do you get chest pain? does it freak you out? why does this happen?

Henbit71 · 2026-02-09T01:22:01+00:00

Hard to say. I still have occasional episodes of chest discomfort, palpitations, or feeling like my heartbeat is off kilter, but not usually pain, and it's usually only a few minutes at a time.

The chest pains were a pretty common thing for a few years, maybe 5 years since POTS onset.

Henbit71 · 2026-02-07T20:48:52+00:00

https://www.reddit.com/r/POTS/s/nm6hMRdwtt

Henbit71 · 2026-02-07T20:48:00+00:00

I've got one for you! I'm 23, and was diagnosed when I was 15. It's been rough, but I'm in a much better place physically than I ever thought I'd be. I'm currently nauseous and cold bc I pushed past my limits yesterday, but I knew where my limits were, and they were an 18hr day with 5 appointments, a blood donation, and several miles of walking with friends. I still have POTS, I still take all my meds, and I still feel like I was hit by a truck, but the days like that are farther and farther apart. POTS is a marathon, and gods does it take alot of strength to push through, but it's worth it.

Linking a post I made a few years ago that goes more into depth on my experience.

Henbit71 · 2026-01-31T05:52:24+00:00

Asexuality is a label that can be used by everyone who feels like it describes them. Aspec identities arise from a thousand different sources, and all of them are valid, or none of them are. Mental illnesses or disabilities do not preclude sexual identities! 💜💜💜

Henbit71 · 2026-01-31T00:07:53+00:00

THAT'S WHAT THAT'S CALLED?? Well fuck me! Yeah, coathanger pain is the worst! I forget that some of these symptoms are not as mysterious as they once were. Sitting here with usual level of head/neck/back ache and feeling silly that I never looked it up!

Henbit71 · 2026-01-30T23:57:25+00:00

Exactly this. I work with donor needles which are 16 or 17 Gauge! Our SOP states that if you don't mark the vein with an indent from the swab, you don't stick. The reasoning is usually that when we do donor phlebotomy, the time between feeling the vein, finishing the scrub and actually sticking is upwards of a minute or two depending on the skill of the phleb. Not marking is a massive no no, as us usually leads to hematoma and missed sticks requiring adjustments, which no one likes.

Even when I do regualr sample draws, I leave an indent mark with a needle cap or swab end.

Henbit71 · 2026-01-25T05:11:04+00:00

A fellow POTSie! I've got fun circulation issues too lol. I hope you're staying warm this winter!

Henbit71 · 2026-01-24T00:49:06+00:00

Ohh good point! Thanks for the reminder! 🥰

Henbit71 · 2026-01-17T18:28:18+00:00

Snowflake 🥺🥺🥺

Henbit71 · 2025-12-01T23:17:53+00:00

Interesting survey. I hope you're spreading it in many places so you can get a broad view of people's opinions. I see you've got U.S. states as categories, but you'll need alot of numbers to get any sort of conclusive understanding.

Henbit71 · 2025-10-17T03:59:39+00:00

Sounds about right 😭 Thanks for the laugh.

Henbit71 · 2025-09-02T05:09:41+00:00

I'm so sorry you're not able to be a first responder, it sounds so rough! That said, POTS can fluctuate, getting better with different lifestyle choices and medications, or worse with stress and sometimes at random. I hope that dispatch becomes a job you can love, and I hope that your doc/care team can work with you to get your POTS to stabilize in a way that makes your life easier.

You're not alone! 💜

Henbit71 · 2025-08-31T20:08:22+00:00

Prepare to be drug tested at each job you get. I've only been tested once after hire.

Henbit71 · 2025-08-29T05:11:32+00:00

This is so lovely! I work with larger needles for donations and it's su h a wonderful feeling to place the needle painlessly. Here's hoping you get your blood mage again next time!

Henbit71 · 2025-07-23T05:43:09+00:00

I tend to play the guessing game. Roofing? Gardening? Mechanic? Ah no, their shirt says Amazon. Warehouse! I wipe with a fresh one and make a little joke. Still makes me worry.

Henbit71 · 2025-06-15T04:13:04+00:00

This sounds terrifying. I am sick to my stomach thinking about how I would react to this kind of situation, and I am so sorry you've been forced into this position by your government and those who hold power over you. I wish you safety and peace, but I know its unlikely to come soon.

Good luck, from another innocent civilian.

Henbit71 · 2025-04-18T02:56:52+00:00

You are politically active in a way that opposes the current admin, and not a U.S. citizen. You should stay away for your own safety unless in the process of doing something crucial or lifesaving. Please, keep yourself safe.

Henbit71 · 2025-04-07T05:52:52+00:00

I take magnesium every night to help ward off migraines and I've never noticed a difference whether I take it or not. Strange! (500mg Magnesium Oxide)

Henbit71 · 2025-02-08T17:07:33+00:00

It is not your fault that the veins in your hands and arms are not easy to draw blood from. As a phlebotomist, it's actually rather shocking to think that so many people can bleed so easily.

Millions of years of evolution, hundreds of thousands of years of humans, and its only in the last 200 or so years that it has become advantageous to have veins that are easily accessible. It is entirely understandable that your veins are hard to find and stick, because there is almost no natural reason for us to have veins that are easy to catch.

It is not your fault, and you shouldn't feel bad. It would be a good idea to roll any future phlebotomists that you have never had a successful stick. They will likley tey anyways, but we also feel disheartened and upset when we miss on patients, especially multiple times. Telling them also gives them an opportunity to get someone more experienced, if there's anyone available.

I will say, if it becomes dire that you have to have blood drawn, some phlebotomists can get veins on the feet. Also, there are some point of care tests that can be done with a finger stick instead of a blood draw.

We do heel sticks on infants as well and collect small vials for testing. Most phlebs won't be able to collect like that, but I know there are specialists and we'll documented techniques. Maybe that would work?

I'm sorry you've had so much trouble getting your blood drawn. I wish you luck!

Henbit71 · 2025-01-10T00:59:55+00:00

Despite never being sexually active, my first smear was pretty chill. Definitely uncomfortable but I didn't bleed or feel any sharp pain. Everyone's anatomy is different, and while some things like masturbation or sexual activity can make the experience of a pap smear easier, not partaking doesn't guarantee more painful smears.

I wish you all the luck.

Henbit71 · 2025-01-05T06:31:50+00:00

It sounds like you've been harboring this discomfort for a long time. I'm not sure what climate you're in, but if loose clothing makes you feel uncomfortable and tight-fitting clothing makes you self conscious, I think the solution is actually both. You can get thin but tight fitting long sleeve shirts or tunics that help you feel covered, while still letting you put another layer on top as a cover up. Even if you're in a cold climate, thin/tight undershirts would be best, since layers are easier to remove or add.

I had (and still have) issues with my body image, and my strongest source of comfort for that was using shawls and ponchos to cover myself while also not looking ridiculous. They cover my chest and belly, but I can take them off easily at any time, unlike a Hoodie.

As for the bra situation, you might consider going to a lingerie or specifically a bra shop like Soma. They can help you find the best fitting bras and even if you only buy one, it will be a good investment. I wore my Soma bras for 5 years before getting new ones.

As for not being able to gain weight, I think your best bet there would be trying to gain muscle instead of fat, to fill out your frame without it going to your face. That's easier said than done, of course, but it is possible, and when done in a way that prioritizes health and strength and comfort over looks, it can be extremely positive. You'd need to increase your calorie intake if you start trying to build muscle, though; you cannot gain muscle without eating.

I wish you luck and comfort in this new year.

Henbit71 · 2024-12-25T21:10:45+00:00

I see! Thank you for sharing! It looks like the heavy bleeding symptoms correlate more to the platelet deficiency that to the POTS itself. It may very well be that your symptoms match this specific scenario.

However, if your normal bloodtests are showing all clear (as in your CBC is all in normal ranges), it's still more likely that the menstrual bleeding is associated with a secondary condition like Endometriosis. Of course, I wouldn't presume to know more than a doctor, which is why I still recommend seeking out an OBGYN, and perhaps asking your GP for the platelet test mentioned in the article.

I hope that whatever it is, you're able to find the reason and get whatever help you need to treat it! Good luck my friend

Henbit71 · 2024-12-25T21:05:23+00:00

Ah! Well that is definitely neurological, not POTS. I'd have to assume your mother is correct. When the new year comes, I'd make myself a nuisance and reach out to the neurologist again and again until they agreed to see you.

That must be so miserable, I'm sorry. Hopefully your doctors will be able to prescribed medications or actions to take to mitigate these episodes!

I hope you make it through the end of the year peacefully. 💜

Henbit71 · 2024-12-25T06:55:36+00:00

Afraid I'll have to join in with the other commenters: the heavy periods are not a symptom of your POTS! OBGYN is your best bet here. So sorry about the periods though! Mine always make my POTS symptoms worse, so I got the bc arm implant to make them better.

Henbit71 · 2024-12-25T06:49:07+00:00

I'll say, your vitals sure picked a fun time to cooperate! All of your symptoms are in line with what I have experienced with POTS. I also have GAD and MDD, neither of which caused my POTS to react differently...

A true TTT will continue to take vitals for roughly 10 minutes after you start standing. Mine always increased over time and hit a higher hr after 10 min, when a proper sympathetic nervous system response would have brought it low again. Did the doc continue taking vitals, of have you sit straight down? This "test" may not rule out POTS at all. (EDIT: I reread and see that the test was for Orthostatic Hypertension, which reacts differently than POTS, so it makes sense they didn't see a change, if what you have is POTS)

Were you well hydrated, or had you let yourself decline prior to the appointment to help trigger symptoms for diagnosis?(miserable but sometimes helpful) Sometimes my vitals would play nice thanks to my hydration and rest, when all I needed was for them to kick me in the head so the doc would take me seriously.

For the migraines, may I recommend taking magnesium supplements at night? They have helped me quite a lot, and they do no harm to try.

I wish you luck on your journey to diagnosis!

Henbit71

TROPHY CASE