Could I have POTS?

[TiffanyM88]

Hello-
I recently found out about POTS and I'm wondering if I have it.. Since early 2002, I've had problems with my pulse being high, among many other problems.. In 2010, I was diagnosed with Graves/Hyperthyroidism and was given the radioactive iodine pill to make my thyroid non-functional.. In late 2010, I became Hypo and am now on Amour Thyroid medication with my levels within normal range.. Although, I still have all of my symptoms that I had when I was Hyper and also developed Hypo symptoms (after ablation) that I still have.. I also used to be on Levothyroxine, but switched to Amour because my symptoms weren't getting any better, but it isn't helping me feel any better either.. Anyway, back to POTS.. My pulse while doing normal day to day things, always runs above 100bpm.. The other day, I'd been laying down for about an hour and I checked my pulse, which was 70.. When I got up out of bed and stood, my pulse went up to 137 and I had to sit down so that I wouldn't pass out, because that's always the way I feel when getting up, especially from laying down.. I didn't check my bp, at that time.. I had pre-eclampsia with both of my pregnancies and sometimes my bp is slightly higher than it should be, but not cause for concern or medication.. A few minutes ago while sitting, my pulse was 101, and when I stood up, it was 132.. My overall symptoms are fatigue, loss of energy, irregular menstrual cycles, migraines, hair loss, brittle nails, excessive sweating, heat intolerance, cold intolerance, numbness in my hands, feet, legs, and arms (not all the time, but more frequently than is normal and for no apparent reason), rapid heartbeat, chest pain and pressure, shortness of breathe, weakness, exercise intolerance (I do exercise regularly, but it's extremely difficult), fainting.. I can't stand for long periods of time without feeling like I'm going to pass out (it's a weird feeling, like my body is just not strong enough to allow me to continue to stand and then I start feeling sick to my stomach and have more pressure in my chest).. I've also fainted around 5 times, but not within the past 6 years because I learned what the signs were and now if I start feeling like that, I sit down quickly.. Does it sound like I could have POTS?

[Ball123]

I am not a doctor but to me it definitely sounds like you have POTS. In a non-POTS  person the heartr ate increases approximately 10 beats per minute when going from a sitting to standing position. 30 is considered a sort of limit for POTS. You sometimes have much more than that, don't you?

Your other symptoms also sound like they are caused by POTS although different causes can not be excluded of coarse.

POTS patients normally don't have a drop in blood pressure. That is called orthostatic intolerence and is another form of autonomic dysfunction. Sometimes people could have different forms of dysfunction at the same time. All patients are unique.

In short: You have POTS!

[bedheadblonde]

I'm also wondering if I have something more going on-I'm in the same boat as you thyroid wise. Have Graves', had the RAI twice, now hypo. But I get dizzy/ have palps/bp spikes/occasional tremors/sweats but then freeze/brain fog/nail problems/hair loss, etc. even though my thyroid labs look alright now. I'm trying out a T4/T3 med combo right now just to see if I need more of a balance, but for the last 14-15 months, I've felt terrible and just can't shake it.

[TiffanyM88]

Thank You, for replying.. I tried taking my blood pressure like that and found that it raised slightly when my pulse raised (I was only able to stand up for 5 minutes though, so I did it upon standing then at 3 minutes, then at 5 minutes).. I have been doing alot of research on POTS and have read that your bp doesn't necessarily have to lower when you stand up to have POTS.. I don't want to have POTS, I don't want to have anything, but in reality I have something.. I'm so tired of living like this, being in pain all of the time, and feeling horrible.. I'm going to do a poor man's tilt table test for a week and record my bp and pulse then go from there.. Thanks again for your reply.. :)

[meeeeeeeeeee]

I think it sounds like it. The other main aspect of POTS is the drop in blood pressure. You can buy a wrist blood pressure monitor online or at walgreens or other drug store to look at this at home.
Lie down for ten minutes in a quiet dark room and take your BP. Then stand up and take your blood pressure immediately, wait 5 minutes and take it again, wait ten minutes and take it again. Make sure to stand straight and as still as possible (dont move feet). You will see the drop in blood pressure maintained, and you will see your heart continue to get faster and faster as you stand (trying to compensate for the low blood pressure). Another big thing I experience is that my feet get blue and puffy from all the blood pooling there, especially in the shower.

As always, see a doctor if you really suspect something. I have taken beta blockers for the past 6 years, and it makes me feel about 80% of what I used to feel. But you can do some experiements at home in the meantime!

[TiffanyM88]

Anyone? :(