IST/POTS

One of my friends has been having increased heart rate, and I am trying desperately to figure out what the problem is. If anyone could please list all the symptoms of this illness/disease, I would greatly appreciate it.

[sugarpea013]

What made you decide to investigate IST/POTS? I'm just curious, because I have IST. I read her symptoms and what not. It really sounds more anxiety related than anything.

[zdesotelle]

I decided to investigate this because I heard about this one guy who has it, and it has some symptoms similar to the disease, and currently I am just grasping at straws, investigating anything that could possibly be related to her condition. I'm no doctor, so I'll just have to continue looking for diseases that match any of her symptoms. I'm beginning to wonder if its food related. I myself suffer from chronic migraines and one of the symptoms, right before i get a migraine, is tingling of the face. Maybe that is one of her symptoms, her bodies way of telling her that something is going to happen. Also I've been looking into some things and it might be diet related. Would not eating alot, only during lunch. She eats plenty during breakfast and dinner, but lunch is more of a snack for her. Maybe some cookies, vitamin water, and grapes, but its not much. She recently started doing this program with her mom called curves. I'm not sure exactly what kind of diet they have her on, or if she even stuck with it. Anyways, do you think you could tell me what you know about IST/POT? I would greatly appreciate any imformation you could help give me. Thanks me and my friend really appreciate all they help you've given us.

[sugarpea013]

I'm super tied up at the moment, but I would love to help the two of you out. If I don't reply by the end of the night I will definately get back to you tomorrow. In the mean time does your friend have a doctors appointment?

I think at the least, since they have already done an EKG they need to check her thyroid and do a standard blood panel to make sure her electrolytes are okay. If she is restricting herself of calories/nutrition it can definately make her feel this way. After I had my baby I lost 43 pounds WAY too fast. In a matter of a month. I know I got extremely edgy/jittery and my heart would race. I always felt skiddish and my stomach was a mess. It's not healthy to lose any more than 2 pounds a week. She's 14 why the heck is she on a Curves diet?!?! It is SO unhealthy to do any major dieting before the age of 18-21 because your body is still trying to grow and develop.

[sugarpea013]

Real quick...she isn't experimenting with any drugs is she? ESPECIALLY diet drugs. BIG BIG BIG no no. Also caffeine or energy drinks.

You seem like a very sweet guy. She is very lucky to have such a caring friend such as yourself.

[zdesotelle]

No, she isn't experimenting with any drugs, at least none that I'm aware of. Its not like she is anorexic or anything, but she may be drinking coffee in the morning, thats kind of a big think for kids our age.  I don't know makes them feel more mature. I'll talk to her about the curves diet though, and try to get her to start eating alittle bit more. She does eat an aweful lot, just she doesn't like the meals her mom tries to cook for her for lunch. They're alittle, different. But I'm sure she isn't on any drugs. And yes, I've thought about hyperthyroid. My mom just recently had hers burned out with this radiation pill. Thanks alot for all your help! Me and my friend really appreciate it :-)

[sugarpea013]

She DEFINATELY needs to cut out the coffee. Regardless of how "cool" it is, it will make her heart skip and flutter. Some people are just sensitive to caffeine and their system can't handle it.

[zdesotelle]

Yeah I know. I can't handle any amount of caffeine. It makes my heart go up and makes me feel really nauseous. But I'll make sure she stops drinking coffee. I'm also going to start keeping mental records of what she eats at lunch. Maybe certain food trigger her symptoms, like they do with my headaches. Thanks for your help!

[sugarpea013]

No problem. I just think it's a little early to draw the IST straw :) POTS is definately out of the question by the way.

In my opinion, and I'm not a doctor, but I've worked in the health care field for 7 years, it sounds like her system is just on overdrive right now. I know being a 14 year old guy you prolly dont' want to discuss "that time of the month" but that could also be affecting her. Here's some things that will make someone feel the way she has been feeling. (given that thryoid is okay)

Caffeine
Lack of sleep (14 year old should be getting at least 9 hours of sleep.
Excessive stress
Lack of nutrients/crash dieting
Medications that have stimulants in them
Drugs


And if ya pair any of them together, than it's only going to compound the symptoms.

I have to say though, and I know she doesn't want to accept it as a possibility...it VERY much sounds like she is experiencing anxiety/panic attacks. It's not a fun diagnosis, nobody wants to accept it. But in reality, it is very real, very scary, very physical feeling. Everything fits: heart racing/fluttering, upset stomach, face tingling...etc. She said in one of her journals that she wasn't stressed out at the time it happened...that's the crazy thing about panic attacks, they catch you when you least expect it. You don't HAVE to be stressed at that given time to experience them. And the fact that she is worried about what is going on...that's only making it worse. I wish the two of you the best of luck. If you have any more questions I'd love to help ya'll!

[zdesotelle]

Thank you so much! I also considered stress as a possibility. This really helps me out alot. I'll continue to grasp at straws for awhile though, posting on here at random times if she develops anymore symptoms, but for now I'm not so worried.

[Thinline]

Please be very careful here with self-diagnosis / friend diagnosis, especially of something like IST and POTS.  Firstly I have both.  Secondly, it took a highly qualified, trained and experienced cardiologist who specializes in arrhythmias and EP to diagnose me correctly.  No general cardiologist will touch me with a barge pole because IST and POTS are both complex arrhythmias which can be near impossible to treat and so even they leave it to the experts.  As for POTS there could be the need for a Neurologists opinion as well as it affects the autonomic nervous system.  They don’t like to deal with POTS at all and tend to send you back to the cardio.

Please, if you want to play doctor, then don’t look at these two conditions as answers to your friend’s problems.  The symptoms of IST and POTS combined can be so debilitating that some days you can barely walk, I would not wish such a thing on my worst enemy.  I posted elsewhere that when you hear hoof beats, look for horses not zebra’s and this seems a classic case of this old expression being so true.  My sincere hope is that you have not told your friend that you suspect she has one or both of these conditions.  If she’s got anxiety issues already reading about the IST POTS combo would probably increase the symptoms she’s got – the symptoms she shows truly could be anything and I agree that it could be diet and anxiety related.

She should go to a GP for a check-up just to rule out anything serious.  This is going to come out sounding truly horrible and I have no doubt I’m going to get into trouble for saying it, but here goes.  You sound like a great friend to have, you obviously care deeply about her and I know how important friendship, support and love are, but you need to put your Doogie Howzer badge away for a few more years.  One day when you graduate from med school I hope you make many, many, successful diagnoses, and help or cure scores of people, but this is not the time for it, and its not healthy if you feed undiagnosed health-related fears.  I don’t know how I can say what I’ve just said in such a way to make it un-hurtful, so I apologise if I’ve hurt you by what I have said my intention is not to hurt you.

[zdesotelle]

I thank you for your concern, but I wasn't playing doctor. Both of my parents work in the medical field and have been aiding my search. As you can see I know what I am doing, and I have done this before.

[SassyLassie]

What is IST/POTS, I have never heard of those before?
Susie

[sugarpea013]

IST is inappropriate sinus tachycardia
POTS is postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome

Nasty little ordeals. I also have IST/POTS

[Thinline]

Sugarpea, are you currently on any meds for the IST/POTS?  My IST is totally out of control and there seems absolutely nothing else for me to try.  I'm was put onto a drug which is new and used to treat stable angina, but it's not released in this country or in the US.  Unfortunately I got really sick withing two days of taking the new med (which was imported for me on compassionate grounds) so I stopped using it, but once I'm better again I've decided to give the med another chance.  I will let you know when I start it so you can keep up with any progress, who knows, might be the answer to all our troubles!

zdestotelle, ok.  I had my say and stand by it.  Are your parents doctors?  If so can't one of them look at your friend or refer her to someone?  I really encourage that medical advice is sought.

[zdesotelle]

Yes, both of my parents are doctors, and have referred her to several people. She is already having an EKG and standard blood work done. As I said before I don't find harm in trying to help provide her doctors with possible diagnosis. Have you ever seen that one show on discovery health, Mystery Diagnosis. The diseases that defy all the experts. On many of those shows people do self research. I am merely doing the same, trying to find conditions similar to hers. It makes this experience for her and me a lot less frightening.

[SassyLassie]

Hi SugarPea~Thanks for your answer, I have not heard of those before, I have heard of PSVT's and other types of tachycardia, but, this one got past me. Now I know. Thanks again.
Susie