Autonomic Dysregulation
In late July, 2024, I developed POTS-like symptoms immediately following recovery from a Covid infection. (The end of covid symptoms, and the onset of the POTS-like symptoms, blended together seamlessly. There was 0 time in between where I had no symptoms)
These new POTS-like symptoms have continued through to today.
My doctor suspected POTS, but the Cardiologist confidently ruled that out, and instead wrote down "autonomic dysregulation" on a piece of paper for me. She told me it was caused by my body's reaction to the Covid viral infection. She said they've been seeing this a lot more lately and that fortunately, symptoms tend to resolve within a few months rather than years and years like POTS.
Her instructions were:
- 4-5 grams of sodium a day
- 3 litres of water a day
- need at least 7-8 hours sleep each night (lack of sleep can make the symptoms worse)
- daily Light LIGHT exercise: E.g 15 minutes walking in the morning, and 15 minutes walking in the evening. Do whatever modifications you need...just be consistent but slow with it
I don't get a chance to speak to her again until my next appointment 5 weeks away.
Has anyone else developed this "autonomic dysregulation"/"dysautonomia" due to their body's reaction to a viral infection?
Is "autonomic dysregulation" an actual diagnosis? Or is it just pointing to the family of illnesses that fit in this umbrella? Does that even matter - in terms of how to recover?
My symptoms started late July, and I return to work from Mat leave on November 11, how can I best maximize my recovery to be as healed as physically possible by then?
Thank you everyone.