PoTS - what can I do to feel better?

[DrGoogleMD]

So I've been feeling shite for a while, racing heart, dizzy, tired, nauseous, brain fog etc. I went to the GP earlier this week and she thinks it might be PoTS and everything fits. She made me lie down then stand and took my blood and pressure heart intermittently. She has referred me on but in the meantime what the fuck can I do to feel human? The hot weather isn't helping at all. I'm drinking loads, eating small meals more often than I normally would but I still feel like shit. Yesterday it was cooler here and I felt 10x better but today it is back to hot and I'm back to feeling like arse. Is there a magic something, anything I can do feel halfway human? I'm not used to lying around but it is all I am able for on days like today, any help would be gladly appreciated.

Hi I have Sinus tachycardia but my long covid clinic think I may actually have POTS.
I am finding the hot weather is making me feel a lot worse. I have to make sure i drink more water than I usually do.

Check out pots Uk website there are also some fb groups which can be helpful
Drink electrolytes
Pace yourself
Hot weather will make it worse so fans, cooling towels etc.
you can get a sunflower lanyard with a pots card on it if you think it might help you
Lie down if feeling rough
Do strengthening exercises lying down so don't get reconditioned eg use resistance band or lighter dumbbells
Drink a lot of water and if no contraindication eat salty things

I’m not diagnosed but I think that’s because they put me on Fludrocortisone before I did the tilt table. I had lots of the classic symptoms. The fludro has helped enormously. Up your salt if no high blood pressure concerns.

My sister has been diagnosed for about 18 years. She manages hers with diet and exercise mainly and very carefully managing her energy levels. Sometimes needs beta blockers. She works 12 hour day and night shifts for the police. The 4 on, 4 off helps.

She puts salt on everything.

Increase salt and fluids. In this weather you could try electrolytes.

Eat small meals frequently.

Compression wear - waist-high tights/leggings. Grade II can be prescribed.

Before standing or moving tense/pump your calf muscles for 30 seconds.

Lie down if you need to -- you can't push through syncope.

Avoid deconditioning - exercise supine or seated. There are loads of YouTube videos or try a pair of 'under-desk' pedals. Dysautonomia International also have some good exercises on their website you can do from bed if necessary.

Check out PoTS UK.

As others have said increase electrolyte intake as too much water has a negative impact in the hot weather - I drink double strength diahoralite.

Have you had your kidney function checked ? I had suspected POTS but it turned out it was actually CKD

Thanks so much for all the replies. I think my diet is usually pretty low in salt so that's something I can work on. I will check out some exercises too. Usually my exercise is walking the dogs but this weather has been proving too much for me and them. I've had some symptoms for a long time but it's really been ramping up in this hot weather so I'm hopeful that it will go back to normal(for me) when the hot weather ends, that is far more manageable.

If you're not already a fidgeter, definitely try to become one. And yes to the calf flexing.