Does this sounds like POTS?

I have had symptoms for years but they are getting worse. This past May I had a really bad week where everytime I stood up it felt like my heart rate increased and I was SO dizzy that I was going to pass out. It felt better when I was laying down. My doctor wasn't sure what it was. It comes and goes but standing in lines, like at the grocery store are brutal and I have almost passed out many times. I finally got myself a blood pressure monitor and just checked today. I did the test twice. For the standing test I took my blood pressure as soon as I stood up. I will note: I am not overweight, don't smoke, drink or do drugs and eat pretty healthy.

Test 1
Resting - 110/64 Heart Rate = 48
Standing - 112/73 Heart Rate = 97

Test 2
Resting - 112/63 Heart Rate = 49
Standing - 114/72 Heart Rate = 90

After seeing my heart rate increase from only standing, I started googling and came across POTS.

Other symptoms I have:
- tired all the time
- always cold
- horrible reactive hypoglycemia
- constant nausea and other digestive issues
- generally feeling unwell

If this does sound like POTS is the symptoms constant? Because sometimes standing for 10 minutes I will be fine and the next I am almost passing out.

Thanks!

Ok.... Back :)

First, Welcome to HealingWell... but I'm sorry for the symptoms you are having :(

A great website for learning more about POTS is www.dinet.org. It's *overview* of POTS is spot on - well, at least for me it is! Here's a quote from their site:

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome is defined by excessive heart rate increments upon upright posture. A person with POTS will experience heart rates that increase 30 beats or more per minute upon standing and/or increase to 120 beats or more per minute upon standing (Grubb, 2000). These exaggerated heart rate increases usually occur within 10 minutes of rising. (from www.dinet.org)

So - according to the above definition - and my own experiences - reading your symptoms, it really does seem that POTS is a definite possibility...

Obviously - I'm not a medical professional and none of us here can *diagnose*... but, from my own journey w/ POTS - all that you share sounds very familiar.

Re: your question - my symptoms aren't always constant nor predictable. Sometimes I jump up too quickly and feel extremely dizzy, blood pressure plummets, heart rate hits the roof, etc - and I've passed out a few times. Have almost passed out 100's of times. BUT there are other times when I can do the exact same thing (change in positions) - and be just fine.

My encouragement to you is to find a doctor that knows about POTS or is willing to research it out and help you.... My PCP was the original one to diagnose me; but, after having to move, I found a cardiologist that knew the basics of POTS - but also researched it out completely - and continues to be my treating doctor... There are medications that can help you manage the symptoms, if that's something you need. I know many other *tips* for managing POTS... if you have anything specific - please feel free to ask.

Take of yourself - and let us know what you find out or how you are doing.... --Tina

Cashe2,

Glad to hear you are going to make an appointment w/ your doctor...

My diagnosis was basically after testing EVERYTHING else under the sun (so exclusion).... followed by the tilt table test (which I failed).... and then a willing doctor who researched everything.

I'm not sure re: the tilt table test question - but it's one you might want to search out on the website I posted in my original post... Honestly, it's been almost 6 years since I had the tilt table test - and I just can't remember all that went into the results and all of that...

I would encourage you to print out the basics of POTS to give to your doctor....

I wish you the best of luck! Update when you can :) --Tina