The POTScast

Rachel owned a fancy bakery when she developed COVID and then POTS. In her mid 20s, her life was forever changed and her illness has forced her to apply for disability. Finding joy in the little things is a new challenge. You can read the transcript for this episode here:  https://tinyurl.com/potscast114 Please click the "subscribe" button so that you don't miss an episode of The POTScast. Subscri...

While Dr. Gallagher was professionally involved in POTS research, her daughter was diagnosed with POTS. Her background couldn't prepare her for the reality of living with POTS and frustration of not having the answers. Please click the "subscribe" button so that you don't miss an episode of The POTScast. Subscribing also helps us reach other people just like you! If you liked this episode, we hope...

Please help us to better understand POTS! Dr. Pederson and Standing Up to POTS are launching a new online survey that takes 15-20 minutes to complete. We are seeking adults with a POTS diagnosis for this IRB approved survey. Please answer every question, and don't overthink it! We appreciate your time and effort to help us better understand the triggers, symptom load, and quality of life for peopl...

Our last episode in this study of the vagus nerve and limbic system, Dr. Hindman offers many options to try to retrain your limbic system to only allow emotional upset when you are truly in danger. For many with hyperadrenergic POTS, this is valuable information! Please visit Dr. Hindman's website for more information: https://healingdragon.net/wordpress/index.php/news-and-information/ You can rea...

Meet Allison, a long-time POTSie who gives back to the community through nursing. After a concussion, she changed specialties which is a better fit for her symptoms. Using MyChart to communicate with practitioners is a great tip! Thanks, Allison! You can read the transcript for this episode here:  https://tinyurl.com/potscast111 Please click the "subscribe" button so that you don't miss an episode...

This episode is full of free, must try tips to increase parasympathetic tone that will offset the highly active sympathetic tone found in many POTS patients. Laughing, cool compress on the back of your neck, eye exercises, and much more. A must listen! Please visit Dr. Hindman's website for more information: https://healingdragon.net/wordpress/index.php/news-and-information/ You can read the trans...

Have you wondered why symptoms seem to loop over time? Why you are stuck in hypervigilance when you are safe? If so, this is the episode for you. Learn the science of the cell danger response, vagus nerve, and the limbic system in POTS flares. Please visit Dr. Hindman's website for more information: https://healingdragon.net/wordpress/index.php/news-and-information/ You can read the transcript for...

Mel's life changed after a concussion that led to more serious POTS symptoms. A nurse, she was struggling with symptoms when she confided in a friend who had POTS. Could it be that Mel had it too? You can read the transcript for this episode here:  https://tinyurl.com/potscast108 Please click the "subscribe" button so that you don't miss an episode of The POTScast. Subscribing also helps us reach...

Many in the POTS and MCAS communities react to medications. Perhaps using a compounding pharmacy that can replace inactive ingredients with alternatives that are less likely to cause a reaction is a good option! You can read the transcript for this episode here:  https://tinyurl.com/potscast107 Please click the "subscribe" button so that you don't miss an episode of The POTScast. Subscribing also...

Dr. Boris and Dr. Moak, true POTS experts, take us through their new review article Pediatric POTS: Where We Stand and discuss developmental issues for children and teens, treatment options including ivabradine, IV saline, abdominal binders and much more as they try to get kids back to school and their lives. Join us for this informative interview! Article discussed: https://www.researchgate.net/p...

Karen has had POTS symptoms for as long as she can remember, and started passing out at age 15. Unfortunately, it took many doctors and 17 years to get diagnosed. She shares her experience with POTS and pregnancy, how her bedside manner has changed, and much more. Join us for this conversation! You can read the transcript for this episode here:  https://tinyurl.com/potscast105 Please click the "su...

Dr. Leonard Jason, world renowned father of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) research, shares his very personal story with this illness along with what he has learned in his 30+ years of ME/CFS research. The energy envelope, yo-yo effect, prospective studies looking for biological markers of vulnerability, long COVID and so much more is discussed. Many in the POTS commun...

The holidays can be stressful, especially when living with an unpredictable illness like POTS. Learn how to ask for what you need and make compromises as you form new holiday traditions! You can dread the transcript for this episode here:  https://tinyurl.com/potscast103 Please click the "subscribe" button so that you don't miss an episode of The POTScast. Subscribing also helps us reach other peo...

Lacy is a high school student who struggles to remember a time she wasn't sick. Gastroparesis is a big issue for her and she often uses a cane for stability. She's quite upbeat, though, and ready for whatever life throws her next. You can read the transcript for this episode here:  https://tinyurl.com/potscast102 Please click the "subscribe" button so that you don't miss an episode of The POTScast...

Dr. Smith is a retired interventional radiologist who made a discovery in his career treating women with pelvic congestion syndrome (PCS):  His patients with comorbid POTS often said the PCS treatment helped their POTS. This led Dr. Smith and his colleagues to hypothesize and research some connections between PCS and POTS, which may lead to new treatments for this subset of POTS patients.  If you...

You can read the transcript for this poem here:  https://tinyurl.com/potscastholiday22

Dr. Raj is a world renowned POTS physician and researcher who spoke with us about three big POTS research topics: blood volume, autoimmunity, and the norepinephrine transporter. Having done much of this research himself, he paints a beautiful picture of where POTS research has been and where it is going. You can read the transcript for this episode here:  https://tinyurl.com/potscast100 Please cli...

Zoe was diagnosed with POTS in 8th grade when she started having dizzy spells and shortness of breath. She has adjusted well, and loves to fly 30 feet above the ground doing ribbon aerial work. Great episode! You can read the transcript for this episode here:  https://tinyurl.com/potscast99 Please click the "subscribe" button so that you don't miss an episode of The POTScast. Subscribing also help...

What is really causing POTS? Is it a problem in the heart? The brain? The gut? Dr. Lasko believes that lower parts of the brain may not be functioning properly in many with POTS, and that correcting this issue early in life, when possible, could help children avoid developing significant symptoms. You can read the transcript for this episode here:  https://tinyurl.com/potscast98 Please click the "...

Like many POTSies, Mackenzie was a teenager leading an active life when she became ill. It took her 2.5 years and a number of ludicrous diagnoses to finally arrive at POTS. At 20, she is now adjusting to life with chronic illness and surrounding herself with people who support her unconditionally. You can read the transcript for this episode here:  https://tinyurl.com/potscast97 Please click the "...

Jackie developed POTS and other chronic illnesses after surgery on her foot. She delves deeply into her interests, including ways to manage her symptoms. Her optimism is inspiring as she share things that have helped her along the way. Join us for this delightful and inspiring episode! You can read the transcript for this episode here:  https://tinyurl.com/potscast96 Please click the "subscribe" b...

Many POTSies take multiple medications. Join us for a discussion of beta blockers, midodrine, ivabridine, and fludrocortisone - how they work and possible side effects. Please click the "subscribe" button so that you don't miss an episode of The POTScast. Subscribing also helps us reach other people just like you! If you liked this episode, we hope you will help to support our production costs by...

Dr. Pederson just published a new study looking at assessing depression in people with chronic invisible illness.  The results are both depressing and enlightening. We need our healthcare practitioners and researchers to understand the contamination from many of these scales with somatic (bodily) symptoms that overinflates depression scores for many in our communty. The paper discussed in the epis...

Members of the POTS community gathered in Springfield, Ohio on October 22, 2022 for the 9th Annual Standing Up To POTS 5K/2K, presented by Normalyte and Thrivent. The weather was gorgeous, the POTS community was out in force, and lots of connections were made. We raised more than $36,000 associated with this event that will go toward the Standing Up to POTS Research Fund.  Please click the "subscr...

What does polio have to do with myalgic encephalomyetlitis (ME) and POTS? You'll have to listen to this episode with Dr. Hyde, a top ME expert who has treated ME patients since the 1980s. He also discusses SPECT scans and how they can help to get disability payments for some patients. Nightingale Foundation: https://nightingale.ca/ Book Downloads: https://nightingalepress.ca/collections/all You ca...