Liv’s Story

POTS

Growing up I was very athletic doing swimming & diving up into high school. in October of my junior year of high school (2021) l ended up in the mental hospital. After I left the hospital I started experiencing a high heart rate upon standing, lightheadedness, low blood pressure, extreme heat intolerance, exercise intolerance, pre syncope, fatigue, brain fog, and digestive issues. I was tired all the time. I slept 15 hours every night and took 3 hour naps during the day, still being extremely exhausted. In August of 2022, I ended up in the ER due to my symptoms for the first time. I was told i had “anxiety”. My symptoms were very manageable and stable for about a year. In the summer of 2023 I had a seizure and fainted for the first time. And after that I ended up back in the mental hospital. I was fainting nearly everyday. I was in chronic pain. I was tired. I was weak, most days not being able to dress myself. For another year, I made many hospital visits and left with no answers. I remember going on vacation with family in August of 2024 and had to stay in the hotel room bc I couldn't walk anymore. when I got back from tha vacation I found the neurologic wellness institute in Chicago where I went for 6 months. I did vestibular and neurological rehab. On the very first day, I was diagnosed with POTS. after I left I saw differences. I was less tired, had better balance, no more fainting, increase in time reaction, less dizziness; no more headaches, and i could even walk one mile without stopping. A year later I ended up on the mental hospital again. My health declined and I was in the ER for days a time and lost my full ability to walk leaving me using a walker, cane, and wheelchair. everyday my illness looks different. some days I can't go upstairs and some days I can walk one mile in 25 minutes. chronic illness does not discriminate, never take your health for granted. #curePOTS