physiological vs psychological) but regardless of how they are released, they're still the same hormones that cause panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder etc.. Here is a list of anxiety symptoms http://www.anxietycentre.com/anxiety-symptoms.shtml

Ugh it's so bizarre!! Ive heard more people say they're symptomatic with their periods, I feel like such a weirdo i wonder what is causing the low Hr? It makes no sense

Hey guys, I've noticed that my HR slows down when I start my period. It's so weird. Any ideas why this would be?

I'm sorry to hear that. I was really hopeful you were on your way to recovery. You inspired me

Jangle I remember reding your post about exercise really helping you, is that not the case anymore?

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/22695870/?i=5&from=heart%20rate Interesting... Does anyone take vit C ?

I read somewhere that People have increased sympathetic tone in the am. It's part of our circadian rythmn, let me see if I can find the article

Hi Jen, I just wanted to send you some positive vibes. I'm so sorry you are going through this, it must be really hard for you. I really hope that it will get better for you. I have no information for you, but I really hope someone does! This is a great site for information & support

Hi Shannon, I'm so glad your feeling more energized. That's great news!! Your working out a lot too, that's great that you find the time with the two little ones. I wish I had more time to hit the gym, I signed mine up for the kids club @ the gym and then they got a nasty bug woo hoo! Lol. My fingers are crossed that you are on the road to recovery!!!

Great news Wendy! Thanks for sharing! Proton pump inhibitors? Like heart burn meds? Very interesting! I was on heartburn meds through two back to back pregnancies. I know they decrease b12 absorption as well. interesting I hope you keep getting better

I've been reading a ton of POTS studies and most say something to the extent that "many pots patients will improve in time" soo have you improved? Even with interventions (meds, exercise,diet etcc..) are you improving? Can you think of a few positive things? For instance: I still think I have the 30bpm increase, but I'm so much more functional now that my anxiety is reduced. Exercise has really given me more control, and though I probably still have some funky syndrome ... I've improved since my diagnosis.... Soo... How about you?

Ativan didn't help lower my HR, but it sure did make me sleep like a baby