Mrs. Burschman

Yay for Sunfish! Welcome back! We're all rooting for you to feel better soon! Amy

Thanks for all of your advice! For now, I'm just going to do some watchful waiting. It's only been a week or so. I'm such a hypochondriac that if I got checked out for every little symptom I notice, I'd be in the doctor's office daily. If it gets worse, I'll definitely reconsider. I hate bodily inconsistencies! They scare the crap out of me! Amy

Blondie, I noticed you take ThermaTabs. That's the same kind I'm trying. I just don't like salt enough to be able to eat enough of it. Amy

I told my mom I started taking salt tablets, and she thought I was doing something horrible to myself. She said, why don't you just eat potato chips? I said because I try to eat healthy foods, so I have a hard time getting enough salt. I'm only following my doctor's advice! Any advice on how you cope with well-meaning people questioning your medical decisions? Amy

Be sure you go to Culver's when you're there. It's a Wisconsin burger chain. Great hamburgers and frozen custard! Sorry I don't have any medical advice. Just enjoy-a-good-meal advice! Amy

My husband had to get a tetanus booster after I mistakenly left a pair of my embroidery scissors on the couch and he got stabbed in the butt. I felt so bad, I got one, too! I didn't have a problem with it, but(t) that was more than five years ago. Amy

Nothing. Besides a brain, that is.

Lisa, Mine runs about 96.8. So I guess 98.9 would be a little elevated. But it probably still isn't anything to worry about at that level. I guess I'd just add a couple of degrees. Round up, if you will. And don't worry too much if it's around 100 or less when you round up. That isn't much of a fever. But I'm no doctor. Just a copy editor! Amy

Thanks, Flop. I'll give it a try. I must have joined the forum even more recently! Amy

I was wondering if anyone here has read any helpful books about living with/dealing with chronic illness. Thanks! Amy

Pacer412, I know how you're feeling! I was diagnosed a month or so ago, and I'm still coming to terms with having POTS. I feel scared, because it's impossible to know what the future holds with this disorder. Obviously, however, that's true with everything about life, but I'm just particularly scared about this right now! Please remember, too, that for every person hanging out on these boards, there have to be hundreds who have POTS but it affects them so little, they feel no reason to find support on a board. Or they did at first (because they were scared!) but don't anymore now that they understand their disorder better. You've found a wonderful place to get your questions answered and to get support! Amy

Angela, I don't know about Effexor, but I take Paxil, which is a similar medication. It has helped slow my heart rate down. When I wasn't taking it, I would routinely get 140-160 bpm upon standing. Now, it might get to 100-110. But that's just me. It's impossible to know what it will do to you until you try it. And that part stinks! Amy

Hi Angela, I don't know anything about testing at Mayo or Cleveland. My local hospital has an autonomic testing lab, which is where I was diagnosed with POTS. It only took a couple hours. My mom takes Effexor and finds it very helpful. She has a lot of the same autonomic symptoms as I do, though she hasn't been diagnosed with POTS. I tried to take Effexor, but it triggered migraines. Which is odd, since some people take it to prevent them! Just one of those weird medication reactions, I guess. I hope you find answers! Not knowing what's going on is the absolute worst! amy

Lisa, The best place I've found to research medications is rxlist.com. It actually was recommended to me by one of my doctors. Here's what it says: "Pregnancy Category C. ProAmatine? increased the rate of embryo resorption, reduced fetal body weight in rats and rabbits, and decreased fetal survival in rabbits when given in doses 13 (rat) and 7 (rabbit) times the maximum human dose based on body surface area (mg/m2). There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. ProAmatine? should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. No teratogenic effects have been observed in studies in rats and rabbits." Obviously something to discuss with your doctor. Amy

I can't imagine asking my neurologist about this one. Thank God for this forum! Amy

Happy to hear it, Heidi! It must be a weight off your shoulders to have that done (OK, bad pun.) Anyway, I'm glad that it all went fine. I only had a problem with anesthesia once that I know about. I was getting my back molars pulled and they gave me a little too much laughing gas and the room started spinning like a merry-go-round. Happy healing! Amy

Sara, Exactly! I "shouldn't" be so worried. I've never really had all that much to worry about. But still, I worry. I think it's a bizarre effort to make my mindset match my perpetually "anxious" body! Sophia, Yep, I'm doing the cognitive-behavioral therapy. That said, every time I learn something new about the way I work, it helps me cope. This definitely could explain my perpetually worried state, I think! I'll have to run that past my counselor! Amy

Hello all, It had been more than 24 hours since I'd started a thread, so I'd better get going! (Just kidding). I have an interesting new theory I'd like to run past you. I've been a worrywart as long as I can remember. I've also had autonomic problems for as long as I can remember. I'm now wondering if part of the reason I always find something to worry about is because my body feels "anxious" all the time (tight chest, tachycardia, dizziness, etc.) Therefore, I think I must have something to be anxious about. In other words, most people start worrying about something, then their body might feel "anxious." I think maybe I work in reverse. My body ALWAYS feels "anxious," therefore, I constantly figure out some reason why I must feel that way and manufacture things to worry about. This sound like anyone else out there? Or does it sound plausible? Amy

Jan: Do you speak from experience? (I'm refering to your last line!) But you're right. Everyone always looks either so handsome or so beautiful! Amy

Rachel, Paxil is a Godsend for me! In fact, I didn't even know I had POTS until I stopped taking it and started nearly passing out, weight falling off, severe diarrhea, heart rates upward of 160 bpm after standing ... It seems like it calms down my overactive sympathetic nervous system. Side effects: some weight gain, I suppose, but it might more be just keeping me from looking like a stick because I can't eat anything when I'm not on it. Some sexual side effects (worse at higher doses). Also, Lyrica (pregabalin) also seems to help calm down my overexcitable nervous system, but not to the extent the Paxil does. Amy

Mighty Mouse, Lucky you! I'm the same way. My mom and brother both have autonomic issues also, but not to the extent that I do. And my grandpa was on phenobarbitol for years and years for his "nerves." I always interpreted that as being just anxiety, but I'm starting to know better now! No collagen problems, however. Guess I'm lucky in that regard! Amy

Excellent! She'd be great to talk to! I bet she could even send you some handouts on specific exercises to do for strengthening. I hurt my knee last year and went to an athletic trainer for rehab. I still have the sheets they gave me explaining what stretches to do. Good luck! Amy

Madeline, Do you know any athletic trainers or physical therapists? They would be able to give you some good pointers. Also, I think you probably could find information at a local YMCA, YWCA or other gyms. Local colleges or universities probably would have trainers available at a reasonable rate. You'd want to be sure to fully explain your particular challenges to them, and take along a POTS brochure. Getting stronger is an awesome goal! And it would have payoff beyond just the wedding. Good luck! Amy

Maxine, It's always good to get some answers! I'm glad the results weren't as bad as you feared. Amy

Welcome aboard, Maggy! We're glad you found us. At the same time, we wish you didn't have to! I'm new too, and I agree: This board is wonderful.