POTS it too much pain.

I am 19 years old and I was recently diagnosed with POTS.  It started with me being very tired and having exhausted a sore muscles.  Then I passed out.  

I thought I could go on with my life but now I feel like I a dying.  I am in college.  I go for five hours a day for five days a week and I have already missed all the days that I can.  I am tired all the time.  My muscles hurt, my chest hurts, my stomach is hurting after meals.  I can hardly get through the hours of school and I feel weak, dizzy, and close to tears all day long.

My doctor does not know much about the desease but he prescribed beta blockers and they make me feel worse. I am going to lose my insurance if I quit school but every week that I return to school I get sicker.  I am really scared that I am going to end up in the hospital.  I want to get better but without insurance what chance do I have?  Is there anything that I can do to get insurance if I quit school.  Is there anything that I can do?  I am scared.  I don't know if I can make it through school and I am getting weaker and weaker every day.

Please give me some advice.  What do I have to do to get better?  What can I do as a job if I cannot get through school or stand for five hours?  Am I ever going to get better?

My parents do not understand that this is not just a cold or an infection.  They dont understand that it really hurts.  What am I to do?  How can I make them understand?

Please help.

Sincerely,

Lauren

[Brooke_38]

Hi Lauren...

check out www.****.***.  This website is very helpful in explaining different treatment options for this condition.

Good luck and I hope this helps.

[CNickels77]

Hey there,

I just had an ablation done on my heart (27 y/o) and afterwards and currently seem to be exhibiting some charecteristics of POTS and it stinks!  When I get up my heart races and then eventually returns to normal but it makes me feel tired, dizzy and lightheaded.  I have gone through all of your same thought patterns, how am I going to keep my job, what will I do if I can't and loose my insurance, how am I going to make a living.

If your doctor isn't very familiar with POTS you should get a 2nd opinion.  They have told me to increase my salt and fluid intake.  Also, try to get up a slowly when you do.  This should minimize so of the blood rushes.  Also, I would ask your doctor to put you on a 24 hour monitor so you can see what is happening with your heart.

The other thing is anxiety.  I know that I am making things probably worse by the amount of worry that I am carrying.  So I am working at just focusing on a day at a time.  Thinking I will be disabled the rest of my life just throws me into a bigger rut that I don't need right now.  So, try to  remain in the present and battle through each day.

Let us know how it is going!

[jam1112]

I would check with my state about medicaid insurance. You will have to go to city hospitals for your treatment. But, if you are not working and/or have a low income. You should be able to recieve medicaid.

If you are worried about insurance this may be a avenue you can take. Call Medicaid at 1-800-392-2161 and see if you can recieve benifits. They pay for your doctors, hospital and medications as a part of the service.

                                                           Good Luck To You,
                                                                                        James