I'm 65 now, and when I was younger, probably starting when I was 16, I often got light-headed and my vision would turn gray when I stood up. I also started having rare episodes of fainting that were a result of pain, either from severe menstrual cramps or strong intestinal pain. When I was in my 40s my doctor told me to keep hydrated to help avoid the fainting spells. Twice I've had episodes of near fainting after airplane trips, which I figured were because I was dehydrated. During these episodes my heart races, I sweat, I'm weak, am very nauseated, just feel generally horrible. I lay down until it passes, but I'm wiped out for the rest of the day. Daily, my heart rate often increases after I eat, lasting about 10 minutes. If I'm on my feet too long (stopping to talk to a neighbor while on a walk, for example), I start feeling yucky, I feel like I'm starting to get light-headed so I bend my legs and move until it eases up. When I get home I'm done in - not from the walk, but from the standing. I often get lots of upper body pains and aches, sometimes worrying me about my heart, but my heart is fine. I am frequently fatigued. Actually, I can't remember when I last had a day of carefree energy since my early 40s. I've often wondered about POTS because so many of the symptoms sound similar to what I experience. But that can be said of other conditions as well. I have a cardiologist, but feel like if I bring up POTS it won't be given more than cursory consideration. Is any of what I describe similar to your experience? I'm going though an episode where I'm spending a lot of time in bed, dozing and reading, and sleeping. This is the fifth day of terrible fatigue. It happens to me periodically, but usually only lasts about three days. On a positive note, my dog thinks it's great and stays in bed with me.