Krazynorth

Hey Everyone, These past two weeks I just can't seem to get any energy, no matter what I do. If I sleep 6 hours or 10 at night there is no change when I wake up. It's to the point where waking up in the morning is painful. Anyone have any suggestions on things you do ramp up your energy level or metabolism? I work out and that works for a bit, but then I crash from it rather than have a last affect... Thanks, Karen

I am currently seeing an electrophysiologist who diagnosed me with IST/POTS on June 20. I have my EP study follow up on August 10. I love this Doctor, his staff is great, he's willing to think outside the box as well. I do wonder if I should take my syndrome to a neurologist specific to POTS/IST. I am at a loss to find someone in the Philadelphia area. Anyone have any suggestions at least? Thanks, Karen

I used to fly 75% of the time for work, and now my flights are down to about 4-8 times a year. I still get nauseous, dizzy, and vertigo on flights. I have many of the same reactions you mentioned in your original post. Some things that work for me: Airplanes are low on oxygen, and because of high altitudes you dehydrate much more quickly than normal. I bring extra bottles of water and drink extra to compensate, I also take sinutab to open up the sinuses and vessels to prevent dizziness and sinus infections from the germs on the plane. When the plane is taking off or landing, I keep my eyes closed because I can usually see the pressure of the plane landing and it makes me more dizzy than normal. Just do everything you normall would to counteract your symptoms but to the extreme because things catapult more quickly on an airplane. Good Luck! Don't stop traveling though, life is too short!!

I only seem to experience nauseua and throwing up when I have a particularly bad episode. The past two weeks I was threw up 3 times, I tend to find that it's associated with a spike in heart rate and drop in blood pressure. I haven't found any oneparticular thing that works for me at this point, but if I do, I'll be sure to share the information.

I'm always thirsty and I am taking about 100-150 mg of toprol (beta blocker a day). I don't see much correlation between the beta-blockers and thirstiness though, because there are some days where I am not thirsty at all, but I'm still taking the meds. I think it's just a side affect. I do know gatorade has helped out tremendously though I am not a huge fan of it for the most part.

Hmm, I am living at home mooching off my parents, which is very cool. But I spend a majority of time at my boyfriends apartment. I usually get him to do the things that require reaching or bending over, like the laundry etc. I do have a hard time cleaning the tub...I never think to make him scrub it. He's a gross boy though... As to meals, I LOVE to cook. As long as I don't move to quickly I am usually okay to cook different meals by myself. I do get dizzy sometimes,but I usually go and sit down in the living room and take a break. I am trying to look into dietary benefits to help POTS/IST. I wonder what would be good.

Nina, Thanks for the feedback, I am just starting to do a lot of research and I am now on a mission to find different things that will work for me to make me feel better. I can't explain how comforting it is to read other people's posts and know there are so many other people in the same boat, no matter how crappy the boat is. I feel like I can finally get answers, valid answers, to questions and concerns. I don't feel like a Hypochrondriac or Crazy either which is new. I'm contemplating a specific diet and lifestyle, I just need to start figuring out what will work for me. Thanks for the welcome! ~Karen

Thanks for all the responses. Sorry I am just responding now, I was on vacation shortly after this post and my EP study. Went out to CA to meet the bf's family. Interesting trip to say the least. Looking forward to being an active member of these boards. It's been a rough road and I've had a rough few weeks again, seems to happen in spurts for me.

I started having high natural heart rate and palpitations in February of 1997 at the age of 16, and after nearly 9 years of random diagnoses, such as Atrial Fibrillation, SVT, Panic Attacks etc. I finally have a doctor who was able to give me a straight answer. I have IST/POTS (Inappropriate Sinus Tachycardia/Postural Tachycardia Syndrome). So I've been told a few things, increase my sodium intake, water intake, continue exercising, stay on my heart meds to regulate my heart rate and blood pressure, and basically "hang in there". Anyone else have any suggestions for the new person??