POTS

Has anyone tried fludrocortisone for POTS?

Fludrocortisone made my blood pressure too high — I'm in the hyperadrenergic POTS subtype and volume-based treatments aren't right for me. Made things worse. This is why POTS subty…

Has anyone tried fludrocortisone for POTS?

Fludrocortisone alongside salt loading has kept my POTS manageable for the past year. The volume retention mechanism makes sense mechanically. Had some headaches initially as my bo…

Has anyone tried Mestinon (pyridostigmine) for POTS or dysautonomia?

Mestinon has been remarkable for my POTS — better than any other medication I've tried. Improved exercise tolerance, significantly less brain fog, and standing is much easier. The …

Has anyone tried compression stockings or an abdominal binder for POTS?

Medical-grade compression stockings (30-40mmHg) have been one of the most consistently helpful things I've tried. Not comfortable in summer, but standing tolerance improved noticea…

Has anyone tried ivabradine for POTS?

Tried ivabradine for 3 months. Good for heart rate, but I started getting visual disturbances — sort of flickering light. It's a known side effect. Manageable but annoying. Still t…

Has anyone tried ivabradine for POTS?

Switched to ivabradine after metoprolol left me unable to function. The difference is night and day. Heart rate managed without the crushing fatigue. I can think again. It's not wi…

Has anyone tried propranolol or metoprolol for POTS?

Propranolol helps somewhat with the worst of the tachycardia but hasn't touched the other symptoms — the brain fog, the nausea, the shaking. My cardiologist considers it a bridge w…

Has anyone tried propranolol or metoprolol for POTS?

Metoprolol made me incredibly tired — more than POTS was, which is saying something. Heart rate controlled, brain completely offline. My cardiologist switched me to ivabradine whic…

Has anyone tried propranolol or metoprolol for POTS?

Propranolol at 10mg as needed has been a game-changer for bad POTS days. I don't take it daily — my cardiologist suggested situational use for high-demand days. Takes the edge off …

Has anyone tried high sodium / electrolyte loading for POTS?

I already had high baseline sodium from trying to manage POTS before diagnosis. When we pushed it higher I started getting headaches and my blood pressure spiked uncomfortably. Ele…

Has anyone tried high sodium / electrolyte loading for POTS?

It helped with the lightheadedness somewhat but I find it really hard to maintain — constant nausea from all the salt, and I've developed a real aversion to salty food. Electrolyte…

Has anyone tried high sodium / electrolyte loading for POTS?

My cardiologist prescribed 8-10g sodium daily plus electrolyte drinks. The difference in my standing tolerance is dramatic. I can actually make a cup of tea without my heart rate h…

Which triggers make your POTS worse — heat, meals, standing, stress, something else? And do any of them surprise people when you explain them?

How long did it take from your first symptoms to getting a POTS diagnosis? What eventually got you there?

What time of day hits hardest for you with POTS? Morning, afternoon, evening — and has anything helped you get through that window?

Getting a cold with POTS

It’s been so hard lately with winter viruses and POTS..every little bug sends me to at least a week in bed. Any strategies there?

Has anyone tried the recumbent bike as exercise for POTS? Every resource says 'exercise helps' but standing/walking causes me to crash. My physio suggested starting horizontal and …

Salt loading actually helped my morning crashes

After months of barely being able to stand up in the morning, my cardiologist suggested increasing salt intake dramatically. I was sceptical but started adding electrolyte sachets …

Showering is my biggest challenge

Hot showers are basically impossible now. I switched to lukewarm water and a shower chair and it changed everything. The heat was causing my blood pressure to drop. Does anyone els…

Salt loading actually helped me

After months of struggling with POTS, my cardiologist suggested increasing salt and fluid intake dramatically. 3g of sodium a day felt ridiculous but within two weeks my standing h…