Natalya

Hi, My name is Natalya, I’m 20 years old and have recently been diagnosed with PoTS.  I believe that I been suffering with PoTS for the majority of my life but it has always been misdiagnosed.

Ever since I was 14, I have struggled with extreme fatigue, brain fog and this horrible pain which would start on the left side of my chest, traveling down my left arm and up to the left side of my jaw. Some days were worse than others, I would cry in pain which could last from three days to three weeks depending on how bad the pain was. In the same year I was diagnosed with Costochondritis which is an inflammation where your ribs join the bone in the middle of your chest. Throughout the years I was also diagnosed off and on with asthma, but only in the last year or two have been fully diagnosed and now have proper medication.

During the past few years my symptoms have become worse, and I started to stutter for no reason, with simple words becoming difficult to say.  I often fight the urge to stay awake; my eyes just close and I slowly drift asleep. 

I am a cleaner for a living, so my body is tired and sore, I can’t even mop a floor without my heart racing, feeling like it is coming out of my chest and I feel like dropping to the floor with breathlessness. I am unable to keep my arms in the air to wash or dry my hair.

I am forgetting more and more each day and have developed tics, where with no explanation my muscles jump and spasm without me knowing, this has made me so self conscious over the last year.

I was diagnosed with PoTS a month ago and have now been referred to cardiology for more tests and the support I’ve had has been amazing. I have also learnt to cope better by taking more breaks whilst at work and adding more salt to my diet. I am really hoping that with support and the right treatment I will learn to manage my PoTS and live life to the best I can.