The POTScast

Several in her family have had mysterious symptoms for years, but Courtney was the first to be diagnosed with POTS. She uses Chat GPT to help her write letters to practitioners and organize her medical records. You can read the transcript for this episode here:  https://tinyurl.com/potscast163 If you liked this episode, we hope you will click subscribe so that you don't miss an episode. If you are...

In some cases, chronically ill people are mislabeled as having an eating disorder when gastroparesis or MCAS is causing their symptoms. In other cases, eating disorders can develop secondary to dietary restrictions to avoid flares, including restrictive diets. This is an interesting interview that discusses both scenarios and how to know when you might need help. Krista's website: www.healingroots...

Heart rate variability can be a good indicator of general health. A higher heart rate variability is preferable and shows a parasympathetic state. Learn how to control heart rate variability using biofeedback to perhaps decrease symptoms. Their website: https://getlief.com You can read the transcript for this episode here:  https://tinyurl.com/potscast161 If you liked this episode, we hope you wil...

Jolie was quickly diagnosed after a fainting episode, largely due to the fact that her mom is a physician. While her life has changed, she looks for joy in the small things - walking her dog, making ramen, and doing isometric exercise. If you liked this episode, we hope you will click subscribe so that you don't miss an episode. If you are so moved, donations are accepted to help to support our pr...

Treating MCAS, POTS, and Long COVID can be difficult, and physicians must attack from various angles to get patients feeling better. Dr. Maxwell walks us through his thinking and how MCAS is linked to POTS and Long COVID. This episode is a must-listen for patients and practitioners alike. You can read the transcript for this episode here:  http://tinyurl.com/potscast159 If you liked this episode,...

Mikayla was quite the athlete before POTS, and still enjoys running when she can. She was diagnosed with POTS within a month of symptom onset, and is grateful for good healthcare during this journey. You can read the transcript for this episode here:  https://tinyurl.com/potscast158 If you liked this episode, we hope you will click subscribe so that you don't miss an episode. If you are so moved,...

Jessica suffered from a brain tumor at birth which caused seizures. It took several years to find a surgeon to remove the tumor. In her teen years, she slowly started to develop POTS symptoms. Despite her physical struggles, she loves to skateboard and hang out with friends. You can read the transcript for this episode here:  https://tinyurl.com/potscast157 If you liked this episode, we hope you w...

Katie was diagnosed with POTS last year after being diagnosed with EDS in 2014. She tries to stay cheerful, even when not feeling well, to be a good example for her children. She loves painting and cutting hair in her small Wyoming town. You can read the transcript for this episode here:  https://tinyurl.com/potscast156 If you liked this episode, we hope you will click subscribe so that you don't...

Alison's daughter was in college and a competitive horse jumper when she developed POTS. It was manageable at first, but worsened substantially after the COVID vaccine. After a variety of medications and other traditional approaches, functional medicine really helped her daughter take back her life. **Note:  After release of this episode, Dr. Lovich contacted us to say that the interviewed guest h...

Thomas loves jiu jitsu, skateboarding, and surfing. He developed POTS in college, and really struggled with stamina. Slowly, he has worked both physically and mentally to get himself back in the game. Find out how in this episode! You can read the transcript for this episode here:  https://tinyurl.com/potscast154 If you liked this episode, we hope you will click subscribe so that you don't miss an...

Michael developed Long COVID at the beginning of the pandemic in 2020. He is fortunate to be back to 75% capacity, but recognizes the changes in his lifestyle and broader life as a result of his chronic illness. Listen to his journey through Long COVID physically, mentally, and emotionally in this episode. You can read the transcript for this episode here: https://tinyurl.com/potscast153 If you li...

Autumnizhurr has been disabled since college, due to POTS and Wolff Parkinson White Syndrome. She has had several heart ablations to minimize her symptoms, although they caused other problems. She is a content creator, and loves gaming because in that world she is not different from others. You can read the transcript for this episode here:  https://tinyurl.com/potscast152 Please click the "subscr...

Rebecca was living the dream when POTS hit - just out of college, living in a flat with friends, working as a nurse in the hospital - and forced her to move back home. Slowly, she improved after being properly diagnosed, and now has returned to nursing in a outpatient setting that requires less stamina than the hospital floor. You can read the transcript for this episode here:  https://tinyurl.com...

This episode features a mother and daughter describing how POTS has impacted their daily life. Lyla has had medical issues for most of her life, but a bug bite seemed to really have exacerbated her symptoms. Lyla and her family work to push through the pain to live their best lives. You can read the transcript for this episode here:  https://tinyurl.com/potscast150 If you liked this episode, we ho...

The pandemic has provided a unique opportunity to study new onset POTS cases with a known trigger - COVID. The symptom similarities are striking between those with POTS and Long COVID in this Australian research study. A great listen! You can read the transcript for this episode here:  https://tinyurl.com/potscast146 You can their Long COVID paper here: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PM...

Jill and Dr. Cathy Pederson discuss what to do after you have exhausted practitioner recommendations. There are lots of ideas provided, as well as tips on how to evaluate each potential new treatment. Great episode for those of us holding onto hope of symptom improvement. You can read the transcript for this episode here:  https://tinyurl.com/potscast149 If you liked this episode, we hope you will...

Nicole's career as a news reporter in Anchorage, AK and Raleigh, NC was cut short when she developed POTS. While her symptoms have improved since that time, she is still not able to be upright enough to return to that career. Despite that, she pitched a story on POTS to the Today Show and was aired the following week. Thanks, Nicole, for helping to raise awareness about POTS! Today Show POTS story...

After issues with her own MCAS, Dr. Shanda Dorff started to investigate the impact of MCAS on people with a variety of gynecological issues like pelvic pain, heavy bleeding, etc. and during pregnancy. She has written a journal that allows patients to track the symptoms that doctors need to diagnose. Thanks, Dr. Dorff, for sharing with us! You can read the transcript for this episode here:  https:/...

In retrospect, Leigh's daughter had symptoms since age 4, but her daughter's POTS wasn't diagnosed until she was a teenager. Leigh describes the struggle of the parent - worry, grief, questioning decisions, the helplessness that comes with navigating your child's chronic illness. It's a great episode! You can read the transcript for this episode here:  https://tinyurl.com/potscast145 Please click...

Dr. Linda Nguyen is a gastroenterologist who sees patients with POTS, EDS, and ME/CFS. She explains gut motility issues, nausea, and how to best prepare for an appointment. Down to earth, practical explanations about complex GI problems. You can read the transcript for this episode here:  https://tinyurl.com/potscast144 If you liked this episode, we hope you will click subscribe so that you don't...

Victoria is a busy college student who commutes to school on the train daily. She is a competitive cyclist, likes to run, and hopes to contribute to the POTS community by helping to develop or engineer pharmaceuticals. You can read the transcript for this episode here:  https://tinyurl.com/potscast143 Please click the "subscribe" button so that you don't miss an episode of The POTScast. Subscribin...

Drs. Ruhoy and Kaufman specialize in people that suffer from several chronic invisible illnesses. Thinking about them as a cluster and then breaking diagnosis and treatment down into pieces can help all physicians treat POTS, ME/CFS, and MCAS. They also regularly look for anatomical problems in their patients, which medication alone cannot fix. Link to their podcast:  https://www.patreon.com/posts...

Stephen's wife Becca developed POTS two years ago, and he shares the caregiver's perspective about POTS. As a young couple with a toddler, taking care of himself so that he can take care of his family is important. We are thrilled that he was willing to share his story and his perspective with us! You can read the transcript for this episode here:  https://tinyurl.com/potscast141 Please click the...

Communication is important in any relationship, but is key when one partner is chronically ill. Understanding how each partner receives love is another important step in maximizing the impact for your partner while still conserving your energy. There are many practical tips for maintaining your relationship in this episode!  Want to learn your love language? Check out https://5lovelanguages.com/ Y...

Becca has a fascinating and most unusual story about her POTS trigger - food poisoning from 1000 year eggs while on a mission trip in Hong Kong. She is currently pregnant, and feeling extra POTSie as a result. Regardless, she is optimistic and shares her story to help others. You can read the transcript for this episode here:  https://tinyurl.com/potscast139 Please click the "subscribe" button so...