POTS - interesting article

[CDreamer]

medscape.com/viewarticle/97...

On Syncope/Pre-syncope response

"Patients' symptoms are very distressing, and an anticipatory fear response is present — which, although may be appropriate because of the patient's previous experiences, should nevertheless be managed," said Kaufmann, who is also a professor of neurology and a professor in the Departments of Medicine and Pediatrics.

I found when my symptoms were at their worst, I really like to remain prone, otherwise my heart would go ridiculously high resulting in pre-syncope/syncope. It’s really hard to manage and very scary so managing it is not that easy.

I was most interested in the finding of hypocapnia (low CO2 in the blood) and I wonder if the breathing techniques I started getting interested in a year or two ago have helped as they helped increase CO2 and Nitrous Oxide? I certainly haven’t had any episodes for several years and that may be because of multiple adaptations and treatments all coming together.

Welcome any comments or thoughts?

[meadfoot]

I will read this article with great interest. I have a lovely young relative just 19 who has been struggling with POTS for the past three years. On track to study medicine at Oxford she now finds herself so poorly with it plus vestibular migraine and hypotension that she spends much of her time asleep, meds induced I assume, and has to be in a wheel chair when going out.

Her young life is severely curtailed not to mention her studies have ceased completely. Her parents just dont know where to turn next and their lives too are also on hold caring constantly for her. Such a shame.

[BobD Volunteer]

All a bit over my head at present but I do seem to remember that Donald Campbell used to breath CO2 from a bottle before a record run to lower his heart rate. The slow deep breathing trick must balance gasses in the lungs and blood so may have this effect (if done correctly). Similarly I recall Ayrton Senna once telling how he held his breath through corners.

[CDreamer in reply to BobD]

A lot of research with natural deep free diving - breath training has more or less reversed the commonly held belief of blood gasses and breathing. I have a friend who free dives and it’s amazing what a bit of breath training can do. Most of us over breath and shallow breath.

One of the 50m swimmers in Butterfly never takes a breath - he’s fast!

[Tinctoria]

I read your post and looked at the article link. Interesting!I am aware that as Bob has said previously all forms of AF are individual.

My brand of PAF takes me frequently into lurching, racing pulse and a sensation of I am about to faint. My loop recorder confirms Afib, but for me, the symptoms are a close mimic of a state of adrenalised anxiety/fear, impending doom and loss of control over the body.

Whilst researching and looking for pre-ablation solutions, I came across “Box Breathing” as a technique used by the US Navy SEALS to still the nerves before going into battle. The science behind this 4-square breathing seemed valid to me. The actual process was simple enough to carry out even when ‘going under,’ although counting up to four was a trial at times!

Whilst aware of all caveats of each individual having to find their own personal solutions, this process which shifts an automatic response - like breathing - into a controlled deliberate exercise has a positive calming outcome that keeps me out of A&E and allows me to patiently wait for ablation next month.

[belindalore]

Does anyone have or know anyone who has a weak psoas muscle? I was diagnosed with diverticulosis and I came across an article about the psoas muscles. The more I read about it the more it seems that it could be my problem. It says in some articles that it's a rare syndrome. I don't believe that either. Have seen sites where people are talking about and giving advice how to deal with this muscle when it's weak or inflamed. Of course asking my Dr about it was like asking one of my cats. I just get that look that says-"What are you talking about". 😒🙄 I wish I could put a link so you all could read more about it but you can Google it. All I have is my cellphone to get online and it's limiting. There's two of these muscles. Big muscles that start at the back of the spine. Then curve around on both sides to each pelvis and attach to the femurs. These muscles are what allows us to walk. But also the vagus nerve is surrounded by part of the psoas muscles and if the psoas muscles are weak or inflamed the vagus nerve is affected. I'm wondering because of that, can it also affect Afib? Could it affect POTS? Everything is so connected within our bodies it seems like sometimes one thing can create a domino effect. From what I'm reading it's not an easy task to try to make a psoas muscle better. People suffer for years with this psoas syndrome. It can cause symptoms like diverticulosis. Abdominal pain. Digestion problems. Constipation or diarrhea. I've had all that. Plus the pain radiates down into my groin and down into the front of my leg. Even down to my knee sometimes. Which the psoas muscles can do. Mine is on my right side. It hurts almost all the time. I notice If I lift something a little heavy it hurts more. If I rest for a couple of days the pain eases up. When it really hurts a lot I have more palpitations. It's causing me to hunch forward which is causing bad posture which makes it worse. And that effects my breathing. Of course the hot weather isn't helping either. Just going outside for a bit to go to the store or whatever wreaks havoc on my BP and HR for awhile. 😕

If I had deep pockets I would find a functional Dr. We have functional doctors here in the USA. They actually look for the root cause of your illness. (Funny thing is, functional Drs are nothing new. Just the name. These Drs do what Drs used to do before the insurance companies were allowed to run everything , including the Drs. I think they take insurance, but it would have to be the better insurance. Or you have to have the deep pockets.) There are ways to diagnose it but not enough Drs care to bother. Something else they can just throw pills at. 😒🙄

Thanks. I just wanted to throw this out to you all. We just never know what can happen in these bodies we inhabit. 🤷

Everyone take care. Heat is still high in most of the states. Lots of fires out west. Kentucky had terrible flooding in the east. Loss of lives. Las Vegas had major flooding. Flooded the casinos. Mother Nature has been relentless. Prayers for anyone who has been affected here and across the pond. 🙏🙏