A Desperate Listener in Remission, Thank You to The POTScast

For years, I struggled with symptoms that seemed disconnected—extreme fatigue, tachycardia, heavy legs, frequent urination, pelvic pain, and varicose veins. Despite my persistent concerns, doctors repeatedly dismissed my high heart rate as anxiety and my brain fog and fatigue as depression. It was a frustrating cycle of invalidation that left me searching for answers on my own. 

Eventually, I was diagnosed with POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome), but that only explained part of my experience. When I sought medical attention for my leg veins, I was given the term "venous insufficiency." Something about that struck me, and when I Googled "POTS and venous insufficiency," I came across another term: "Pelvic Venous Insufficiency (PVI)." 

That led me down a path of research, and in the process, I stumbled upon a podcast—Episode 101 of The POTScast, featuring Dr. Smith. By the end of that episode, I was convinced. This had to be my issue. I knew I had to push for further testing, but it would take months to convince my doctors to run the necessary exams. When my diagnosis of Pelvic Congestion Syndrome (PCS) was finally confirmed, I was told that it was unlikely to be related to my POTS. Still, I persisted, determined to seek treatment despite the skepticism I faced. 

Again, it was Dr. Smith’s interview that gave me the hope and confidence to push forward. I underwent bilateral ovarian vein embolization, and the results were nothing short of miraculous. Though I felt a little tired for a couple of days post-procedure and had mild cramping on the first day, the immediate relief was undeniable. 

Before the procedure, standing up would send my heart rate skyrocketing from 70 to 130 bpm, where it would stubbornly remain. Now, my resting heart rate is between 58-62 bpm, and when I stand, it might briefly rise to 80-90 bpm before settling back down. It feels like a miracle. 

Not only has my heart rate normalized, but I have more energy than I have had in over a decade. My urinary frequency has drastically improved—from needing to go every 1-2 hours to now lasting 4-5 hours between trips. I suspect this will extend even further as my mind and body adjust to this new normal. Additionally, I am now sleeping through the night most nights, something I had nearly given up hope of ever doing again. 

This journey has been long, frustrating, and exhausting, but finding the right diagnosis and treatment has been life-changing. I share my story in hopes that others who are struggling might recognize their own symptoms and find the answers they need sooner than I did. If you're experiencing similar issues, don’t stop advocating for yourself. The right diagnosis can change everything. 

I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for spreading this information and helping me get my life back.  Thank you, thank you, thank you, Christina