mvdula

I had an ablation for SVT 2 months before my last pregnancy, during which I had a lot of fatigue/palps, etc. All my symptoms got worse after/around weaning baby at 1 yr (a few months ago). I was just reading that there may be a link between ablation for AV node Reentry Tachycardia (not sure what my kind was but apparently this is most common type of SVT), meaning some people seem to develop IST (which is now theorized to be related to POTS/autonomic dysregulation as I understand it). Wondering if this caused my POTS - thought it was pregnancy, but looking back, maybe the ablation is related. Anyone? Doctorguest?

Well, I am posting yet again. Please respond if you think your POTS was caused by pregnancy. My cardio suspects POTS. Mine seems to have started during my 4th pregnancy, and hit me very hard after I cut down nursing and subsequently weaned baby at about 1 year. Really wondering about prognosis, and if anyone has any experience with this type of POTS onset.

forgot to mention - when i took my bp (after 20 mins sitting down - still feeling awful) it was around 132/87. At EP office while calm I am usually 110/70.????????

OK. I know I am responding to an old post - but some of the symptoms described are what I have been wondering about. I have no POTS diagnosis as of yet - just a good cardio ep who suspects it. I actually have been feeling pretty normal overall. So, here is my main concern:

When I exert myself, i.e cleaned the bathtub (and tile wall) the other night (kind of testing myself out I think), I tried to sit next to it, go slowly, etc, but it does require a good amt of exertion - esp considering how dirty it was - here's how I end up:

Very tachycardic - this lasts at least 30 minutes after I stop! Not sure of hr initially, but stayed around 100+ after sitting (20 mins after I stopped)

Feel weak and shaky - this diminishes but only after about 30minutes.

Fatigued

Hot - can't cool off.

Awful feeling like my body is wired/overenergized - but exhausted.

Become anxious bc I feel so wrong - but do have some control over anxiety - does not become panic at this point.

Honestly, it has been so bad, I felt like I was dying.

Also, that night, I kept waking up (normally I sleep fine).

At this point, this is my MAIN SYMPTOM.

Anyone else have this as your main symptom?

My other - more minor - are: heat intolerance (last summer only - we'll see), can't eat large meal (feel awful for 1+ hrs afterwards)...everything else is so minor, I can deal with it.

just thought i'd add another reply to bump this up since I got only 1 response.....anyone have any thoughts? I am basically better overall - just left with anxiety (bc of what has happened) and FEAR (interfering with daily life) that the fatigue/chest pain will come. So I avoid a lot of things because of that - not ready to try any exertion but do most normal daily activities.

Well, I have posted before since I started to feel awful after/around the time I quit nursing my 12 month old and got my regular cycle back. Had a huge weird crash - sleeping problems, extreme fatigue, anxiety, panic, no appetite, lost weight, couldn't do much, etc etc. (Oh, and heat intolerance in summer for a few months before all other symptoms) Well, about 4 months later, I am feeling almost back to normal (which I didn't realize I had forgotten how that felt). Still have some anxiety/panic issues but not 1/2 as bad - and some PVCs, which I have had for a long time. Seems like my body had some blood volume?/hormonal problem readjusting. That's just my theory since drs don't seem to study these things. Just wondering if this was/is POTS - or just mimicked it, or what? My cardio ep - whom I love - suspected POTS, but not formally diagnosed. The only things I have really changed are I drink Gatorade almost exclusively, and take my multi-vitamin (hoping the B vits are helping?) and fish oil every morning. I do have this weird anxious feeling - physical? mental? late morning many times, and wondering if I do not drink enough in the morning (I seem to forget to drink much early in the day). Seems that drinking more in morning helps - Gatorade of course.

Anyone have any insight/experience with this?

Thanks!

I have used Klonopin for 17 years for CHRONIC insomnia..in the early years I mixed wi with an antidepressant but I forget which one. Read about the COMBO in the CFIDS Chronicle at the time (Newsletter magazine on CFS)

Lately with PMS insomnia, it does not do as much ( had a hyst last year so with no bleeding, have no idea what the ovaries are doing on what day0

Xanax helps me the way you say Klonopin helps you. I MUST take that or a tiny bit of Klonopin to HELP me exercise as it keeps the HR down and helps me tolerate the exercise.

In the early years of reading the CFIDS Chronicle, Dr. Cheney had an article about KLONOPIN in low doses during the day helping with brain fog as it helped the GABA receptors of the brain with misfirings of neurotransmitters and stuff. Contoversial theory and you mention taking benzo's and many flip out.

But our OVER STIMULATED ANS indeed, can use something to slow it down especially for those of us with multiple sleep disorders (I will spare you those!)

If Klonopin helps you or xanax, by all means take them..Both have been around for decades. While some folks worry about addiction, PEOPLE are addicted via personalities.

Personally, I will not take BRAND NEW DRUGS or things on the market less than 5 years for personal choice (some are used in other countries before coming here so that's ok_)

I have taken the same dose pill since 1990...some nights a half pill helps, other times whole pill is needed..of a 1mg pill.

Good luck

=

I second your comment about taking newer drugs! I do not want to be a guinea pig. I will always ask about something that's been around longer instead of the new stuff. Don't understand how it all works, but thank God for Klonopin!

There are many other threads that mention this, but does anyone have medical info/expertise on this:

Klonopin seems to actually resolve some of my symptoms, not just lower my anxiety level. When I take it, I can actually do more without that awful overstimulation feeling (that I have to walk off that can go on for a while). Also, it makes me more relaxed. These 2 things don't seem like they should go together though. Seems like Klonopin is actually affecting my nervous system to make me more functional - separate from the fact that it relieves anxiety. Can anyone shed some light on this, i.e. why/how this works medically or is it just my lack of anxiety making me less symptomatic??

JenniferinOhio - I could have written your post!

JenniferinOhio-

I know I am responding to an old post, but.....you sound so similar to me, I had to write. I have nto yet been formally dx with POTS, but my cardio ep is trying to get me an appt with Dr Grubb. Because of my POTS symptoms, I have had panic/anxiety issues - like you describe, when I know I have to go out and do something - like drive kids to school, go to a meeting, etc (I am stay-at-home mom) It is up and down - it is hard to separate anxiety from POTS. I have been waking up at 5am and throughout the night off and on for a few weeks now - I can't stand this because I have ALWAYS been a good sleeper. When I wake up early like that, I am very tachy and anxious - which makes me think it is just the anxiety. I do take Klonopin - about .25mg maybe 3x week. It helps A LOT - makes me feel camer and also more energetic at the same time - I think it must help my nervous system because I can actually do MORE without feeling that my body gets overstimulated then exhausted. I don't take it more often because I don't want to be addicted/build up tolerance. Just wanted to say I understand and it is nice to read about someone with similar situation. I have 4 kids and am 33.

Hi-

Actually my pregnancy was ok, except for being more tired (than other pregnancies) in the first trimester. Then it was fine until the MANY pvc's I had in the last trimester - more than ever before. While nursing I felt GREAT...up until about 9 months, when I started to get very heat intolerant - summer was awful. Was still ok otherwise though until around when I weaned him - about 1 year. Then I would have crushing fatigue/weakness when I did anything strenuous - exercise, etc. I am a very small person - usually between 92-97 lbs not pregnant. I'm wondering if my blood volume crashed after I stopped nursing. It is up and down now - some days better than others - canNOT do too much or will be very fatigued. Am now only on Gatorade - as much as I can take...and whatever salty foods I can think of.

Anyone out there have any info on their own prgnosis on post-pregnancy POTS?

I have not been formally diagnosed with POTS, but my cardio EP is sending me to Mayo for more testing (must wade though HMO red tape to get there). Mine seems to have come on after (maybe a little during) my last pregnancy - with WORST symptoms soon after I quit nursing my 1 yr old. I don't find much info on prognosis with post-pregnancy POTS. Anyone???

I'm new here - and have a similar symptom - wondering if anyone has the same thing. When I bend over for more than a few seconds (do this a lot bc I have 4 kids!), I get a lot of pressure in my chest. It is so uncomfortable and scary that I always have to get up - then don't feel particularly right for a while. I am 33 with 4 kids and suspected POTS - hopefully going to Mayo soon for more definite diagnosis. Will post more soon on my symptoms/info. Thanks for reading!