IV Fluids Are Amazing

I was diagnosed with POTS 5 years ago.  My first 4 ½ years with the disorder were miserable.  I lost 100 pounds, and got to the point that I would not leave the house.  I had many days that I asked the Lord to take me home.

One night last March, I was so sick that my sons took me to the emergency room.  I was so weak that they brought me in a wheelchair.  Luckily, the doctor on duty immediately knew what the problem was – his wife had POTS! The doctor told me that I would be a new man after some potassium and 2 liters of IV saline.  He told me that after the treatment, I would dance out of the ER and actually be hungry! I got up after the IV was finished, and was not dizzy.  I actually felt good – like I had never been sick.  I went to Kentucky Fried Chicken and had forgotten how good the food tasted.

For a while, I got IV saline once a week, and it made a huge difference in my quality of life.  I was able to drive again, and started going to church and other places.  When I start to feel weak and dizzy, I go and get more IV fluids.  I also take midodrine to raise my blood pressure, and that has helped a lot.  I don’t need the fluids weekly any more, but do get an infusion every couple of months.   I work a weekend guard job now, and feel like my legs are getting stronger.  I may not be back to “normal,” but I do feel like I have my life back.  For me, midodrine and IV fluids have been amazing!