Thunder Road - Bruce Springsteen

Notes from the POTS specialist appt today -

• Most recent thyroid test - Normal.
• Low blood pressure?! Agh, the one symptom I didn't have! BP machine beeping at me like crazy. 78/54.
• Sat around the office. I really ought to make a comic strip featuring the med students. They have absolutely no idea what they're doing. It's almost cute. Lesson One: Knock before entering an exam room. It's the least you could do.
  
• Took a Midodrine sample. One hour later, BP 110/50; HR 59.
• Keeping bb's at the higher dose for now.
• Got an Rx for Midodrine (ProAmitine).
• Going to get an electronic blood pressure cuff and take my info 3-4x/day. Joy.
• Fax results in one week; visit again in one month.

Long day. Focusing on the Midodrine this week.

rest,
et

Hey Ya - Outkast

What a bummer today. Very little energy, nauseous, etc. Tomorrow, back to the POTS Specialist downtown. Show me the Midodrine!

"What's cooler than being cool? Ice Cold!"

acoustic rock/funk/urban/alternative hip hop,
emma

Hey Jealousy - Gin Blossoms

Thank God for milder weather! Half hour in the sun, chicka yeah! That's right, freckles. Bring. It. ON.

The last few hours have been rough; very tired + palpitations. But this past week on the higher dosage has certainly been above average. Plus my eyes are looking brighter and clearer. Yay! :)

strawberries,
emma

Hey Juliet - LMNT

Long day yesterday with the wedding and everything...but I stuck it out! Only 20 minutes lying down? That's awesome for me! :) Go Beta blockers! Go dosage changes! My heart's pretty tired right now, but overall it's looking up?

I'm frustrated the doc is making us come downtown (again?!) just to get a 'scrip for Midodrine, but we're at the mercy of her office. At least Mom was able to negotiate an afternoon appointment.

whiffleball and bug spray,
acoustic Beach Boys in a church,
nice. nice.

emma

Hey Leonardo - Blessid Union of Souls

Yesterday I had a little more energy. Yoga!
Nighttime: foggy thinking and some difficulty breathing.

Resting up for a wedding! :) Gorgeous weather!

love and fancy clothes,
et

New Shoes - Paolo Nutini

Trying to read up. Acupuncture, aquatic therapy, cardiac rehab, on and on. I've gotten some good feedback concerning Midodrine - the next POTS drug on our list. At this point, really, whatever it takes! Thanks for your comments!

Fatigued and chest pain, but not terribly sore! Looking forward to building up my endurance.

...and then today, a competitor on "So You Think You Can Dance"... split his pants. I can't stop laughing. Forgive me. It's just one of those universally hysterical moments.

stay cool!
et

All Star - Smash Mouth

Today felt miserable. Endless palpitations, short of breath, etc etc. Felt like all the busy days had really caught up with me. Pain and exhaustion.

And then my mom approaches me. "Water aerobics class in two hours. We're going."

Me (as always, a calm, quiet voice from within) : What are you, NUTS?

I'm proud to say we did leave the driveway, no thanks to me or my symptoms. Muscle cramps prompted classic teen scowls and lines like "You're crazy" and "Ow! Turn around! This is ridiculous!" But my mom was inspired by much more than my condition. Yes, friends. The class was FREE. Haha. Scots-Irish, represent, yo.

I felt like roadkill, but I lasted 20 minutes! Lots of chest pain, very tired. But I think it's a good move mentally. Baby steps. Next time I'll stretch more beforehand and focus on horizontal exercises. Staying upright, even in a pool, is difficult; swimming laps (slowly) would probably be easier on my heart. We'll see, we'll see! I'm in pain now, but overall I'd say today has been encouraging.

So look out, you locker-room ladies. They don't call me the Band-Aid Bandit for nothing!

bahaha. I gotta stop doing that.

peace out,
emma