healchi-blog

[healchi-blog]

Couple of A1-sized pieces, black ink on paper.

Artwork by Kot Bonkers, more on instagram.com/ilovekotbonkers

[healchi-blog]

illustration for Travel+Leisure. Victoria Falls, Zambia

[healchi-blog]

some things that’ve helped

DISCLAIMER: I am not a doctor, and since no two bodies or illnesses are exactly alike, I can’t guarantee that what worked for me will work for you, or will not be problematic for you. Especially while also taking pharma meds, do your own research about safety and consult your doctor(s). Always do an allergy test first. 

Here’s some supplements and treatments I’ve used to improve my health and quality of life:

Hawthorne Leaf, Flower, Berry, tincture* - This herbal blend can strengthen your heart. Many people with POTs end up with a smaller heart. I started off taking 2 droppersful 3x a day. I reduced to two times a day when I realized that this was causing my BP to drop. It took about 2 months to notice a positive difference in my heart’s pumping strength and did not lower my heart rate.

Dandelion Root Tincture** - My favorite flower was a big help! I was experiencing gastroparesis and this helped me gain back my appetite and digest my food better, giving me a little more energy. I’ve taken 1 droppersful with each meal (double for high fat meals) and noticed results immediately.

Serrapeptase*** - This systemic enzyme is sourced from silkworms! It breaks down excess fibrin, proteins, plaque and more in the body. This was a great help to my circulatory system, and eliminated my agnia pains completely in less than a month! I also experienced less coldness in my extremities. I take 2 high strength pills twice a day on an empty stomach.

Pink Himalayan Salt - salt has pretty much given me the most benefit out of anything else I’ve tried. This salt is high in minerals, low in pollution, and actually pretty tasty. High salt intake is reccommended for POTs, and by using this combined with distilled water, I’ve seen major improvements in my heart rate, energy, stamina, and mental clarity. I add 1.5 teaspoons to every gallon of water, and either a little extra to each glass or some electrolyte drops instead for an extra boost (which also work, but are too expensive for the same results in my opinion).

*This can lower your blood pressure to dangerous levels in excess or when combined with certain medications that lower blood pressure. Use with caution.

**This can lower your blood pressure, not drastically in the amounts I’ve stated, but you should always use caution and monitor yourself while taking.

***This enzyme also breaks down the films latent bacteria hide behind and remain dormant under, if your immune system is suppressed or you’re not taking any kind of antibiotic supplements or medications this can cause a relapse in an old virus that you didn’t realize you still have (like my epstien-barr, for example). Gradually build up to any higher doses and do not continue use if you fall ill. This enzyme also has blood thinning properties, which helps those of us with thick blood, but not when you blood pressure is low and is already thinned out with medications. Use sparingly or not at all while using blood thinners.  

[healchi-blog]

my story

My story isn’t a very interesting one, and is likely not very unique.

Last september, a month before I was due to move out of my parents’ home with my boyfriend, I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. I wasn’t happy since my sister was diagnosed with the same and thyroid disease two years prior, even though she’s younger than I am. 

My doctor said I didn’t need medication right away, so I tried a natural remedy to heal my GI tract and put my autoimmunity into remission- coconut oil. That was the catalyst that gave me a resting HR of 120+, set my thyroid extremely hyper, and made me feel sicker than I’ve ever felt.

I was placed on thyroid and heart meds. Beta blockers and Calcium channel blockers didn’t help, my standing HR was still 100-130, my resting was sometimes even as high as 90. Even though my thyroid calmed down, my heart didn’t. All cardiologists were stumped. The last one I saw told me to stop the heart medication, and I wanted to jump for joy (but we all know how dangerous that can be lol).

When I finally moved to South FL with my boyfriend, I saw a new doc for my thyroid, he told me to stop taking the meds since my thyroid had calmed down. I was happy to be completely be off pharmaceuticals, even if I was still sick I felt less sick without all the horrible side effects the meds caused.

My cardiologist here finally told me she suspects I have dysautonomia, POTs, but specifically Inappropriate sinus tachycardia. She won’t order any tests for me besides a holter monitor. So I’m not “officially” diagnosed, though I am officially living the life I never pictured, and missing out on the simplest things I took for granted.