POTS and Pregnancy

[junbug52704]

I was wondering if anyone has delt with POTS while pregnant. I am now 21 weeks, the symptoms have started a very long time ago, but I have been misdiagnosed with this or that for years. The doctors are thinking the stress I went thru just before my wedding actual made this episode start and that the pregnancy is just really aggravating it. I had to fight to get a doctor to realize something was wrong. But when I finally found a great doctor he figured it out in a few minutes, I guess because the right symptoms presented at the right time (orthostatic, sinus tachycardia, veniuos pooling, syncope, dizziness, lightheaded, tremousleness, vision issues,stomach issues...etc) But other thatn the research I can find I can not get any info on this during pregnancy. My doctors have only treated 2 people with POTS, so needless to say I feel like somewhat of a lab rat to them. Needless to say this is not a situatio I wish to be a lab rat, all though happy to have a name for what is wrong with me. I was wondering if any one had any info about pregnancy and POTs. They currently have me on Metaprolol very low dose, which isn't doing anything but causing more issues, but are scared to do much of anything to me. Any ideas would help sooth my mind.

[hbshrrl]

Is there any chance you can tell me who your OB was? Having a hard time finding one in Orange County, CA. Thank you very much.

[whitney13]

i had POTS while pregnant in 2009, i chose to take no medication during the pregnancy i found plenty of water & sleep helped alot.
i had low bp & was told increase salt intake & water.
I worked till the night i went into labor but went casual from 7 months so had a few days of rest every week.
During labour my heart rate was 200+ bpm, 12hours later it was 180bpm so has b blockers every 4hours till it came down.
My cardiologist has assured me it can be managed with metaprolol during pregnancy but you have to be weaned off the pills towards the end of your pregnancy.
No other problems during labour.
here is a case study link for you about a delivery with pots : http://bja.oxfordjournals.org/content/97/2/196.full

And a facebook page about it: http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=221438159363&topic=16766

[miab428]

I see that this post is old, but I'm hoping people still check it.  

I am 33, recently diagnosed with POTS after my treatment for NonHodg. Lymphoma last year.  I have been dealing with high pulse, low bp, dizziness, fatigue (which all seemed to get worse a few months ago).  One cardiologist said it was just inappropriate sinus tach, but he couldn't explain the LOW bp (like 80/50??).  The bp is definitely the worst in the morning.

Anyway, I found out last week I am pregnant and while this was something we tried for 18 mos. before my NHL dx, I am having anxiety about the POTS now.  It's always something for me, apparently.

I see that people posted here originally, but they didn't come back to update how their pregnancies went.  UPDATES, anyone??  And did people work all through their pregnancies?


PS.  I am on 25 mg of metoprolol - hope it's harmless.

[MeghanMMc]

I, too, have POTS and I, too, am incredibly frustrated with the Medical community.  I was 16 weeks pregnant and doing pretty well, suddenly, my pulse started to go up and my dizziness became unbearable.  When we went to the ultra sound we found that our baby had several birth defects, and was not going to make it.  We had to terminate.  While the doctors are confident that the problems were not POTS related, I am not so sure.  The tests came back that the issue was not chomosomal, as they had originally thought.  I am currently taking 40 mg of Nadalol daily, and am afraid that the Nadalol had something to do with defects although...as you all know...the doctors ignore your concerns in most cases.  Has anyone been on Nadolol while pregnant?  Has anyone attempted to ween themselves off the beta blockers?  Any info would defineitly help!  

[Stbrumb]

Another self-treatment you can do (pregnant or not) is tilt the head of your bed up 4 - 6 inches. Sleeping on a slight angle helps the system build up better endurance. Going from laying flat all night to standing up in the morning can be extremely difficult. Going from almost flat to standing up is much easier. I've been doing this for the past 3 years upon recommendation of my cardiologist and it does help.

Also, if you see a cardiologist, try to find an electrophysiologist in particular. They are the ones who should know about POTS and dysautonomia.

[evo123]

Hi, thanks for your post here on this thread, but as it is an old thread maybe you would like to start a new one.  Sometimes people overlook the older threads and would miss your post x