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Blackwolf, I wish I could say I had experience with this med, but I'm afraid I don't. I had most of those symptoms related to what was diagnosed as basilar migraines of odd presentation, so I know the horrible feelings that ensue. I would have been mortified the night that I staggered into the ER with mom (she said that everyone stared at us -- if she hadn't known me, she would have thought without a doubt that I was drunk!). Besides everything else, it took me over a week to be able to focus my eyes on things and walk in a semi-straight line. So while I don't have much medical advice for you, know that my heart goes out to your situation. Rest well and take care. Angela

Hey Dawggie! Love the story! We used to do Christmas plays in Africa -- the best parts were always the ones that went wrong! I'm so glad you were able to get through it and have such a great time! What a treat for your congregation -- I'm glad the kids were finally able to pull it off! May you have many more seasons of net-repairs. My love to you and prayers for a speedy recovery, Angela

Well, I'm not sure if it's a viable option for you, but I've been using a SwifferDry "mop" for a number of years now and love it! It' an easy, little energy replacement for standard brooms -- I can use it with two fingers without difficulty. It's hollow and made of exceptionally light materials. You buy either disposable or reusable cloths that easily attatch to the bottom of the "mop" (reusables you can just throw into the washing machine) -- they just push into place and never fall out until you take them out (also not difficult for us!). It glides across smooth surfaces such as lanoleum, wood, laminate, paint, etc. and picks up an extraordinary amount of dust, hair, etc.! The first time you use it, you will be both amazed by how well it works and repulsed by the amount of dust you've been living in! You can use the Dry cloths for dusting, as well. The dust and hair collects onto the cloth once and for all, instead of just blowing to a new location in the room or wafting around in the air currents. It's not very effective in mud, piles of dirt, water, and carpets, however. You can also get the newer product called the Swiffer Wet Jet to use instead of a standard mop & bucket of sudsy water, but I don't have any experience with this particular product -- I've never needed it. You might consider this as an option for when the puppies have been frolicking in the garden! Any of the products are readily available for purchase at online sites -- I'm including the Swiffer home page in case you want more information. http://www.homemadesimple.com/swiffer/usen...ducts/dry.shtml These could probably work well for regular maintenance, having the maid come in once a month or every two weeks to take care of more strenuous cleaning. I've kept 2 reusable cloths for low dust jobs (such as bi-weekly furniture dusting) and use the disposables for the dirtier surfaces (such as dark corners under beds or my brothers' bedrooms -- don't like the idea of all that junk it picks up going into my wasing machine ). Hope this helps! Angela P.S. Enjoy the puppies! I have a 14-year-old Basenji-Beagle mix. She's deaf and losing her vision slowly, but still playful and so very loving. She treats me as if I'm one of her puppies that she has to take care of -- quite the little resident nurse!

Dear friends, Tomorrow I'm going back to NYC to pack up my apartment -- I'll spend the night so I can supervise the movers Thursday morning. I hate to let the place go -- it was my very first apartment. Not the most beautiful of accomodations (light blue walls with pushpin holes, brick-coloured creaky floorboards, aged radiator that rebelled noisily every 2am and 4am... ), but it held the charm of being my very first residence as an independent adult. It was part of a dream unfolding for me.... But dream or no dream, I can't afford to pay rent on an apt I'm not able to live in, especially since there's no telling when I'll be back to dancing. My mom will drive me up and help with packing, etc., for which I'm very thankful! I've been having a lot of trouble with fatigue, lightheadedness, headache, etc. and haven't been able to get much sleep at night (hence the late-night posts ), so I feel like I'm running on vapours as it is. Emotions have started to kick in, too. Think of me and pray for endurance & unquenchable joy, if you will. Thanks for listening, all. Good night & rest peacefully! Angela

I knew this forum had to be good for something!

Hi Kylie! Nice to have an aussie potsie to add to our very eclectic family! I had a bunch of Australian friends growing up -- I learned your monetary system and territories before I learned the American ones! How's that for patriotism?! Anyhow, glad you've found us, butterfly! With a smile, Angela P.S -- What kind of butterfly are you? Blue morpho, monarch...?

Welcome Tasha! Our newbie population has certainly boomed over the last week or so!!! You're in good company for the symptoms you've related to us! Hope you can find some helpful ideas! Angela

Hi Stacey. I'm so sorry to hear about all the stress that's piling up on you! I can hear (or maybe read is a more appropriate word? -- sorry, brain's a bit foggy again, so I may turn rambly ) the emotional turmoil you're battling right now. Wish I could be there to help you out! As for the situation you find yourself in, I completely agree with your hesitancy at allowing more work/stress to be added to Jim's life. It's so hard to say no to family mambers, isn't it though? We had to go through some very tough decisions regarding the major messes my aunt's family had gotten into. Same deal of everyone calling us because we were the "stability" of the family -- I think part of it had to do with the fact that we were willing to listen to everyone longer than other people were. Anyhow, we had to come up with compromises, too. We couldn't just turn our backs on them -- they're family and we dearly love them. However, the more we allowed ourselves to be sucked into the whirlpool of decisions, the harder things became for us. We ended up agreeing as a family on what we could and couldn't manage, then communicated it to the rest of the family gently & lovingly & firmly. They understood that we had needs as well as they did -- sometimes you just have to remind them that you too are human -- you can only carry so much before things start to drop & break. I would suggest really sitting down and talking with Jim about his feelings on the matter. He's your number one priority -- you don't want to risk stretching that relationship too far. You've said that he's your support. With both of you in agreement, I'm sure you'll manage to find a way to help meet as many of your parents & sister's needs as you are safely able to -- that doesn't mean that you'll fix everything. I especially don't like the sound of your parents moving close to you under the expectation of your caring for them; as you said, you have enough trouble looking after your own health. Be loving yet assertive in protecting your sanity time -- if you cannot handle so many calls from your loved ones, make that clear. Caller ID might be helpful (like Nina, we found caller ID worth the extra $), but as an extension of the policy I just outlined -- not as a replacement. Your family doesn't want to see you start to crumble under the pressure that they are putting on you, either. They may not even realize that you're having trouble coping if they still see you as the rock of the family. Set the boundaries and stick to them for your safety and Jim's. It'll be very hard at times, and you may even feel callous in some instances, but remember that you'll all reap the benefits of it in the end. Thanks for sharing the load with us -- it's a big first step! Keep us in mind whenever you need to talk, vent, sob, ask advice.... I'll be praying for you all! Sending you a smile and hug! With love, Angela

Hi Sarina! Hey, I'm SOOOO glad to hear about the positive visit! I was praying for you! Keep us posted on the testing! Morgan -- great, easy-to-follow explanation! Thanks for educating me! Angela

Dear friends, During a long talk last night with one of my older brothers, I ended up sharing the perks of this whole POTS experience for me. I've had my portion of down times, but I've really enjoyed the time I've been able to spend living with my parents again, watching and listening to them, learning from their wisdom. I've also grown in so many ways, making new discoveries about myself and changing some of the unpleasant attributes I've unearthed in the process. I just wondered if any of you would be willing to share some of the things you've learned through your own struggles with POTS or pearls of wisdom you've accrued over the years. Subject matter is up to you. It's late and my brain is rather foggy at the moment, but I thought I'd start off by mentioning two things of the things that I've noticed in my life these last 8 months. 1. I'm so very much more than my career. I realized after I stopped dancing just how much I thought of myself primarily as a dancer and identified myself in terms of strength, grace, endurance, creativity in crafting a role, etc. All that in of itself is fine, but I've enjoyed re-discovering some of my other qualities that had been relegated to the cobwebby corners of my mind. 2. God is my rock, my faithful friend, the masterful architect of my life. I'm sorry to say that while things were looking up, I started to really depend more on myself than on God. He's been through this whole mess with me from before its start, even when I would start to push Him into the back seat. It's such a comfort to know that He's with me every frustrating medical call I make and is there to dry every tear I cry. He knows where this is all leading to -- He's got a plan for my life more exquisite than I could ever design. I'd love to hear anything you've got to say! Thanks all! With love, Angela

Hi Steph, You seem to have more advice or help than I can offer, so I just want to tell you how much stronger and calmer you sound! Good girl! Keep up the positive attitude -- you'll make it! I'm sending you a hug and invisible Christmas cookies! With love, Angela

Hi James! Greetings from a fellow artist! I'm so sorry to hear about all the trouble and anxiety you've been experiencing. I agree with Tearose on all counts. It's important to find out soon just what all is going on with your body to be able to treat it. I know it's hard, but you have to take care of your mind and body through this. Keep up the exercise if you can and keep talking to us. We've all been through rough spots too, so we can sympathise and give advice. The medical world can seem very daunting at times, but we'll be here to help you through step by step. Take things one at a time and you'll find some answers. Don't give up! With love, Angela

Congratulations Nina!!!! What a relief this must be for you! And this vacation...! You'll have to post pictures for us all to enjoy! With love and a huge huge, Angela

Hi again Ayelet! Sorry it's taken me so long to get back to you! Glad you have access to AC and all the ideas everyone else has provided. I lived in Burkina Faso for 3 years and then we moved to Niger, staying there for our last 3 1/2 years in Africa. My parents were medical missionaries (Dad's a doctor, Mom's a nurse). The first 4 years, we spent a lot of time travelling around to different posts where my dad would treat patients (everything from malaria to polio, camel bites to sword wounds...very eclectic list of problems!) and help teach expatriot & national healthcare providers. He also spent a year working at a little mission hospital a remote area of Niger that provides free healthcare to anyone who can make the trip there. The last two years we lived in Niamey, the capitol of Niger, where my dad worked as a liason between the mission and the Nigerien government, helping to organize, revise, and oversee various medical programs and projects (AIDS, vaccinations, etc.). Mom spent most of her time taking care of my 4 siblings and me (education, malaria, etc.-- that was a full-time job in itself! ), teaching our African friends and neighbours how to take care of their medical needs (burns, sores, pediatrics, nutrition, etc.), and learning more of the different African languages and cultures. It was a fascinating time, although I never really considered it "unusual" growing up; I was 2 when we moved from NJ to Canada, where I have my first memories, and we left for Africa the following year, so I still consider Burkina & Niger my home more than the US. When I was little, I thought that deer and squirrels and robins were so exotic!!! Elephants, lions, giraffes, scorpions, cobras... those were common animals! I love living in and experienceing different cultures! I've never been to Israel, but it must be quite an experience, too! Thanks for the interest! With a smile, Angela

Hi Juli! Welcome! Glad you found us! Sorry to hear how sick you've been -- hope your doing ok (or as OK as we get! ) at the moment. This is such a wonderfully supportive, educational, and entertaining community...I hope you find yourself right at home with us! With love, Angela

Welcome Ayelet! I'm happy you've joined our family! I hope we'll be able to provide support for you, especially on rough days like you've been having. Don't worry about your English -- I think you express yourself beautifully. If only my French was as good! As for the heat, is it a problem both inside (houses, stores, etc.) and outside, or more just outside? I spent a number of years living in West Africa when I was a child and there was often little that we could do about the 115+ degree heat, particularly outside. That sun penetrated just about everything! Hmmm...can't think of much advice for outdoors except stick to the shade if you can find some (that was a huge problem where we lived -- very few trees. Sometimes the closest things we could find was one of those thorn bushes with the 4 inch thorns. Hardly a comfort! ) You also might try carrying a small bottle of water with a spray top that you can use to give yourself a light spritz. It might help keep you a little cooler, or be used to help revive yourself if the heat exacerbates your symptoms too much. You might choose clothes made of fabrics that "breathe" (such as high percentage, if not 100%, cotton) when heat becomes a problem. For inside, you could try wetting your sheets and setting up a portable fan at night. Nights that the heat was intolerably high, my mom would shake our wet sheets very hard in the air (it always made a sharp thwack thwack sound), but then they were so blissfully cool. Of course, they were bone dry in about ten minutes, but it helped for a short while. One always hoped that sleep would descend at a faster rate than water evaporating! We also had all of our windows covered (with old cotton sheets!) to keep as much heat out of the house as possible. I'm not sure if your schedule allows it, but can you spend the hottest times of the day indoors, then venture out when the sun is a little more forgiving? As kids, we would usually spend about 11:30-1:00 doing indoor activities (reading, games, chores, etc.). Sorry I'm not much help -- you probably already know or have thought of these suggestions. For all I know, you may even have AC (ah, oh luxury of luxuries!) or ice water capabilities , so if some of the ideas seem a bit primitive it's just because we had to use low cost/low maintenance solutions where we lived. I'll ask my mom about any heat-coping strategies I may have forgotten. Welcome to the forum once again and keep well. Angela

Steph, Boy, did your post get me!!! I was sitting hear reading, glaring at the screen as if it was the insufferable doctor himself!!! I'm so sorry to hear about that miserable experience and infuriated by the suggestion that it's all in your head! Why don't people believe us? I agree with Tearose. It's time to take charge. This doctor obviously does not believe you and seems to be tearing you more apart than acting as your advocate. He should not be rebuking you for seeking help from the cardio when you couldn't get any relief from his suggestions. In your shoes, I think I'd probably try to make peace before switching to someone else, but would still definately find a new doctor. Ditto on T's advice about finding someone to eliminate the physical distress, and working on the other issues from there. You'll be able to function better in your confrontation with the other problems. I'm about to pass out sitting here, so I'll have to get back to you a little later when I'm able to think clearly. We're all here with you, though. Don't give up hope! I'll keep you in prayer! Angela

Hi Emily! I did get to read Stacey's poem about dancing again. Boy, yould I identify with everything she was relating! I could have been dictating it to her! Talk later! Angela

Sorry Radha, I don't take any beta-blockers (HR usually way too low). I'm interested in answers to your question, though. I've had other meds work for a little while, but then lose their effect (e.g. Florinef). Didn't want you to think I was too lazy to post a reply. As they say, "I would if I could, but I can't!" Angela

Steph, keep it up! I look forward to all the interesting (and at times, querky!) articles you send our way. You're helping to keep me educated and thinking! Besides, we get some laughs out of the discussions that ensue! Thanks for your effort! Angela

Hi Julia! Go right ahead and vent as long as you need to. You've got crazy things going on with you and need to let your feelings and concerns out -- we've all done it (and feel so much better for it, too! )! Sorry to hear about the trouble you're experiencing. I have to admit, the cognitive problems I've encountered are some of the most frustrating. I hated finding myself in some part of NYC, wondering how I got there, what I was doing there, and where I was supposed to go next -- very scary! I ended up in a dark, creepy part of Brooklyn one night because of it! I've joined the ranks of e-mail multi-check-ers, too; never less than 3 times -- quality assurance guaranteed! I've just been weathering a rough patch myself, especially since it's Nutcracker season. My symptoms have been getting worse and worse without much to combat the decline. I'm out of shape and know my figure has suffered from lack of exercise -- I have not felt very pretty in a long while! Sometimes I'll wonder for a moment, "Am I just lazy? Am I just imagining all of these bizarre problems? Am I nuts???" It lasts for only a moment, though, because I know it's all real -- I'm not creative enough to make up all these weird symptoms!! I'm resurfacing again, and being more forgiving of myself and my limitations. I'll get back to more normal life eventually; just have to do what I can for the moment and enjoy each little victory. I wish I lived closer to you and Mindy so I could try to help out (wouldn't that make scene?! ). Stay strong, dearies, and don't give in! Make sure you take special care of yourselves (when I was going through a "not-answering-the-phone" stage, or any other emotionally-distressed time, I tended to neglect my salt/potassium/fluids regimen -- hope you're better disciplined than me!). Pull on the fuzzy slippers, don the soft cozy crocheted blanket, hit the comforting tea, and, sure, catch an episode of Conan if it helps! Keep us posted! With love, prayers, and a very huge hug, Angela P.S -- By the way, what's SSDI? Sorry, newbie ignorance strikes again!

Still looking. Yeah, where's Briar when we need her?!

Hi Sarina! Welcome to the forum -- sorry I just missed you earlier. I was in the middle of peeling an orange for breakfast, but had to lie down and put my feet up. I'm so glad you were able to find us! Sounds like this is the place for you! I joined about a month ago and have been so blessed by the love, compassion, encouragement, and information radiating from all of the other members. I'm so sorry to hear what's been going on in your life -- I can identify with you on a number of points. I sympathise with the trouble you've had getting the doctors to believe that there is something medically very wrong (absolutely appalled by the suggestion that your mom was drugging you ) -- my neuro was very caring and helpful, but it took my cardio half of forever to get the picture! Glad to hear that someone is finally looking into the realm of dysautonomia for some solutions. On the friend front, I'm sorry to say it's happened to me also, to some extend. I try to keep in touch with my friends, but most of them are away at college or in ballet companies. They are preoccupied by work, studies, and all of the friends they have at their own locations, and end up sort of drifting away. I think some of them just get a bit tired by my perpetual inability to function in normal life -- it's easier (and at times more fun) for them to get out and do exciting things with healthy people. Some of them feel a bit guilty being able to do things that I can't anymore, so they don't know what to say to me. Ignorance also has its fingers in the cookie jar -- one girl insisted that the origin of all my troubles was just not eating enough. However, this is only the case for some of my friends more "on the fringe" -- my very close ones are truer than ever and come up with different ways to accommodate my limitations. And I've even been making new friends who can completely sympathize with the struggles I encounter -- DINET forum to the rescue! If you need a smile, hug, advice, or just a place to vent, you can always count on us! Welcome to the family, Sarina! With love, Angela

Hi Ling! I'd love to find more literature about POTS myself; I've been going downhill healthwise for a number of months now and would like to find out more about what to expect. So far, my most useful source of POTS info has been this forum. I read just about all the posts, trying to learn as much as I can about the condition, both for my own use and so I can understand what other people are going through/finding helpful/patterns they are noticing. If I can dig up any useful info elsewhere, I'll let you know. Hope you start to improve soon! Angela

Happy to hear about your success, Merrill! Hope this doc works out well. Keep us posted on the radiology front! I have to agree with your idea for medical alert bracelet. My dad had me get a necklace with a medi-alert pendant (two discs that can be slipped apart so you can engrave info on three different sides -- I needed lots of room! ). Thankfully, whenever I've been to the ER, I've been reasonably coherent, so I haven't had to trust my care to two polished stainless steel discs! Take care and sweet dreams! Angela