An ER visit that quietly changed everything
Tonight was a lot.
I went to the ER after my symptoms kept escalating, and during orthostatic vitals my heart rate shot up when I stood, but my blood pressure stayed the same. While standing, my breathing became heavier and shorter, and I wasn’t steady. The doctor had to physically support me and kept reassuring me that we were almost done. He felt me wobbling on the hand he was holding me with all while watching my vitals and saying “I’ve got you honey”… and “We’re almost done here”. I honestly wanted to cry.
Afterward, they came back and asked me if I had ever looked into POTS.
That question alone held more validation than I’ve felt in a long time.
I didn’t need to explain or convince anyone in that moment, my body showed them. And while the ER can’t diagnose, being told to follow up with cardiology after that experience felt like a turning point.
Right now I’m dealing with a pretty intense adrenaline surge, trying to calm my nervous system and remind myself that what I’m feeling is real, even if it took a while for someone else to see it too.
If you’re in that in-between space…not diagnosed yet, but struggling daily, you’re not imagining it. Sometimes your body speaks before medicine catches up.
Tonight I’m choosing rest, regulation, and gentleness. One step at a time. 🤍