help

[fanny186]

I was diagnosed with pots a month ago when I went to the emergency room with chest pains and umbness on my left arm. After seeing about ten different doctors I was referred to a cardiologist who is currently treating me. I was always healthy, active and have no medical history. I did overwork myself and have been very stressed for the past year therefore I thought I had a nervous breakdown. I had no test done like stress test or tilt test but when I stand or sit my heartrate goes up..but it has happen while I sleep as well. This is scary for me as I have four kids to take care of and a full time job. I really hope they find a cure for this thing, I have asked for an MRI but was denied. currently taking salt tablets, drinking lots of water and gatorade..please give me some advise..I am going nuts!

[evo123]

Sorry that your post has not been responded to earlier, many of us here are unwell at the moment and are trying our best to reply as quickly as we can.  

I can relate to your fear and anguish regarding your diagnosis and your personal situation.  I am a single mum of 3 young children and did not know how I was going to deal with POTS and being a parent.  But there are things that we can try to ease our symptoms.

What testing have you had done so far?  There are several conditions that can cause an increase in heart rate upon standing, POTS is diagnosed after these have been ruled out and is done so by a Tilt Table Test.  I would push for one of these to be done.  As well as the tachycardia, chest pain, weakness, dizzyness etc that I suffer, I also have arm numbness and leg numbness on occasions, therefore my POTS dr wants to do a MRI of my brain to see if anything else may be going on.  I do not think this is wrong for you to recieve one.

What happens to your BP upon standing?  and what symptoms do you suffer apart from the ones you mention?

Below is a link to our health pages, they give lots of valuable information and links that may be of benefit to you:

http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/list?cid=196

[tonyad]

   Hello and Welcome to the Forum :)  

        I would like to apolgize for your post not getting replied to yet. I know from experience that when you are having health issues it is nice to be able to talk w/ others who are in the same boat as you. My response will also make your post "Bump" up so others can read it too

       So, what is the Cardiologist you are seeing now doing for you? Are you on any meds?  And most importantly, are the meds working for you??  Did your Cardiologist advise you to take the salt tablets?  I am guessing that you have HypoTension (Low B/P

       It would be nice and ease your mind if your Cardiologist would do a Stress Test and a TTT on you.  This would also hone in on what Exactly is and is not going on. you could request this be done :)  

     you are a very busy lady w/ 4 children AND working outside the home Full time. my hat goes off to you. i have 5 children but was fortunate enough to stay homw w/ them...BUT, that is still a full time job in and of itself! Plus I homeschooled all of them.
Four (girls) are now off to college and 1 still at home (boy) 6th grade.

     Be Good to yourself. And not to worry, becasue Everything's Gonna Be Alright!
Get some concrete answers from your cardio doc.   Just curious what were you wnating them to do the MRI on?

Take Care,
~Tonya