faithinspires

I get chest pain at times with exertion. Tried to use my nordic track for the first time (since I got sick) this week and had to stop due to chest pain, dizziness, tachycardia...stopped briefly until it went away and then I resumed. Had to slow down or stop many times but I got through 30 minutes! I am doing it at below the lowest level. Before I got sick, I was excelling at its 3rd level 30 mins, sometimes twice a day. But I intend to keep trying, and gradually improve!

Roselover, Hi, I am a new member, but sorry to hear you aren't feeling well. I hope you are feeling better soon!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

My heartfelt prayers for all of the above mentioned people affected by the hurricane!

Stacey, So sorry to hear you broke your toe...I know what you mean by one more thing...when one already has enough! Stacey, Morgan, I hope your toes heal quickly. Has some broken toes in the past, they are nooo fun!

I am not sure of all the details of either illness, just know that some in the other group have been diagnosed with one the other or both and some have found correlation between the two. At any rate...passing article on incase any here has lyme's or fibromyalgia and can use the article. Take Care!

I have had this too at times...so no you are not alone! Take Care!

The people affected by Katrina and now Rita are in my thoughts and prayers!

I know that frustration! I will scream with you! ARRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGHHH! Sorry to hear you are going through this. It's what I like to call another form of limbo zone that we all hate so much! Praying they provide you with the services you need soon and an end to your frustration! Take Care!

Hi everyone, I was given a link to some information regarding Lyme's and Fibromyalgia from another group I am a part of for chronic illness. Although, I am not affected by these, I wanted to pass on the link for any of you who are that might find it useful. Take Care! www.fibroandfatigue.com/clinical.htm#19www.fibroandfatigue.com/clinical.htm#19 (sorry if link doesn't work, just type it into your browser and it will take you there)

Just wanted to let you know also, that my daughter with NCS/POTS, has never taken a beta blocker. She uses Florineff (fluodrocortisone) and ProAmatine (midodrine) to control her symptoms. She also takes potassium (Dr. prescribed) as the florineff can lower your potassium. Other than that she does the usual non medication measures for symptoms. So for some a beta blocker isn't always necessary. For some they help, and for some the beta blocker's give them trouble. So perhaps there are other medication alternatives you can try before trying a beta blocker. Good Luck!

Hi Lauren, Glad you joined! Good Luck in your search for a doctor! I joined recently and it is great to converse with others who have the same thing. I am already learning alot from everyone else and have found the group to be much encouragement! Take Care!

Sorry to hear you had to go through that, how frustrating. I have always had trouble with anxiety, but I have noticed that it is increased now, especially when I have symptoms and I am not at home where I can deal with them in my usual fashion. In public it is harder sometimes because I really don't want to faint in public. I tend to not like when I am symptomatic and strangers around me can even tell to the point that they ask if I am ok. (I would rather not be noticed) It is stressful I am sure to be returning to school and stress can trigger symptoms. I also had a hard time in public for awhile and my anxiety seemed worse than ever. I was on atenolol at the time, recently I was taken off of it and found my anxiety gone, thats when I realized that my increased anxiety had been a side effect of the medication. In public when I am symptomatic I try to do things to help when I feel my symptoms coming on: squat, stand with my legs crossed, hold on to something, drink water etc. When out and about I do become more symptomatic, my bp drops, my heart rate increases, thereby causing me to feel more anxious. The more in control my bp and hr is the less symptomatic I am. However, aside from this I do see someone for counseling to help work through the anxiety of having this illness and anxiety of being symptomatic in public. In public I have to walk further distances then around the house so I am more symptomatic. Also, if I am under stress I am more symptomatic. I think that you should not lose hope, this is something that can be worked through. It is just an adjustment, change in external influences, stress, increase in symptoms. Do talk to your doctor, and don't lose hope. Maybe with some med adjustments, maybe some talking it through, maybe different travel arrangement...but I think you may be able to overcome. You gave it your first try...an accomplishment in itself! Best of luck in the future!

When I first got sick I was overweight. But with the stomach problems I lost a ton of weight in 1 month...a dangerous amount really. Since my 3 surgeries and then an ssri causing me to lose 3 more pants sizes in one month...I have now lost over a hundred pounds. I feel that I am now tooo thin. I have since tried gaining the weight back, but unsuccessfully. The doctors are concerned that I do not lose any more weight. So far I am maintaining it with no luck gaining. Not sure how much of this is related to my pots or my other health problems. Some I think relates to not being able to eat the foods I used to...I eat much healthier now. Some I think relates to my stomach problems. Some I think relates to POTS...eating small meals, at times too nauseated to eat etc. I am a size 4 now and have had to put up with alot of unnecessary remarks as to how thin I am, as if I chose this. Yes it is nice to not be overweight anymore. But the rapid weight loss has been scary. And I don't want to be underweight either. Also I have had to replace my wardrobe over and over again. Thankfully my daughters also had some clothes for me that no longer fit them.

hi, you have such a wonderfully positive attitude...you are an inspiration. I never had a bp with no number. I have had some bouts with high bp with tachycardia which was unusual for me cause I usually have low bp with tachycardia. I have only had 2 experiences with my hr being 200 & above. In one I ended up seizuring and at the hospital and found I was having an adverse reaction to one of my medications. For this I was just given Ativan, an IV, monitored, and baby aspirin, and had to stop taking the med that was the culprit. The other time my hr got that high was during my tilt test prior to my faint. For that I was given nitro spray under my tongue. So 2 different causes for this experience. But I guess if it were me if the tachycardia with your hr continues to be this high I definatley would be checking with the doctor, just in case. Glad to hear that the ball is moving on things and you will be seeing Dr. Grubb! Take Care and keep that wonderful attitude!

hi hx, i am a new member...nice to meet you! sorry to hear you are having difficulty with working. i know its stressful waiting for doctors appt.'s and worrying what is going on...so try not to worry to much. hopefully you will be finding out more answers soon! i hope you are feeling better soon. keep us posted! and again nice to meet you! Take Care!

thank you mom4cem! i already comfort and support here and a better acceptance of my condition and circumstances! Take Care!

Melissa, I know that this must be very frustrating and dissappointing. I have spent the past year and a half trying to increase my level of functioning, so that I can work. I feel the need to do this as I am now a disabled, single mother living on ssi. Several times I thought this was just around the corner for me, only for my hopes to be dashes by my health. I admire your courage and determination. The fact that you started, and that you are still going to proceed at a slower pace gives me hope! I hope to improve my level of functioning enough to be where you are, moving in a positive direction! Take Care!

Morgan, thanks for your reply!

WI-approved first try-no lawyer.

I am more cautious when I am home alone. I am careful what I do. I keep my meds and a phone nearby. I let someone else know if I am symptomatic, in case I need them. I keep things easy to grab to eat or easy to cook incase I feel to ill to cook. I have had to be home alone after major episodes, and after surgeries in the past year. These things worked for then, and after the surgeries I just remained in bed as much as I could and kept anything I may need close at hand. Over time with these comforts and a plan, my anxieties of being home alone and sick have diminished.

Sunfish, your second one is GREAT too! You and Poohbear have made me laugh and smile these past two days, at a time I have been finding it hard to do so. Thank you so much for your wit!

Many people are on beta blockers for Pots with success. I have now tried 3. The first was Toprol and it made my heart rate remain at 40 so it had to be stopped. The second was atenolol, with this my blood pressure continued to drop and my heart rate increased upon standing, I also had worsened anxiety and depression and tremors. I now am on nadolol, there is somewhat improvement with my blood pressure and heart rates, but it does seem to be making my asthma worse. I also take midodrine along with this to increase my blood pressure. My diagnosis is NCS and POTS. I do have sensitivities to medication, and everyone seems to react differently to these medications. I was wondering that too though, because it says beta blockers are used to treat high blood pressure and control tachycardia. I am curious to read any feedback on this that others have. That others have had success with them makes me think it is worth a try. I am on my third one and this may be a type of medication that isn't going to work for me...but then there are so many others it does work for. Good luck! I am sure there will be several people on this site who know more about this, so I look forward to reading there replies. Take Care!

I just had that cold...my sympathies. I used vicks, a vicks vaporizer, vitamin c, tea, and sinu cleanse with a netti pot (you can find this a your local pharmacy or holistic health stores). I find the sinu cleanse truly helps bring me some relief. Hope you cold improves soon! Take Care!

I have heard of many women with this condition who have temporarily stopped there meds for pregnancy, and with the care and help of there doctors have had successful pregnancies, without worsening of there condition. They resumed treatment with medication after the pregnancy. I don't know much more of this, but talking with your doctors about how feasible this is for you and how it can be achieved would be a place to start. I know it worth checking into, because other women with this condition have been successful with this. Good Luck with your decision. I hope that whatever you decide that it all works out in your favor. Take Care!