bttrflyamby1981

Sorry I haven't introduced myself yet, I kinda jumped right in. I do that alot.lol My name is Amber and I was diagnosed with POTS in November of last year. It's not set in stone yet because I've had complications with the tests. The doctors that said that's what they thought it was, said that it can sometimes be hard to diagnose. Did that make sense? Anyway, I'm having insurance problems so not under doctors care at the moment. They had me on Topral xl but I don't have enough to last me untill Aug.(when I get Insurance) So I'm not on anything at the moment. I've been on other meds. but they made me feel worse. I was getting really bad migrane headaches but I think the beta blocker helped because I haven't had them as much. I used to have them about 5 times a week. Now I don't remember the last one I had? YEA! I have dizzy spells and near fainting most days but am doing great concidering. If I get stressed it makes it worse so I work out to the best of my ability. ( It has taken me months to build up strength) But I do what my body lets me. I'm really thankful I found this group, and I look forward to building a friendship with others who can relate. Amber

I have a Friend who said she will try and do as many as she can for free. If you could email me the info. she will need that would be great. Thanks, Amber aquabutterfly@msn.com

they have DVD's you put in that clean them ( just like VCR ) I haven't had to clean mine yet but have seen them at Wal-mart. My color went out on the DVD player, so I'm finding new problems all the time. Hope you can get yours working.

I know two different people who work for a print shop so I'll see what I can do. Amber

Hope I can Help I think my POTS started before my second child, but didn't know that's what it was at the time. The worst symptoms came at the end of my pregnancy, but if I drank enough water I did ok Any complication I had I don't feel was POTS related at all. The only thing that POTS might have affected was the fact that I lost alot of blood and I didn't want a blood transfusion. I was ok on the blood levels so they said it was up to me. If I had known that I would have been better off with the transfusion I would have reconcidered. But then again if they knew I had POTS I might have been more aware of the risks. Every person is different and you should do what feels right to you. It's your body and your baby the choice is yours. Go with your heart. Have they considered you trying vag. with a poss. c-section if it becomes too much for you and the baby? I was given that choice before they found out I had a narrow birth canal(sorry for my spelling). It doesn't hurt to ask if you think that's what you want to do. Good luck

Dear MaryJo, I'm new to the forum but please feel free to contact me if you need someone to talk to. It's hard going to a new place and having few friends. I myself have lived in Arizona my whole life and still have few friends. After all, being my friend is a liability, someone might have to pick my butt off the ground. lol. Don't be to hard on yourself, it will all fall in place sooner or later. Even if you change your mind and do something different, finishing what you started is such a great acomplishment. Good luck, and If anyone needs to talk I'm here anytime. Amber

try turning DVD player off (the one that wont open) and then turn it on. as soon as you see "loading", try to open it . try it a few times. with the other I'm not sure, mine only did that to one DVD, but played the others. have you cleaned them?

I hope your feeling better, but if not your not alone. I have had many doctors tell me it was all in my head. but you know what, SHAME ON THEM. We know how you feel, some doctors have no bed side manners. Other doctors write a perscription to shut you up and too few really care. Thanks to the ones who care. Stress can mess with your body too, so if your tests come back normal don't fret. When your body doesn't do what you need or want it to of course your PMSing. I hope you find the answers your looking for. Amber

congrats on the pregnancy! I had a c-section with both my children but didn't know I had POTS at the time. My first went very well with an epidural but my second they did a spinal tap. Didn't go over to well with the second. They were in longer then they thought because I had my tubes tied(for health reasons). They had a hard time finding everything and the spinal ended up wearing off. They gave me gas (laughing) for the pain but it made me sick. I should have stayed in the hospital an extra day but was so thrilled at the chance to go home I went. It took me a little longer to heal the second time too but I had other issues I was dealing with because of the other c- section prier. Listen to your body and drink plenty of water. As for morning sickness, they say the sicker you are the healthier the baby Mine was so bad I had to be given meds. so I could at least hold down water. Good luck and many wishes, Amber

I too tend to have problems with me DVD player, maybe if you tell me what it's doing I could be of some help? Amber

I have IBS and my symptomes are bloating, cramping, diarrea, constipation, I have so much wrong with me though sometimes I have symptomes for my symptomes. From what I understand, POTS can have those same symptomes so you probably will have to do that test. But I'm not a doctor . Just trying to be helpful. Wish ya luck. Amber

I feel lucky after hearing that alot of you can't even drive. Then again if I didn't feel well I would take it easy so maybe I'm no different?? Not that I want to go any where when I cant even lift up my own legs to walk out the door. But I don't think it's that bad for me. I feel safe to drive and I stay home and take care of my children. I also take care of a freinds child three times a week. (Although I usually want a nap after his dad picks him up.) Most of my symptomes are when I stand up, or if I lie on my back and do situps. But even though I usually have symptomes everyday, I think they are mild. (I push myself pretty hard so my mild might be different from someone elses) I've had days that I felt that I was going to faint and I had to crawl on the floor to call for help, but those bad days were triggered by exersise. As long as I'm careful I've had more good days then bad. Sometimes I think that maybe I don't have pots but I think that's the part of me that still doesn't want to accept that I have something so permenent. I'm glad that everyone finds the positives in this forum and I wish everyone good days. Amber

Thanks Claire, I was wondering the same thing for myself. The doctor I had, tried to find out what was going on but admitted that he didn't know much about pots. All the tests I have had I was on meds. so don't know if they were right. The doctor did say he thought it was pots, but said it could be hard to diagnose?? The only test I had done that showed anything was the holter moniter. My heart rate would be 132 for hours then all of a sudden go back to normal. The diary that I kept showed this wile I was standing. Other tests I had I had to stop because of near fainting, and my blood pressure going too low. (I origanally went to the doctor because everytime I would exersize I would become weak and dizzy. Even takeing care of my small children could bring a dizzy spell on.) I started haveing these symptomes while pregnant with my youngest and thought it was the pregnancy. Then after I had him I thought it was because I breast fed him. 14 months later I stopped breast feeding him and I was still weak all the time. Sorry I keep jumping around, I'm having a bad day and my mind is wondering. Anyway, I have seen two doctors who have said it was pots but never helped me understand what it means for me. The info I have I got from my Pharm. (she refused to fill a persciption for safety reasons) She was curious herself and got the info. for me. Now I'm playing a waiting game with insurance and then I might have a problem with pre-exsiting stuff. I also don't know of any doctors in Arizona who will be able to help me when I do get insurance. I can't afford to travel far and I'm worried that I may never know what is "wrong" with me. Do you know how stupid I feel telling someone if they ask, there not sure what's wrong but don't worry, the worst that could happen is that I could pass out. Thanks for listening, Amber.

Evie, I too get frustrated to tears. Not only at night, but in the normal hours of the day. Just wanted you to know your not alone. A good cry sometimes can help, then again sometimes that makes me feel worse. Just another thing to add to the frustration. Amber

Hi Donna, I agree that sometimes we don't alway know when it's going to be too much. Wouldn't it be great if we all had the advantage of knowing when to slow down. I'm forever pushing myself, most of the time I over do it, but I turn around and do it again the next day. So do I ever really learn? Probably not. I have always been an active person, so I see no reason to change because of POTS. It slows me down, sometimes stops me completely but I refuse to let it controle my life. I work around it, through sweat, tears and good days. wishing everyone good days, Amber

Hi my name is Amber, this is my first time posting and I'm happy to be here. Lisa I feel for you and I'm sorry you feel so bad. I have felt that way many times and I'm glad I'm not alone. Learning your limits can be very frustrating but listening to them is a must. I tend to push myself too hard and end up haveing regrets as well. I hope I did the reply right, forgive me if I didn't.