POTS and chiari

[junebug84]

Should POTS symptoms go away after surgery?  I was under the impression that the compression to my brain stem was causing the POTS symptoms.  During my decompression surgery the part of my tonsils that was compressing the brain stem was cut out.  After surgery I didn't feel a lot of the symptoms associated with POTS, but now they seem to be coming back.  I don't know if it is just a phase I am going through during the healing process or not.

[Sara_Jane19]

Diamox isn't usually used to help with pots. It is for inter cranial hypertension. I'm not sure how it would help with pots, but let me know if you know!

[junebug84]

My surgeon has discussed with me the option of taking diamox for the POTS.  I am a little hesitant though because I am still having a lot of headaches from the chiari surgery and I read that diamox can have some bad side effects.  I still rely heavily on a combination of motrin, regular tylenol, and norco for the pain and I worry about adding another medication.  I am trying to make a conscience effort to drink plenty of fluids including pedialyte.  I have a really hard time shopping because I can't stand for very long periods of time but also because I am still so sensitive to light, smell, and sounds.  Sometimes it seems hard to tell what is chiari related and what is POTS related.  

[Sara_Jane19]

Like Selma said it depends on the person. If you have low blood pressure along with the tachycardia with position changes then you will want to drastically increase your fluid intake to 2-3 liters a day. You will want to make sure this is electrolyte enhanced beverages such as gatorade, pedialyte, or nuun tablets. Also increasing your salt a great deal can be helpful to raise your blood pressure. Some people use compression stocking and raise the head of their bed as well. Other than that it is a game with medications to raise blood pressure and lower heart rate. Make sure you talk to a doctor about these suggestions BEFORE you do them. Every case of POTS is different and there is a type of POTS in which you have high blood pressure and these things can make your condition worse.

[selmaS]

  I would think it depends on what ur individual symptoms are...some have issues with their BP...so meds to help that could be one form of treatment....

I am sure Sara could be more of help since she has the condition....

[nsalem656]

What are the treatments for pots?

[Sara_Jane19]

Unfortunately, Selma is right. POTS and Chiari are two separate, although related, disorders/conditions. Your POTS may even get worse for a while due to the trauma of the surgery. Sorry :( Let me know if you have any questions as I have both of these conditions as well.

[selmaS]

  U will need a Dr to treat u for ur POTS....as I said it is a separate condition and DX so u need treatment for it....some symptoms may have been Chiari, but surgery for Chiari will not relieve POTS...I  am sorry.

[junebug84]

I was diagnosed with POTS around the same time that I was diagnosed with chiari.  I failed the tilt table test. I was just hoping the POTS would resolve itself after the surgery.  

[selmaS]

  Hi....POTS is a separate DX...it is a related condition but not going to be relieved by having Chiari surgery....

Chiari surgery is done to restore CSF flow, slow progression (especially if u have a syrinx)  It can reveal POTS post op some may have POTS DX b4 surgery....

DO u have a POTS DX? or did ur symptoms seem like POTS and what are they?