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Radha~ I was started on 25 mg Toprol, too, and my cardiologist was surprised to know it didn't do a THING for me because I am a small person. It's since been increased twice - to 50, now 75. But that may be why your doctor is hesitant to increase your dose - -because it sounds like you are a little person, too. BUT, my doctor just put me on Zoloft to help me with my adrenaline related symptoms, and although I was hesitant to take it initially, it has REALLY helped SO incredibly much with that feeling you are describing. Maybe you can talk to your doctor about that. It might really help you. I'm not taking it for what it is usually prescribed ~ anxiety and depression. My doctor said it works really well to conrol the release of serontonin that can cause that feeling of adrenaline overdose. Anyway, he's right, and I'm doing much better on it. Good luck.

Amy--- I just wanted to say that I hope you finally get some answers and I'm so glad that you finally have a doctor who is taking you seriously. I know that must be such an enormous relief!!! please, please let me know what the results are today. My thoughts are with you, hun.

I've had several EKG's in the last week. They were all abnormal, showing ST-T changes. Anyone know anything about EKG's? i looked on line, and all I could find is how it relates to having a heart attack, which I certainly didn't have. I'm only 24! Although, I did have renal failure with my pregnanct....maybe that caused cardiac injury? Anyway, I'm scheduled for a heart cath in January, and i'm pretty freaked out about it. Anyway, has anyone had these changes in their EKG? Anyone have any idea what it could mean?

Amy~ I understand your concern. Sometimes it seems doctors either want to protect us by not giving us info they don't see as significant, or they think we don't know anything, so they don't tell us all of the details. Yesterday, I was at my family doc, and she was looking over reports sent from my cardiologist. I was told by the cardio that my stress echo was normal, but as she read his report she said something like "saw some changes in heart function and cardiac output ..." I didn't know there had been any changes...and, i can only assume he didn't think that was significant. I'm DEFINATELY the patient who gets home from the doc, and then comes up with forty billion questions I wish I would've asked.... Anyway, I don't know much about it all, but just wanted to say I feel your frustration in that regard. It stinks to be worried about all of this stuff....

Amy~ yeah, I've had plenty of EKG's - all were normal before. They did blood/urine to try and determine if the edema is from the toprol, my heart, or my kidneys (I have a hx of renal failure....) but, I'm waiting to hear.....when they call, I'm going to ask more about the EKG - what was abnormal about it, etc. My cardiologist never said anything about an ablation. I think he was considering the cath just as a diagnostic procedure, know what I mean? But who knows if he s even considering that....it's just me jumping to conclusions because he had mentioned doing it before, if i don't improve with meds. Anyway, IU appreiciate all the support. I'll keep you posted.

Well, I finally called my family doctor about the swelling in my feet I mentioned awhile back. Went in today - had +3 edema...and an abnormal EKG. I have had a number of EKG's before, and all were normal. My family doc called my cardio, and I'm going to see him thursday. they also did labs and urine, results should be in tomorrow. My cardio last I saw him said I may need a heart catheter, I'm worried this abnormal EKG might be the last straw, and I'm so scared to death of having a heart cath. Anyone ever have one before who can offer some consoling?And it would figure this is all coming to be so close to the holidays.... Anyway, I'm totally freaking. They didn't tell me HOW it was abnormal, so I'm calling first thing tomorrow to see if I can get any more info. The nurse who did it said "Great!" and then escorted me to the lab, and off handed, I said "so, the EKG was normal...", and she looked at me like I was an idiot and said "NO, it was ABNORMAL, that's why we're sending you to your cardio" and then she ran off, offering no other words of wisdom. Okay, what part of "Great!" was supposed to infer ABNORMAL....??? Anyway, I'm wondering how this wil all unfold. Needless to say, I've been feeling like absolute sh#$ health wise. It's taking a serious toll on me, my marriage, and my little girl. I'm really battling some serious depression because of it all...hopefully this will all lead to answers, and proper treatment, and someday, NORMALCY...but right now, I'm treading water....

so, my hair is totally falling out. I'm not joking. what is UP?!?! I'm totally freaking out. could this be related to POTS? also wondering - do you ladies think that your menstral cycle plays a HUGE role in your symptoms? I mean, I feel like when I'm on my period (sorry if this is too much information....) that my POTS and NCS symptoms are a million times worse. You guys feel the same way? Anyone on oral contraceptives or had a hysterectomy, or anything like that and noticed a difference?

I am one of FIVE, actually, and my mom had no problems. My sisters have all also had healthy pregnancies. I, however, had severe preeclampsia, and after having kidney failure and swelling in my brain, and being in the hospital for three weeks, I was induced at thirty weeks and had a sick baby. She is FIVE and fabulous now and I'm DYING to have another baby, but my fears, my husbands fears, and my crappy health are all huge issues...it *****. that's the bottom line. But I'm hoping now that I'm being treated, I stand a better chance of having a healthy baby....and I can't WAIT! Still, I was so healthy, and in great shape, and active and athletic when I got pregnant...I was never sick a day in my life. I don't know why I got preeclampsia, and don't know if I will get it again. I don't know why I have been sick ever since. either way, I'm 24, 120 pounds, doing yoga, and on DRUGS (prescritpion drugs that is)....so here's hoping i will someday soon be able to have a healthy baby. adoption is also a wonderful option for us. We would love to adopt, and hopefully will someday! It's more a matter of money than anything else right now. Otherwise we'd do it in a heart beat!!!! And I also worry about my little girl. Medically speaking, I'm a train wreck. She's already had heart failure and emergency heart surggery, and seizures as an infant. although she is SO healthy now, I am terrified of ever having to let my little girl be sick again. I don't think I could handle it. I had to be sedated when she had her surgery....nothing's worse in this world than kowing your kiddo is suffering. It's just a real tragedy that we all have to worry about all of these issues....

Oh, How EXCITING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Congratulatoins!!!!! Adoption is one of my DREAMS, that is just so thrilling that you have this opportunity!!!!!!! Congrats, congrats, congrats! and happy birthday, too! Don't worry about everything else, health wise. In my desire to have another baby, I find that worry to be so CONSUMING, but you know what? you have to follow your heart and you will be such a wonderful parent, I'm sure of it. Horray!!!!! Really, I just thinkl that is so so so fantastic. best of luck to you!!!!!

I'm having HORRIBLE swelling in my feet/legs. Is this "potsy"? anyone else deal with this? could it be related to the toprol? i don't know if that's a side effect.... and last night i had HORRIBLE charlie horses, too. should i take a diuretic maybe? any suggestions?

amy ~ i don;t have any different advice, but i'm so sorry you are dealing with this right now, and want you to know i'm thinking of you. please take it easy, and take care of yourself. i hope youo start to feel better soon.

I live in toledo Ohio (home of MCO). I see a lot of talk of Dr. Grubb, and MCO. Is he someone I should see? what's his story? What kind of doc is he? How is he involved in dINET? any info?

Beverly, My heart is breaking for you, your daughter, your husband and your family. Reading your post really touched me. Nicole is so incredibly lucky to have you for a mother. What a blessing you are to her. I'm new here, so forgive me if I ask questions you have already answered. How old is Nicole? How long has she been dealing with POTS. I'm so totally taken aback by how sick she is. How frightening. Poor girl. I am thinking of you and your family. I was recently diagnosed and was given Toprol. I was also taken off of birth control. I am not nearly as sick as Nicole, but I seem to be feeling somewhat better with the Toprol. I'm only just beginning to learn about POTS, so don't really have any advice, but I just wanted to say that you truly are and incredible, loving, and inspiring mother. We should all be so lucky to have someone like you in our corner. I hope you find some answers and Nicole can somehow find better quality of life. I'm sure being home with you is a wonderful starting point.

Amy ~ I don;t have much in the department of advice, but I can DEFINATELY empathize. I too am just afraid i'm going to DIE. it's the worst feeling ever. since we are both newbies, I guess knowing is the key, so we have to just try and learn as much as we can about how to take care of ourselves and handle this. Anyway, I just wanted to say I totally feel your pain. Good luck.

Katherine -- my daughter is actually, believe it or not, FIVE. (*gasp!*) BUT I had severe Preeclampsia with her, kidney failure and swelling in my brain, etc. I have NEVER felt good since so I definately think that I developed POTS and NCS and fibromyalgia post partum. You are lucky you were diagnosed so quickly. I was diagnosed with Fibro abour two years ago, but just diagnosed with POTS and NCS within the last month. I still don't understand how I have BOTH....I won't get into everything, but you can (if you want) read my first post "New here and I know Nothing"... Like you, I think of adoption and foster parenting frequently and do believe that is a very wonderful and exciting option for us, but i am not just afraid of HAVING a baby. I'm worried about caring for one. I'm just so tired....I'm so glad there are people here who understand that. I appreciate you taking the time to answer all of my questions. Thanks.