The POTScast

Dr. Dempsey shares her experience in both diagnosing and treating people with MCAS. She always looks for POTS and orthostatic symptoms during diagnosis, as these are often comorbid disorders. Antihistamines and other major medications commonly used to treat MCAS are also discussed. You can read the transcript for this episode here:  https://tinyurl.com/potscast122 Please click the "subscribe" butt...

Despite POTS, Shelby is a vivacious mom of two small children who is still on her POTS journey. IV fluids help, as does compression and staying hydrated. Listen to this wonderful interview! 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...

Jill Brook explores 10 tips to prevent the onset of autoimmune disease or decrease its symptoms through changes in your diet. These practical suggestions can be tried easily at home to see if a certain food type triggers your symptoms. A must listen! You can read the transcript for this episode here:  https://tinyurl.com/potscast120 Please click the "subscribe" button so that you don't miss an epi...

Many with severe POTS consider getting a service dog. What's involved? How is the dog trained? What benefits does a service dog provide? Answers to these questions and more in this episode! You can read the transcript for this episode here:  https://tinyurl.com/potscast119 Please click the "subscribe" button so that you don't miss an episode of The POTScast. Subscribing also helps us reach other p...

Paula's youngest child developed POTS as a young teen, and shares the impact that the illness has had on LJ and the entire family. A truly honest and inspirational interview! 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 cos...

What event triggered your POTS? Infection? Concussion? Pregnancy? Learn about these and more in this episode. The more scientists understand this physiology, hopefully the faster we will get effective treatments. You can read the transcript for this episode here:  https://tinyurl.com/potscast117 Please click the "subscribe" button so that you don't miss an episode of The POTScast. Subscribing also...

Alexis modified her own experience with dysautonomia in her book for middle schoolers, "Compass Points the Way." She articulates in this book what most adolescents can't - what it feels like to have POTS during a difficult developmental period. A must read for families wanting to better understand the struggles of growing up with POTS. You can read the transcript for this episode here:  https://ti...

Dr. Dempsey is helping us to launch a new series within the POTScast focusing on all things mast cells. These cells are an important part of the immune system and are found throughout the body. Learn more about what happens with these cells malfunction! You can read the transcript for this episode here:  https://tinyurl.com/potscast115 Please click the "subscribe" button so that you don't miss an...

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...