I got POTS shortly after contracting mono (Epstein-Barr). It took two years to diagnose until it was finally confirmed with a tilt table test. I tried various medications to control the symptoms, but they only helped modestly.
Finally, I saw a neurologist at a Boston teaching hospital who specializes specifically on POTS. He completely changed my life. He started me on a cardio exercise routine with the theory that as my cardio conditioning improves and my resting heart rate declines, I would be able to better tolerate the heart rate spikes when I stand up.
I won't lie - starting an exercise routine at a time when simply walking was exhausting was not easy. It took about six months to wean myself off medications and about 24 months before I started feeling normal again. I don't have any POTS symptoms anymore.
My resting heart rate now is in the 40's and I run about 20 miles per week to keep in shape. Different people respond differently to various exercise routines, but for me intense interval training was most effective.
If you have POTS, talk to your doctor about starting an exercise routine. It may change your life.
armandzadza18 karma
I want to share my story as a PSA.
I got POTS shortly after contracting mono (Epstein-Barr). It took two years to diagnose until it was finally confirmed with a tilt table test. I tried various medications to control the symptoms, but they only helped modestly.
Finally, I saw a neurologist at a Boston teaching hospital who specializes specifically on POTS. He completely changed my life. He started me on a cardio exercise routine with the theory that as my cardio conditioning improves and my resting heart rate declines, I would be able to better tolerate the heart rate spikes when I stand up.
I won't lie - starting an exercise routine at a time when simply walking was exhausting was not easy. It took about six months to wean myself off medications and about 24 months before I started feeling normal again. I don't have any POTS symptoms anymore.
My resting heart rate now is in the 40's and I run about 20 miles per week to keep in shape. Different people respond differently to various exercise routines, but for me intense interval training was most effective.
If you have POTS, talk to your doctor about starting an exercise routine. It may change your life.
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