Vagus nerve stimulation is a hot topic surrounding chronic illness. A few studies have demonstrated the benefits that vagus nerve stimulation devices have on certain conditions. In this case study, an implanted device (for the purpose of epilepsy) happened to improve a patient’s POTS symptoms. There is also an ongoing study using vagus nerve stimulating devices specifically on POTS patients.

In the clinical setting, vagus stimulation devices may be implanted. This is currently offered for depression and epilepsy. Some clinics are utilizing professional external vagus nerve stimulation devices. There are also commercial external devices available to the masses. The safety and effectiveness of these commercial external devices is less certain. I can see vagus stimulation devices becoming a more widespread and safe treatment in the future. But, for now, I would err on the side of caution and only do it under the supervision of a physician. The good news is that there are ways we can stimulate our vagus nerve safely and device-free.

Why is the vagus nerve relevant?

Part of the etiology of certain subsets of POTS and ME is thought to lie in central sensitization. This is where the nervous system becomes overactive due to some sort of trauma to the body (ex. virus, toxic exposure, accident, etc.). As a result, the nervous system defaults to the sympathetic (“fight or flight”) rather than the parasympathetic (“rest and digest”). Our bodies are not intended to default to sympathetic activity. As a result, many conditions and symptoms arise and/or worsen.

So, then the question comes up, how can we override this and put our bodies in the parasympathetic nervous system? The answer is the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve is the 10th cranial nerve and it runs all the way down through the abdomen. It stimulates parasympathetic nervous system activity.

As our brains become accustomed to more parasympathetic activity, it lays down new neural connections to perpetuate this. This is called neuroplasticity- our brain and nervous system can change over time. So, boosting parasympathetic activity has both short-term and long-term gains.

This is how we do it… (I bet you sang that like Montell Jordan)

• Cold showers– They stimulate our vagus nerve and constricts blood vessels. If you have POTS, this can make a huge difference in how you feel after a shower. We can also initiate the diving reflex by immersing our face in cool water, which provides additional vagus nerve stimulation. During warmer seasons, I finish my showers with cold water and cup the water to my face.
• Deep breathing– You can visit my post on deep breathing to read more about it.
• Psoas release– Tension in the psoas muscle can provide negative feedback to the vagus nerve. The psoas is a commonly tense muscle due to how often we sit as a society. This YouTube video demonstrates the psoas release. I also use this method of release.
• Gut flora– The vagus nerve receives feedback from our gut. For gut health, I eat a whole-food diet and avoid added sugar (not strict).
• Massage– Check out my post on massage therapy.
• Exercise– Exercise can stimulate the vagus nerve. It can also ramp up sympathetic (fight or flight) nervous system activity, so it is something to be cautious with. I follow the Modified Levine Protocol and do P.volve for strength training.
• Socializing and laughing– Socialization can be difficult with chronic illness, but it is worth the effort.
• Meditation– You can check out my post on meditation to learn more. Lately, I have been using the Mindful15 podcast and the Meditation Minis podcast.
• Acupuncture– This is on my radar to try in the future. The vagus nerve can be stimulated through the skin at certain points using acupuncture.
• Sunlight– Exposure to sunlight stimulates the vagus nerve. There are many additional health benefits of spending time outdoors.

Is this a cure?

No, there is still no cure for POTS, ME, and many other chronic illnesses. This is a treatment. However, treatments should not be underestimated as they can be significant to improving quality of life.

Has anyone tried vagus nerve stimulation? How has it worked for you?

Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. Statements on this site are not meant to be taken as medical advice. These statements reflect my personal experiences having mild-ish post-viral POTS and ME. Due to the wide spectrum of these diseases, comorbidities, and everyone being different, your experiences may be very different than mine.

Note: If you post a comment, this site does NOT have a feature to notify you of responses to your comment. I have not found a good solution for that yet. However, I usually respond to every comment in a timely manner, so be sure to check back.

“Sleep is critical to getting better”- Dr. Fleming

Dr. Fleming is an internist in the Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia Clinic at the Mayo Clinic. When I had my appointment with him, he admitted that researchers do not fully understand how sleep impacts our bodies. However, he said it is one of the most impactful things on our health.

Why sleep is important

• Cellular repair and building new cells
• Regulates hormones
• Strengthens the immune system
• Improves mental and emotional well-being
• Increases focus and cognitive function
• Improves energy
• Provides a break from adrenaline release (during REM)

Tips for healthy sleep

Naps

Naps can be risky. Mayo recommended avoiding them or keeping them shorter than 30 minutes. Substantial naps may disrupt nighttime sleep cycles.

As a result of disrupted sleep cycles, you may not be reaching the deepest level of sleep called REM (rapid eye movement). REM sleep is essential for our nervous system. I found it fascinating in that Time article that our brains take a break from releasing norepinephrine during REM sleep. This is a significant consideration, especially for people with hyperadrenergic conditions (ex. certain subsets POTS and ME). The less adrenaline our bodies release, the better. So, the more REM, the better. Therefore, the shorter the naps, the better. Capisce?

Waking in the middle of the night

If you fully wake up in the middle of the night, your body may restart the sleep cycle you were on. This may cause you to have less restorative and REM sleep. Things that help prevent this are:

• Taking it easy on the water before bed
• Not checking electronic devices for time (the light may trigger your body to wake up)
• Using nightlights so you can stumble in and out of the bathroom in the middle of the night

If you have little ones, sleeping through the night probably isn’t gonna happen. I hear ya. I remember the typical schedule when my boys were babies was 2 hours of sleep, feed, 2 hours of sleep, feedfeedfeedfeed, 1 hour of sleep, and that’s it. Even being school-aged, my kids frequently wake us up for something. Don’t sweat what you can’t control. There are other healthy sleep habits you can implement and benefit from.

Busy brain

You know what I’m talking about- when your brain tries to solve the world’s problems whilst remembering every embarrassing thing you have ever done.

Sleep stories on the Calm app are very effective to combat a busy brain. I talk about this in my post on meditation. There are also sleep story podcasts with stories that get progressively more boring until you pass out.

If you are still awake after 15 minutes, it is best to get out of bed and do a quiet activity (no screens) until you get sleepy again. This helps keep your brain programmed that bed is for sleep.

Essential Oils

Disclaimer: This is not a suitable practice for everyone. You may consult your doctor and an Aromatherapist to see what is appropriate for you. I also recommend the site Using Essential Oils Safely. It has great information and charts for dilution.

A few years ago, I had a brief period of insomnia. A blend of Cedarwood and Marjoram applied to my skin (arms) before bed helped me fall asleep faster and stay asleep. After a couple weeks of good sleep, I stopped the oils and was fine. I think it helped me establish a healthy pattern. This is anecdotal evidence based on my personal experience, so take it what it is worth.

Warning: Cedarwood smells like wet wood + a hint of cat pee.

Basic tips

You will find these tips almost everywhere, but I will repeat them for the sake of being complete:

• Only use the bed for sleeping (ex. not reading or watching TV in bed)
• Keep the bedroom at a cool temperature
• No electronics within 1-2 hours of bedtime
• Blackout curtains
• White noise
• Have a consistent routine
• Limit caffeine

Meditation or deep breathing

Meditating or deep breathing before bed sets the nervous system in a more relaxed state that promotes better sleep. Mayo recommends doing deep breathing before sleep for 10-15 minutes.

Amount of sleep

Mayo recommends between 7-8 hours.

Get outside

Our bodies rely on light and day cues for our circadian rhythm. Depriving ourselves of natural light can mess with sleep via interrupting the circadian rhythm. I truly feel my best when I spend regular time outdoors, even if it’s only for a short walk.

It takes around 3-4 weeks of healthy sleep habits to improve your sleep. If nothing helps you sleep, I would recommend seeing a neurologist that specializes in sleep disorders.

What tips do you have for getting healthy sleep?

Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. Statements on this site are not meant to be taken as medical advice. These statements reflect my personal experiences having mild-ish post-viral POTS and ME. Due to the wide spectrum of these diseases, comorbidities, and everyone being different, your experiences may be very different than mine.

Note: If you post a comment, this site does NOT have a feature to notify you of responses to your comment. I have not found a good solution for that yet. However, I usually respond to every comment in a timely manner, so be sure to check back.

Cold intolerance is a common issue for people with POTS, ME, and many other chronic illnesses. Overall, we have been having a mild winter here in the Midwest, but it’s usually a miserable wasteland of frigidity. Whenever the temperature drops below 30 degrees I start sending my husband Indeed job searches in his field located in Hawaii. A girl can dream, right? In the meantime, here are a couple tips for dealing with the cold weather.

Space heater caution

This is the most valuable tip that I have: be careful with space heaters! I used to sit in front of a space heater all the time last winter until I realized it was making me feel worse. I hope you can learn from my mistake.

DO NOT sit with your legs directly in front of a space heater if you have dysautonomia. The intense heat at that proximity will dilate your blood vessels and increase your chances of becoming syncopal or pre-syncopal when you stand up. This same principal applies to electric blankets, fireplaces, heating pads, hot tubs, warm baths/showers, saunas, etc.

It may feel nice temporarily to crank up a space heater, but it makes everywhere else feel harsh by comparison. You may find that you are more miserable in the long run by allowing your body to become accustomed to that excessive level of warmth.

This doesn’t mean that you should never use a space heater, just be careful. I use mine every day to heat up the room I exercise in because there aren’t any vents and we have ancient windows. But, I keep the temperature set at modest 72 degrees Fahrenheit and point the space heater away from me.

Warm accessories

I hate to mention this because every article on the topic of cold weather says “dress in warm layers” to which I respond, “YOU DON’T SAY?”. However, I want to recommend some specifics because it can make a difference. Protecting my hands, feet, and face extra well makes me feel better in the cold.

Gloves

The warmest gloves I have owned have Columbia Omni Heat technology in them. I don’t know how it works, but it’s the bomb dot com. I currently have a pair of gloves from Theisen’s with knockoff Omni Heat, but I can’t find the link. Theisen’s is one of those weird all-in-one stores. If you are ever in the scenario in which you need to buy a weedwacker, a pair of jeans, and a children’s puzzle, but don’t want to go to three different stores, Theisen’s has you covered.

Boots

I have had these boots by Columbia (an older version) for years. They have an Omni Heat lining for extra warmth. They are also semi-minimalist, which I appreciate. For men, it looks like the Fairbanks boot is pretty similar.

You can find warm boots anywhere, though. Look for the temperature rating on the label and if it says it is meant for negative temps, it will most likely work well for you.

Socks

I recommend these Columbia socks (they are lined in fleece) or Smartwool socks.

Balaclava

When my face is cold and getting blown by icy wind, I just feel colder overall and less tolerant of the weather. Balaclavas are a great solution for this. I don’t have any specific brand recommendation for this, I have had a variety over the years and they are all the same to me. Alternatively, neck gaiters also work well as does just wrapping a scarf around your lower face.

I wish I had more advice, but unfortunately there’s only so much we can do beyond becoming a mad scientist and creating a device that alters the weather. Elon Musk, help a sister out.

What are your best tips for dealing with cold weather? Please share!

Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. Statements on this site are not meant to be taken as medical advice. These statements reflect my personal experiences having mild-ish post-viral POTS and ME. Due to the wide spectrum of these diseases, comorbidities, and everyone being different, your experiences may be very different than mine.

Note: If you post a comment, this site does NOT have a feature to notify you of responses to your comment. I have not found a good solution for that yet. However, I usually respond to every comment in a timely manner, so be sure to check back.

Prior to having my kiddos, I was a massage therapist at a chiropractor’s office. I saw first-hand the many positive effects of massage therapy. Now, in the patient role, I can say that massage therapy has been useful for me in dealing with POTS and ME.

I struggle with my muscles feeling “gassed” like I have perpetually just gotten done sprinting a 400m. Booty lock for life. This exacerbates the fatigue. One of the most useful things for this has been massage therapy (the other helpful thing is Mestinon). I taught my husband how to do basic massage techniques, and he massages my legs every evening. What a guy, right? My legs immediately feel relief and it helps me be more primed to exercise and function the following day.

DISCLAIMER: Please consult your doctor prior to initiating massage therapy. There are many medical and medicinal contraindications as I will briefly discuss below.

How massage therapy is helpful for POTS and ME

Boosts parasympathetic function

Massage can be relaxing and this will encourage more parasympathetic nervous system function. As I have discussed several times before on this blog, the current understanding of the etiology of POTS and ME involve an excess of sympathetic nervous system activity. Our nervous system is either operating in the parasympathetic or the sympathetic at a given moment, so by encouraging parasympathetic nervous system activity, we are lowering the amount of sympathetic nervous system activity.

I feel like that was complicated. Let me try again. Massage relaxes you, which improves the balance of nervous system activity that contributes to POTS and ME.

Helps with “gassed” muscles

That “gassed” feeling is exactly what it sounds like- the muscles are either not getting enough oxygen or not utilizing it properly. Many researchers believe there is a component of diseases like ME, POTS, fibromyalgia, etc. in which the tissues are not receiving oxygen quickly or efficiently enough. The blood oxygen measure (think the pulse oximeter that doctors put on your finger) in the arteries will be normal, but the uptake in the tissues is not. Massage therapy increases circulation to the muscles. Increased circulation means more oxygen. Therefore, massage can temporarily improve the “gassed muscles” by promoting greater oxygen availability to the muscles.

Side note, that above link titled “uptake in the tissues is not” goes to an article on Cort Johnson’s site named Health Rising. I want to shout out his work. He does an amazing job of keeping the ME/CFS community “in the know” about the latest research and explaining the relevance of each study to the community.

Relieves pain

Many people with POTS and ME also have fibromyalgia or other sources of chronic pain. Massage therapy relaxes muscle tension which can relieve pain.

Assists with venous return

The motion of massage should always (or almost always) be moving towards the heart. This compressive upward motion assists the blood in moving back towards the heart. Some POTS patients experience blood pooling in their extremities and massage can be a useful way to temporarily relieve that symptom.

How to do it

If you can afford it, have the ability to drive, the energy, and the time- then by all means a professional massage therapist is the way to go. For many of us with chronic illness, one or more of those factors are an issue. So, I am going to teach you how to do this at home.

With the help of a friend or family member

This YouTube video demonstrates the basic Swedish strokes. There are many other videos on the internet that teach the basic strokes. You can have your person watch one and mimic it on you. The foundation is that you are pushing and gliding towards the heart. Have them start with a flat hand, that is the most basic stroke.

They can also use basic sports massage techniques. This is more along the lines of what my husband does to me. He does compression strokes moving towards the heart and then does this technique demonstrated between 9:20-9:40 on this YouTube video.

Massage stick

If your person feels inept at massage, get them a stick to use on you. It makes it piece of cake.

You can also use the stick yourself. Work with gravity to minimize your effort. For example, if you are massaging the quadriceps (front of the thighs), bend your knee and start the stick at knee level. Then slowly move the stick towards the direction of your hip (or the floor). My husband is demonstrating it in this picture. He could be a part-time model ;).

Using your knee to massage your calf

This is really easy. Bend one knee, then cross the other leg over it with bottom of your calf touching your opposite knee cap. Slowly straighten your top leg and as you do so your kneecap of the bottom leg massages your calf of the top leg. Voila!

DIY

This is going to be hard for many people with POTS and ME because of the energy required. However, you can try to massage your own legs using your hands. The second half of this video does a good job of demonstrating self-massage techniques on the legs.

Foam roller or ball

Foam rollers can be strenuous to use. However, if you are able, they are an excellent and affordable tool. Basically, you lay whatever body part you want to massage on it, and slowly roll back and forth working on a couple inches of space at a time. YouTube has a plethora of videos if you want to get into this but aren’t sure how to do it.

I also like using Yoga Tune Up balls. These can be used similar to a foam roller, but in certain areas a foam roller cannot. I really like using the a Yoga Tune-Up ball on the glutes, rhomboids, and neck/suboccipital muscles. I think the balls are also less difficult to use energy-wise because you don’t have to lift yourself off the ground as much to use it.

Massage Guns

It’s 2023 while I’m writing this addition, and massage guns are all over the place. I purchased this one by Lifepro and really like it. I got it on a major sale for around $75, so I would recommend keeping an eye out on prices as it seems like most massage guns go on sale from time to time. Massage guns are nice because you can apply good pressure and impact without a lot of effort. I wonder if they would be irritating to people with fibromyalgia, for example. Even the lowest setting of my massage gun is pretty strong. I have tried my mom’s massage gun, which was a random cheapy from Amazon. You can definitely tell the difference, the cheap one from Amazon is weaker. However, that may be more of your preference. So, my advice would be this- if you want a strong, deep massage, go for a higher quality one. If you are more sensitive or reactive but still want to try it, a cheaper or travel device may be more up your alley. I would also consult your doctor before you plan on using a massage gun in case it is contraindicated for you.

Contraindications

Massage therapy is not an inert practice, so it is important that you consult your doctor before pursuing it. Massage therapy is contraindicated for certain conditions such as: varicose veins, bruising, skin lesions, edema, some cardiovascular diseases, etc. I used to have a whole book full of contraindications, so I couldn’t begin to scratch the surface of it. I cannot stress enough to consult your doctor first.

Massage can also affect how certain medications work in your body. For example, a vigorous Swedish massage can interfere with how fast time-released medications disperse in your system. So, it is also important to discuss your medications with your doctor and ask if massage is safe with them. In addition to the giant book of contraindications, I had a ginormous book listing every medication imaginable and how to approach massage accordingly. Before I would massage a client, I would reference every medication they were taking. If you see a professional massage therapist, make sure you disclose all of your health issues and medications to them.

Have you used massage therapy as a treatment for POTS and ME? How has it worked for you?

Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. Statements on this site are not meant to be taken as medical advice. These statements reflect my personal experiences having mild-ish post-viral POTS and ME. Due to the wide spectrum of these diseases, comorbidities, and everyone being different, your experiences may be very different than mine.

Note: If you post a comment, this site does NOT have a feature to notify you of responses to your comment. I have not found a good solution for that yet. However, I usually respond to every comment in a timely manner, so be sure to check back.

Dry eyes are a common issue among people with forms of dysautonomia such as POTS. The autonomic nervous system regulates blinking, and blinking stimulates tear production. Therefore, if the autonomic nervous system gets messed up (dysautonomia), tear production can get messed up as well.

Another reason many people with dysautonomia have dry eyes is because Sjogren’s Syndrome is a common co-morbidity of dysautonomia. Sjogren’s is an autoimmune disease that attacks salivary and tear glands, causing dry mouth and dry eyes- sometimes to a very severe degree.

In general, autoimmune diseases are characterized by inflammation. Since POTS may be an autoimmune disease, there is most likely inflammation present. Inflammation can cause dry eyes. As you can see, there are several ways that POTS can cause dry eyes.

My dry eye is not severe although it was very bothersome for a time. I do not have Sjogren’s. My oily tear glands have a tendency to get clogged, so my tears evaporate quicker than they should. Keep those things in mind as I discuss the tips that have helped me with dry eyes.

Eye Drops

This is a basic first-line defense against dry eyes. You can use artificial tears as often as needed. Some drops are more watery, and others have oil or fatty acids to bolster the lipid component of tears to create less evaporation of the tears. The oily/fatty acid eye drops are blurry for a few minutes, but I find them to work better for me than the standard artificial tears. According to my eye doctor office, eye drops are like mascara: everyone has one that they “swear by”, but it is really a personal preference. That being said, the eye drops that I have liked are:

• Systane Balance– It has ingredients that bolster the lipid component of tears, which is important if you have evaporative dry eye. This was helpful when my eyes were mildly dry, but it didn’t cut it when my eyes got worse. I used to use this at night.
• Blink for contacts– I wear soft contact lenses almost every day, so I have to stick to contact-specific drops during the daytime. These have worked well for me.
• Soothe XP– These eye drops have mineral oil which bolsters the lipid component of tears. These are more hearty than Systane Balance and I currently like to use them at night or on glasses days.
• Systane Gel Nighttime– These are excellent for when your eyes get dry overnight. They are very thick and keep the eyes moistened for a long time.
• Refresh Optive– I haven’t been able to find Soothe XP lately and have been using these drops instead and like them. I use the preservative-free single use vials.
• GenTeal Gel Tears– In 2022, these are my new favorite non-contact drops. They last longer than any other that I have used.

I have also tried Blink tears and Blink gel tears for night time or when I occasionally wear glasses and they made my eyes feel more dry. They were a no-go for me, but everyone is different. Another tip regarding drops- do NOT use Visine drops or similar vasoconstricting drops meant to reduce redness, these can exacerbate dry eyes.

Warm Compresses

Warm compresses loosen up the oil in the tear glands to get them flowing better. This helps there be more of the oily component to tears. I will do a warm compress twice a day with a warm washcloth. I do it in the morning before I put my contacts in and at night after I remove makeup and wash my face. The doctor advised me to do it for 1-2 minutes and to get the washcloth warm again when it loses its heat. So, about every 20 seconds during the compress, I will replenish the warm water on the washcloth. I have tried doing compresses for a longer period of time and it was irritating to the skin on my eyelids. If I ever need to amp it up, I will use an eye mask instead so I’m not soaking my eyelids for so long.

Update: My eyes went through a rough patch again so I got the Bruder eye mask that I linked above. Guys, it is amazing. I use it for about 10 minutes every morning while I meditate and it is a night and day difference. My eyes feel basically normal again.

Omega-3’s

The eye doctor recommended taking fish oil because the omega-3 fatty acids can help boost the oily component of tears. Fish oil weebs me out. Instead, I add flax seeds to breakfast smoothies.

Treating allergies or sinus issues

I noticed a big difference in how my eyes felt when I finally kicked this most recent sinus infection. My eyes weren’t achy around the orbital bones anymore, my lids were no longer swollen, and my eyes were less dry.

Allergies can irritate your eyes and cause issues. It is a different mechanism than dry eye, but addressing it may improve your overall comfort. Be aware that certain antihistamines can exacerbate dry eye, so it is important to talk to your doctor about your options.

Contacts

Make sure your contacts are decent for dry eyes as some are better than others. I use Acuvue Oasys for Astigmatism brand. They are bi-weekly lenses, which works better for me than monthly pairs.

Eye makeup

Some eye makeup can make your issues worse. You don’t have to go sans makeup, just be aware of what irritates you, and avoid it.

Hypochlorous Acid Solutions

A few companies, such as Bruder, make hypochlorous acid solutions that you can spray onto your closed eyelid. It sounds scary, but your body actually makes hypochlorous acid to combat against bacteria. This allows your eye secretions to flow more freely. Hypochlorous acid also decreases inflammation. I haven’t used this consistently, so I can’t speak to its effectiveness.

Thoroughly removing eye makeup

Makeup can clog your tear glands and worsen dry eyes, so thoroughly removing your makeup at the end of the day is crucial. I use Paula’s Choice Gentle Touch Eye Makeup Remover. Leaving any makeup remover or micellar water on the skin can be irritating, so I wash my face immediately afterwards and gently wash my eye area with facewash too.

Lid scrubs

This helps by loosening up oil clogs and preventing future clogging. My preferred way to do this is by washing my lid area with Babyganics baby shampoo (just with my fingertips). Some people prefer to use a lid scrub like Ocusoft, or by using a washcloth with the baby shampoo. Those methods were drying and irritating to my eyelid skin. I only do this method when I feel like I need it.

Update 2023- I recently tried these lid scrubs and this lid wash, both by Optase, and they seem to have improved by dry eyes further and are not irritating for me. I am using the lid wash now because it is cheaper per use. They both work well at removing eye makeup too, so it replaces my usual eye makeup remover.

Blinking

This is a no-brainer, but blinking more often helps. So, for me that means less spacing out into oblivion.

Prescription eye drops

The eye doctor prescribed me Xiidra eye drops. They work by decreasing inflammation so that your eyes make more of their own tears. I have been using them for a little over a month now.

I used a shotgun approach to treat my dry eyes, so it is hard to say what helped the most. It is possible the Xiidra has been a factor. The downside is that it is hella expensive (Around $500 per month without insurance or coupons). After insurance and using the manufacturer coupon it was only $5 for a one-month supply. However, I may be in for a reality check in the new year when our deductible hasn’t been met. Update, it cost me my left kidney to purchase Xiidra in January.

2022 Xiidra update- I stopped using Xiidra for over a year, but my dry eyes were bothering me again this spring so I began using it again. Wow, it really makes a huge difference for me. This time it was the only thing I changed so I could truly tell the difference it makes. Before, when I would wake up, I could barely blink because my eyes were bone dry. That is totally normal now. I am also able to wear my contacts comfortably for longer and overall be bothered less by inconvenient dry eye symptoms.

With these strategies my eyes are much more comfortable. What tips do you have for dealing with dry eyes?

Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. Statements on this site are not meant to be taken as medical advice. These statements reflect my personal experiences having mild-ish post-viral POTS and ME. Due to the wide spectrum of these diseases, comorbidities, and everyone being different, your experiences may be very different than mine.

Note: If you post a comment, this site does NOT have a feature to notify you of responses to your comment. I have not found a good solution for that yet. However, I usually respond to every comment in a timely manner, so be sure to check back.