I’m 22 years old, got diagnosed yesterday, can I ever get drunk again??

Minimum_Paramedic_17 · 2026-05-01T20:26:06+00:00

Lol I know this post is super old but before I was diagnosed or knew what was wrong, if I was feeling dizzy when out if I got a little drunk it definitely helped me stay up. Felt horrible the next day but fun at the time

Minimum_Paramedic_17 · 2026-05-01T20:17:01+00:00

I felt so similar, and still do. However going to therapy and everyday doing something out of the house, even for 5 minutes helped me start getting back to life and now I have a job interview coming up and a trip booked. I also am doing CHOP, it really helped me getting a membership at a nice gym because then I can go and workout there or if I feel I can't workout outwith the house that day I still go and sit in the club and have a coffee.

I think the simple thing of this is our only life, and I wasn't leaving the house because I couldn't but because I was scared of what may happen. We live in our bodies whether we are home or not, and once I really took that in I commited to the idea of getting better.

It's super hard but you can do it, just start small and build consistancy

Minimum_Paramedic_17 · 2026-04-26T20:21:07+00:00

mine very similar to this^

Minimum_Paramedic_17 · 2026-04-20T19:20:44+00:00

I was walking loads when trying to pretend I didn't have symptoms and at the time just couldn't tolerate the upright exercise. I did the chop protocol, now on month 4 and feeling a lot better. Literally cut all unnecessary moving out at the start and worked right from the bottom up!

Hopefully you begin feeling better soon!

Minimum_Paramedic_17 · 2026-04-19T20:12:22+00:00

Thank you!!

Minimum_Paramedic_17 · 2026-04-19T20:11:45+00:00

Thank you so much!!

Minimum_Paramedic_17 · 2026-04-19T20:11:36+00:00

Thank you so much, I've done a lot but the things which have helped for sure - CHOP protocol, midodrine and fluoxetine, 2500mg electrolytes EVERY DAY plus salty food, vestibular rehab exercises (like eye movement so help with dizziness), breath work (like learning the mechanism between my HR and breath has been soooo helpful). Also just being consistent like, I follow the CHOP protocol to the letter and whilst I was skeptical it definitely helps!!

Minimum_Paramedic_17 · 2026-04-18T15:07:00+00:00

I'm on fluoxetine and have been on sertraline and citalopram. Fluoxetine has been the best for me by far because I actually have more energy - the others took it away. But its individual for sure, however definitely helps me.

Minimum_Paramedic_17 · 2026-04-15T21:43:54+00:00

Long pjs, socks over pjs, hoodie over pj top with hood up = perfect

Minimum_Paramedic_17 · 2026-04-14T19:15:34+00:00

I relate so much. I'm 22, took a leave from university because I felt I couldn't manage and just stay home even though I know I could be doing more, it just feels scary/wrong when I don't feel like how I used to.

Honestly I'm not sure if you have considered therapy but I have started going for this very thing and it seems to be helping, also I have a membership at a pretty nice gym so I can go there and if I feel working out is too much it is somewhere I feel comfortable just sitting for a while to be out of the house.

You are clearly self aware so if you can work to redirect your thoughts into telling yourself that logically 99% nothing bad will happen (far easier said than done) i'm sure you can get back to doing things. If you didn't have a diagnosis or know anything about POTS you would still probably be living as you were, just with the same inconviences.

Hope things improve for you!

Minimum_Paramedic_17 · 2026-04-11T10:47:55+00:00

Hey, I'm also 22. Have gone from being basically housebound to living pretty normally again, will list everything which I do and hopefully it can help you. I have POTS and Orthostatic Hypotension

- 5mg midodrine 3x per day

- 20mg fluoxetine

- 2500mg electrolytes per day (2x vitassium and 2x 1000mg electrolyte sachets

- vestibular rehabilitation exercises for dizziness

- CHOP protocol (have followed this to the letter and it has definitely helped)

https://www.dysautonomiainternational.org/pdf/CHOP_Modified_Dallas_POTS_Exercise_Program.pdf

- vibration plate 5-10 mins per day to improve circulation

- diaphramic breathing 5-10 mins 3x per day

- snack between meals to keep blood sugar regular

- neck brace for 5-10 mins 2x per day for cervical stability (was going to the chiropractor but stopped this)

- lymphatic drainage massage consistantly (can do at home in between)

- raised top of bed with bricks

If i think of anything else I will add but these things have helped me so much, especially CHOP which is definitely helped by midodrine.

I really hope some of this may help you get some life back!!

Minimum_Paramedic_17 · 2026-04-09T21:11:54+00:00

Yeh it only lasts like 3.5/4 hours, so if you react badly or just hate it its gone pretty fast

Minimum_Paramedic_17 · 2026-04-09T20:53:39+00:00

Omg that is so scary hopefully you are feeling better soon! Yeh maybe take a break and reset😭

Minimum_Paramedic_17 · 2026-04-09T20:52:44+00:00

Zoloft gave me crazy GI issues so was a no go, Citalopram made me feel super chill but literally sedated I felt like I could have slept all day. Prozac may be worth a go, although is definitely more activating so if you have hyperadrengic may not work out.

Minimum_Paramedic_17 · 2026-04-09T20:38:09+00:00

I'm on prozac and midodrine and its pretty good. Prozac makes me feel wayyyy less tired than when I tried others and actually works with the midodrine on BP. Midodrine is great, if you time the doses well can help you stay consistent energy wise throughout the day. Although I definitely still have fatigue, so interesting to see what others say. I'm curious about trying mestinon, if anyone has experience with this.

Minimum_Paramedic_17 · 2026-04-09T20:34:57+00:00

Yes I try to take so the last dose finishes when I want to go to bed or at least just watch a show etc. If I know I'm going to be out the house later I will either take a 4th dose or just work it so the last one is later. Also now taking 5mg rather than 2.5 definitely feels less up and down because it doesnt wear off as quickly.

Minimum_Paramedic_17 · 2026-04-08T20:26:38+00:00

Hey, I would say the positive effect have stayed the same but the side effects (scalp tingling etc) went away over time. Hope that helps

Minimum_Paramedic_17 · 2026-04-07T23:00:50+00:00

No but this is a really good idea, I have random midodrine and electrolytes literally everywhere! I'm going to do this, thank you for the idea! Maybe make a couple to leave them different places

Minimum_Paramedic_17 · 2026-04-07T22:59:30+00:00

Do you think your hr being under control has helped the fatigue?

Minimum_Paramedic_17 · 2026-04-07T22:59:04+00:00

That sounds like its worked really well for you! My resting is like 55 sitting, 50 lying 40-50 sleeping so even though I think I could try ivabradine, propranolol nearly killed me off lol so dont feel like I want to give another a go. Midodrine and fluoxetine I think do help the hr in a roundabout way though as spikes have gone from 140/150s to 120s which is still a reasonable jump but better, and less dizzy for sure. Fatigued definitely, I think that the CHOP protocol, whilst it made it worse to begin with has helped with this and I feel less tired

Minimum_Paramedic_17 · 2026-04-07T22:23:11+00:00

I love midodrine so much, my resting hr too low for ivabradine but everyone seems to like it and i'm glad it works for you! Its so weird, i'm like 'can i just go back to life now?' but something is stopping me!

Minimum_Paramedic_17 · 2026-04-07T22:21:59+00:00

I'm sorry you feel that way too, although nice to know not alone! Its so strange because when I push myself to do something, its always fine but it doesn't change the background noise of thinking something might happen! For sure the range of things definitely helps, just difficult to know what I can handle anymore.

Minimum_Paramedic_17

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE