I am 49 years old. My niece ( on my husband's side so not a blood relative) was recently diagnosed with POTS. When I read through all the symptoms, I thought, that sounds exactly like what I have struggled with since my early teens. My family called it "Cathy-itis" and my friends called it the "Cathy Green" syndrome." Excessive fatigue, irregular heartbeat were the main symptoms in my teens. Cardiologist I saw said it was "all in my head." Turned me off from even mentioning my symptoms to a doctor. I was also diagnosed with anemia at 17 and have had to take iron my whole life to keep my numbers in the normal range but it has been a struggle. In my 20s, I could not deny my serious digestive issues, chronic constipation. I had 4 children in my 20s and I was exhausted beyond words all lot of days, so I would mention my extreme fatigue to doctors and nurses and they would just tell me "who wouldn't be tired with 4 kids." I actually had 4 more children in my 30's and early 40s. So the "no wonder you are tired" comments continued every time I brought up exhaustion. But I didn't always feel that exhausted so it didn't make sense. I was diagnosed with hypertension when I was 31 and prescribed a beta blocker and my symptoms eased significantly. I would have what I would call "episodes of extreme fatigue, dizziness, nausea and decreased then increased blood pressure, but would push through the days and wonder how did people function if this is "normal." I would beat myself up inside because I wanted to get up and do things with my kids but I just had no energy. Thankfully, the "episodes" came less often. But the nausea got worse. Started heartburn meds that helped but now can relieve the nausea for the most part with taking apple cider vinegar regularly. Weirdly, with the episodes where I would sleep all day, I found eating salty things or literally dipping my finger in salt and eating it straight would help with the dizzy, nauseous and exhausted feeling. Migraine started when I was 41/42. My "episodes" come way less often. But my chronic constipation is getting worse. Gastro says take miralax and comments that my stomach is the quietest he has ever heard. For years, I have told my husband I just feel like my digestive system just STOPS working. Dr. says not to rely on laxatives and magnesium citrate...which I know isn't good but better than the pain associated with not having a bowel movement for a week. Not sure if I should even try to go to a doctor and see if I would test for an official diagnosis..who would one see for that?... but my question is for those who suffer with constipation, what do you do? Thanks for letting me share this...
Also wanted to note that many times when I am having"episodes" that people recommend exercise but during those times, exercise made me feel worse. And I have to wear compression stockings most nights and especially when traveling because of swelling in my ankles. I bought a wedged foam pillow to keep my legs elevated at night.
