With the first dose, my son was running around on the beach, diving into the water, and keeping up with the other kids. He looked relieved. I was reminded of the “shackles” one must feel when living with a chronic illness—as well as the impact it has on the patient’s family.
There are still days when my son is symptomatic. L-methylfolate has since been added to his regimen, improving his alertness. We are learning that his symptoms will continue to wax and wane—an ongoing challenge that may require treatment modifications.
Often, patients who complain of symptoms of POTS are disregarded because blood tests, scans, and x-rays yield inconclusive results. As a result, these patients can be misdiagnosed with anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, or ADHD. But if one of these diagnoses were accurate, shouldn’t exercise increase endorphins and make the patient feel better, not worse? Must these patients be dismissed under the assumption that their condition is “psychological”? What does it take to convince health care providers that a medical illness exists—and that the psychiatric symptoms are secondary?
POTS, an illness with vague and elusive symptoms, is underdiagnosed and undertreated. By sharing my son’s experience, I hope to make NPs and PAs aware that this condition may be in the differential—and that effective treatments are within reach, whoever the patient may be.