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I Have POTS Syndrome But I Am Extremely Sick. My
Question: I have POTS Syndrome but I am extremely sick. My body feel like it’s in overdrive 24/7. I have severe brain fog. I have these tiny brown dots on my upper back, and under my chin. Every time I eat I start to feel extremely sick and have stomach pain and also a headache. I am very sensitive to perfume smells, and smoke smells. I’m always breaking out in a small rash on my arms, and neck. My blood pressure drops low sometimes or either goes up high. I have severe tremors for no reason, tingling in my face and mouth. I have blurred vision, and feel like I’m very detached from the word. I have Type 2 diabetes, and mild anemia. I was a healthy person until after having an allergic reaction to some pain medicine I got through an IV at the ER back in April. Every since then I haven’t been back normal. Can you tell me what else can be going on with me?
Brief Answer:
I would recommend a check of your thyroid function- further details below
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to 'Ask A Doctor' service,
I carefully read your query.
Many of the symptoms you mention can be due to POTS itself and some of them may be related to anxiety. I noticed you are having treatment for diabetes and anemia, having hemoglobin levels 12 and above and glucose levels under control is important as both diabetes and anemia can cause a patient to feel unwell.
I would recommend you to have a TSH and FT4 check to rule out thyroid problems as well, as thyroid problems are very common in women.
To conclude:
- POTS can cause some of the symptoms you explain. POTS can happen after a trauma, as it happened with you, after a major allergic reaction
- I would recommend you to check your thyroid (TSH and FT4) if you have not had it checked in the last year
- It would be helpful for me to have a couple of pictures with the rash that you have on the chin and arms to better evaluate it
- I did not notice any information on your recent hemoglobin and sugar levels- good control of these is important
- If the thyroid function is normal and your anemia and diabetes are under control then you may benefit from taking treatment for anxiety such as SSRI drugs (sertraline or citalopram). Counseling would be beneficial as well.
I hope this is helpful.
I remain at your disposal for further medical assistance.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj
General and Family Physician
I would recommend a check of your thyroid function- further details below
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to 'Ask A Doctor' service,
I carefully read your query.
Many of the symptoms you mention can be due to POTS itself and some of them may be related to anxiety. I noticed you are having treatment for diabetes and anemia, having hemoglobin levels 12 and above and glucose levels under control is important as both diabetes and anemia can cause a patient to feel unwell.
I would recommend you to have a TSH and FT4 check to rule out thyroid problems as well, as thyroid problems are very common in women.
To conclude:
- POTS can cause some of the symptoms you explain. POTS can happen after a trauma, as it happened with you, after a major allergic reaction
- I would recommend you to check your thyroid (TSH and FT4) if you have not had it checked in the last year
- It would be helpful for me to have a couple of pictures with the rash that you have on the chin and arms to better evaluate it
- I did not notice any information on your recent hemoglobin and sugar levels- good control of these is important
- If the thyroid function is normal and your anemia and diabetes are under control then you may benefit from taking treatment for anxiety such as SSRI drugs (sertraline or citalopram). Counseling would be beneficial as well.
I hope this is helpful.
I remain at your disposal for further medical assistance.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj
General and Family Physician
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
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