Rachel

I think it is okay if your heartrate goes high during labor. My doctors were never concerned about my hr jumping up. When I was pregnant with William my midwife told me that I didn't need to be concerned unless my hr was sustained above 120 for an extended period of time, not just for a few hours. And even then I think the concern was more for me, not for the baby. From my understanding it is the very high or very low blood pressure that can be hard on the baby. You can check with your midwife to make sure. Rachel

As mentioned previously, a seat cane is a good option. That way you'll have your seat with you whenever you need it. Many people here use them and really like them. I tried a seat cane in a mobility store a couple of years ago, but found it uncomfortable. I prefer my camping stool. I purchased one several years ago at Wal-Mart for about $7 and it has served me well. I originally used it when I could go out on my own, but couldn't stand in line at places like the Post Office.

I have had an epidural with both deliveries. I had an epidural for the last two hours of labor with my son. It was helpful because it allowed me to get some rest and sleep before delivery. I don't think I would have made it through delivery otherwise. My midwife let me wear my compression stockings for labor and delivery, and this helped to keep my bp up. I wasn't taking any POTS meds at that time. With my daughter I had to have a c-section, and I had epidural anesthesia for that. I wasn't sure how my body would handle such a big dose of the epidural, but it was just fine. It didn't completely numb me, though, and I started feeling the surgery (ouch!). I don't know if that was just a fluke, or if it had something to do with dysautonomia. The anesthesiologist gave me morphine in my IV and that took away enough of the pain so that I was comfortable again. My bp was stable during the epidural. I did take 10mg midodrine an hour before surgery to help keep my bp up (my doctor and anesthesiologist both recommended this). I hope that everything goes well for you with labor, delivery, and post-partum. I can't wait to heare the exciting news when your little one is born!!! Rachel

I started taking magnesium to help with migraines while I was pregnant. It did lessen the number and severity of my migraines. I also found that it helped with muscle aches quite a bit, so I have continued taking it post-partum.

Hi BellaMia, How frustrating! I'm sorry it has been so difficult for you to get the ramp you need. I know that Spinlife sells ramps online. I have never purchased one, though, so I don't know how the price compares with other places. A local mobility store would probably be able to offer you more help, but the ramp would probably cost more too. I hope you can find the help you need and a ramp at a price you can afford. Rachel

Thanks for letting us know. Rene, I hope that the doctors can figure out what is going on, and I hope that you'll be able to go home soon. Rachel

lol no clue how they got in there, going to try and fix it now The smiley faces with the sunglasses are in the form because the code for that smiley is a "B" immediately followed by ")". If you put a space between the two then it will look similar to the A), C), etc. Here's what I'm talking about: A) C) A) B ) C) I hope that all made sense! Rachel

I see doctors in several different states. I think as long as they take Medicare then they are required to take your medicare supplement too. Rachel

Do you have a doctor who could write a note for you that explains your limitations? Rachel

Medicare supplement insurances vary by state. You will probably find it helpful to talk with a local insurance agent who can help you with this. I have a great insurance agent who has helped me with all of the confusing details. He told me what the best supplement option was, and that's what I chose. I have never had to pay a penny out of pocket for a doctors visit, hospital stay, or medical test. Even when doctors offices have told me that Medicare and my supplement wouldn't cover the whole cost, they always have. A good Medicare supplement can make a big difference. I have a Blue Cross Blue Shield supplement, and it has always been good. Depending on your state, though, BCBS might not offer a supplement; they may only offer a comprehensive plan. Again, an insurance agent can help you pick what is best for you. You will also need a Part D plan to cover prescription costs. Check these out carefully. Some will make you pay a whole lot more for your meds than others will. A couple of years ago I used a Part D checker online that compared the costs of my meds on different Part D plans. I was easily able to find the best option for me. It call all be very confusing, but it is worth checking into and finding a good plan. Picking what is best for you can save you a lot of money. Rachel

Oh my goodness! Lesson learned. Never talk to a hacker over your email! So sorry that the email hacking nightmare continued for you. Thanks for letting us know. I've deleted your old email address from my address book.

Oh dear, Floppy Flop. So sorry to hear that you continue to live up to your name. Both wrists in casts? My goodness! Take it easy and rest well. Lurk when you can, and we'll see you when you're feeling better. Rachel

Hi Alicia, Have you noticed any specific foods that trigger arrhythmias? Avoiding your trigger foods could lessen the arrhythmias you are feeling. Trigger foods that I have or have had in the past include: milk, sugar (especially powdered sugar), chocolate, ham, ice cream, and eating too many different types of food at the same time. A lot of us have PVCs and PACs. They are uncomfortable, but benign. A holter monitor will be able to determine the type of arrhythmias you are having. I hope that you'll be able to get in to see your doctor soon. Rachel

I hope that the test goes well for Mack, both academically and physically. That's great that they are letting him have some extra time. Can he also take the test while lying down, or does he have to sit at a desk? That would be awful to have to sit at a desk for several hours while also having to think and concentrate. Rachel

Wow, that's a lot to have to think about and do all while feeling dizzy, brain fogged, and POTSy. And it's always so hard to have extra paperwork just when you need the extra rest. I hope that you'll be feeling better by Friday so that you don't have to have any more tests. Hang in there, Miss Mouse. Rachel

Congratulations on your baby girl!!! Enjoy her! I don't think there should be any problems with stool softeners for you. Most people here do well on them. I do fine with colace, but it tends to make my guts a little sore. I prefer Miralax. I hope that your recovery goes smoothly for you. Rachel

Hi Lavender, I have always had a lot of Braxton-Hicks contractions with my pregnancies. They started around 20 weeks with my son. With my last pregnancy I had them starting around week 14 or so. I've even had them be very regular and slightly painful for a couple of hours. I never had early labor, though. It was always just Braxton-Hicks. What you describe with chest feeling tight sounds very similar to what happend with me during my last pregnancy. I would wake up in the middle of the night from an increase in heart rate and a tight feeling in my head and chest. My face would flush sometimes too. I knew that a contraction was on its way before I could feel my uterus tightening. I asked my doctor about the heart rate increase and she said that it was a normal response to contractions, and that I didn't need to worry about it unless it was sustained above 120 for an extended period of time. I don't remember if I asked specifically about the tight feeling and flushing face or not. Either way, everything turned out fine. Adelaide is quite healthy, and I'm back to my baseline. I hope that your last six weeks go well for you and Baby! Rachel

I do know of one member with MS. Her name is Lisabeth. She doesn't come on the forum very often, but you could find some of her previous posts using the search feature, or you could send her a personal message. Rachel

Happy Birthday, Michelle! I hope that you have a wonderful day. Eat lots of cake and ice cream, and have fun celebrating. Rachel

I use Twinlab magnesium. Rachel

I take magnesium oxide. I also have some magnesium aspartate in my calcium tablet.

I have never been on florinef during pregnancy. I did take 10mg of midodrine 3 x day throughout my most recent pregnancy. My doctors were all okay with this. Midodrine is a class C drug for use during pregnancy, but it has never been reported to have caused problems during pregnancy for people. The only studies that show problems are studies involving rats and rabbits. They were given 13 and 7 times the normal dose respectively. Plus, they didn't need the medicine in the first place. If you need midodrine (because your veins don't constrict properly) and you take the correct dose, then it is most likely going to be safe. No one has ever reported adverse effects during pregnancy with humans. As a precaution, though, my ob made sure that I had ultrasounds once a month after 20 weeks, and then weekly once I reached 36 weeks just to make sure that the baby was growing well. I didn't take any medications when I was pregnant with my son. At that point I didn't need them as badly, and I could get by without. This last time, however, they were necessary. I would be more comfortable taking midodrine during pregnancy than an SSRI. It is my understanding that SSRIs have been shown to cause heart defects in an unborn baby. There are times when an SSRI is necessary during pregnancy, though, so you have to carefully weigh the risks and benefits. As Dani said, you can also use treatments such as compression and salt. I would talk things over with your OB and share your concerns with him/her. An OB is the one who is best able to help as he/she has seen the outcomes of medications during pregnancy and will be able to help you determine the risks and benefits. Rachel

I take magnesium daily. I started taking it for headaches and migraines while I was pregnant, and found that it does help me, so I have continued it postpartum. I also found that it has helped with muscle aches and pains. My doctor recommended 400mg of magnesium twice a day to start with, and then reducing it to once a day if symptoms are improved. I also drink peppermint tea and take ginger root capsules as needed for nausea. Rachel

You may or may not be reviewed actually. I was up for review a year and a half ago, but they still have yet to review my case. I've heard from others in the disinissues group that they often don't review as soon as they say they will. I have never been reviewed, but from what I understand the review is a lot easier than the initial approval. Rachel

That's a great article. Thanks for sharing. Rachel