Where should I start? I'm nearly 27 (far too young to have this many health problems). I'm a wife and a mom to two beautiful little girls. Did I mention I have Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS for short)? It does not define me, but it's always with me.
I was born and raised on a cattle ranch. From a young age, I felt like life was a struggle. I was constantly tired and had a difficult time keeping up with children my age. I didn't mention it to my parents because it was just my normal. I thought I was just out of shape and didn't realize that not everyone felt the way I felt.
My freshman year of college, my now husband and I joined a gym. He was shocked that I could not even jog a lap without blacking out! Again, I just thought I was out of shape, but he assured me that was not the case. Let the doctoring begin! I started with my primary care physician (where we all have to start). She had me wear a 24 hour holter monitor making notes of the activities I did in a journal. I couple of days later a nurse called to tell me the results were abnormal, but she couldn't tell me anything else! I had to wait two days until the doctor could see me to discuss the results. Why do doctors do this? Anyways, the results showed severe tachycardia with minimal activity. I was referred to a cardiologist.
Three cardiologists later, I was frustrated beyond belief. They all admitted something was wrong, but couldn't really pinpoint the issue. Some blamed anxiety and one "gem" of a doctor suggested I just needed to eat more! Wow! So, I called a cardiac electrophysiologist. After a never-ending amount of tests, he diagnosed me with SVT (Supraventricular Tachycardia). We tried every beta blocker and calcium channel blocker under the sun. They all dropped my blood pressure and resting heart rate too low and made me feel terrible. He suggested a catheter ablation and in a moment of pure exasperation at my situation, I agreed. Note: Never consent to an invasive procedure without a second, third, or even fourth opinion!
The ablation was horrendous (a long story in and of itself). What was even worse than the procedure was the fact that my heart was now constantly racing (rather than just with exertion). I was devastated and asked that he refer me to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. It was there that I was finally diagnosed with POTS. I learned to manage my symptoms without medications and felt so comforted knowing my condition was life-altering but not life-threatening.
I got married, had two beautiful babies, and was feeling the best I have ever felt...until November 9, 2012. That's the day my gallbladder decided to hate me. It's a pain worse than childbirth! Living in a rural area, surgeons are limited and I had to wait until December 3rd to have surgery. Needless to say, I was hardly eating a thing and living on pain killers to get me through the painful attacks.
I woke up from surgery (which was successful with no complications) and knew something was wrong. My leg muscles were flexed tight and no matter what I tried, I could not relax them. Every time I coughed, my heart rate would sky rocket. I went home and was able to eat a little... A week later, the "episodes" started. Every time I ate (even a bite) of solid food, my body would go into shock. I would start trembling uncontrollably, my face would flush, I was dizzy, had bloodshot eyes, head pressure, tinnitus, my entire body was under attack. It felt like a combination between diabetic shock, an adrenaline surge, and an allergic reaction. I went to the Emergency Room three times with these symptoms. Every time they would run a ton of tests, give me IV fluids, and send me on my way with a "Everything looks fine." I was down to a liquid diet of broth and jello. I lost 25 pounds in one month and was terrified. After much research, I read about Mast Cell Activation Syndrome and decided to try taking some Zyrtec and Zantac (part of the recommended medication cocktail for MCAS). Within a week, I was eating again. Thank the Lord!
Which brings you up to date! I'm able to eat again. The dizziness is gone, but the head pressure, muscle weakness, tinnitus, and bloodshot eyes remain. I've been accepted to see a neurologist at Mayo Clinic and am currently waiting for an opening. I will keep you all up to date and let you listen to me vent my frustrations along the way!
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