Help Nique Fight POTS Syndrome
Donation protected
Your donations are greatly appreciated regarding my current situation. Here is my story:
Since I could remember I have been having issues with passing out. At the young age of 8 I remember riding my bike when I experienced my first episode. I last thing I remember is riding in the street for the first time and woke up in with bleeding arms and legs, with a ringing in my head. A stranger stopped and helped me get home. When I went to the doctor, I was told I was just dehydrated. Over the years I’ve experience multiple similar episodes including falling while simply walking to the bathroom in the morning to ready for school. I then decided to see the doctor again and was told it would be something I would grow out of. This disorder has prevented me from doing basic things for myself. After seeing doctor after doctor, specialist after specialist, and being told I was ‘fine’ and just had ‘anxiety’ I have begun to lose hope that I would ever feel normal again. I know I am not fine, and something is drastically wrong.
In 2013 I was told I had vasovagal syncope (vay-zoh-VAY-gul SING-kuh-pee) which occurs when you faint because your body overreacts to certain triggers, such as the sight of blood or extreme emotional distress. It may also be called neurocardiogenic syncope. The vasovagal syncope trigger causes my heart rate and blood pressure to drop suddenly. With me also having hypotension (low blood pressure) this has caused me to miss out on life. During college I had to drop out for a year to seek treatment after I could not barely eat, I was extremely nauseous and fatigued, I was losing weight drastically, my migraines were unbearable and making my vision terrible and sensitive to light. I was having pseudo-seizures and extreme syncope and could barely walk without having support. My short-term memory was fading quickly, and I could no longer perform daily activities or even care for myself. I was able to complete my degree after taking 7 years due to medical complications and having to be giving special learning support from my school. I also received a general discharge from the military due to this condition and was never able to complete my training to serve my country, which was always my dream to follow my father’s footsteps within the United States Army.
As of 2021 I just did not know what to do. I feel that I am beginning to lose faith in the medical system. Currently I have had another episode at work which has me out on unpaid leave. I went to the cardiologist and discovered that I have POTS syndrome. I live alone and do not know how I am going to cover my bills until I am able to return to work. My symptoms have gotten to a place where it is now hindering my driving abilities and ability to keep my license active. The closest POTS center to me cannot see me until October. Its saddens me that I will be out of work this long with no way to financially provide for myself. It has taken a lot for me to come to GOFUNDME to ask for help, but I am all out of options. I really need help to cover treatment cost so I can get back to my everyday life. Funds for my living expenses would also help as well. Anything that is donated is greatly appreciated by myself and my family.
I found Dr. Driscoll who works in Texas at a treatment center that specializes in my condition after herself and child were also affected by my same condition. I know I can get my life back if I could take advantage of the opportunity of getting into Dr. Driscoll’s care. Unfortunately, Dr. Driscroll’s treatment is not covered by my insurance, but has the highest recover rate in the United State. I have read her story and how she overcame this condition, and it shows me that there is hope, that I can fully recover, not just be another number to a doctor that does not know what I am going through. For more information about my condition, Dr. Driscoll and her treatment program please feel free to look at the website www.potscare.com.
What is “POTS”?
· Postural: related to the position of your body
· Orthostatic: related to standing upright
· Tachycardia: increased heart rate
· Syndrome: a group of symptoms
Since I could remember I have been having issues with passing out. At the young age of 8 I remember riding my bike when I experienced my first episode. I last thing I remember is riding in the street for the first time and woke up in with bleeding arms and legs, with a ringing in my head. A stranger stopped and helped me get home. When I went to the doctor, I was told I was just dehydrated. Over the years I’ve experience multiple similar episodes including falling while simply walking to the bathroom in the morning to ready for school. I then decided to see the doctor again and was told it would be something I would grow out of. This disorder has prevented me from doing basic things for myself. After seeing doctor after doctor, specialist after specialist, and being told I was ‘fine’ and just had ‘anxiety’ I have begun to lose hope that I would ever feel normal again. I know I am not fine, and something is drastically wrong.
In 2013 I was told I had vasovagal syncope (vay-zoh-VAY-gul SING-kuh-pee) which occurs when you faint because your body overreacts to certain triggers, such as the sight of blood or extreme emotional distress. It may also be called neurocardiogenic syncope. The vasovagal syncope trigger causes my heart rate and blood pressure to drop suddenly. With me also having hypotension (low blood pressure) this has caused me to miss out on life. During college I had to drop out for a year to seek treatment after I could not barely eat, I was extremely nauseous and fatigued, I was losing weight drastically, my migraines were unbearable and making my vision terrible and sensitive to light. I was having pseudo-seizures and extreme syncope and could barely walk without having support. My short-term memory was fading quickly, and I could no longer perform daily activities or even care for myself. I was able to complete my degree after taking 7 years due to medical complications and having to be giving special learning support from my school. I also received a general discharge from the military due to this condition and was never able to complete my training to serve my country, which was always my dream to follow my father’s footsteps within the United States Army.
As of 2021 I just did not know what to do. I feel that I am beginning to lose faith in the medical system. Currently I have had another episode at work which has me out on unpaid leave. I went to the cardiologist and discovered that I have POTS syndrome. I live alone and do not know how I am going to cover my bills until I am able to return to work. My symptoms have gotten to a place where it is now hindering my driving abilities and ability to keep my license active. The closest POTS center to me cannot see me until October. Its saddens me that I will be out of work this long with no way to financially provide for myself. It has taken a lot for me to come to GOFUNDME to ask for help, but I am all out of options. I really need help to cover treatment cost so I can get back to my everyday life. Funds for my living expenses would also help as well. Anything that is donated is greatly appreciated by myself and my family.
I found Dr. Driscoll who works in Texas at a treatment center that specializes in my condition after herself and child were also affected by my same condition. I know I can get my life back if I could take advantage of the opportunity of getting into Dr. Driscoll’s care. Unfortunately, Dr. Driscroll’s treatment is not covered by my insurance, but has the highest recover rate in the United State. I have read her story and how she overcame this condition, and it shows me that there is hope, that I can fully recover, not just be another number to a doctor that does not know what I am going through. For more information about my condition, Dr. Driscoll and her treatment program please feel free to look at the website www.potscare.com.
What is “POTS”?
· Postural: related to the position of your body
· Orthostatic: related to standing upright
· Tachycardia: increased heart rate
· Syndrome: a group of symptoms
Organizer
Shawnique Sudler
Organizer
Edgewood, MD