I have been diagnosed with POTS syndrome, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome. POTS can be severely debilitating. Some afflicted individuals are unable to attend school or work and for especially severe cases, they are completely incapacitated.
Symptoms of POTS include:
- Postural tachycardia
- Headache
- Abdominal discomfort
- Dizziness/presyncope
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Lightheadedness
- Sweating
- Tremor
- Anxiety
- Palpitations
- Exercise intolerance
- Brain fog
My name is Amy, and I have POTS and all the symptoms of it as well as suffer bouts of depression due to this syndrome. I am in desperate need of a service dog and financial help to be able to achieve this.
I have been diagnosed with POTS syndrome at the age of 36. I have been battling this syndrome for nearly 4 years and was FINALLY appropriately diagnosed in January 2014. Since September, I have had syncope related issues a minimum of six times and woke to find myself in an ER on three of those occasions. I have been not only homebound but wheelchair bound for a couple months or more due to fainting spells, fractures, fatigue, weakness, and excessive unintentional weight loss to the point of malnutrition. However, I have been unable to go out alone for nearly a year due to the weakness and instability of my health. Due to this syndrome, I have had to quit my 40+ hour/week job, my massage therapy business, and all the activities I used to enjoy, including 6 mile daily runs/workouts, coaching soccer, hiking, and more. I am currently undergoing multiple additional testing that includes Cardiology, Pulmonology, Oncology, and Neurology with new tests being added all the time. However, I'm a mother of 3 active teenage girls and don't want to miss out on watching them grow up. But I am still declining in health. We are currently seeking a service dog that will help me with things people take for granted each and every day; which would allow me the freedom to be at least somewhat independent as I have to have help with basic daily activities. This includes but is not limited to bathing and dressing, changing rooms in our home, picking up dropped items, opening doors, and turning lights on. There is no cure to this syndrome and no timeframe or standard treatment outline to control and maintain it. My future health is uncertain at best, but most days my husband dresses me before leaving for work. Then he has to cook, take care of the home, and once again care for me before bed.
Please keep my story in consideration before passing this by. I would appreciate any assistance anyone can provide me, as I just want a fraction of my life back.
Contact information can be provided to you for the assurance that the funds are being applied to a service dog. I do understand if you cannot help me in this endeavor. If you cannot assist me, I would appreciate your help in finding someone who can.
With upmost sincerity,
Amy Fransen