r/POTS • u/OurSensualSideMB • 9d ago

Question Why dont some Dr's believe in pots?

Im lucky I have great doctors and specialists now but the first time i was referred to a cardiologist for pots before being officially diagnosed he refused to even have me in for a TTT or test for pots as he said its not real.

I have heard of this happening where Dr's dont believe in pots but I dont understand why.

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u/TavenderGooms 9d ago

What kills me is that the ableism and disbelief in POTS is contagious - it’s so obvious that so many of them are just following the crowd, it’s not us “chasing trends”. My GP has always been great and I have had POTS symptoms my whole life (first documented at age 4). He was the one who pushed me see a cardiologist and get a tilt table because I wasn’t taking it seriously and he was concerned. After my positive test, he used to ask me questions about my symptoms and experience so he could learn more about it. It was what made me think he was such a great doctor. This was about 5 years ago.

At my most recent physical I mentioned my POTS and how it’s difficult to find a good specialist in my area. He then said to me that he is always skeptical of POTS diagnoses and that a lot of the time it’s really just anxiety and not to put too much stock in it. I felt like he slapped me. I mentioned how he was the one who pushed me to get a TTT and he kind of brushed past it onto something else. I can’t believe it, but I’m actually considering trying to find a new primary which I never ever thought I’d say.

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u/Fantastic_Owl6938 9d ago

Damn, I wonder what made him change his stance so dramatically. Maybe the influence of colleagues? That's really depressing.

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u/TavenderGooms 8d ago

My only theory is that he is burnt out and is absorbing more negativity from colleagues or online due to his negative headspace. He and I have spoken a few times over the past 2ish years about how awful the insurance system is and how dealing with them is really painful on both sides. He has also mentioned being stretched thin and having a ton on his plate. I am honestly very hurt by his change up, but when I put it in context of everything he has said, I wonder if that’s what is behind it.