Personal Narrative: Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome

Have you ever wondered what it was like to be sick and everyone say that you are faking it? Just imagine about that for a moment because that is my life with an invisible illness. Two years ago I started my adventure at St Agnes and little did I know that in a few short months I would be starting a journey that has changed my life forever. I was diagnosed with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) during my freshman year of college. I know it is a gigantic word, but let me explain. POTS is a form of orthostatic intolerance that is associated with the presence of excessive tachycardia and many other symptoms upon standing. In simpler terms, my heart rate increases 30 beats or more per minute upon standing. My heart rate has even gone over …show more content…
Yes I look perfectly healthy and like a normal 19 year old. When I do my makeup and hair, or when I walk around the store, you would believe that I am perfectly healthy. However, do you want to know the truth? Daily I fight a battle. Every day is a struggle. I get no time off or no breaks from the pain, nausea, fatigue and other symptoms. I do my best to "fake it, till I make It." and even with a glance one would be certain that there is absolutely nothing wrong. But that is the farthest from the …show more content…
The key to the diagnosis is documented that the heart rate increases abnormally in the upright posture. According to Fogorous, “Normally, when a person stands up, the heart rate increases by 10 beats per minute or less. With POTS, the increase is often far greater - usually 30 beats per minute or more (Fogoros).” Sometimes this abnormal increase in heart rate only occurs after the patient has been standing for several minutes. For this reason, if POTS is suspected a tilt-table test may be helpful in making the