Francesca

My story began at 13 (2007). I was fit, heathy and enjoying my life as a competitive swimmer. One evening, I found myself in the medical room of the swimming pool as I collapsed during a training session. As few people know about PoTS, the symptoms were not picked up by the ambulance crew.

I then spent the majority of the next few years in and out of hospital for various appointments and meetings about my ‘passing out phase’. I was misdiagnosed with M.E. I found myself in a whirl wind of thoughts that I was going mad and how could I be fine one minute, on the floor the next, then back to my normal self in the next few minutes. I started to struggle with the situation of not having a correct diagnosis and began to believe that I was making the whole situation up. How could this be my life? How could this be happening? I looked and acted so normally but my body was completely failing me, and as a consequence my mind began to spiral. This went on until I got my diagnosis and I accepted the fact I had a hidden disability.

My family and I did not give up and we continued to investigate my symptoms and attended more appointments when after many years I was transferred to an amazing doctor who tested me for PoTS. It was a simple test known as a tilt test, which proved to myself and the people around me who didn’t believe me – I did in fact have PoTS (2012). I then learnt to live with my new condition. I learnt to accept the fact I now have a disability and listen to my body. This is me, I have PoTS but I won’t let that stop me.

My best advice… listen to your body.

I tried many different medications over the years and I believe now, with the help of my incredible doctor, I have the correct concoction that suits me. I now take medication to regulate my heart rate and I have increased my salt to boost my blood pressure.

Whilst this was happening, I stopped the swimming and completed my GCSE/A-levels. My next hurdle was starting a career whilst struggling to complete the day without being truly exhausted or resulting in another passing out episode.  I stumbled upon teaching after completing a course at college. I am now studying to become a full-time primary school teacher whilst working every day as a teaching assistant in reception. I have recently got engaged and took myself back to the pool with the support of my new fiancé who cares for me dearly.

I wanted to share my story to show that you can live a “normal” life with this hidden disability. You can do whatever you want to do in life, you just need the right support system and the understanding of your body.

My best advice… listen to your body.