vjsnowprincess

Thank you so much for your responses! It is so great to hear that there are others like me, and have gone through the same things-not just POTS, but the anxiety as well. I will look into the books you mentioned, Eathmother. I also think that incorporating faith in my life will be a big help. I used to be much more "religious" prior to this, and I think that once I start going back to church, and pray regularly, I will feel better. Even if my symptoms don't change, I believe that just having faith that everything happens for a reason and what doesn't kill us makes us stronger. Thanks again! V

Sorry this post is so long...I haven't been around in awhile. I got married in December and it has been a harrowing few months. The wedding was a very stressful time, and it brought out the worst in POTS for me. But it also inculded panic attacks that, for awhile, were every day, and forced me to retreat to my home for months. I would not be able to even go to the store by myself. It started as POTS symptoms, which we all know well, but then began to include panic attacks for fear of havings POTS symptoms and passing out in public. I am currently being treated for anxiety and depression. I have had an amazing turn-around with weekly therapy sessions (since May) for anxiety-and the anxiety drug Ativan. (Which I am not taking currently as I am trying to get pregnant). I am curious if others have had sucess managing symptoms with anxiety treatment, or if there are others who also suffer from anxiety. My therapist says that since anxiety and POTS are both connected to the autonomic nervous system, that it is why I have found my symptoms reduced with anxiety treatment. I would like to know your thoughts on the connection.

I also have terrible swelling of my legs and feet especially, but I don't take a beta blocker anymore. sometimes it gets so bad, that I can't even curl my toes-I do notice it is worse in the summer-when it is warm. I find that compression hose works really great for this. I also think it helps to keep your feet elevated. I agree with the others that you should bring it up to your dr.

I too get those "waves of pressure" in my head. Usually it happens right before a really bad episode. It's my signal that I'd better lie down quick. With me it is when I am upright. Do you also get them upright or only when lying down? I get them around my ears and kinda behind my eyes and in my sinuses. (a cat scan ruled out sinus infection). I also get that pounding in the ears-but that doesnt really bother me too much-it makes it easier to count my heart rate.

Thank you Stacey and Emily, We have already talked to our pastor about sitting during the ceremony- I think we will have a bench where we can sit during the entire ceremony if I need to. Also, I too think that if we started to change my meds this close to the wedding, we might have a bigger mess. Luckily my younger sisters are my bridesmaids, so they know whats going on, and will help out in any way they can. my biggest fear right now is just making it down the asile. We can deal with everything else as it comes. I will let you all know how the day goes...and I saw the pictures some of you posted, and once I get our wedding pictures back, I will try to post one of myself, too. Thanks for your support!

Wow, that doesnt sound fun at all. But-tis the season... One medication I have found that works for me when I have a cold is Dayquill liquid-if you can stand the taste for a few minutes , it really helps to open up my chest and sinuses-it's alchohol free-and it doesnt keep me up like you'd think it would. One that I have found that doesnt work is the nyquill pills-I have noticed my heart rate really speeds-up and its hard to breathe when I take them-definately doesnt help me sleep. Hope you feel better soon!

Thank you for suggestions. I did origianally see a cardiologist at the Mayo Clinic-back when the symptoms started, and when I was diagnosed with POTS. But I haven't seen him in a year or so, since my symptoms were manageable. I also stopped going to my PCP since he was no help at all. I have recently seen an internal medicine doc. and she is the one who referred me back to Mayo to the neurologist. I did tell the scheduler why I needed to be seen sooner-and she said if there are any cancellations, they could get me in sooner. I will keep going with your suggestions-thankfully my family is supportive and are taking some of the responsibilities off my shoulders. Will keep you posted...I think just finding this website and forum has been a huge help in lifting my sprits. It's great finding people who understand exactly what I'm going through. Thanks!

1 Vikki 2 I'll be 24 in a few days 3 POTS 4 I was 21 when I was dx'd 4 I live in a small town in southern MN-Twin Lakes 5 my symptoms at best are mild versions of: tiredness (it that a word?),palpatations,mild dizziness, low BP, fast heartbeat,heat intollerance. 6 Symptoms at worst...where do I start? Digestive issues,unbearable dizziness,fatigue,pounding in ears,pressure behind eyes,low BP,nausea,near-syncope,fast heartbeat,anxiety,shortness of breath,heat intollerance,numbness/tingling in left arm,sensitivity to light,cold nose hands and feet,and when symptoms are bad, I notice I am moody. 7 The meds that don't work for me are:varapamil,toporol XL,atenelol 8.Things that have worked for me (though right now my symptoms are bad regardless of what I'm doing): Compression stockings, Midodrine, Gatorade/lots of water,high salt, taking naps when I can. Also knowing that others are going thru the same things I am is a huge help. Knowing that I am not alone is a great help.

I'm new to the Forum, I just think it is great to have a place to talk to others who are dealing with the same things I am. Anyway, this is the first time I have posted-sorry it's so long.. I was diagnosed with POTS in 2002 after having what I would call "mild" symptoms. Within the last five months my symptoms have gotten much worse. Some days I can't hardly function. To make things worse, I am also dealing with my wedding which is 28 days away. I think the stress and anxiety is aggrivating my symptoms. I am on Midodrine and wearing my compression sttockings all-day, every day. I cannot get in to see a Neurologist until a month after my wedding. Has anyone found things to work for them for the anxiety and the times you just can't stand-up for 5 minutes without needing to lie down? Any wisdom or advice would be GREATLY appreciated.