I'm sure you all know the feeling: you wait for weeks for an appointment with a specialist and then the whole thing is a let down and you're back to square one.
Yesterday, I went to a doctor after some testing and I was ready to get some answers. I've been keeping a notebook where I write my HR and other symptoms down daily and he said my "heart rate really isn't all that high" -- despite a difference of 30+ beats on standing. He gave me a pill and sent me on my way. When I went to pick up the prescription, the pharmacist said it was for high blood pressure. I told him I have low blood pressure and he raised his eyebrows and said, "well, be careful with this."
I was so frustrated and tired that I went home and wondered if I'm even sick at all -- no one seems to be taking it seriously so maybe it's not even real. My mom said I should be happy that my blood work, ultrasounds, and EKGs are all normal. Still, it doesn't make my lightheadedness go away, or explain why I can't remain upright for more than two hours at a time, or why one of my pupils will randomly dilate, or why I can't be in heat, or why my legs are purple and painful on standing for periods of time.
I don't know if they don't believe that POTS is real or if they don't understand the way I feel. I had to take a medical leave of absence from school, I'm terrified to drive a car because I once almost passed out behind the wheel and ended up in a ditch, and I am hesitant to be away from the house for more than a few short hours.
The doctor didn't want to do a TTT when I asked because he didn't think that would explain anything. I really don't know where to go from here. I feel like every time I go to the doctor, they throw some pills at me without trying to understand the underlying problems. I know there isn't a magical cure-all for POTS specifically, but it would be nice if I felt like a doctor was at least listening.
Anyway, that's my vent for the day. Thank you for reading -- I just needed to get that out.