I take Pyridostigmine during the day since it treats my POTS, gastroparesis/IBS-C, fatigue, and exercise intolerance; plus a low dose of either Guanfacine or Clonidine before bed to treat hyperadrenergic POTS, insomnia, anxiety, restless leg syndrome, and to prevent migraines.
Thanks for making this. I've never heard of Ritalin being used in POTS. It also reminded me I should make a video about POTS medications I have tried too!
I love your videos you are amazing I feel so inspired and full of hope after I watch your videos thank u and keep up the wonderful videos I have pots I'm 15 I believe I have had it for a long time my mother also has pots
I'm on Ritalin and concerta for narcolepsy and have found some help w my pots stuff w them as well. Though I had a more dramatic actual slowing down of my upright HR when I was on Adderall XR instead for the narcolepsy. I probably have a type of hyper pots (high BP when standing) but HR responds well to fluids (and Florinef but at 0.2mg it caused substantial weight gain and really high BP....but I had days I was minimally orthostatic HR wise lol stupid body.. if it helped the HR it shoulda helped the BP too).
Fludrocortisone was prescribed to me last week, I’ve been feeling 0.01 better every day. Not much but a little, I was drinking 3 - 4 litres a day, but I could go to the loo 6 times in the time relatives & friends went once. All the liquid & extra salt was just weed out. I’ve tried all the recommended stuff, drink a lot, keep my feet up, take in extra salt & electrolytes etc. I was incredibly ill about 3 years ago and probably 2 + years before that, thanks to slimming world I found out why. I’m very allergic to gluten & yeast, on slimming world nice soft, fluffy white bread is naughty, so I wasn’t having it or the weetabix I liked. Not only had I got POTS, I could be completely knocked out for days, a fever but it didn’t show on a thermometer, spasms in my arms & legs, completely liquid ‘toilet stuff’ barely weeping though. Now I know why, I was so dehydrated from MCAD (mast cell activation) that exacerbated pots. I was told by my gp maybe 6 years ago I didn’t have it, despite having EDS & MCAD, knowing they often coexist. Then when I finally got a tilt table just before covid ugh 🤦🏼♀️ I think my email to my gp practice that the dr I saw about it was lucky I liked & respected him or I’d have complained. Oh, I was blacking out too, all blamed on EDS and of course fibromyalgia I don’t have. 3 cardiology appointments cancelled by the hospital, give them a break they have other priorities…to now which is a whole other story the messing around & sent to this dept, ring this number, no not us, ring this extension 😤
Love your videos, especially the workout ones! They are really helping me slowly integrate things I can do into my day to day routine! Question about your medication experience. Do you have issues with your heart rate spiking still? Or are your lifestyle adjustments really what is managing heart rate issues? I take a high dose of beta blockers because of inappropriate sinus tachycardia (IST) and POTS, but would love to know that someone is having luck managing that big problem without meds. I really have a goal of reducing my long med list over the next year or two here! I don't like being young and having a huge pill organizer! Thanks for sharing your stories and experiences! ❤️
Thank you so much! I am currently managing my heart rate and other symptoms completely medication free. I think it's definitely possible (at least it has been for me)! I rarely have any heart rate spikes or other POTS symptoms anymore as long as I keep up with a healthy lifestyle. :)
I've heard of some POTS patients managing their symptoms with a beta blocker or alpha-2 agonist, making lifestyle changes, and gradually tapering off the medications and eventually doing well without them. This wasn't my case, however, since my POTS and dysautonomia were caused by a condition I was born with, called hypermobile type Ehlers Danlos syndrome. Each person is different. I've been able to reduce the number of medications I'm on, by choosing medications which treat multiple health issues, though. For example, my Pyridostigmine treats my POTS, gastroparesis, constipation, and fatigue. My Clonidine or Guanfacine treats my POTS, migraines, insomnia, restless leg syndrome, and anxiety. I used to be on separate medications for each one of those issues.
From a pharmacological standpoint, the Ritalin would have a more global and robust effect at increasing adrenergic activity in the body. The Midodrine only specifically activates the alpha-1 adrenergic receptors. If she has a condition like ADHD, narcolepsy, excessive daytime sleepiness, fatigue, or another medical condition that Ritalin could possibly treat, her doctor may have gone with that to treat multiple issues with a single medication.
I'm sorry you're struggling! I went through a ton of doctors before I finally found someone who understood my condition. Unfortunately the doc I saw at that time isn't taking pots patients anymore (she was hired by a different hospital in a more specific research role for another condition). Luckily, it seems like more doctors have at least heard of pots these days, so that's a plus. I've tended to have more luck with more holistic doctors like integrative medicine, functional medicine, naturopathic doctors, etc. Wishing you the best of luck!
All exercises should eventually help to reduce your heart rate. With POTS, many people's heart muscle shrinks, so all exercises can help the muscle get bigger and stronger again. It might take a while before you see results, so don't be discouraged if it doesn't help right away.
@@morningwithgracie7870 Ritalin is a stimulant which typically accelerates the heart rate. However, some people have paradoxical reactions to medications. This is why it's good to have an open minded doctor who is willing to think outside the box - sometimes a POTS patient will respond well to a medication that might not necessarily make sense.
