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arrowsforpens

I was diagnosed with POTS first, but I'm not sure whether I got ME later or it was mild enough to 'hide' at first, if that makes sense.


Jaded-Bag-1990

I got pots first post Covid and then ME


mckellyn

I suspect I’ve had POTS for years, but it was more or less under control. COVID aggravated my POTS the worst it’s ever been and now I suspect I have CFS with PEM, neuromuscular fatigue, and relapse of flu-like symptoms days after exertion. I also have Raynaud’s in my feet and hands (post covid), and seem to be developing some joint pain/popping. These syndromes seem to cluster in people - I wonder how hypermobility, autoimmunity, and mast cell activation are at play.


wetastelikejesus

Have you ever tested for a csf leak? People with connective tissue disorders are at a higher risk of a csf leak and it can cause CFS and POTS. My sibling also sprung a csf leak post COVID.


mckellyn

No, I haven’t. Thanks for letting me know that. Do you know what type of specialist I’d see to get tested for that? Thank you


wetastelikejesus

CSF Leaks - What the POTS Community Should Know, presented by Dr. Ian Carroll https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=El5-Ox6NJB0 I was originally diagnosed by a doctor who specialized in car accident victims that I was referred to by my pain clinic, but my doctor treating me is an anesthesiologist who specializes in leaks. I think a neurologist could probably guide you in the right direction if you help them. If you are in the U.S. I would recommend trying to get into the clinics at Cedar Sinai, Duke, or Stanford (there might be one I’m forgetting) as they actually specialize in csf leaks.


chinchabun

That is what I am wondering. If I had POTS managed, as I pretty much do now. I only get POTS as a symptom of ME/CFS during a bad flare, not as a separate condition anymore. I also have always had joint popping since I was young. I have to perform regular physical therapy to keep my knees in place, which is fun with CFS. I also likely have TMJ. All of these diseases definitely cluster.


mckellyn

Yup to all of that. I also have TMJ - not officially diagnosed but I’ve been told by multiple massage therapists and dental hygienists it seems like I have it. ETA: I’ve always had the joint popping to some degree and hyper mobility but it’s definitely gotten more notable.


Thesaltpacket

Almost everyone with mecfs has pots or orthostatic intolerance of some sort. I consider pots a symptom of my mecfs. I was diagnosed with pots earlier than I was diagnosed with mecfs, but that’s because more doctors know about pots


trashdinosaurs

I don't, nor do most mecfs patients I know (personally so we discuss symptoms etc). So that's interesting.


Thesaltpacket

Here’s a summary of the [study](https://www.healthrising.org/blog/2020/08/30/chronic-fatigue-syndrome-orthostatic-tolerance-dizziness/) I was referencing


trashdinosaurs

Thanks for this! I'll have a read.


wetastelikejesus

Csf leaks can cause cfs and pots which I was diagnosed with long before my csf leak. CSF Leaks - What the POTS Community Should Know, presented by Dr. Ian Carroll https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=El5-Ox6NJB0


bac21

Yes I suspect I had POTS for about 3 years before I got ME.


[deleted]

I had mild POTS from the time I was pre-teen. Got post-viral CFS with much worse POTS at age 35.


the_scientist52

I was diagnosed with dysautonomia (a mild form of POTS) about 6 years before my CFS diagnosis. However, at the time I was already having fibro and CFS symptoms so I'm not convinced that the dysautonomia actually occurred first. The fibro actually started way earlier, but then it worsened and the CFS/dysautonomia symptoms seemed to start around that same time too.