Sophie
On the 26th February 2021, I gave birth to my son Grayson. It was an extremely traumatic experience as I haemorrhaged, losing 2 litres of blood and ended up having tachycardia the evening of giving birth. This resulted in me having to be rushed to theatre to be given heart slowing medication. I was sent home a week later and for months after the birth I still didn’t feel right. I knew something was wrong, but I just put it down to hormone imbalances and my body generally recovering from birth.
As most of us do, I was googling all my symptoms and various things were coming up which obviously worried me so I went to see the doctor. I was sent for an MRI due to head pain and extreme pressure, this all came back fine. I had several blood tests which all came back normal. I was also given a 24hr heart monitor to wear but again , this came back normal apart from the doctor asked whether I was doing any strenuous exercise (which I wasn’t).
A huge relief to finally be given a diagnosis
My symptoms involved tingling of the hands and feet, headache and head pressure, palpitations, blurry vision, always bloated, extreme tiredness, pain in chest, shortness of breath, anxiety and obviously high heart rate upon standing. My heart rate would increase from 70-80 when sitting to 130-160 upon standing. I spent days googling about a high heart rate upon standing and the only thing that would come up was PoTS. All my symptoms ticked all the boxes of PoTS. I got in contact with my consultant to arrange an appointment where she confirmed my diagnosis as PoTS. I could’ve cried with delight. After months of not feeling 100% and having various symptoms yet tests coming back fine, it was a huge relief to finally be given a diagnosis and to accept my symptoms are from a condition rather than all in my head. I am currently being referred to a cardiologist for further tests and I am taking propranolol, which was originally prescribed for my palpitations but fortunately works to settle my heart rate.
Doctors and patients aren’t familiar with the condition
I had never heard of PoTS before so I think it’s so important to raise awareness as both doctors and patients aren’t familiar with the condition. When I’ve been researching a lot online, it says PoTS occurs during the childbearing age, but I wasn’t aware that it could come on after trauma or pregnancy or an illness, and that is the case for me. PoTS started from the birth trauma I went through. Having PoTS and looking after a baby is hard work but exercising more, taking medication, drinking 3-4litres a day and increasing my salt has made a huge difference. I still have debilitating health anxiety but to be given a diagnosis has somewhat relaxed the severity of my anxiety.