#POTS #OI Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome

Staying positive when things start hitting you from all sides is a challenge. However, since I believe we are spiritual beings having a physical experience, everything comes as a learning experience. I believe these challenges should be accepted as another way to explore your personal life here on earth.

In my case, I need to learn to slow down. I still go 100 miles an hour and take on more than I should. I try to do as the doctors tell me to do, but somehow, laying in bed all day does not work for me. I am consumed by guilt. The I shoulds and I need to kinda stuff that really shouldn't bother me anymore. 

On top of Crohn's and Addison's I now have a new diagnosis of POTs and OI which is giving my heart a race for the money. My average resting rate is 120 which is so not good.  However, I must say that I am less concerned than my team of doctors.  My first visit with a specialist is tomorrow. I rest assured that whatever is meant to happen will happen. 

I took a tilt table test, which you see to your left. At the bottom a foot rest pops out so they can move you from a laying to standing position pretty darn fast. I didn't even make it to all the way up to stand. That damn shaky feeling hit and I was going to hurl or faint. Fortunately, the cardiologist understood POTs and lowered me back down. 

People with postural orthostatic tachycardia (POTS) experience a rapid heart rate upon standing up that can cause a variety of symptoms. This morning it was 140 and that made me a little nervous, but not bad. I just hate the nausea. 

POTS is a disorder affecting the central nervous system that can cause debilitating symptoms in people who were previously healthy.  In my case, I think Crohn's brought it on, but that's just me. 

Scientists are not sure what causes POTS. However, some researchers believe that POTS may be more likely to occur right after the following events:

• a pregnancy--not me
• severe illness or injury--Crohn's flare
• major surgery--nada
• trauma--nope
• anything that causes changes in the function of the heart or blood vessels damaged nerves or impaired nerve function in the feet or leg prolonged periods of increased fight-or-flight responses. Crohn's can do that to you on a daily basis. 

While researchers are still looking for the exact cause or causes of this condition, they have identified several underlying conditions and diseases that frequently occur in people with POTS.

These include the following:

• autoimmune diseases--BINGO
• diabetes or prediabetes--BINGO
• deconditioning or prolonged bed rest--BINGO
• mononucleosis--NOPE
• Epstein Barr virus--NOPE
• Lyme disease--I don't think so
• Ehlers Danlos syndrome--nope
• vitamin and mineral deficiencies, including anemia

While many people who develop POTS have no family history of the condition, some people who have POTS report a family history of conditions that result in an increased heart rate while standing.

Because some people diagnosed with POTS have a family history of similar conditions, there may be a genetic component involved.

The majority of those diagnosed with POTS are women between age 15 and 50. However, POTS can affect people of any age or sex.

Interestingly, the medications used for Addison's are the same for POTS. However, none of the medications are helping my heart at this time, but I am hopeful for tomorrow's appointment.  

Until I am told different, I will continue to keep my physical movements to a minimum the best that I can. I've checked into all the POTS support groups on Facebook and while there aren't many of us, the ones I've met are a wealth of information. I drink as much salt water as I can stomach and salt and then extra salt the food that I eat. 

And to think I always thought salt was bad for you. 

Go figure.