Millie Halp

Hi I get this all the time, especially when I am using a knife or pencil. It's like when I use the muscles in my hand with pressure my muscles cramp up and get locked in a palsy like position. I asked my doctor about this. I told him that after a minute of letting them relax and then moving them around a bit it goes away. He didn't seem worried about it. He thinks it might be low blood volume getting to the hands and cramping them up. If mine gets worse I will as him to refer me to a specialist. Good luck. Millie

Dear MightyMouse; I get insomnia all the time. I changed the times I take my meds so I don't get surges of medication at bedtime. Some meds I can take in the am, like my thyroid meds. But I changed my beta blocker to before bed time and it helps with sleep. My heart doesn't beat so fast and wake me up. When I get insomnia really bad my doctor prescribed xanax, which works wonders for falling asleep. OOH, I hope I don't offend Poohbear by saying this but I am not sure I would take anything without talking to my doctor first. Especially the off brand Benydryl. That messes with my tachycardia. Plus, with all of the medications POTS people take it seems dangerous to me to mix pills like that. Not a good suggestion. Sorry just an opinion. I hope you find what works for you. And I hope you have pleasent dreams soon. Millie

Dear Kimberly; I have to agree with Kathy. I recently was seen by a Autonomic Function Specialist in Denver, Dr. Khingh. (I hope I spelled that right) I have POTS and get really bad rentinal migraines to the point that my vision goes completely black. The lack of oxygen to my brain affects my vision. He told me that when our body senses a problem, no matter what the change in the normal rhythm, our body automatically sends a signal to our brain that something is going wrong. This is where the flight or fight kicks in. He also told me that panic attacks or anxiety, in more times then not, can take the place of passing out or losing conscienceness. So anxiety is an aspect of POTS and Dysautonomia. Anxiety is a symptom and a well respected doctor will know the difference and not just leave it at being just an anxiety problem. He told me that when someone has anxiety issues it usually means that there is a more complex underlying condition that needs to be addressed. I get anxiety all the time. It is my bodies way of telling me that I am either doing too much or my POTS is starting to act up full force. Accepting my anxiety as a signal is a way for me to accept my POTS and to deal with it better. I know I am not crazy or this is not "all in my head". Those people who criticize don't understand or see the entire picture. I have tried to explain all of this to my family and they don't understand everything. But, they are extremely supportive and helpful. I guess I am very lucky in that department. Wow, there are so many different opinions here. It is hard to know which is best, but then again we are all different and so are our conditions. The best thing is to talk to your doctor. Thanks for listening. Millie

Hi All; I was at the eye doctor today and he told me that I have retinal migraines. I have been having these round flashing circles in the outside corners of my eyes. I get them especially when I am either tired, stressed or fatigued. I started getting them after I started my beta-blockers. He did tell me that it can be caused by hormonal imbalances as well as a low blood flow to the brain. I am wondering if any of you have experienced this. Any input would be appreciated. I have an appointment to see my doctor next month. Any suggestions from this site I will address with him. Thanks for listening. Millie

Hello all who replied; You are all so kind!! I just read another thread where it got a little to technical. But when I came back here I felt better about being here. Thanks for the kind words. Alot of reading is what I plan to do.

Hello Sunfish; I am sorry but I did not understand your reply at all. Are the questions here answered by doctors? I am sorry, I may be in the wrong place. I need to talk to others who have the same problems as I do. I do not have any medical experience. So needless to say, I need things explained in layman's terms. I have heard of "gammaglobulin" when my daughter contracted chickenpox at 2 weeks old, but do not have a clue about what this is. My doctor directed me here to aquaint myself with other sufferers of dysautonomia and POTS to see if I could get suggests and if I can find other treatments for my doctor and I to try. He is very familiar with dysautonomia but says that we have to find the right treatment that works for me. If I logged on to the wrong place, can you please lead me in the right direction. I don't need a doctor right now. I do have a very good one. I just need to find people like me. Sorry for any inconvenience.

Dear hmichel; What does IgE stand for? What purpose or function does it have in the body?

Hello Everyone; Please bare with me. I am new to this site. This past fall I was working and all of a sudden got very fatigued, dizzy and my heart felt like it was going to jump out of my chest. I work in a greenhouse and I have to stand all day. By the end of the year I was diagnosed with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia and now was told I might have to quit my job. I want to find out as much as I can about this. I don't want to lose my job. I have the winter off, which is a good thing, but don't know if I can do it come spring. This will give me time to get suggestions, find a good doctor, and... well change my life. I hope I am at the right place. Thanks for listening.