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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Need help with symptoms - pots?

33 replies

Hrg1 · 05/02/2026 08:01

I’m really in a state at the moment where I’ve been feeling unwell for a while and I’m confused.

i had a viral illness start of December which I experienced heart palpitations, breathlessness, fatigue and low energy. Since then, I’ve got constant heart palpitations, fatigue, low energy, a constant lightheadedness woozy feeling but I never wobble or lose my balance or faint. I also have very pale skin, lots of hair loss and achy muscles which twitch.

i went to the doctors after having a vertigo attack in bed when I had a full on congested cold and explained everything and he’s convinced I have pots. I mentioned my ferritin and said could all this be because I’m low and he shrugged it off. But all my symptoms point to low iron? My ferritin has ranged between 27ug/l and 48ug/l the last couple of years but I was on desogestrel and had no periods and now I’m off this and having periods again.

im also cold all the time especially hands and feet and have been waking up nauseous. I do have anxiety too.

im just really scared if it is pots or if I’m getting really scared for nothing if it’s just low iron and can be treated?

I’ve been anaemic before after having my daughter 7 years ago .

any help please x

OP posts:
didntlikethis · 05/02/2026 08:19

Also, cold hands and feet and anxiety are both symptoms of Long COVID. Read Groysman's books on endothelial symptoms and also the mitochondria one. They're about £7.50 each for the Kindle editions. I've only just discovered them.
Find out if there's a Long Covid clinic or specialist in your area and be prepared to advocate strongly for yourself.

didntlikethis · 05/02/2026 08:13

Could the virus have been Covid? If so, it sounds like you could have Long Covid - POTS is often part of that.

It is possible to recover from it but not straightforward.

Things to do if this seems to be the case.

See your GP. But most GPs aren't very well informed about Long Covid, so go prepared.

Download the instructions for the NASA Lean test from the Bateman Horne website and get someone to help you with it.

Drink at least 2L fluids and electrolytes a day, start as soon as you wake.

Take a look at Dr Boon Lim's website and get a referral to a cardiologist who's familiar with Long COVID or go privately if you can/have insurance.

Work out if you have other symptoms and start reading the series of books by Dr Robert Groysman, start with the dysautonomia one.

Don't do vigorous exercise as that will make you worse, floor based gentle yoga is good - Groysman goes into it all.

If it is likely Long Covid, consider the Suzy Bolt RRR programme.

(I have Long Covid, this is what I wished I had known early on when doctors were gaslighting me).

InLoveWithAI · 05/02/2026 08:12

I understand your worry, but disbelieving your Dr and coming onto a forum full of people who aren't Drs to ask them to rediagnose you, is wild.

Believe your Dr or get a second opinion from a Dr.

forcedgeneric · 05/02/2026 08:09

Definitely get your iron sorted before jumping to POTS. I'd also say that even if it is something similar to POTS it is very early following a viral illness - it may be something that resolved if you take care of yourself and your iron levels.

Push for iron supplements, and take them with vitamin c.

CleanSkin · 05/02/2026 08:09

Anaemia can make you very poorly indeed. It’s not just a lack of iron; it’s effectively the restriction of oxygen around the whole body.

sunshine244 · 05/02/2026 08:08

Are you taking iron supplements? I was feeling cold, losing hair, really tired etc before supplements. Feel great now.

Hrg1 · 05/02/2026 08:06

Rosieposy89 · 05/02/2026 08:02

Sounds like anaemia

Do you think so? I’m in such a state of fear :( I really hope it is. Can it make you feel this poorly though?!

OP posts:
Rosieposy89 · 05/02/2026 08:02

Sounds like anaemia