Chziime

I've taken Depakote and Baclofen for anxiety for a couple years, beginning before I even got POTS. I wonder, because Depakote is a vasodilator and lowers blood pressure, if anyone has any experiences? Baclofen I've found conflicting studies about BP, but I take a pretty low dose... 35mg/day. Also, how about Hawthorne berry, for heart health? I've taken this for a while, and I imagine its cardiovascular protection outweighs any potential small blood pressure decrease.

Hey, I actually found these studies recently: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20565044 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14709951 It turns out that SJW does have an effect on balancing the autonomic nervous system. When I tried SJW a few years back (before I got POTS) for mood disorders, it actually was a bit overstimulating. It is worth a try, but always start with low doses - taking a 1/2 or even 1/4 of a cap to start. I don't think it would have an interaction with a beta-blocker. My doctor once even recommended SJW while I was already taking Carvedilol.

Hello, I was diagnosed with POTS by Dr. Tullo in NJ just a month ago after a long suspicion. My standing BP isn't too awful, usually between 95-105 (though normal/laying for me is 110-120), but of course my heartrate is high. I'm drinking a ton of fluids, but I'm having trouble with my salt intake. For one, I seem to have an adverse reaction to electrolyte supplementation - I take half a cap of Succeed S-Caps, which is about equal to one Thermotab. Whenever I do this, especially without food, I get a rush-to-the-head type feeling, anxiety, and a strong salty taste in my mouth - all of which I'm assuming is dehydration. I check my blood pressure, and it gets pretty high (125/90 or so), concurrent with the anxiety. One time, this even happened after putting too much salt on my popcorn. What's a good way to get more salt intake? Should I have smaller amounts throughout the day? I have so many reasons to increase my intake, including having low morning/afternoon cortisol. Thanks!!

By recommendation of my cardiologist, Dr. Tullo in NJ, I am trying to increase my salt intake. I got a salt supplement called Succeed S-Caps... they are supposed to mirror the electrolyte balance found in blood plasma. However, after I take it in the morning, I feel slightly irritable, have a minor headache, and generally feel dehydrated - even after trying half a capsule. For any of you who take salt/electrolyte supplements, how much water do you drink alongside each dose? It seems I may need more water than I can comfortably handle. PS- This is my first post! I was diagnosed with POTS yesterday without even needing a tilt table test... Dr. Tullo just measured my flat and upright pulse, and my symptoms match. It's something I've suspected for a almost a year, though.