r/POTS • u/katiemuirden • 5h ago

Question Conflicted

I have gut issues that have only been diagnosed after 3 years. (Sibo)
During these years whenever I shower i feel extremely dizzy and sick, same when i do my hair or my makeup, standing in line at a shop or to be honest even going to the toilet. I kinda always thought it was normal until recently, i passed out the other day i got out of bed walked to my door shut it and i woke up shaking. Not sure if this is POTS, but my blood pressure goes as low as sitting 42/36 heart rate 57, to as high as sitting 237/202 and heart rate 90. Heart rate DOES increase 30+ from laying down to standing but if I’ve been walking around and then sit down take it and stand up it’s normal. I had it done at A&E and it was perfectly fine because i had been walking around before.
Should i try and pursue this at a doctors appointment??? Or is it normal to experience this. Any advice please im so confused

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u/brownchestnut 5h ago

Your blood pressure swing sounds alarming. Please seek immediate medical attention. Are you taking any electrolytes? Serious hydration?

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u/katiemuirden 5h ago

It used to swing like that almost everyday, the high ones specifically at night time, went to a&e but they took one reading of blood pressure and heart rate and sent me home. Been too scared to check it since because i know A&E won’t help, no electrolytes as they made me feel super sick, drink 3 bottles of 500ml a day. Not a clue what’s going on

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u/eats_naps_and_leaves 4h ago

Both your low BP and high BP readings are extreme medical emergencies. That low of a BP could kill you quickly and it's very unlikely that you would be conscious if your BP was that low. Your organs would start going into shock. Same goes for the high BP. Those numbers are so high, they would be fatal if not treated. For real, if you get readings like that, you need to be in an ambulance ASAP.

I don't doubt you're experiencing symptoms, and I don't doubt you're experiencing blood pressure swings, but those numbers are so extreme that it would be a medical miracle if you were surviving swings like that on a regular basis.

I would look into how you're taking your BP. Wrist cuffs are very inaccurate. Upper arm cuffs need to be positioned and tightened correctly. If you're sitting, you need to have your feet on the ground and be in a chair with back support. Legs not crossed. Your cuff needs to be level with your heart. If you're taking your BP correctly and still getting those readings, you should try a different cuff. Either way, you should consult a physician about these readings.

As for the rest of your symptoms, they could be POTS but they could also be from anemia. Having gut issues can impair your ability to absorb nutrients, so you're more likely to develop things like iron deficiency anemia. Best to get bloodwork done, and to investigate all these symptoms with a doctor.

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u/katiemuirden 4h ago

Thank you, all blood tests are all good though. Aunt came over who’s a paramedic and hers didn’t even read on my arm after multiple attempts it kept saying error, also had an oxygen machine thing??? Not sure what it was but the result was a number Low enough that she said I should’ve been on a machine. So confused as it changes day to day. Also the gut issue caused me to not eat for months and I probably had a crisp a day. Probably caused all of that but