MomWithPots

Of course! Why not celebrate our depression? Lol...don't even mention beer; haven't had one of those since 17, just one more luxury pots took away On a more serious note, I'm sorry for all your recent troubles! Making plans seems to be the most frustrating thing about this condition..just when u think ya got it all figured out, Bam! But, I guess u just have to take it day by day, literally! I'm so grateful that I found this support site as my family refuses to understand. Last Christmas at our family dinner, my uncle flat out said " you better be glad all you have is that pots, some people have cancer!" Ok, Cancer is absolutely Horrible and anyone who has dealt with that has my deepest sympathy; I would not wish it on anyone, but the same goes with Pots! Just 5 minutes, I just wish they could have it for 5 minutes then maybe they would stop comparing constantly! Anyways (I tend to get off topic) Thanks for the laugh! It feels refreshing after a day of depression! Maybe depression is healthy sometimes though, normal people get depressed right? I've always wanted to be normal!

I just need to rant. I've had a bad pots day! I was feeling ok this morning, which I was grateful for as I had a big sociology test. During the test I started feeling bad..this test was all discussion so I had to write 6 pages. I eventually just started giving less than detailed answers so I could hurry and leave. Leaving class, my heart rate was in the 160's, I was dizzy, and felt numb, but the brain fog was the worst. All days are struggles, but days like this when my hr refuses to go down, I get really emotional. I cried all the way home and questioned my life...WHY ME? Haven't I been through enough? I didn't have the best childhood and I've had pots since 14. Then I felt bad for questioning life (Christian beliefs) and even worse bc my 2 youngest kids were present. I'm just sick of being sick! I'm so tired of organizing my life around pots..I'm tired of people not understanding..Im just tired...I hate this depression and I hate feeling sorry for myself, but sometimes I reach my limit! Its only human right? I know people out there have it much worse than I, so no disrespect intended. Well thanks for attending my pity party Hopefully we won't have another one for a while! Just knowing others can relate really does make a Huge difference. Thank u guys!

Wish I knew! I have small ones daily, but every few months ill have a really bad episode that will last for 3-5 min. In this case, they are constant and hard so I always end up at the ER...Its one symptom that I don't think ill ever get used to! If u find and new info, please share! Good luck

Sorry to hear that! I'm scared of exercising too and it ***** because I want to be active! I can't offer much advice, but to stay calm and take small steps. Also look into different types of exercising. I plan on buying one of those exercising bikes and I really want to do water aerobics...for some reason when I get a bad episode, I automatically want to be in water/ bath. Its calming! Worth a try. I also climb stairs instead of the elevator, as the elevator makes me very very symptomatic...that counts right? Good luck and as always, talk with ur doc about your concerns!

I can't offer an answer, but I can relate. I get extreme nausea at least 4 days a week and I only "go" every 4-5 days...sorry Tmi. I just always thought it was part of pots. Sometimes I swear there is a new symptom everyday. Just discuss it with ur doc and hang in there Feel better soon! Libby - Thanks for the info! I have been meaning to buy something with ginger in it. I hate the taste if ginger ale for some reason. I also found that lemon drops ( hard candy) works well for me with the nausea.

I can't put it off any longer...gotta get a back tooth pulled! I had one pulled last yr and it was horrible. I explained my condition to him, but I feel as if he brushed me off; not familiar with dental terms, but the shot he gave me sent me in panic mode. My hr was 170 and I was really shaky . The dentist said "oh don't worry, that's just the adrenaline in it. Happens sometimes"...needless to say ill be going to a new dentist! Anyway, is there something specific I should be asking for? I'm already gonna be in panic mode before hand

One more tip, keep jackets handy! I also carry a light blanket to my classes that are always freezing! My symptoms are way worse in the cold as well and I've always had trouble. maintaining my body temp.

I got my associates online, but am now attending a private college full time for my bachelors. I personally informed my professor's of my condition, just in case I had a spell or needed to be quickly excused. Some took it as anxiety, but others understood and actually wanted to learn more about Pots...we definitely need more people informed right? My biggest challenge is stairs! They are everywhere at college; mine has elevators, but they make me extremely off balance so I refuse. I just arrive early and pace myself. I also took an art class last semester and it was a great grounding activity for me; whenever I was feeling bad, I would just dive into my art projects. I ran into my old art professor and expressed this to him and he invited me back...now I get a free art class! At the end of the day, you just have to listen to your body and know your limit. Communicate with the professor's. Also make sure to keep water, snacks, and a phone handy...just in case! I wish your daughter the best!

Thank you all for the replies, they are encouraging! I hope we all recover! Think about getting one of those exercise bikes; After developing pots it became difficult to work out, so I gave up...other than chasing 3 kids! I've heard that can speed up progress!

Every article I read says Pots could go away in your mid 20's. Has anyone gotten better? I was diagnosed 2 yrs ago, but developed pots at 13-14. I'm now 22 and my pots has slowly but surely gotten worse over the years. I feel like the closer I get to my mid 20's the more hope I loose. I've been dealing with it for so long, I couldn't imagine not having to live around my symptoms. In fact, on the rare occasion that my HR is in the 60's when resting, it doesn't feel right, guess I'm not sure what normal feels like anymore .. Can't help but wonder what it would be like to outgrow this though! pretty bad when u dream about running and climbing stairs lol the little things taken for granted Just a curious question! No matter what I'm gonna try and find the positives. I've decided that my dreams are bigger than Pots and its not holding me back Good health and God bless!

Hope all goes well! Stay positive

Thank u both for the reply! Im gonna take it, don't think it can make me feel any worse than I do now *knock on wood!* It seems like nausea is a main side effect...I have an almost permanent feeling of nausea with my pots, so its a feeling I'm used too. After the second round of flu, ill suck it up next yr and take the shot! Thanks guys, stay well!

Badhbt thanks for the info! Your right, if it works I don't mind adjusting my diet! I cut out all caffeine 3 yrs ago, including chocolate...if I can quit chocolate, gluten should be a piece of cake srb, seems like we are in the same boat! I would love to stay in touch It'd be nice having a friend to discuss pots with and not feel like I'm boring them to death! Feel free to message!

I just tested positive for the flu! I didn't get the flu shot bc I was afraid of any side effects..I'm really sensitive to meds. I had it last yr as well and didn't take anything by Tylenol. It was really bad and I passed out several time with it, mostly due to dehydration. Not to mention I missed 10 days of work...So my question is, has Tamiflu been safe with pots? I had a bad reaction to some meds last yr, not flu related & its definitely made me developed a phobia Thanks for any replies!

I am the same way! The cold makes it worse...I'm taking a 3 hr night class at.college amd they keep that building so cold! I have issue controlling my body temp as it is. I get really shaky and anxious before its over. Also feel faint. I guess its normal though, our normal that is Just stay active...and warm. wish u the best!

I hope u have a better tomorrow! I've been at 200 before...its no fun!! So glad u had doctors that were able to help, when mine was that high I had an ignorant doc who said I was having an anxiety attack...he had never even heard of pots and refused to run any test! Have u tried online classes? I'm in college as well and do both campus and online but I had to get my associates completely online since my symptoms were not controlled back then! Best of wishes

Badhbt - Thanks! I am willing to try anything...was it difficult switching? I love my food lol, one of my down falls

I was trying to explain my pots to my nutrition professor today; he cut me off and said "I know what pots is! That things where u get a little dizzy when u stand up." Yeah...that's all it is! Gosh, wouldn't that make life much easier

Thank you all so much for the replies! It helps just being able to relate to others for a change I am very grateful as I know many people have it a lot worse than I...I think we all have those depressing moments on the really bad days though.. *BeforeTheMorning - I have never thought of lactose! I will definitely look into that. Have u heard of the gluten free fad that's going around? Just wondering if that may help with Pots? Seems to be the new craze and people are saying its transforming their health. SparrowKate - Thanks for the suggestions! I love to eat, so I'm just starting to "graze"..I used to over eat and that made my symptoms extremely worse! Its just hard for me to keep weight on, I'm 5'7 and 115. I'm in the process of keeping up with what I eat. Don't want to over eat, but don't want to loose any weight either! If I feel bad all the time, I was hoping I could still have some curves I am consuming lots of water but still need to talk to the doc about salt..does it really make a difference in symptoms? Looneymom - Thanks for the tip. Ill try ginger! I thought about lemon drops as that was what I used for morning sickness.. Srb - Nice to hear from a fellow mom! My kids are 2, 4, and 6 so I know the toddler stage! As moms we do anything for our kids though and as long as we are trying, I think that shows we care I can't figure out this brain fog either! I'm not having memory problems, it just feels like im disconnected from the world..hard to explain. It is very unsettling though and it makes me act funny! Kind of entertaining after the fact! I don't have a huge support system. I was raised in a lower class family with no health insurance. They took me to the doc once and I was diagnosed with anxiety, I guess standing made me anxious So for a few yrs no one believed me. The day I was officially diagnosed was like winning the lottery! A weird statement being told ur ill, but at least now I have a doc that believed me! So I tend to shut people out now and keep it to myself while I'm sick. Part of me is hurt that I wasn't believed and the other part just doesn't wanna be a burden. My husband is amazing though! Even though he is not physically here, we talk at least 4-5 hrs a day...his emotional support gets me through Sorry for the long post...Thanks again for the helpful tips! I hope u each feel wonderful and stay in high spirits!

Congrats on feeling better! Stairs are my worst enemy as well! I'm in college so there are tons, I always take them though. Figured it might pay off some how. Hope u continue to improve.

Hi, Im 22 and have had pots since I was 14; just diagnosed two yrs ago. I am a mom of 3 and married to a trucker, which means I'm alone 3 weeks a month. My main symptoms include constant fast heart rate (especially upon standing) and a low heartrate (40's) while sleeping (ironic!), dizziness, extreme brain fog, leg pain, and my newest and most annoying symptom, nausea! Just looking for some tips on how to manage...I'm optimistic most of the time, but when I have bad days, I tend to get depressed. I also feel like a bad mom sometimes when I just don't have the energy to get down and play with them Any other moms dealing with pots? Also any tips on brain fog and nausea would be greatly appreciated! I can deal with the heartrate, I'm used to it by now...but this nausea feels like constant morning sickness! Thanks for any replies...its so nice having a place to come too. It took years to get diagnosed, so it makes u feel alone sometimes.