crshore

I just wanted to tell you I really feel for you, because I went through the exact thing for over six months. My original PCP sent me to a cardiologist, who gave me a bunch of tests, including a til-table test. He said, "You have POTS, but we're not going to call it POTS, because it makes you sound crazy." I was SO sick at the time, I didn't even care...I just wanted to get better. After 7 days on florinef, I went in for my follow up, and told the guy I was having a tough time with the drug...I felt anxious, had headaches, etc. So he gave me metoprolol and told me to see a psychiatrists, I didn't need to see a neurologist. In his note, he wrote, "It is unclear to what extent anxiety and depression are playing on her symptoms." Lovely. It made me feel totally insane. Fast forward to this week, almost six months later. I finally got into a neurologist..he did some tests. And gee, guess what? It's POTS and autonomic sensory neuropathy. I've suffered all of this time, believing this guy. To say I'm furious is an understatement. If I had listened to him and not sought out a second opinion, I have no idea where I'd be.

I was diagnosed with POTS about 6 months ago, and I always felt off/sick after a flu shot in the past. This year was no different, except it really exacerbated my symptoms of lightheadedness and vertigo for a couple of weeks. While it stunk and the time, I figured for me, it might be even worse to get the actual flu.

I just wanted to take a moment and thank you for the warm welcome...I appreciate it! I am sure I will have many questions along the way about other people's experiences. I'm really grateful I found this place.

Aw, I just wrote up a nice intro, and it's gone...all gone! I'll try again. My name is Christine and I live in CT with my 17-year-old son and my wonderful husband. Up until two months ago, I was working full-time as a mental health counselor. Unfortunately, constant syncope/pre-syncope spells forced me to leave my job, and I've been out on disability. I was subsequently let go from my job because I wasn't covered by FMLA. After a tilt-table test, I was diagnosed with POTS, though my cardiologist said, "We're not going to call it POTS since it'll make you look crazy. We'll call it neurocardiogenic syncope." Um...OK. Unfortunately, the cardiologist has been giving me a hard time about continuing to fill out my disability form, even though I am in NO shape to return to any type of job. Heck, it's a trail to run into a store every few days to pick up a couple of items. My fainting spells make driving very tenuous, too. Fortunately, I just started seeing a new doctor, and he seems to be much more supportive. Although he's not very familiar with POTS, he's willing to listen and work with me. I'm not working right now, so I have some time on my hands and I'm sure I'll be here a bit. This is all so new to me! Nice to "meet" all of you. - Christine