POTS is an invisible disability, and as I have been battling with this illness, I have faced bullying and exclusion for needing different accommodations. I have struggled with teachers ignoring my needs, "friends" excluding me, or getting angry for my needs, as well as struggling with the physical aspect of POTS. My message to others is to learn to advocate for yourself, because if people do not visibly see your disability, they may not be understanding and have an open mind.

I've been struggling with POTS for almost 3 years now. I've always had symptoms here and there, but never severe. A few years ago, I volunteered at a 4th of July event with some friends, afterwhich I ended up getting very sick. I was sick to the point where I couldn't get up and had to have someone help me do basic things. My head was throbbing, I was running a fever of 103 F° and couldn't keep down food. I ended up recovering around a week later, but after that I wasn't the same. I was struggling with daily activities, hobbies, or just things that included doing anything physical. I wasn't able to run, or dance, or go biking like I used to. I would get extremely lightheaded, my vision would start to go black, I would pass out, and sometimes throw up. I also started getting migraines pretty often. I ended up going to a neurologist to try and figure out what was wrong and what could be done to help. During so I got diagnosed with chronic migraines, and possible POTS. About a month later, I went to a cardiologist and got the diagnosis confirmed. I was given medication options that would apparently help with both, so I started taking them. Well they did help me with some things, the overall side-effects were unbearable. I couldn't eat without throwing up, my migraines got worse, I couldn't stand up without blacking out, and I was going through depression because of it. I lost around 30 Lbs in a month, and it was taking a huge toll on me to stay on the medication. So I stopped taking it, and started trying other things to improve my health. Even if they were simple things, like taking a walk, or riding my bike very slowly. I also started going to physical therapy, and doing small exercises there to learn how to better function without triggering symptoms. It's been around 6 months since I've gotten of the medication, and I've been doing a lot better. I've learned how to better manage symptoms, how to tell when I'm about to pass out, and what to do day to day to better my body and make it easier to live with this. I still get migraines every once in awhile, but they're nowhere near as severe as when I was on medication. I've gotten to a point where I can continue on with daily activities regardless of a migraine being active. It took a lot to get to this point with my health, but I'm very happy that I'm here.  I know it may seem hard now, or that it's not going to get any better. Things do get better though, even if certain parts get worse, some stay the same, or it gets worse in-between, others will improve in one way or another. Regardless or whether they do or don't though, we can still try everyday to make life better. Even if it means doing things to make it more accessible to you, or taking a break when you need it. Do what you feel is best for you, or what you know will help you. :)

I struggled with being controlled by my PoTS. I could not longer do the things I once enjoyed such as running, marching, eating good food, and going out with my friends. I didn't let that stopped me, I started making plans in advance so I could prepare for it. I started wearing compression socks and going on walks to increase my stamina. I started editing my meals to suit my needs. I joined the front essamble in band so I could still enjoy the band. Don't let you illness stop you from doing the things you love. Just change how you do things. Little changes can make a big difference in quality of life.