(cross posted from the main forum...since POTS occurs mainly in women, it might have been better to post it here in the first place)
Has anyone ever had any experience with this? I was diagnosed with this yesterday after 5 months of trying to figure out what has been going on with my body.
For reference, some of what started going on is here: http://forum.slowtwitch.com/...rch_string=;#2076481 and here: http://forum.slowtwitch.com/...rch_string=;#2175212.
Further info on POTS is here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/...tachycardia_syndrome
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/...ycardia_syndrome.htm
http://home.att.net/~potsweb/POTS.html
Thankfully my case does not appear to be as severe as it could be and the dr doesn't know what set off my symptoms so quickly, as he said I have probably had it all along.
For now, the treatment plan is to increase my sodium intake to 5000-6000 mg a day! I recently realized I was probably borderline hyponeutremic as I have always had over a gallon of water a day, but starting with my allergy diet in the fall and even moreso since the start of the new year, I have been averaging way less than 1000 mg of sodium a day.
I also am supposed to wear compression socks now for biking and running. I just wish I could get some printed with "I have a heart problem" so people don't think I'm some wannabe out plodding along at a snail's pace at the park wearing $60 compression socks.
If my symptoms don't improve, there are a few drugs they can try to make my kidneys retain salt in a better way, and beta blockers. Beta blockers are apparently total hell to be on, so I'm crossing my fingers that I do not have to go down that route. (also secretly hoping 5000-6000 mg of sodium doesn't completely wreck my status in the Biggest Loser challenge at work!).
Has anyone ever been diagnosed with this? I have found barely any info at all regarding POTS in athletes. I'm also trying to figure out the whole compression sock thing. I have to wear them while bikng and running now. I wear the injinji socks on my long runs and don't want to have to give those up. I did find that injinji actually has tall compression-like socks now, but I don't know how much compression they offer (they are in the mail now). I am also trying to figure out what to do about racing. I've read some of the other posts regarding the sleeves, but for medical purposes, you really need the compression down into your feet, not stopping at your anlkes. I did find some toeless medical compression socks I will try out as well, hoping I may be able to swim in those.
Lastly, does anyone know of any salt tablets that have more sodium that S! caps? That is the highest I have found so far and at that I would have to take 15 caps a day! I have been eating healthier than ever and seems like I have to change my diet for the worse to get more sodium. I do not want to increase the calories I have to eat in order to take in more sodium because at the same time I'm trying to maintain my weight/lose ~3-4 lbs for race season. I'm afraid the 5000-6000mg is going to make me the michelin tire man instead.
_________________________________________
Kathleen
http://kcwoodhead.blogspot.com/
Has anyone ever had any experience with this? I was diagnosed with this yesterday after 5 months of trying to figure out what has been going on with my body.
For reference, some of what started going on is here: http://forum.slowtwitch.com/...rch_string=;#2076481 and here: http://forum.slowtwitch.com/...rch_string=;#2175212.
Further info on POTS is here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/...tachycardia_syndrome
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/...ycardia_syndrome.htm
http://home.att.net/~potsweb/POTS.html
Thankfully my case does not appear to be as severe as it could be and the dr doesn't know what set off my symptoms so quickly, as he said I have probably had it all along.
For now, the treatment plan is to increase my sodium intake to 5000-6000 mg a day! I recently realized I was probably borderline hyponeutremic as I have always had over a gallon of water a day, but starting with my allergy diet in the fall and even moreso since the start of the new year, I have been averaging way less than 1000 mg of sodium a day.
I also am supposed to wear compression socks now for biking and running. I just wish I could get some printed with "I have a heart problem" so people don't think I'm some wannabe out plodding along at a snail's pace at the park wearing $60 compression socks.
If my symptoms don't improve, there are a few drugs they can try to make my kidneys retain salt in a better way, and beta blockers. Beta blockers are apparently total hell to be on, so I'm crossing my fingers that I do not have to go down that route. (also secretly hoping 5000-6000 mg of sodium doesn't completely wreck my status in the Biggest Loser challenge at work!).
Has anyone ever been diagnosed with this? I have found barely any info at all regarding POTS in athletes. I'm also trying to figure out the whole compression sock thing. I have to wear them while bikng and running now. I wear the injinji socks on my long runs and don't want to have to give those up. I did find that injinji actually has tall compression-like socks now, but I don't know how much compression they offer (they are in the mail now). I am also trying to figure out what to do about racing. I've read some of the other posts regarding the sleeves, but for medical purposes, you really need the compression down into your feet, not stopping at your anlkes. I did find some toeless medical compression socks I will try out as well, hoping I may be able to swim in those.
Lastly, does anyone know of any salt tablets that have more sodium that S! caps? That is the highest I have found so far and at that I would have to take 15 caps a day! I have been eating healthier than ever and seems like I have to change my diet for the worse to get more sodium. I do not want to increase the calories I have to eat in order to take in more sodium because at the same time I'm trying to maintain my weight/lose ~3-4 lbs for race season. I'm afraid the 5000-6000mg is going to make me the michelin tire man instead.
_________________________________________
Kathleen
http://kcwoodhead.blogspot.com/