SAMANTHA'S STORY

I was diagnosed with post-viral onset dysautonomia in February after my COVID-19 infection. I found out I was positive for COVID on January 26, 2021. Before I got sick I was a busy multitasking mom of two and wife. I worked as a preschool teacher and went to school to finish my undergraduate degree. I loved to spend my time dancing and was always running around and keeping a busy schedule. After my initial infection, I began to experience a constantly high heart rate (tachycardia) among other symptoms. I remembered a friend telling me that they had developed postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) after their COVID infection with similar symptoms to what I was experiencing so I immediately suspected this as my issue as well. Sure enough, it was. I nearly fainted many times and went to the emergency room about 15 or more times. I still get bouts of extreme nausea and digestive issues, as well as temperature dysregulation. I frequently have to urinate, which is very disruptive, or I do not feel the urge to use the bathroom at all. I haven’t been able to work or do half the things that I was able and loved to do since I got sick. 

 

I currently take propanolol which I find helps with the high heart rate. Hydration and allergy meds, as well as diet, help with the digestive issues and frequent breaks of lying down with my feet up in combination with breaks from stimulation have been the most helpful to me so far. 

 

What I want the world to know is that dysautonomia is so much more than a fast heartbeat. Even though you can't see it, it can be completely disabling.