My name is Lauren. I’m 24 years old and I’m an ICU nurse from Texas.
Last May, I was diagnosed with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) and inappropriate sinus tachycardia (IST).
I believe I’ve had POTS my whole life. When I was a little girl, I would sometimes faint after standing a short while or during a hot shower. My pediatrician at the time had no clue what was wrong with me and told my parents I would grow out of it.
Fast forward to April/ early May of last year, my symptoms hit me like a ton a bricks. I suddenly started having “episodes” where my heart would race to nearly 200, and I would have near syncopal episodes and a feeling of impending doom.
Now, a year later I am feeling much better. With the help of an awesome electrophysiologist and dysautonomia support websites, I have accustomed to my new version of normal. I know how to manage my symptoms much better than I did before. I still deal with brain fog, low blood pressure and the occasional sky-rocketing heart rate… but I am able to cope and still find joy in every day.
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