mountainsunflower

My heart rate goes up with a fever, even a mild one. Any virus, even if i don't have a fever, will cause my heart rate to go up. My cardio likes to say i have a "sensitive heart" but explains it is because of the nervous system is not functioning correctly. Gotta love the POTS.... anyway- drink loads of water and get better soon.

I agree! Weird. I get phantom smells, too. However, i smell ammonia, like someone is cleaning the house (and since i don't use chemicals to clean- only vinegar and soda) it is even more bizarre. I have never really been able to associate it with anything- even though i get migraines, it really doesn't seem related- but who knows. I gave up trying to pin point it.

have you done a 24 hour monitor or event monitor yet??? and like cardiactec said, have you gotten chest x-rays and such??? A lot of things like PVCs and PACs or other palpitations don't show up on short ecg strips that you would get in the office. anyhow, good luck and sorry i dont have any other ideas...

Hi, i have floater (black threads, clear threads, and clear dots) I also have what i think some are calling visual snow... (sort of- everything is clear but it is like i have to look through snow to get there) Anyhow, i called my eye doc and he had me come in. Apparently, in my case, the gel that covers the cornea is turning to liquid (or something of the sort) He said this is normal and can happen as you age, however, he isn't sure why it is happening to me (i am a bit young for this) but believes it may have something to do with an injury (he doesn't think it is due to POTS) The only thing is- i have to watch for changes and see he 3/4 times a year to make sure as the gel pulls away from my cornea it doesn't take my cornea with it. When i first went in, though, they were suspecting this or a visual migraine, so it is worse getting seen by an eye doc if you haven't already.

Hi, I throw a lot of PVC's and PAC's. It is actually an extra beat... but feels like a skipped beat. And the beat following feels like my heart pounds harder sometimes. They are considered benign by my cardo. They are worse for me when i am stressed or tired. I get them a lot and try not to pay attention to them any more, so i don't know if they are worse after i eat. I also don't know about the breathing, either... but when i am calm or relaxed (or trying to be) I will notice them more.

My heart throws PACs and PVCs. (pre- atrial or ventricle complexes where somewhere other then the sa-node fires causing an extra beat.) Sometimes, especially if i throw a PVC, it feels as though my heart skipped a beat and I have to "catch" my breath. My doc said what was happening was that the heart fired an extra time, but then had to re-fill, and the beat following tends to feel stronger, or something like that... my heart isn't actually skipping a beat but adding an extra one. They are benign and almost everyone throws them at some point in their lives. They are not consistent and do not always show up on ekg's. (or if they do... it is considered normal- so the ekg will come back with a normal reading- ) I throw them often and feel them most when I am resting (I have had them for years so I tend not to pay attention when busy or moving about...) Sometimes i will throw a lot in an hour, sometimes only one.... I don't know what a hydrodynamic heart is... but my doc always says i have a hyper-sensitive heart???? who knows.... however, i have had an echo-cardio gram and it was found to be normal.... but they saw all kinds of pvc's and pac's on it.... firewatcher- have you had an echo and they saw this??? interesting...

Hi, Try searching for a monitor used for stress testing or an ambulatory (24 hour) blood pressure monitor. (The only thing is I believe they are pretty pricey) Suntec, lifesource are some of the brands that carry a few. I think they are used in ambulances and helicopters... or by doctors who need to do a 24 hour monitor...? You could also try searching exercise blood pressure monitors- they are more reasonably priced (but i don't know if they are too picky or not...they might just end up being your everyday average home monitor) Just a few ideas, hope they help..

I believe that potassium, magnesium, and calcium all play a huge role in heart function. I know if I am low on any of those, then my heart rate and rhythm is thrown off greatly. My heart rate goes up and I throw more PACs and PVCs. So I wouldn't see why it wouldn't effect your blood pressure, too. I believe that the reason for most low potassium levels is because there is a low magnesium level. (this is normally the case with me. it is easy to get potassium in foods- most are enriched with it... but magnesium is harder...) Magnesium is used for the sodium/potassium pump. If there isn't enough magnesium then sodium can't be pumped out and potassium isn't pumped into the blood. but check with your doctor, because too much magnesium is bad and fights for the absorption of calcium which i think is also needed for proper heart function. I guess it is all about balance....

Yes, although, I don't really feel numbness, i get a lot of tingling feelings, I have it on my nose every so often...

I have been prescribed a low dose bb, as needed, by my cardiologist. However, I don't normally use it. I try other methods first to bring down my heart rate, have altered most of my activities, monitor my heart rate during exercise, and take it easy on the bad days, which seems to work for me. I also have a lot of problems with my heart rate if something in my system is off so I try to find the problem first before the bb. (I don't know if this is normal for most POTS and dysautonomia, but my heart rate and rhythm goes crazy when little things are off. For instance; an illness, or my blood potassium, magnesium, and calcium levels are low, or any other little thing (it seems) I throw a lot of PVCs and PACs, along with the tachycardia. -who knows, I am still learning what is related to POTS and what isn't...) I have had lots of talks with my cardio to make sure using the bb prn (or not all) is right for me, my symptoms, and my body, and so far it is working. But there has been times I needed it, and although I don't really like the way it makes me feel, I don't seem to have a problem adjusting.

Wow! You have a great science background. Would you be interested in working with high school students? I think there is a need for good high school science sub-teachers. I am not sure how all state's department of education work but I think with a b.s. you can get a sub-teacher license. As a sub you can choose your own days and decline when you don't want to work. I would think you could use a stool and sit when you teach and probably make other accommodations. And I know many teachers who also tutor some of their students after school or in the evening... ??? you could also tutor college students in science especially since you have a strong background int Anatomy, Kinesiology, Physiology, Biomechanics (Those are hard classes and I am sure many college students would pay for great help!) Just an idea! (Brainstorming a little) Go with your heart (and gut) You have some wonderful skills and I am sure you will find a way to use them and share them!! Good luck and best wishes

I get the flu shot each year for a variety of reasons. I seem to react fine to them and I have a pretty sensitive system also. At worse I might get a little feverish or achy for that night, but that is normally it... (I get a thimerosal/preservative free shot from the doctors office )

My cardio prescribed my bb as needed. (for instance, if my hr gets too high and stays there) So, I too, have been told I can take it irregularly. He did say it doesn't do anything for my POTS, just the heart rate. But like pneumonia- you might have to treat the symptoms... and use Tylenol to lower the fewer, right? Hope it gets sorted out, good luck.

Is it the POTS that does the damage or is it the uncontrolled high sinus tachycardia? I have had lots of talks with my cardio about this- but I think I am still confused. So, I am curious, Cam, if you had a high rate most of the time and never allowed your heart to rest or...? The reason I am curious is because I am trying hard to avoid meds (the bb makes me feel horrible) and spend a lot of time monitoring my heart rate. From what my cardio says- I should make sure my heart rests (at rest it is under 80 bpm) throughout the day and at night- but he wants to see me often to make sure I am not developing any problems. I guess I will bring this up with him again and make sure I am not putting myself at risk!?!

I have mostly made lifestyle changes, and have had some success. I use a bb when needed, however, i try not to because i hate how it makes me feel. I have too many sensitivities and allergies to many meds and they seem to make me feel worse instead of better. I have done all the common things (hydration, diet, rest...) I also have altered my exercising and found ways to do so that work for me. I constantly monitor my heart rate (which at times becomes quite obsessive.) I visit my cardiologist often, and call if i have questions. Like all, some days are better than others. I don't always follow the rules and i pay for it... I am still learning about my triggers, what works, and about POTS.

I, too, get motion sickness. It came on when I developed POTS and has not gone away. I have no idea if it is related. I wonder?