I never really thought much of my Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome. I had been going to the doctor since I was little, and I had known since then that there was something wrong, but it never seriously affected my life until I got older.
Growing up, I was always a bit unsteady on my feet and running was not something I ever excelled in, causing me to tire quickly. People just chalked this up to me being clumsy, something I was always embarrassed about.
When I went off to college, I was having trouble keeping up with my classes. My grades were slipping and I was having trouble concentrating. I decided to go to the doctor to see what was wrong with me. After a few tests, it was determined that I had Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome.
I was confused and upset. I had never heard of this condition, and I had no idea what it meant. My doctor assured me that, while it would be inconvenient and I would have to make changes to my lifestyle, it was manageable.
The diagnosis made sense out of a lot of things. Everything I had been struggling with going through school, the fatigue I felt, and the dizziness I had been experiencing all made sense, and it felt good to finally have an answer.
My treatment plan requires me to take a break from school when the symptoms get too overwhelming and to manage a strict diet and moderate exercise routine. I’m learning to adjust and accept my condition, and that’s been the hardest part for me.
Life with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome is different than what I originally wanted, but I am starting to make peace with that. I’ve stopped comparing my life with other people’s and instead, I’m learning to just focus on what I can do with the hand I was dealt.