Iwona

My journey with PoTS began in 2007 when I suddenly collapsed without any warning.

I lost my speech for 3 days and on day 4, I started to stutter a lot. I was admitted to the hospital for investigation, but discharged quickly as my blood tests and CT scan were normal. I had speech and language therapist sessions but this did not help.

Started to faint…

I started to faint often, about 2 times a month. I was taken to the hospital each time I fainted but again, all my results were normal. My faints got worse at points but would then go away for a while. I had a baby in 2012 when my symptoms had almost disappeared but then after 3 months, it started again. I was under cardiology and neurology consultants but my ECGs, 24 HR tape etc. were all normal.

For all those years, the doctors didn’t have a clue what was going on with me. So many times I was told that it was a psychological problem and I was advised to see a psychiatrist  but no one officially referred me.

Regular fainting

In 2017 I was diagnosed with SVT (superventicular tachycardia). In October 2018 I collapsed at work. From then onwards, my episodes began to increase. I fainted every day, sometimes 2-3 times a day. My life completely changed. I had to leave work as I had been on a long term sick. HR told me that I needed to resign myself or they would dismiss me on medical grounds. I had a job which I loved, but I resigned.

Diagnosis

In January 2019 I fainted at home. An ambulance took me to the hospital. I was admitted to a cardiac ward as I have arrhythmia. I was finally diagnosed with PoTS via a tilt table test in February 2019. I have been put on medication. My faints haven’t stopped but I have good and bad days and I have been managed to get a new job. I always work with someone, so if anything happens, I’m not alone.  My job is through an agency so if my health deteriorates, I can stop working immediately. It’s not easy to live with PoTS but I have no choice. My family really support me with everything I need. My neighbours are also amazing. The amount of times they have helped me is huge.  I’m so grateful I have my family, my neighbours and my friends.