Does anyone have POTS?

[moneakers 3]

So I’m just curious if anyone here has POTS or Dysautonomia? I feel like a lot of the symptoms of anxiety and POTS can overlap. The last few weeks I have had a huge flare of my anxiety (I weaned off Zoloft about 3 months ago). For two weeks I really hadn’t been sleeping, was shaking like crazy, hot but cold, and my heart rate was increasing every time I stood up or even turned over in bed. I was certain I have POTS. I went to the hospital on Friday with the above symptoms because I could not sleep and was going out of my skin. They gave me fluids and thought it could be POTS (because of my increase in HR with standing) but didn’t want to give me the official diagnosis until I follow up with cardiology. 
 

My nurse practitioner put me back on my Zoloft so I’ve been on a low dose for about a week. The last few days thankfully I have been able to sleep with some modifications which has helped bring down some of the shaking, nausea and constant adrenaline surges. I definitely do have an increase in heart rate from lying down to standing that stays elevated for 5 minutes. Resting rate is about 72, standing is anywhere from 100-112. My feet are still cold and clammy. So I definitely could have POTS, however I also know I have anxiety because it’s hard for me to stop thinking about it, googling, and looking for the next symptoms. I see my GP tomorrow and follow up with cardiology later. My question is: could I have had POTS for a long time but never really noticed until now because my anxiety is flaring? I remember thinking I had it after I had my daughter too as I had sever postpartum anxiety, but I don’t remember seeing the consistent heart rate increase and was worried instead about lots of other symptoms at that time. 
 

I feel like if I’m not super focused on it I don’t notice the increase in heart rate that much, but it’s definitely still happening. I’ve had some increased heart rate at night. I generally just feel a little sick to my stomach, not wanting to eat, and having muscle weakness- but I know anxiety causes all of these as well. What is most people’s heart rate when they’re standing up compared to resting? I forgot how absolutely terrible anxiety is and it’s hard to know what’s real and what’s not. 😔 Any reassurance is appreciated!

 

[MARC 431]

One time when I tried to self diagnose, my GI physician said to me to stick with being a CPA, which I practice as my profession and leave the diagnosing of my issues to him. 

[KNC09 0]

Hi I have POTS but a “milder” version compared to others thankfully. I have had episodes since I was in high school. I’m 30 now. It’s has gotten worse in the past 2 years. I’m used to heart flutters but one episode in February 2019 really triggered my health anxiety. I had heart palpitations for over an hour and started to have a panic attack. Again, I was used to those episodes but that one in particular lasted a much longer time. I went to their ER, had an EKG. Doc said it was a panic attack and was prescribed hydroxizine (spell check). I was having more episodes in the following months. I bought an Apple Watch to monitor my heartbeat. I always knew I had it but never knew there was a name for it. It usually happens when I bend over. When I stand back up I get really lightheaded and my heart starts to beat really fast. During those episodes I get a really bad headache and once it’s finished I am really fatigued.I have learned to lay down with your legs in the air had helped me. I try not to bend over but to “ take a knee” stress, caffeine, too much sugar really trigger my episodes. I went to a cardiologist who did another EKG and an echocardiogram. All normal. He told me because I don’t pass out from it or have them as often he would not suggest any medication. They can diagnose you from your symptoms or a tilt table test. Anxiety makes it worse for me and because of POTS I developed health anxiety. This pandemic is really kicking my butt lol. 
Exercise and drinking LOTS of water helps as well

[moneakers 3]

Thanks all! I am honestly not sure if I have POTS or like you @KNC09 possibly a milder version. Sometimes when I stand my heart is 100s-120s, other times it’s 88-100 and more ‘normal’. The cardiology PA didn’t think it was POTS but didn’t want to rule it out. EKG was normal and I had my echo and the radiologist said my heart was “boring” 🤣. So I guess that’s a good thing. I am also working with a naturopath to try to get to the root cause and she put me on high dose vitamin D for two days and I started to see some improvement. I’m also on b12 shots twice a week now, vitamin D and lots of other supplements. Also back on my Zoloft. Feeling maybe 50-70% better. I know the anxiety definitely feeds off of all of this as I’ve also convinced myself I have an adrenal tumor or some other cancer that I just don’t know about yet 🤦🏻‍♀️ But I am thankful for the days I see some improvement. I likely wouldn’t want to take beta blockers either and am hopeful that I can heal naturally and get to the root cause.