Eva’s POTS Diagnosis Story
When I was first diagnosed with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), I had a mix of relief and total confusion. For years, I’d been dealing with this bizarre feeling like my body couldn’t keep up with something as simple as standing. I’d stand up, and my heart would start racing like I was sprinting up a hill. My vision would blur, my head would spin, and I’d have to sit back down just to catch my breath. But no one seemed to know why.
I can’t tell you how many doctors told me it was “just anxiety” or “in my head.” I started to wonder if maybe I was imagining it, but deep down, I knew something wasn’t right. Finally, I met a doctor who took me seriously, ran a tilt table test, and said, “You have POTS.”
I remember thinking, “Okay, cool… what’s POTS?” It felt like a puzzle piece falling into place, but also like someone had handed me a manual for my body written in a language I didn’t understand. I learned that POTS meant my autonomic nervous system wasn’t doing its job properly, which is why standing made me feel like I was about to collapse.
The diagnosis explained so much—why I was constantly exhausted, why I’d get dizzy all the time, and why my heart felt like it was running a marathon every time I stood up. But it also left me with so many questions: What now? How do I live with this? Is this my life now?
It’s been a journey, to say the least. Hydration, electrolytes, and compression socks became my best friends. I had to learn to stand up slowly, avoid certain triggers like overheating, and rest when my body demanded it (even if it wasn’t convenient). And honestly? It’s not perfect. There are still days when POTS kicks my butt, but knowing what I’m dealing with has made all the difference.
If you’re newly diagnosed with POTS, I want you to know it’s okay to feel overwhelmed.
You’re not alone in this, and there are ways to manage it—even if it feels impossible right now.
Take it one step at a time (literally and figuratively), and know that there’s a whole community out there who gets it and is cheering you on.
Lots of Love,
Eva (Founder of ChronicIllnessCommunity.com)