LittleOne

There are definately drugs out there that are safer in pregnancy so talk to you OB and PSYC as there may be alternatives to try. What about alternative therapies/remedies? Reflexology, accupressure, accupuncture. Tumeric has great anti inflamatory properties. Hope this eases for you soon xx

Awesome thank you. Only one way to find out so bottoms up!

Thanks guys. And no one has worse pots symptoms when taking nsaids?

When I picked up my first prescription of beta blockers the pharmacist advised me not to take NSAID's. I also have endometriosis and during my period the only partial relief is an NSAID and co-codamol combo. I can't take anything stronger as it would knock me for six and I can't afford time off work each month for 'women's issues' and being high as a kite! I will ask a Dr opinion tomorrow but does anyone take both beta blockers and NSAID's with no ill effects? I know the interaction is reducing the bp lowering effects of the bb's but does anyone experience worsening pots syptoms with NSAID's?

Saw my GP this morning and she's awesome! Openly admitted that she knows very little about POTS and was willing to take my lead and listen to what I've researched. She said she was recently at an event with 600ish Dr's and only about 5 had heard of POTS!! She's happy for me to start working clinically again and just seeing what I can and can't cope with. She will support me with whatever working pattern I decide works for me. I asked to be referred to the autonomic uint at Univeristy college hospitals London and after filling her in on primary and secondary POTS, that I'd like to investigate a cause if there is one and that I don't want to just treat symptoms forever, she easliy agreed and will be putting that through. I also had my echo today which was very cool! I'm such a geek! Unofficially it looked ok but they need to fully analyse it before a definate result. Positive day...except I was meant to meet a friend and her new girlfriend for drinks but as I'd done too much today I have chest pain so had to cancel...again. Such a rubbish friend.

Alison if you feel your GP isn't the one for you then you are well within your rights to see someone else. Maybe find out if there's a GP that has an interest in neuro/cardio. It took me 3 GP's before I found one who had read an article about POTS and didn't palm me off. Now she's stuck with me! Also write everything down. Symptoms, timeline, meds, questions and most importantly what you want to happen. If you ask for something, they can't refuse. It's your health, not theirs. When are you going back? x

Personally I would push for a referral as there may be an underlying cause for your pots that can be treated.

Hi I'm also in the UK. Definately try and find a specialist as they can investigate why. Where abouts are you? x

That's very kind of you thank you x

BP checked at work today 116/64 (normal for me) so happy with that. I know, I'm usually a very patient person (I'm a midwife so have to be!) but i've been signed off non clinical at work since October (again I know, lucky to be working etc) and I just want to do my job! But I think part of this is the harsh reality that I may not be able to practice to my full capacity and that's killing me, so I'm desperate for these tablets to work and not make me feel worse!. I've always said if I couldn't be a midwife I don't know what I'd do. Just internal head struggles that I'm sure we all have for our own reasons. Sorry I'm venting.

Well so far today I'm more awake and have more energy so fingers crossed taking in the evening is the way forward!

Thank you Tobiano. How long for the fatigue to improve for you? It's dropped my resting heart reat by about 15 and my bp. My tachycardia seems to have lessened but I still get quite a jump in hr on standing etc so the same is still happening just the numbers have changed. Stil symptomatic etc. But not even a week on it yet so I need to be patient! I've changed it from morning to evening so will see if that helps.

Thanks guys, will chat with my GP tomorrow. BP on Sunday was 99/62 which is quite low for me. Will check it at work tomorrow before I call to see what it's doing.

I've been on Bisoprolol for almost a week and the fatigue is unreal! I've doubled the amount I sleep, struggle to get up for work and just have no energy. Anyone else find they were more fatigued with beta blockers? How did you cope? Any hints and tips, lifestyle changes etc? I'm guessing this is just a side effect from starting the med and will subside with time.

The only other testing he mentioned was the echo and a review in 3 months. No mention of further testing to rule other things out. Thankfully I'm in the UK so have the NHS to rely on so would really like him to chuck tests at me!! I'm going to talk to my GP tomorrow, see what she says and explain that I'd like piece of mind that nothing else is going on. Feel odd today, have had a headache for a few hours, not shifted by paracetamol. Really tired too. But resting HR is lower. So fingers crossed. Thanks guys.

I need to vent again! So...got there and had my 3rd ECG. All normal. See the consultant, asks about symptoms etc. Does laying to standing BP, normal. Prescribed beta blockers Bisoprolol. I asked if he thinks my GP is right about it being POTS. He says...well it could be, you have symptoms of a syndrome that are also symptoms of other things so it's difficult to know. It could be a different type of dysautomia. But see how you go on the beta blockers. We'll also do an echo because of my de-sats and chest pain. Am I missing something? Should he be looking into it a bit more? Don't get me wrong I'm pleased he listened and didn't laugh me out the room and is trying some treatment. But. I'd like a bit more of a diagnosis than that.

Not sure if he's specifically an EP but reading up on him one of his interests is arhythmias so fingers crossed! Thank you dkd x

So after 4 months from symptom onset, 3 GP's, 2 ECG's and 1 24 hour ECG, I finaly have my first appointment with a cardiologist tomorrow. I've had to work non-clinical for 2 months after 6 weeks off sick, can't walk up stairs without having to stop halfway, can't have hot baths/showers and can't spend all day shopping. There are many more but these are the ones that bug me the most. I feel old before my time. I get light headed with standing or from sitting on my feet to kneeling. I also get dizzy and breathless. I can de-sat on laying back down. I get post meal tachy if it's a heavy carb filled meal. Pins and needles in my hands, tinnitus, brain fog, night sweats and the past 2 weeks chest pain if i've done too much. I also have depression and am quite low at the moment. I don't know what to expect tomorrow and I'm scared he's not going to have heard of POTS (my GP thinks this will be the diagnosis) or know what to do. Don't really know why I'm posting, guess I just know you all know what I'm feeling. I get the impression most people around me don't believe me. It's invisible, they don't understand which I don't blame them for, just makes it more difficult.

You blood volume increses in pregnancy to compensate for the loss at birth, hence why you have a BP slump at the start of the second trimester. So theoretically your body should cope well unless you have a major haemorrage. But the healthiest of women would then have complications. In terms of where to have your baby, only you know where you're going to feel safe and secure. You will birth better and easier if you're at ease and not stressed. Plus, and correct me if I'm wrong, there's not much in the way of evidence to suggest that anything could go wrong in terms of POTS in pregnancy. I would say your body and your birth, your choice.

I don't have it despite working in a hospital because it's not guranteed to protect you against the strain or strains that migrate over from the east. Plus I'd rather build up natural immunity. I may change my tune if I get the flu however!

This happened to me for the first time yesterday. I had a carb heavy meal out and shortly afterwards whilst still sat my HR shot up, I got lightheaded and breathless. Not nice!

I get this whenever I lie down after a really tachy episode. Still to be formally diagnosed so not sure if it's POTs or just a random occurance.

Hot showers and hot baths. Not yet needing to sit in showers but then I never linger and get it over with ASAP. I prefer baths and used to love them hot. Like inching yourself in gradually hot. POTS is such a party pooper.

Thanks Noonoo xx

Hampshire Hog here!