[Oriyan]

I finally saw a doctor yesterday regarding all my health concerns.

So, I was diagnosed with PoTS - Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome. In other words, my body is intolerant to being upright . A big part of this is because I have very low blood pressure. It makes me dizzy and gives me massive headaches. So the solution for this right now is to increase my salt and potassium intake. If this does not work, he wants me to see a neurologist for neurological testing and an MRI. He said he does not believe I have anything serious like a tumor, but if we can not fix it, he wants an MRI to rule out a Chiari Malformation.

The doctor also feels I have fibromyalgia. He wants me to see a rheumotologist for confirmation. He said it would make sense why they can't properly diagnose me with lupus. He said to be told it is most likely that I have lupus, is not good enough for him. Either I have it or I don't. So he wants a proper diagnosis. I agree. I am tired of being told to "act" as if I have it if i don't. I need an answer. Either I have it or I don't. (and yes people with lupus can have fibromyalgia so I could have both!)

Unfortunately, I do still have my heart murmur that developed during pregnancy. An EKG revealed nothing abnormal, however, he wants me to get back to the cardiologist for another echo sonogram to check on the mitral valve prolapse and tricuspid valve regurgitation that was found during pregnancy. He thinks that can also be making the PoTS worse. He said I should be careful when exerting myself and if I get pregnant again, I should be monitored by a cardiologist as my pregnancy gets more advanced.

I had some bloodwork done to rule out any issues (i bet my white blood cell count is up -- I am sick today!) and to check for random things. Other then that, I am in GREAT health


That is all for now :-)

(and yes, J.J is 100% better. He is just sleeping a lot at night and during the day from the mono)

[alicenwonderland]

kup. I'm a cardiology junky. Hoping your valves are ok. Pots is an interesting diagnosis. I wonder if they can put you on a low dose pressor to raise your BP.

[JediRach]

Sounds like they at least have a plan to help you figure out and manage everything.

[soImarriedAnerd]

I was thinking a pressor also should help. KUP on the other stuff!

[~*sierra*~]

hope the increased salt and potassium helps! glad you got some answers and are with a doc who cares enough to want firm diagnoses!

[Kiwi]

Glad to hear you have some answers!

[LisanAndy]

Glad you have some answers, that's great!

[Mars]

WOW!! That's a lot of stuff but it's good that you're getting answers so you know what to do.

Glad J.J is doing much better.

[Oriyan]

There was a reason he didn't want me on the pressors now, but I don't remember why.

[Mod-LadyCoconut]

Interesting! I hope you have good health insurance for you and JJ with all the craziness you bot have going on. There's a 'group' here on JM for fibromyalgia if you wanted to join that. I hope you get to feeling better soon, and I'm glad JJ is on the up & up!