iheartcats

That is good to hear. Propranonol made me feel about 30% better so I'm hoping this has similar effects! I will let you know.

I am switching from Propranonol (which I like and has helped) to Metoprolol. My allergies have been worse and Metoprolol is tolerated better in people with allergies that could lead to asthma. Apparently Metoprolol is a 'selective' Beta Blocker that acts mostly on the heart rather than heart and lungs, so in the end I know this will be a good move for me. But I'm so scared. I was told the adjustment period could be a few weeks, and that my dose may need adjusted, etc. and I just have to try it and work it out. But I'm still frantic. I hate switching medications (as do many of you). Has anyone switched their Beta Blocker before? And does anyone use Metoprolol?

I have a latte everyday. I went for one month without it and about went insane. But, I tried and was worse in the morning. I'm one of the POTS folk who gets a boost from Caffeine in the AM!

So you can hang in the balance for decades? Wow. That's upsetting! I have joint pain sometimes, and random hives. But those could be POTS and allergies so no definitive diagnosis. I have to get tested again in six months so we'll see. It's such an $$$ test, too (the ANA).

My ANA was 1:320, Homogeneous. Apparently this is most commonly associated with Lupus. I'm only having my usual POTS symptoms lately with worse than usual allergies. I think it's the weather/time of year making those worse. But I'm supposed to watch for changes, but as you all know it's hard to differentiate POTS and other things. I don't seem to be losing hair or having odd rashes, at least. But I'm so afraid I'm going to develop Lupus! What will be my chance of getting my life back on track then? Do people lead somewhat productive lives with Lupus? I'm trying to take a deep breath and tell myself I'll do what I can, while I can and go from there. But it's so stressful with the chance of Lupus hanging in the background. I was told that high ANAs can show for years and years with nothing else so I hope that's accurate. I just seem to be getting nowhere on the Autoimmune issue I may have and how POTS ties in.

I think both my mother and maternal grandmother have POTS like issues - but they were never addressed. My mother (50s) won't go to doctors and my grandmother has a host of other issues including heart murmur and fibro (80s) but she is still alive. My grandmother had a 'lower-quality' of life from all her ailments, which is sad. But she's still around in her 80s. I hate feeling crappy in my 30s.

I recently switched to a higher-dose birth control pill so I only have cycles four times a year, no break-through bleeding, etc. They also stop my migraine I used to get during my cycle. I had really bad nausea for about two weeks until I adjusted. That was my worst symptom. I hoped it'd go away and it did 95% of the time so I can't complain! I was told it can take a month or two to really adjust on a new pill, though.

Metoprolol because it's more selective.

I want to talk to my doctor about switching beta blockers to try a selective one. When you have switched, do you just go for it or do you have to wean off one and then onto another?

Never thought of this - could be part of the reason for my random hives (and my allergist said a lot of women have random hives that can't be attributed to anything and they treat it with Zyrtec + Zantac). I'm going to try to be better at drinking more water. I was worried a lot about food allergies but sometimes some things bother me, other times they don't. It doesn't make much sense in that case.

I see my specialist next month so I will definitely ask about an SSRI. (It has to be a generic - so I will have to look into that - due to insurance). But...very glad to hear this is likely panic/POTS related and my childhood asthma isn't returning. It felt different than Asthma and I just knew something was off. Do you take SSRI with other medicines OK? I'm not ready to give up my Beta Blocker and Midodrine yet!

I feel much better today - so I really think it was a panic attack. Well boy is that an annoying POTS symptom! They are terrible! I figured if it was asthma I would have some type of wheezing (that's so common with asthma), not be able to get a deep breath after calming myself, etc. Now I'll have to remember to try to 'talk myself out of a panic attack' tips for these situations. They are horrible!

From what I understand, selective Beta Blockers target B1 (heart) rather than B2 (lung). Older Beta Blockers don't differentiate. Now. There's now some arguing out there that low-dose older ones may be OK, but other studies apparently so no, they are not that great to use. Metoprolol is a 'selective' Beta Blocker for B1 that looks similar to what I take so I hope they will let me try this. Now I'm anxious about asking the Doctor to switch me!

I had asthma when I was younger, mostly allergy-and-exercise-induced sort. I had a Pulmonary Function Test before my doctor put me on Beta Blockers (all was clear). I take Zyrtec and Flonsae for my allergies. I know I worry about taking a Beta Blocker with asthma in the past (even though it's not bothered me much in years). Today I encountered both a lot of dust AND a chemical-smell (the smell was not in my house, it was when I was out, so I've no idea what it was). It was just 'too much' and my allergies flared up. Then I worried I was having an asthma attack, and got short of breath, chest pain, feeling like I was going to pass out, scared, etc. I knew with a Beta Blocker that could be bad. I had to try to 'calm myself' - I had a bunch of the symptoms of a panic attack at that point, including stomach upset. I still have some chest tightness/burning but it feels more like reflux (which I get on occasion), especially after having to 'run to the bathroom' during my panic incident. I researched online and panic attacks/asthma attacks can be very similar, but asthma often has wheezing (mine didn't) and I could take a deep breath once I calmed down. So. I've never been one to have panic attacks, but I guess I could be now? I need a BB of some sort for my POTS and if that means switching to a selective one, I think my Dr. will be on board but I don't see her for a month. In the meantime, have any of you had panic attacks before POTS or only got them after POTS? Does this sound like one? I hate the feeling - how do you deal? I now feel really wiped out.

Today I had to break down and dust the bedroom as it was getting bad (yeah for Swiffers). I'm usually OK with mild dusting, but I think there was just too much build up and it really aggravated my allergies and breathing a bit. Did the Beta Blocker I'm on make it worse? I'm not sure. It may have been just as bad without it. But yes, it's hard to decide. I wonder if trying a new one and, if that doesn't work, going back on the one that does work could cause any big issues? I'm sure the Doctor will say 'it shouldn't' but we know how we are with meds.

I'm currently on 20mg Propranonal 3 times a day. It's really helping me with minimal side effects. I do get myself in a worry over my allergy problems, though. I know these older Beta Blockers can cause Asthma to worsen/make allergy medicines less effective. I've been OK so far, but it's constantly nagging me. I know there are more selective blockers and I will discuss them with the specialist I'm seeing next month. I just worry that switching will be difficult and the selective might not work as well. Yet, I hate constantly worrying about an asthma/allergy flare-up. Any advice? Does anyone take a selective blocker?

Rachel, Thank you so kindly. I have about a month left on my old Midodrine and I will switch. I will update this thread after I try it. Hopefully, all will go smoothly!

I went GF for a couple of months and it didn't help (that I could tell). So I got the genetic test and supposedly Celiac is a low-probability for me. I do occasionally get random hives...from eating, being too warm, etc. But I've had that red face/chest from eating (and stomach pains/diarrhea). I take Zyrtec and Zantac daily to help with the hives. I also have autoimmune issues, my ANA is high. I'm going to look at the diet someone linked and would like to wrap my head around this problem. It just doesn't feel right I'd have POTS/Allergies/Sensitives/Autoiummune disease separately. I could accept having POTS and allergies. or Sensitives and an Autoimmune disease. But too much overlaps! Please share if you find out more. What exactly are you eating now?

My Midodrine generic was changed from Global (which I liked well enough) to Upsher Smith. I did a search and no one has really talked about this generic. Apparently Midodrine is getting harder to obtain and this is the generic I could get. My doctor said since it's a 3-month supply if my current dosage doesn't work we'll have to adjust it a bit, but hopefully that'll be the worst of it. I'm hoping it works out as I have 180-day supply of the stuff and I'd like to have enough Midodrine to get through 2011.

Isn't this dependent on studies and approval? It could get approved much later this year so I hope they continue Midodorine at least through 2011!

I'm on generic Seasonale - I was on LoSeasonique but it was 'too low' for me per my OB/GYN. I have only been on Seasonale for 2 weeks and had some nausea and dizziness which is improving (from the change in hormones). I like these types of pills (monophasic I believe?) because they are steady hormones and I only have 4 periods a year. Periods really wipe me out and hormone fluctuations flare up my POTS. I would definitely monitor your symptoms and if the patch isn't working, talk to your doctor to see what else you can try. It's hard to find a good birth control. I remember when I was younger (the hormone changes gave me migraines and I had awful cramps) I had to try a few pills until I found one that really helped. Do you know how much estrogen the patch has?

I feel about 50% better on my medications and I need to get more exercise in somehow...I just want to get well, too, so I understand! I take Inderal (Propranonal) too and it helps...funny how such an old drug helps so many POTS people. I know quite a few who take it! Which BB were you on?

I was on Seasonique but just switched to Seasonale (generic). I like the 3-month pack because I only have 4 cycles a year that way - having a period is really hard on me with POTS. I always hear BCP is hit and miss, sometimes you have to try a few. I've had more luck on combined (no break through bleeding, etc.).

Just tell your doctor/surgeon/etc. Print out information about POTS, if necessary. The more they know up front, the better prepared everyone will be. I wish you the best!

Thanks for your reply Rachel. I'm more nauseous and dizzy and fatigued than usual - but I've been on my period for the last few days and that very well could be it rather than being on the new pill for 2 days. The main reason I am on Seasonale is to only have 4 periods a year. They seem to wipe me out more than anything except the flu with POTS! My former Gyno who I really liked and trusted told me to always try to get through the pack before deciding, sometimes there is an adjustment time so I know I'll just have to see how it goes. Seasonique is just the 'new' form of Seasonale so that important thing is I'm not switching hormones (which can bother some people more). At least it's the same hormone. I think my generic is called Quasense. I've heard of Jolessa, too. I read the filler information and there's nothing that bothers me in either so a synthetic hormone should be a synthetic hormone! Thanks again - I just hate switching up meds!