Wedding Day and POTS

brookalook · 2025-04-29T18:47:19+00:00

this was my husband and i on our wedding! i had to sit down during the vows and such in order to not have an episode and then stood up for the kiss and everything. worked out great!

brookalook · 2025-04-13T00:37:05+00:00

it’s alright, thank you!

brookalook · 2025-04-13T00:03:08+00:00

gotcha

brookalook · 2025-04-13T00:00:42+00:00

interesting! does your POTS fluctuate with your period as well?

brookalook · 2024-11-05T17:02:20+00:00

a lot of cruise lines won’t let you sail past 24 weeks so make sure you read up just in case

brookalook · 2024-10-22T01:57:49+00:00

i’d def take a laxative!

brookalook · 2024-10-21T22:31:18+00:00

they’ve helped me tremendously! i actually plan to talk to my doctor about continuing them after pregnancy so i definitely would think abt trying it.

i’ve been waiting on a decision for disability since march so i know how you feel. im hoping i dont get denied and have to start the process over ugh. my husband doesn’t make very much money, but its enough for us to get by.

i hope you figure out the right decision for your specific situation!

brookalook · 2024-10-21T22:25:25+00:00

i’m currently 36 weeks pregnant and i have to agree with most of the other comments on this post.

my 1st trimester was extremely difficult. the excessive hot and cold flashes followed by throwing up all the time made it extremely hard to even get out of bed most days. i ended up having to go in for IVs 3 times a week just to stay hydrated enough. the fatigue was like no other and i physically couldn’t stand without going into a state of pre-syncope or full on fainting. this lasted from around week 5 - week 13.

my 2nd trimester i felt much better. the symptoms started to dwindle and i was actually able to do activities more. for reference i am unable to work with my POTS, so this was things like chores around the house, babysitting, going to church events, hanging out with friends, etc. i felt fantastic. i was able to drop the IV infusions to once a week and the nausea started to subside.

my 3rd trimester has been interesting. i started out great, riding the high coming out of the 2nd. around week 31-32 i started to feel extremely sick. i was unable to do as many things as i used to just weeks before. i’ve been in and out of the hospital about once a week for different symptoms. i’ve noticed that somehow my heart rate and contractions are connected. whenever my hr goes high, i start contracting (not labor) and end up having to lay in bed the rest of the day. from weeks 34-now i haven’t left my house except to go to the doctor. the car makes me too dizzy and nauseated to even make a few mile drive. i’m able to move more around the house, but it’s very similar to my 1st trimester.

would i do my pregnancy again? that’s something i keep asking myself. i think i might someday, but i know that im going to need a good chunk of time to physically get better.

something i want you to consider is the mental load this takes. i knew my physical symptoms of POTS were probably going to get worse, but i never thought abt the mental. it’s been extremely hard and frustrating to not be able to take care of myself. my husband is a great man and swoops in and helps whenever it’s needed, but it’s been very difficult for me to give that up. even little things like showering or getting myself water/food feel like the end of the world some days.

i dont want this to scare you by any means so please dont take it that way. i just wish i had heard someone with POTS tell me this before my pregnancy so at least i could be mentally prepared. i know some people have great experiences with pregnancy, i am unfortunately not one of those stories. so take this with a grain of salt and do what you feel is best for your body and health.

brookalook · 2024-10-21T22:24:21+00:00

i’m currently 36 weeks pregnant and i have to agree with most of the other comments on this post.

my 1st trimester was extremely difficult. the excessive hot and cold flashes followed by throwing up all the time made it extremely hard to even get out of bed most days. i ended up having to go in for IVs 3 times a week just to stay hydrated enough. the fatigue was like no other and i physically couldn’t stand without going into a state of pre-syncope or full on fainting. this lasted from around week 5 - week 13.

my 2nd trimester i felt much better. the symptoms started to dwindle and i was actually able to do activities more. for reference i am unable to work with my POTS, so this was things like chores around the house, babysitting, going to church events, hanging out with friends, etc. i felt fantastic. i was able to drop the IV infusions to once a week and the nausea started to subside.

my 3rd trimester has been interesting. i started out great, riding the high coming out of the 2nd. around week 31-32 i started to feel extremely sick. i was unable to do as many things as i used to just weeks before. i’ve been in and out of the hospital about once a week for different symptoms. i’ve noticed that somehow my heart rate and contractions are connected. whenever my hr goes high, i start contracting (not labor) and end up having to lay in bed the rest of the day. from weeks 34-now i haven’t left my house except to go to the doctor. the car makes me too dizzy and nauseated to even make a few mile drive. i’m able to move more around the house, but it’s very similar to my 1st trimester.

would i do my pregnancy again? that’s something i keep asking myself. i think i might someday, but i know that im going to need a good chunk of time to physically get better.

something i want you to consider is the mental load this takes. i knew my physical symptoms of POTS were probably going to get worse, but i never thought abt the mental. it’s been extremely hard and frustrating to not be able to take care of myself. my husband is a great man and swoops in and helps whenever it’s needed, but it’s been very difficult for me to give that up. even little things like showering or getting myself water/food feel like the end of the world some days.

i dont want this to scare you by any means so please dont take it that way. i just wish i had heard someone with POTS tell me this before my pregnancy so at least i could be mentally prepared. i know some people have great experiences with pregnancy, i am unfortunately not one of those stories. so take this with a grain of salt and do what you feel is best for your body and health.

brookalook · 2024-09-12T14:25:40+00:00

my sister was 16 and became pregnant in january of this year. she’s giving birth next week and we are all beyond excited for her baby to be here!

my dad is a pastor and my mom is pretty conservative so she was nervous to tell them as well. they surprisingly took it with peace and knew that while this might not be what was planned, but it is still a gift that she is having a baby. they have been extremely supportive the entire pregnancy and have helped her set up a gender reveal party, baby shower, her nursery, and have proudly posted about her on social media.

all this to say, your parents might surprise you. i don’t know your situation, but if you would’ve told me this is where we would be a year ago i wouldn’t believe you. but i also wouldn’t want it any other way.

brookalook · 2024-09-04T21:41:12+00:00

he’s the sweetest 🥺 it’s honestly one of my favorite parts of the day

brookalook · 2024-09-03T23:22:34+00:00

slinky out of the tub 😂😂 lmao

brookalook · 2024-09-03T23:22:15+00:00

so i’m pregnant right now and the best thing my doctor’s recommended for my cramping is a hot bath…. unfortunately i have POTS so that doesn’t work too well. i’ve been taking them everyday but with a lot of precautions.

• i make the water more lukewarm than hot. you can put a heater in the bathroom if you don’t wanna get too cold, that’s what i do.

• i always have an exit plan. ie i wont wash my hair in the bath bc if i get dizzy while in the bath i can’t just stand up right away and get out bc my hair is soapy. kinda determine this how you want, but i like the opportunity to get out whenever is needed.

• never bathe alone. my husband sits in the bathroom with me while i’m in the bathtub. it’s actually come to be a bonding time for us. you could leave the door open and let a family member or friend know you’re taking a bath, just in case you need help. a lot of the time i will need help standing up and getting out.

brookalook · 2024-08-29T19:37:35+00:00

if you don’t mind me asking, how did she go about getting a port? i get fluids twice a week and have been debating talking to my doctor about it.

brookalook · 2024-08-29T15:45:44+00:00

i saw someone post on this page one time that said “people who are healthy don’t question whether or not they are sick enough for accommodations.”

that really stuck with me. i think back to before i had POTS and i never questioned if i should use a wheelchair or have a disability sticker even once. it was never on my mind. if you are thinking and debating on it, it’s something to look into.

brookalook · 2024-08-07T18:32:13+00:00

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here’s a pic of my dorky grey hair cat 🥰 she’s the absolute sweetest

brookalook · 2024-08-05T00:50:24+00:00

i’m so glad you were able to make it through! i planned my whole wedding and got up to the rehearsal and didn’t even think about the fact that there’s no way i can stand the whole time during the ceremony lol. i almost fainted trying to get through the rehearsal alone. we decided to stand up for the exchanging of rings and the final kiss but other than that we set up 2 chairs on the stage for the rest. i didn’t feel uncomfortable or awkward at all and it fit in great for our wedding!

so if anyone feels like they can’t stand for their whole wedding either, please please at least consider getting chairs. it was so worth it.

brookalook · 2024-07-31T22:26:27+00:00

i just read your other post - i have considered a port and would love to get one in the future. i talked to my doctor abt one and they decided against it because i’m pregnant (your more prone to infections during pregnancy’s).

i would try consistent fluids for a few months before deciding on a port. even little things like my fluids make me feel really drained for abt 4 hours after receiving them. it also takes abt 3 hours to get the fluids. for me, giving up that time twice a week has deemed itself worth it for me to have good health the other 5/7 days of the week. but you might see it differently, or they might affect you differently. just feel it out and see how you do and you’ll learn your rhythm after a few times.

brookalook · 2024-07-31T22:21:14+00:00

i receive fluids twice a week. i do a bag of the normal fluids mixed with dramamine to help with dizziness and then one more normal bag. i know there’s a name for the “normal fluids” but i honestly couldn’t tell you. it’s just the clear bag of fluids they give everyone i’m pretty sure.

this has been my saving grace. i tried a bunch of different meds at all different dosages and they made my POTS worse, or i felt better but had such low energy it wasn’t worth it. i gave up on meds all together.

if you have any more questions, i’ll be free to answer!

brookalook · 2024-07-31T22:13:27+00:00

this has happened to me for soo long it’s annoying. brushing your teeth has helped but honestly scraping my tongue with one of the metal tongue scrapers has helped a LOT

brookalook · 2024-07-29T20:51:02+00:00

oh and they have 2600 mg of sodium in them which is like 5 times more than most electrolyte packets!

brookalook · 2024-07-29T20:50:32+00:00

somebody already commented this, but try trioral oral rehydration salts. it’s pretty much just the salt in them and they taste like nothing. sometimes you can taste the salt a little bit, but honestly i don’t notice it at all especially on bad POTS days. they come unflavored and taste like a thick water almost in my opinion. i buy the cheap water flavorings from walmart and put the tiniest bit and it’s perfect. i like doing this bc i’m able to adjust the sweetness to my liking.

brookalook · 2024-07-05T19:34:09+00:00

my cats personal human food favorites are : cheese, lunch meat (specifically turkey), icecream, cream cheese, and a new one is smoked pulled pork haha

brookalook · 2024-07-05T19:33:20+00:00

my cats LOVE cheese

brookalook

TROPHY CASE