Holly

My name is Holly, I’m 26 years old. I developed PoTS in 2023, not long after having my third Covid jab, it all started out of nowhere.

I was finally diagnosed in October 2024, after being dismissed as having anxiety and panic attacks and multiple hospital trips.

PoTS has completely changed my life, before being diagnosed I used to work long shifts, go to the gym and enjoy doing long hikes. I had to undertake a remote job due to my struggles, I struggle to go for hikes anymore and completely gave up going to the gym and working out. I recently gave birth to a beautiful baby boy, almost 10 weeks ago. Pregnancy was quite challenging and since giving birth my PoTS has been the worst it’s ever been. I’m finding it incredibly challenging and isolating with a newborn baby as it’s difficult to explain to others, particularly loved ones, what the condition actually entails and that it’s not as simple as just a fast heart rate. I’ve always wanted to be a mummy and this is never how I imagined it to be. I’m trying to rest where possible, take supplements and go for gentle walks with my baby when I can. I am really hoping things will get better but I am also afraid this will be my new normal.

I’m unmedicated and have never tried any medications other than beta blockers, which didn’t help me sadly. I’m hoping and pushing for more help with my PoTS so that I can hopefully get back to some normality again. I want to do better for my baby, in order to be an active mummy.

 I would like for more awareness to be raised regarding PoTS and for people and loved ones to understand how debilitating it is as a condition, and just how difficult it is.