hkmist

Thanks for the replies guys!! I guess one question was did you have a really bad headache after the Myelogram? Did it find a csf leak for you? I appreciate all the replies and it seems spinal surgery and pots maybe closely linked??

Hello! First time poster and longer time lurker...I wanted to post something and propose a "what would you do situation..." I'm a 35 year old previously very healthy male, I had a microdiscectomy last summer for a herniated disc. About 5 weeks after the surgery I was straining on the toilet and developed severe lightheadedness, depersonalization, reduction in sound acuity, tinnitus, and blurry vision (couldn't concentrate on my cell phone text - read from muscle memory so to speak), poor concentration, along with intermittent low lying headaches that were not very severe (4/10), worse when upright...honestly the depersonalization feeling was the worst. Through my new neurologist I had an MRI Brain with contrast which was negative. I had a TTT which showed my heart rate rose from 60 --> 139 and I passed out at the 19th minute. I was diagnosed with POTS a few months ago at that time. I have been able to continue working, with my HR going to 100-120 when walking and up to 190 when on the elliptical for 3 minutes and stays in the 180's... I received another opinion from a physician who was wiling to do a CT Myelogram and blood patch given the proximity to my surgery and potential CSF Leak. This was about 2 months ago we scheduled this. The CT Myelogram is coming up and I've been able to get back into the gym slightly and it has helped my symptoms somewhat..I still get all the symptoms but my headaches have almost stopped over the past 4 weeks. I'm now wondering whether to just call this POTS or continue to seek a potential source for my symptoms. I read horror stories of CT Myelo causing horrible persistent headaches after.... I sympathize with everyone here dealing with dysautonomia, its been a humbling and scary experience to say the least! Just wondering what avenue you guys would consider? Should I continue to see if it gets better on its own? I'm sort of down playing severity, when I'm upright and talking to friends for instance....it's like I'm not present and answer in simple one word answers with limited energy, not my usual self (i'm sure you guys understand that - haha).