Friday, 12 February 2021

Ladies Night: Long COVID POTS

By COVID COE- Coronavirus Center of Excellence • February 12, 2021 • 0 Comments

For Long Haul Coronavirus Sufferers: Tonight lets share a bit about a topic I like to call: 
LONG COVID LADIES NIGHT: with a special segment on POTS.  Its been a while since we have all been out, so grab your favorite beverage, and join me for a virtual ladies night.  


This is one of the serious "Aha" moments of my COVID Journey.  80% of Coronavirus Cases are mild, some even asymptomatic.   That was not at all my experience, and some of the recurrent phrases I heard made me research how I can heal myself.

 

The 12 trips to the emergency room after what the hospital visits were labeled, "Post COVID Recovery", as if giving it a name, made it tolerable.    Often while sitting in the ER I thought about HOW one can call hundreds of thousands in medical bills, and 9 months of debilitating symptoms and cognitive impairment,  "post (after)" COVID "recovery (healed)".   

 

 
I am one of many who have pondered how, when, or if LONG HAUL COVID ever ends.  Tonight I found a new phrase that caught my attention and I think it will appeal to others who are suffering as well.  

Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)

WHAT IS POTS? 

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is an orthostatic intolerance medical condition that manages the body's circulation and blood flow. POTS is the autonomic nervous system that controls and regulates vital bodily functions including the sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight response). 

WHY IS ORTHOSTATIC INTOLERANCE AN ISSUE? 

People with POTS can not control or coordinate the nervous system response due to irregular  the heart rate, and blood vessel squeeze response.  The blood pressure can not be regulated and it can lead to heart problems, stroke, and cognitive function.  I fit the profile given I had a stroke, heart problems, blood pressure problems, and recovering a Left Ventricle Hypertropy. 

PROFILE OF POTS PATIENT

In the USA 1-3 Millions suffer POTS and while it can affect any age or gender. 
  • 80% of POTS patients are women around 15-50 years old.   
  • People with Autoimmune Conditions run a higher risk 
  • The POTS condition often develops after serious illness, pregnancy, infection or trauma

SYMPTOMS OF POTS  

Patients with POTS may suffer from two or more of many symptoms. Not all patients suffer all the symptoms.
    1. High blood pressure/low blood pressure.
    2. High/low heart rate; racing heart rate.
    3. Chest pain.
    4. Dizziness/lightheadedness especially in standing up, prolonged standing in one position, or long walks.
    5. Fainting or near-fainting.
    6. Exhaustion/fatigue.
    7. Abdominal pain and bloating, nausea.
    8. Temperature deregulation (hot or cold).
    9. Nervous, jittery feeling.
    10. Forgetfulness and trouble focusing (brain fog).
    11. Blurred vision.
    12. Headaches and body pain/aches; neck pain, back pain
    13. Insomnia and frequent awakenings from sleep, chest pain and racing heart rate during sleep, excessive sweating.
    14. Shakiness/tremors especially with adrenaline surges.
    15. Discoloration of feet and hands.
    16. Exercise intolerance.
    17. Excessive or lack of sweating.
    18. Diarrhea and/or constipation.
                                      I was fascinated with this discovery as for 8 months, after testing negative for COVID, have had ALL of these symptoms, BUT two.  

                                      MONITORING: 

                                      The monitoring done at the hospital when I was recovering COVID, Sudden Onset Diabetes, and a stroke alert, would be continued from home.    

                                      1. Blood Pressure Normal is 90-120 systolic and 60-80 diastolic.
                                      2. Heart Rate   Normal is 60-100 BPM. Above 100 is tachycardia. Below 60 is bradycardia.
                                      3. Blood Glucose Normal Fasting is 80-180.  After eating 180.  Bedtime 110-200
                                      4. Pulse Oxygen Normal is 95% - 100%.  Below 90% is hypoxemia.   I felt sick at 93%. 
                                      5. Sleep Metrics  Target is 7-10 hours per night. 

                                      MEDICAL HOME MONITORING DEVICES:

                                      Here are some of the products I recommend.   I learned especially during COVID Recovery that feeling so sick, its hard to remember to log, and not logging you miss important trends that can help you and your medical team chart your course to recovery.   I use products that are Bluetooth and smart phone capable.  





                                       
                                        

                                       

                                       



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