Newbie here 68 year old male. I've had upper GI problems for 30 years, which has included a twelve-pack of ER visits for non-cardiac chest pain. I'm a stress test pro. I always pass without studying. These non-cardiac chest pain events always included lightheadedness that would exhibited prior to and afterwards each event. NSAIDs for spinal issues were most often to blame.
Starting two+ years ago, I started getting more frerquent lightheadedness events and more gastro distress despite pristine diet. From Feb 2020 to May 2020 I lost 30 pounds I could afford to lose. Major GI stuff, and occasional bouts of lightheadedness. The process of elimination began. GI doc wanted stress test before doing a scope. OK. Enter Covid delays. By the time I got the next perfect stress test results, my GI symptoms resolved, and who wants to go to a hospital during a C19 surge. So, we bagged it. I was still active but abandoned most heavy lifting jobs (digging building) and stuck to mowing and gardening. Caffeine and alcohol, however infrequent, were now completely gone.
In May 21, the lightheaded stuff started to really ramp up. I could mow, but only in spurts. Picking berries for a half hour in the sun was brutal. I always felt dehydrated. Since August, I have not been able to do anything. I'm lucky to make a quick trip through the grocery store before getting woozy and very weak legged. In the meantime. More tests, another run to the ER for non cardiac chest pains. Not diabetes, not hiatal hernia, colon polyps benign, not this, not that, more EKG. ECG, motility. Trying a gluten free diet.
I was DX with Ankylosing Spondylitis some years ago for which I was given Humira. I have since ceased taking that on the one percent chance that it is causing the lightheadedness.
I found a "brochure" online by Dr Rowe at Johns Hopkins re POTS. Talk about ticking the boxes. I've done 50+ orthostatic BP tests. By normal supine BP is 110/75 at 60 HR. My at rest HR can drop to mid 50s. One minute after standing my averages are 95/75 at 90HR.
Finally got into see a neurologist and he agrees that it's likely dysautonomia, if not POTS. It's a six hour drive - one way. And now, thanks again to Covid, my tilt table test and CTs are on hold. My brilliant acupunturist hasn't delivered any noticeable results other than managing my spinal pain.
Most recently, I've noticed pretty serious post prandial symptoms. I eat, walk 15 feet to the cuff, take my BP standing, and it's 90/75 at 110. I eat less - same results. I eat no carbs. Same results. I eat no protein. Ditto.
So, I wait. And wait. I'm lookng at supplements that might help veinous constriction. Compression socks were a joke and started some weird tingling. One other tidbit. I am loath to bring it up. My symptoms went into overdrive in May, right after my second Moderna shot. Probably a coincidence. The booster debate here at home is difficult.
Is it POTS or is it NOT? Dunno. I know I am still short term ambulatory. I have no issues driving. I know it could be worse.
Try to have a happy holiday.