P.O.T.S Become Aware

2015-11-12T16:45:00.001-05:00

Welcome to P.O.T.S Become Aware. If you or someone you know is suffering from Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, you can find information on the condition here!

This site was created for P.O.T.S sufferers by a P.O.T.S sufferer.

If you have any questions please feel free to comment below and subscribe for more updates!

4 years later!

2015-11-10T19:22:00.003-05:00

Hello to anyone stumbling upon this page!

Welcome to P.O.T.S Become Aware. If you are a stranger to this website, don't feel bad! Even myself, the creator of this blog, has been a stranger for quite sometime.

I began this blog as a high school student soon after receiving the diagnoses of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome. Today, I am a college senior with most of my symptoms diminishing, with only a few health hiccups along the way.

I am currently working to revamp this website to allow for less of my personal story, and more information for those who need it.

Currently I am working to update any information that may have changed in the past few years.

All of my previous posts will stay here for anyone curious about the journey I went through.

I'm looking to set up another interactive webpage for those with Chronic Illnesses to chat and discuss, maybe a forum?

Thank you for bearing with me-- over the years this site has accumulated over 10,000 views!!!

That is insanity to me! Thank you to anyone who has taken the time to read this page.

Wishing you infinite health and happiness--

Kristen

October 22.

2011-10-22T18:45:00.000-04:00

I apologize for not updating this site as much as I would like, and said I would. This school year has been a very busy one, seeing as it is my senior year of high school. I'll update you guys on me a little later but first I want to talk about raising awareness.

Events are always a huge help to raising awareness to a cause. Recently my doctor told my mom about a past event that they had in my local area to raise awareness for POTS and CFS. It was held at the local bowling alley and people of the community came out and really enjoyed it. Talk to local businesses such as restaurants, bowling alleys, movie theaters, etc. and see if they are willing to host your event and go from there. It does take a lot of time and effort to plan and have it, but in the end it is always a big help to any cause.

--

Currently I am waiting to have a tonsillectomy which is scheduled for this Tuesday the 25th. I've had trouble with my tonsils for years and I am hoping this will really help to combat my fatigue and stop me from getting reoccurring tonsillitis. The school year has been going very smoothly, and its been a nice transition back into school after a year of home teaching. I'm hoping once I recover from this surgery I can spend much more attention to this blog to do what I originally planned to do with it, which is to help to raise awareness and give more information on POTS.

Thank you so much to those who have been keeping up with this blog and me, and giving me such wonderful feedback. Hoping you are all doing fabulous!
xoxo

August 3.

2011-08-03T17:43:00.000-04:00

Wow, it's been quite some time since I've updated this site! I've been trying to get all I can out of my summer, and I have really been enjoying myself. I recently went for a check up with my Doctor who is a POTS and CFS specialist. He has prescribed beta blockers to help with my blood pressure, energy, and sleep. I find that these have helped me tremendously and I've been feeling great lately. I'm very excited to start my Senior Year of High School and I will also be taking a class for both college and High school credits at the local College. Because of POTS and CFS I am taking a half day schedule my senior year. I take two classes a day starting at 10:30 so I can get a little more time in the morning to get myself together. I've been able to stay so positive throughout my experience with these illnesses with all the overwhelming support of family, friends and everyone here. I thank you all so much for taking the time to read what I have to say, and even leave a comment. Even through the rough times, reading comments and knowing that hopefully I'll be able to touch at least one life with this makes it worthwhile and helping me to learn great lessons in my life.

I watched the movie Soul Surfer today with AnnaSophia Robb, and Carrie Underwood. It was based on the story of Bethany Hamilton, a surfer who lost her arm to a shark attack and went on to becoming a Pro. There was a scene between AnnaSophia and Carrie right after her character Bethany lost her arm. Carrie played the preacher at Bethany's church, Sarah. She said " I don't know why terrible things happen to people, but I have to believe something good is going to come out of it." Those words inspired me and showed me that although things happen in my life, that may not be exactly what I want, there is a plan and something good can rise up through anything.

Stay Strong
xo Kristen

June 6.

2011-06-06T21:49:00.000-04:00

This weekend, I've mostly stayed in bed lounging around the house. Days like these make me want to fight even harder against POTS and CFS because I know this is not how someones life should be. It saddens me to think that people actually don't believe in these illnesses and that the people suffering from them are "making them up." I don't know why someone would deliberately want to spend days at a time being severely fatigued, and not be able to go out and about.

I'm hoping to one day have an awareness group so that more research will be funded towards POTS and CFS so others will one day not have to worry about this. I'm 17, but I don't believe anyone at any age should have to feel lifeless. I'm trying my best to keep myself as energized and as motivated as possible to keep my two blogs up, but sometimes it is very difficult.

If anyone is interested I want to begin to have guest writers on here, Whoever wants to share their knowledge and stories. If you think that you would like to become a guest writer please leave a comment and I will get back to you. Even if you have your own blog, maybe sharing your story on mine will have someone else see it, who normally wouldn't have. So we can bring more awareness to this, because these illnesses vary in symptoms, each case doesn't always relate 100% to the next.

Hoping you all are feeling well. Stay Strong
xoxo
Kristen

Update!

2011-06-01T15:23:00.000-04:00

Hi, everyone!

I originally planned to just make this an informative website on POTS/CFS, but after getting some feedback I'm going to be blogging as well! The tabs above will have all basic information while the home page will be updates that I can find about POTS/CFS and my families journey to bring awareness to them. Keep checking back for updates, new information and fun updates coming soon!

Stay Strong!
xo Kristen

What is P.O.T.S?

2011-03-15T22:58:00.000-04:00

P.O.T.S is the abbreviation of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome.

Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome is a Autonomic disorder that causes Orthostatic Intolerance. Orthostatic Intolerance is the change in heart rate (tachycardia) from standing to sitting/lying down position. In a normal person the heart rate will increase about 2 beats per minute, while those with P.O.T.S will have an average increase of 30 bpm. It also takes blood flow away from the heart and brain, and supplies it to the lower extremities.

The Symptoms of P.O.T.S can range from mild to severe. Common symptoms include dizziness upon standing, lightheadedness, black outs, headaches, and fainting. It can even cause some people to be almost permanently bedridden. Those suffering with P.O.T.S often have extreme or chronic fatigue, un-refreshing sleep, and very low energy throughout the day.

There is no one known cause for Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome. Many believe it can be caused by viral or bacterial infections such as mononucleosis, after a traumatic event or those suffering with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and it is also seen in teens during rapid growth periods.

There is also no known cure. Most doctors or specialists prefer to treat patients according to their symptoms rather then the Disorder itself, because the symptoms and severity range so drastically. The most common treatments are any kind of medicine to increase blood pressure, a change of diet to include higher amounts of sodium, and light exercise. The main goal is to provide upper extremities with more blood flow rather then loosing blood flow to the lower extremities.

The two main ways to diagnose P.O.T.S is either with a tilt table or taking a laying down blood pressure and heart rate reading and also a standing heart rate and blood pressure reading and seeing how high the increase is from laying down to standing up.

P.O.T.S is mostly seen in teens, more so females of the menstruating age, after growth spurts or bacteria or viral infections. Usually, the symptoms seem to almost or fully go away within early adulthood.

Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome can be severely debilitating and hard to deal with. In my own experiences, I have gotten better over time, and been able to really learn about this disorder and help me to learn more about myself. I have encountered those who don't believe me or think I am "exaggerating" for whatever reasons, so I know first hand how you can feel with this. Many people do not understand the symptoms that go along with this and can deem those suffering with P.O.T.S careless and lazy. My family and I have dealt with friends, neighbors, and have even had to fight the school trying to get me help with this. It can be awful and extremely difficult but keep your head up, there are so many others who also have this, so know you are not alone in this battle. It will get better.