How can you get an OH diagnosis without ever observing BP drops upon standing? What do I do?
Today I had my cardiology visit after having worn a zio heart monitor for 2 weeks. I have been passing out especially when showering and at work. I complained to my GP and she suggested POTS. I didn't know anything about it. I have had depression and anxiety for many years and assumed it was anxiety causing it somehow. After reading up on POTS, I started checking my heart rate all the time. It seemed to show 90s when laying, and after standing for 5 mins 135...I never go longer than 5 min bc I start feeling bad and sit back down. Sometimes when I stand up and walk around it shoots up even higher and I get really out of breath. I have stopped showering sadly bc I'm too afraid to pass out again. I just do my hygiene in bed. I feel my best in the bed and lay down probably 90% of the time now. It goes up to 185 when showering and at work when I am doing stuff. It's really scary.
So today I was diagnosed with orthostatic hypertension. I didn't argue too much bc he's a specialist and I don't know what that means. When I get home I look it up. Why am I reading that the Hallmark diagnostic criteria is a low blood pressure upon standing?? How does he even know that's happening?? No one has ever checked my BP while I'm standing. I know and he knows bc he saw my heart monitor test that my heart rate spikes when I stand up all the time... So why would he go to that diagnosis without any further testing? Is there something I'm missing here? He did say that the pristiq I've been on for years has caused this. He recommends I get off the pristiq. I asked if this would go away if I did that and he said it would reduce symptoms at least. Needless to say I'm left with a lot of questions. Has anyone else had problems like this?