Mamawithpots

On another note, is it ok to take an extra vitamin c while sick with pots?

Yes! I just have a cold and I feel awful. Glad to know I'm not just a big wuss! My kids got the stomach flu, and I really hope I don't get that.

Thank you so much for all of your ideas! When I say my heart can hardly handle activity, I mean my heart rate goes up so fast when I stand, sit, walk, etc and my body feels like it's going to collapse and give up if I do those things for more than a few minutes. I was diagnosed with pots after being sent to the local cardiologist from my pcp. He listened to my symptoms and noticed my reaction to standing. He had me sit down then stand up like 10 times while checking my HR ,and had me on a heart monitor for a few days. I did not do a tilt test. I've also had EKG's and echocardiograms, blood work, and I can't remember what else. It was a quick diagnosis, but I feel like pots matches my symptoms perfectly. I do also have a valve problem (my mitral valve) but I've known about it for years and the docs are never worried about it. My pcp wants to do lots of tests and things after the baby is born to do further investigation on my heart. I guess due to my pregnancy, I could not have many of the tests they would normally do. Thank you again, I appreciated everything you said!

Do we handle regular illnesses (cold, flu, etc.) differently? Does it make our Pots symptoms worse? How do you get through being sick?

Have you guys had lots of illness going around lately where you are? I am on bed rest, so I'm usually pretty safe from germs, but today I got a cold from my youngest, (glad it wasn't the stomach flu from my oldest). Still, feeling pretty crappy. It has come on fast. I already deal with my Pots, gestational diabetes, anemia, and 3rd trimester pregnancy awesomeness, but today it's all topped off with a nasty cold. I can't take anything due to my high risk pregnancy, hopefully I can get a little sleep tonight. Hope you are all feeling better than I am! Stay healthy!

Stairs are terrible for me. I have 4 sets of stairs in my house, and each level has something important. I am pregnant right now, and on bed rest so I grab what I need and stay on one floor for as long as possible. Depending on your circumstances I would avoid them.

Thanks for sharing your experiences. I also am anemic, and have gestational diabetes (I get it every pregnancy). The doc did mention admitting me the night before we induce to get hooked up for fluids and be watched. They want to do another echocardiogram that night as well, and have the cardiologist highly involved. I am glad you mentioned something about oxygen during labor. That is very good to know! My docs keep saying that hopefully as soon as the baby is born my body will go back to normal, so I am glad you guys are telling me it might take a few months. It's nice to know that before hand. They are also saying that as soon as I can they want to go full speed ahead with taking care of my heart, doing all the tests, meds etc. that can't be done while I am pregnant. I don't know what all that will be, but look forward to getting a closer look at my heart. I am still worried about delivery. My heart can hardly handle any physical activity, and I don't quite understand how it will be able to handle the stresses of labor. I have nightmares of it just giving out in the middle of labor, especially with all the chest pains I have when I am doing hardly anything. I'm sorry to hear about your difficulties, but grateful for the help your experiences are for me. Thank you so much!

Thanks for your suggestions and encouragement! I am drinking plenty of fluids and a salt diet, which is helpful. I didn't know about drinking before getting up, that's the worst time for me so that is very helpful! Thanks Lyla, I appreciate it.

I am new to this group and would like to introduce myself. I am in my early 30's, married, mother of two almost 3. I am in my last trimester of this pregnancy. I was diagnosed with P.o.T.S about 2 months ago after my symptoms showed up out of no where. I am grateful to have a diagnosis, I thought I was a crazy pregnant person imagining all of this. I would be grateful for any advice or personal experiences you could share with me. It has been difficult to get through this pregnancy, and my mobility has been very limited. I have been put on bed rest, except for my many doctors and hospital appointments each week. I am not on anything to treat my PoTS, as my doctors do not feel it safe while I am pregnant. (I have a hard time staying pregnant even without PoTS) I have a few questions, if you have any thoughts or advice I would appreciate it. For those of you who have PoTS and were pregnant, how was your delivery? Did your heart handle it alright? Did your PoTS go away after the baby was born? Are there any techniques for slowing down your heart rate? I am not on any meds, but would love to know if there are ways to handle my symptoms until I can get on meds. Similarly, can you do anything while feeling the symptoms (dizziness, brain fog, ... etc.), or do you just have to wait until they go away? Do you have any good advice for someone who is newly diagnosed. Any tips, etc? Also, my doc and cardiologist do not have personal experience with PoTS, should I try to find a specialist? I am glad I found this forum and website and do not feel so lost and scared. Thanks for reading, and for your help! If you are interested in my story and diagnosis, you can read more about it at my website. It is not a PoTS website, just my regular blog where I included a post about it. http://focusedonthepositive.blogspot.com/2014/03/learning-how-to-live-with-physical.html Thanks!