u/TadpoleConfident9748

i began taking gabapentin to combat anxiety and fast heart rate (not prescribed, please do not judge i am already feeling immense shame)

it helped, until it didn’t?? i guess ive been having symptoms for a while of blood pooling, slightly tachycardic, appetite changes, and everyone thought it was just “anxiety”, so i was given a gabapentin 300 to help. it worked, so i asked my brother for more just for when my heart rate is high, or when im anxious. this turned into an every other night dose of 900-1200 dose just to feel normal. i didn’t realize that i was probably withdrawing when i wanted more.

i have had symptoms now of weird hr and blood pressure, and im scared i did it to myself with gabapentin. i didn’t know it had strong physical dependence or withdrawal. i am currently on a heart monitor and am also set up with a cardiologist. he prescribed diltiazem and potassium because i was having palpitations , and he saw it on a 24 hr monitor. i just went through a whole work up for pots and cardio, and i didn’t even think about the fact that i am taking gabapentin. i dont know what to do about tapering, all i know is that i feel god awful.

i dont have racing heart, but pounding heart, im able to finally keep food down, and water, but last two days weren’t good. i ended up taking 1 gabapentin yo help.

i feel like i should go to the doctor, and be honest about my usage, but im afraid they’re gonna send me off to a rehab, or worse they just wont do anything. i’m scared, i know i need to taper, and my anxiety is only making me feel worse physical wise.

should i go to the er?? my regular doctor?? do i tell my cardiologist? i’m afraid they’re all going to scold me but i don’t want my heart to stop, or have a heart attack.

hi all, i hope this post finds you well!
i am in the deep trenches of getting a diagnosis. i have had POTS symptoms well since I have been 12 (21 now. they racked it up to anemia. anemia went away, symptoms only got worse) In the past year, after ruling out thyroid and vitamin deficiencies, my doctor suggested i start treating myself for POTS and she would refer me to Mayo Rochester. they scheduled me for a TTT, QSART, cardiopulmonary exercise test, and pulmonary lab testing, OT consult. this was in december. in the meantime, i was also given the Zio heart patch for two weeks. they detected a wenchebach block, and i am quite confused after a conversation with a cardiologist. he does NOT believe i have pots based from the poor mans TTT, but at the same time, has not addressed my heart issue at all? he told me to do all the same things that i already am (compressions, water, sodium, smaller meals). from my understanding, this block is not harmful unless symptomatic, (which i am very much so lol), so just a bit confused on that aspect. I am symptomatic with tachycardia, temperature intolerance, tremors, mouth/eye dryness, decreased sweating, horrible brain fog, GI issues. i have stopped working due to my heart flaring up at work (i was serving and housekeeping once i left school.) and i am pretty bed ridden.

i apologize for the long background! thank you for reading so far:)
now, my full testing, the POTS work up at Mayo is next week, and i am feeling quite anxious!! i am afraid that i should just listen to my cardiologist, that i don’t have POTS. my symptoms have been flared all week because of my anxiety this week for the appointments. it’s a 2 hours drive and im afraid that ill get there, and be told that we wont do testing because i met with a cardiologist.
any feedback, personal experiences, or just words of strength are so greatly appreciated.

TLDR; i have been treating myself for POTS after a visit with my primary, a cardiologist told me I do not have POTS. I am worried for my POTS consult, and that they will turn me away due to being told I don’t have POTS by another doctor.