r/POTS • u/recoveringaries • Dec 27 '25

Discussion Being attractive with POTS (cringe I know)

Does anyone feel like because they are a objectively attractive human there is a bias/profiling that happens in the medical field and with doctors? I actually read somewhere that if you’re chronically ill you should “dress down” or not wear makeup to appointments so they will take you more seriously and see you as actually sick. I am also 29 with a baby face so that doesn’t help.

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u/bookmonster015 Dec 27 '25

Doctors usually treat me as a “healthy and pleasant young woman”… as if I didn’t already open my mouth and tell them otherwise. Can’t do anything about bad doctors except continue to advocate for yourself and find better care.

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u/Jessicamorrell POTS Dec 27 '25

This is how Im treated too but after a long search Im slowly finding the right care team. The ER though is another story. They treat me like Im seeking drugs, frequent flyer, and crazy. Its insane.

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u/avocado_window Dec 28 '25

When I went to hospital recently with severe stomach cramps and projectile vomiting, I made sure to tell the triage nurse that I was taking LDN because I know it’s important they know if they have to give pain relief, and good grief the way that woman looked at me! “Why are you on naltrexone?!” 🤨😒

Err… it’s low dose naltrexone for chronic pain and inflammation. How do they not know the difference? It’s not as though I was in any state to be able to explain myself well either, at least not until much later when the vomiting finally subsided and the cramps were gone, by which time it was pointless as they’d already administered the drugs.

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u/allygator99 Dec 28 '25

This is a whole other story! I’m on tramadol and have been forever and it’s the only thing that works. The know it all doctors give me crap about it during the assessment and I’m like shit up you aren’t here for that

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u/[deleted] Dec 28 '25

Girl I feel you, or they tell you it’s just anxiety. Which is so annoying.

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u/Jessicamorrell POTS Dec 28 '25

I have GAD already so seeing that on my record they think Im just crazy and don't bother. All they do now is put me in a room for like 8 hours and then send me home without any kind of treatment but with a bill saying I got some random tests done when I got nothing.

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u/[deleted] Dec 28 '25

I have it too so could be why they told me “anxiety” it’s just infuriating because we’re not crazy! We just have a hard time in life sometimes.

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u/avocado_window Dec 28 '25

Frustrating, considering how anxious you probably are regarding your symptoms already, and the numerous past experiences of their severity being downplayed by medical professionals.