Hi friends!!! For those of you who don’t know this month (October) is Dysautonomia Awareness month and I was just recently diagnosed with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). POTS is a pretty rare and unheard of condition that affects blood circulation and the sympathetic nervous system and can be extremely debilitating without proper treatment. Although POTS is not life-threatening, it has proven to be extremely life-altering. It kind of acts as an invisible illness.

On August 10, 2019, I woke up with extreme nausea and vomiting. This continued daily for the following five weeks. Severe dehydration, unintentional weight loss, fatigue, fainting, irregular heartbeat, and dizziness led to countless doctors' appointments and multiple nights in the hospital. I first met with a general practice doctor, who referred me to a gastrointestinal doctor, who referred me to a neurologist, who referred me to an infectious disease specialist and finally to a cardiologist, who diagnosed me with POTS. During these five weeks, I have had at least 50 vials of blood taken, an upper GI endoscopy, a cat scan, and a head CT. Every doctor told me I was fine and that I probably just had anxiety. After numerous IV’s and many failed medications, I was thankful to finally receive a diagnosis on September 10th.

So what does life with POTS look like? Basically, every move you make throughout the day feels like a full-blown workout. Simple things like standing up too fast become a battle of trying not to faint. I can’t stand up for more than five minutes without feeling horrible. The type of POTS I have (neuropathic) means nerve disease. My cardiovascular system has to work overtime just to maintain blood flow to my brain. When I stand up, my blood and fluids are drained to my legs. (Compression stockings have become my best friend!) I’m kept up at night with heart palpitations, night sweats and extreme fatigue. Having previously been an athlete in high school, I now cannot walk to the bathroom without my heart rate rising to 170 beats per minute. My daily 10,000 steps have turned into 100 at most, on a good day. I’ve been physically active and fit my entire life, so this has been quite an adjustment. That being said, I am thankful for finally receiving a diagnosis and for a semester home to readjust to life with POTS.

I ended up having to take a medical leave from Texan A&M this semester. Although this is not what I had in mind, The Lord has blessed me with so much sweet family time and he’s made me aware of how lucky I am to be surrounded by people who love me and my family and for that I am extremely thankful!!!

The good news is we have found a clinic in Colleyville that specifically works with POTS patients and after talking with the doctor and founder of the program it sounds like a perfect fit for me. At POTS Care, the medical team determines what triggered POTS in their patients, which is a unique story to every individual. They will review every medical test I have taken in recent years and utilize comprehensive algorithms to create a personal treatment plan for me. I will spend 3 days at their facility and then continue to be closely monitored and assisted for the following 2 months remotely. I believe with this medical approach, I will be able to return to a normal life and back to school in January (GIG ‘EM).

The cost of the POTS Care treatment is $8,800 and they do not accept insurance. My goal is to earn the cost of the clinic through selling awareness shirts, which I designed. The shirts are turquoise because that is the color associated with Dysautonomia awareness month, which happens to be the month of October. All money raised will go directly towards the costs of the clinic and any medical bills from the past two months.

I am praising the Lord for this opportunity and I am a firm believer in the Lord’s ability to provide! Above all, the greatest thing you can do to help is spend some time in prayer. Thank you to all of those who have already reached out and prayed! I am hopeful for these next few months and appreciate you even reading this far down!!!

teamturquoise #Dysautonomiaawarenessmonth #BTHOpots