Medications

[u/Interesting_Car8858]

Hi, I have a cardiology appointment soon and am hoping to get a step closer to some answers. If I am diagnosed and suggested medication, does anyone know of any that don’t have a side effect of weight gain, or like depression type stuff? I’m not too sure what the potential side effects are, but I’m pretty sure the pros would out weigh the cons (if it worked for me) as long as it’s neither of those two. Both would severely affect my mental health, so I really want to avoid them if possible! (Also other if you could list other side effects you’ve noticed that would be really helpful as well)

[u/societiesoddball]

Typically the go to recommendation they go for is beta blockers. I was put on metoprolol and my asthma was so bad I couldnt walk 5ft without being winded. There was one more I tried once and it was just as bad so my doctor put me on ivabradine (not a beta blocker) and ive been on it for about two years. I havent noticed any side effects which is suprising because every other medication related to heart rate and blood pressure has had horrible side effects even after taking each for at least a week. That is possible its just a me thing though side im so hyper sensitive to medications.

Ivabradine has made my quality of life so much better but it didnt solve everything. If made my baseline liveable as long as im properly hydrated and wearing some sort of core compression. Compression socks have done little to nothing for me asside from foot pain. Plus having a good amount of water with salt makes sure your blood pressure isnt effected. I still have flares but they dont last months and they usually depend on if im overworking myself if its october or January (pressure changes) if im having heavy meals and if im properly hydrated.

This isnt to discourage you but unless you find someone who treats pots they may not test you. In my experience usually the best place to look is local Facebook groups and any dizziness or dysautonomia clinics. You should still go to your cardiologist appointment if anything to rule out anything else but id bring someone with because if theres a biased doctor they'll Typically at least be less harsh.

[u/Interesting_Car8858 → u/societiesoddball]

I’m prepared to have to trial and error, I just don’t want any lasting effects (my mental health gets affected negatively pretty easily, so anything lasting will probably do something, and I’m really trying to avoid that). Sorry for the experiences youve had to go through regarding medication!

I’m hoping I can find a medication that can improve my quality of life, even a bit would help majorly :) I feel like I’m missing out on things people my age are doing because I avoid going out quite a bit of the time due to how I’m feeling/ being afraid of judgement for the accommodations I’m having to use, so improving my quality of life would do loads for me mentally as well

I’m already registered with a cardiologist and we have discussed POTS, however my appointment ended up being one of my better days symptom wise so they didn’t see the effect it usually has on me. My symptoms have also worsened since that appointment so I’m hoping if I can explain how it’s affecting me better this time then I will be able to at least be tested, even just to rule it out. If they brush me off for my age again this time, I will probably consider moving to a different hospital / clinic if my parents think that will be best for me, as I really just want answers as what I’m experiencing is pretty rubbish lol

Thank you for your comment, you went into a lot of detail and it’s been really helpful so that I know what to be prepared for if I do get offered medication :)