POTS help!

[kristinalynn97, BSN, RN]

Hello everyone! I currently am a CVICU nurse. I recently was out of work for a few months due to dizziness, shakiness, fatigue, etc. and finally was diagnosed with POTS. Unfortunately, this has taken a toll on my body. I was started on medications which are overall working, but not enough to be able to fully do my job. I was just wondering if any other nurses have POTS and how you have dealt with this? I drink tons of water, eat salt, drink electrolytes constantly, wear compression hose, and take midodrine 3x a day. These just don't seem to be helping with my horrid brain fog, so it looks like I might have to go away from bedside nursing until I can get all of this figured out. I have only been a nurse for a year so many non-bedside positions I can't qualify for. Any advice is greatly appreciated!

[rtrnurse1415]

Hi! I have been battling the same symptoms recently. The dizzy spells, fatigue, and I have tachycardia as well. Scheduled for a tilt table test to diagnose for POTS or some other reason for this. I got a note from my doctor to only work day shift. I tried midodrine but had bad side effects. Now taking 2 other heart meds. The switching back and forth is horrible for these symptoms. 12 hour shifts are hard...really hard. I am hoping I can find a solution. I love working in the NICU! I have only been a nurse for 9 months. 

[kristinalynn97, BSN, RN]

12 hours ago, rtrnurse1415 said:

Hi! I have been battling the same symptoms recently. The dizzy spells, fatigue, and I have tachycardia as well. Scheduled for a tilt table test to diagnose for POTS or some other reason for this. I got a note from my doctor to only work day shift. I tried midodrine but had bad side effects. Now taking 2 other heart meds. The switching back and forth is horrible for these symptoms. 12 hour shifts are hard...really hard. I am hoping I can find a solution. I love working in the NICU! I have only been a nurse for 9 months. 

Yes! This is exactly what is happening to me as well. I just saw a specialist last week and he said that mine isn’t POTS just yet, but viral dysautonomia. It’s too early to diagnose the POTS since I’ve had symptoms less than 6 months so far. Overall though, I couldn’t even work due to the brain fog. I’m in critical care as well and it just isn’t safe for me to be working right now. They had to place me on 8’s, but even on some days the brain fog was too much and I’d have to call off. I’m looking into medical coding now and getting a certificate so that I will at least have another option in case the symptoms don’t go away soon. I’m so sorry. I know exactly how you’re feeling and it’s awful. Fingers crossed they find out what is going on with the Tilt Table!

[Lady2020]

Did any of you get better?

[LeChien, BSN, RN]

I realize this is a relatively old post. Just wanted to share that I suffered from POTS symptoms for 3 years before anyone diagnosed me correctly. Metoprolol has been my miracle drug, relieving most of my symptoms the majority of the time. Best wishes to you all suffering from this annoying condition.

[Mushroomprint]

Informatics nursing might be something to look into. It's not as physically active which may help keep your POTS symptoms from being debilitating.