Living Life Fabulously With POTS...: What This Shenanigan Is All About...

DISCLAIMER:

This blog does include some educational information about POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome). However, it primarily consists of my thoughts, opinions, and personal experiences with this chronic disease. As someone who struggles with this disease daily, I am in no way attempting to minimize the seriousness of this chronic illness. With that being said, I would like to forewarn all readers that this blog does focus on the humorous stories that have occurred during all of the medical testing leading up to the diagnosis of POTS. I would also like to point out that I am in no way attempting to discredit any of the medical professionals I have worked with. They have all been wonderful and very helpful. I am simply pointing out just how difficult it is to diagnose POTS and the numerous ways it can be mis-diagnosed. If you do not find this site to be helpful, humorous, or hilarious, then please seek one of the other sites that is more fitting for you. I've personally never been a big fan of hate mail. Thanks and enjoy!

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

What This Shenanigan Is All About...

Before I actually start blogging about the fun stuff, or medical mystery stories (I totally should have been on the show 'Mystery Diagnosis' by the way), I will briefly explain what POTS is. POTS is an acronym for the disease Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome. You might also hear this condition referred to as Autonomic Neuropathy with Orthostatic Hypotension or Dysautonomia. The name they stamped me with is Autonomic Neuropathy with Orthostatic Intolerance and are calling it POTS for short.

Autonomic Neuropothay is a nerve disorder that affects the involuntary body functions such as blood pressure, heart rate, digestion, and perspiration (that's why I glisten instead of sweat buckets). The Orthostatic Intolerance part means that if I stand up too fast or for too long, I am liable to pass out just after I start getting dizzy and my vision goes black.

Below are two videos that explain POTS (I will be calling it that in the rest of my entries) much better than I am able to. I will warn you - The first video is about 35 minutes long, however, it is very educational for those that are seeking something like that. The second video is only about 5 minutes long and more of a humorous cartoon. Enjoy whichever floats your boat!

POTS Documentary

What The Hell Is POTS??

2 comments:

SamanthaAugust 21, 2012 at 3:22 PM
Awesome! You better actually update this thing! I look forward to enjoying your humor.
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KendallAugust 21, 2012 at 3:46 PM
Damn it!! Samantha beat me to the comment section. Geez? Hero child much??

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the blog. I will put it on my blog roll. Can't wait to read more. Please update often. You (....okay, and Sam) are the funniest people I know! If anyone can make a chronic disease funny it is definitely you!

Xooxoxo
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BLOGGER ETIQUETTE

For those that are unfamiliar with the blogger world, and particularly with my blog, this is a blog! I am sharing my experiences to help educate others and find humor in a not so humorous situation. Just because I share my personal stories in a humorous way on this blog does not mean I ever, under any circumstances, for any reason, want to be approached in person to discuss majority of these stories any further. Please use your best judgement when approaching me in public to discuss these topics. Heads up - I will not hesitate to walk away and act like I don't know you. Thanks!

Helpful Hints to Looking Fabulous When You Don't Feel So Fabulous

BEACH GODDESS: One of the hardest things about having POTS and summertime is that you have to be out in the hot sun to get a hot tan. However, one of the red flags to stay away from with this condition is the heat. Now being that I am only 28, I still appreciate a good tan in the summer, just like most people do no matter what your age is. Plus, everybody knows that a tan bod hides all the nooks and crannies much better than a pale pasty bod every will. One way around this dilemma - SPRAY TANNING. If you go to a professional you aren't likely to have the orange finger lines down your legs and arms like you do if you use the lotion of the shelf at the grocery store. And you still get the that great tan goddess look without passing out in the heat.
DETANGLER SPRAY: Some days the body is so tired it can take an act of God just to brush your hair. It sounds crazy, but it can be incredibly hard to do when it requires lifting your arms above your head to brush your hair...who would have thought, right? Well, I was lucky enough to be born with quite the afro (even though I'm white). So brushing my hair when I felt normal was no easy task, let alone when I'm having one of my "episodes". I've found that using children's detangling spray works wonders for making this task a little more simple, especially on the worst of days.
LOTION UP YOUR FEET: Always put lotion on your feet at night. One of the worst things about POTS is the blood flow! It often pools up at the feet and they turn blue and purple, usually making them look dead. One thing I learned quickly is that if my feet were the least bit dry, it had a way of making them look 100 times worse. So each night before bed, I lather on the lotion and then put on a thick pair of socks on to help it soak in. This way, even if my feet turn purple, I'm not quite as self conscience about it. : )