carolyn82960

Ernie...thanks for your comments. I swear, if I could check myself into a mental hospital, I would. No one but us can understand this disorder. I don't know if I have it in me to fight that hard for disability, yet I feel I cannot work anymore. I'm at a dead end. My thoughts and prayers are with you too. Carolyn

Hey Morgan...I'm not sure if this is how to reply to you, but here goes. Thanks for your comments. I was very intrigued with what you said about your inner ear problem, because I am legally deaf in my left ear. I have to wear a hearing aid in that ear. My right ear is fine. Regarding my support system, I only have my parents and they can't pay for me. They are retired and on a fixed income. I could stay with them, of course, but I would have no money or health insurance. I am waiting for Dr. Rogers to call me today and I am going to ask him my options. He knows how dire my situation is. Thanks again for your comments/advice.

Hi, my name is Carolyn and I live in Fort Gratiot, MI. I was diagnosed with POTS in Virginia in 2001 after many years of being misdiagnosed with anxiety, panic, depression, etc. I have terrible symptoms - extreme fatigue, numb hands, excessive sweating, insomnia (at night only - I could sleep all day). I feel like I'm going to faint all of the time. I can barely stand up sometimes. I have tried all of the medications that the doctors have recommended - Midodrine, Florinef, Beta Blockers, Anti-Depression/Anxiety meds. I cannot tolerate any of them. They all make me feel worse than POTS! The only thing that barely works is Ritalin to make it through the day and Xanax to make it through the night. I am single and have to work full-time - both for the pay and the medical insurance. I feel like I'm not going to make it another week. I sleep all weekend just to gear up for the week ahead. I have zero quality of life. I moved back to Michigan from Virginia to be closer to my family. I just saw Dr. Felix Rogers (listed on POTS Place) for the first time last Friday. He was very understanding of my symptoms and prescribed yet another beta blocker, which I had to stop taking after two days. It made me feel like I was in a coma - my arms and legs turned to rubber. My question is - does anyone ever qualify for disability due to POTS? I honestly feel like I can't work another day, yet I have to. I can't just quit - I would be on the streets with no medical insurance. Does anyone have any suggestions? I have read some of your posts and feel like I am listening to a group of my identical twins. It's great to know that I'm not crazy and there are others out there who feel like I do. POTS is worse than cancer in my opinion. You could fight that and either win or lose - at least there would be a resolution and closure. Thanks for listening to me. Your friend, Carolyn