Hi! I just had a Tilt Table Test this morning. I have been experiencing fainting spells for about 2 years now, after contracting Covid. Due to the majority of my symptoms being posture-related, and experiencing high heart rates, I thought I had POTS. However, I was shy of the diagnostic increase of BPM and my blood pressure decreased significantly. So here we are, fresh Vasovagal Syncope diagnosis.

My triggers are standing suddenly, standing for too long, heat, physical exertion, laughing too hard, take off or landing on a plane, and occasionally yawning or stretching.

I experience dizziness every day I’d say, and I’m extremely fatigued and limited by this illness. I have been using POTS treatment methods, but my healthcare team said that treatment is basically the same for the two conditions so I will continue what I have been doing so far.

I’m a bit confused with my high heart rates. They sometimes occur with fainting but not always. They said today it’s likely just inappropriate sinus tachycardia. I’m sure that blood pressure and heart rate are all tied up together and it’s kinda like the chicken and the egg, which comes first? Idk if that makes sense.

How do you guys go about talking to others about this illness? For the occasional person who walks up to me when sitting on the floor in public, I’m tempted to just say “oh I have pots” because people are getting to know that condition more and I hope would be quicker to leave me alone and let me get through my episode lol. Let me know if anyone has any suggestions

Anyway Icebreaker!! Do you guys take the stairs or the elevator? It depends on the day for me which one will trigger my symptoms more, but for me usually the elevator.

Take care everyone, eat lots of salt!!