POTS Diagnosis: What’s Next?
When I was first diagnosed with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), I felt like someone had handed me a puzzle with no picture on the box. Sure, I finally had a name for why my heart seemed to think it was running a marathon every time I stood up, but now what? How was I supposed to piece together a life with this condition when I barely even understood what it was?
Here’s how I’ve come to make sense of it (and remember, I’m not an expert—just someone living with it like you): POTS basically means your autonomic nervous system—the part that controls things like your heart rate and blood pressure—has a mind of its own. When you stand up, your blood doesn’t move where it’s supposed to as efficiently as it should, so your heart has to work overtime to try to fix it. The result? Dizziness, a racing heart, and that overwhelming “I’m-going-to-pass-out” feeling. Oh, and let’s not forget the crushing fatigue that comes with it.
When I first started learning about POTS, I honestly felt like my body had betrayed me. I mean, standing up is supposed to be the easiest thing in the world, right? But here’s what I’ve learned: It’s not about fixing your body—it’s about understanding it and giving it what it needs to function better.
Here’s What Helped Me Early On
Hydration Is Everything: I cannot overstate this—water is your best friend now, and electrolytes are your other best friend. I started carrying a big water bottle everywhere and adding electrolyte powders or drinks like Liquid I.V. to keep my blood volume up.
Salt Is Your Secret Weapon: This one took me a while to accept because, like many people, I thought salt was bad for you. But with POTS, a little extra salt (if your doctor says it’s okay) can help your body retain water and keep your blood pressure more stable.
Compression Socks Changed My Life: Okay, I won’t lie—at first, I thought they were kind of ugly. But compression socks make such a big difference in keeping blood from pooling in your legs when you stand. Trust me, they’re worth it.
Stand Slowly, Rest Often: POTS isn’t a condition you can outsmart or push through. Learning to stand up slowly, avoid triggers like overheating, and actually rest when my body needed it was a hard lesson, but it made everything more manageable.
Some Extra Thoughts
The hardest part of POTS, for me, was how invisible it felt. I’d be sitting there, trying not to pass out, and people would say, “But you look fine.” That’s where finding a community made all the difference. Talking to others who understood what it’s like to feel betrayed by gravity itself made me feel less alone.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed right now, that’s okay. You don’t have to figure it all out at once. Start with the basics—hydrate, add some salt, and find some good compression socks. And remember, this diagnosis doesn’t define you. You’re still you, even if your body takes a little extra care to manage.