I actually used this supplement that is specifically formulated for POTS by Dr. Driscoll, an optometrist whose life was sidelined by her illness.

I don't usually recommend it although it was VERY helpful because of some of the side effects I experienced at higher doses (throat swelling). At half of the recommended dose though, I felt incredible and it was really the first thing that brought me back to life. I didn't see any other users report that side effect, so it was probably just me.

But the supplement was honestly life changing. I'm glad you are spreading the word. I hope that more folks can know about this, as it is a super easy and relatively cheap treatment.

Sure! I use Morton Regular Salt (it’s important not to use iodized salt long-term because you can get iodide poisoning) and potassium citrate powder. I fill these vegetarian pill capsules, which are the same size as the Vitassium capsules.

The Vitassium label says in a 2 capsule serving there is 500 mg sodium and 100 mg potassium citrate. So, I figured out what quantity of my ingredients had those amounts, which broke down like this:

According to the labels of my ingredients:
.25 tsp salt = 590 mg sodium
.05 tsp potassium citrate = 100 mg potassium

Because I wanted to be able to measure out my ingredients with normal US baking utensils, I ignored the extra 90 mg/serving of sodium instead of calculating the exact amount of salt that would equal an even 500 mg in teaspoons. If you want to be more precise you can redo my math with weight instead of teaspoons, I just didn’t have a kitchen scale.

So, pretending that 590 mg is 500 mg, the milligrams of sodium/potassium per serving of my ingredients were already (roughly) the same as the milligrams per serving on the Vitassium label, meaning the serving sizes on the packages I had were (basically) the correct ratio already, but since I can’t measure .05 teaspoons of potassium with measuring cups, I multiplied both of the serving sizes until I had more convenient amounts to measure, which gave me my final ratio of 5 tsp salt : 1 tsp potassium.

So, when I make them I mix 5 tsp salt with 1 tsp potassium powder in a bowl and spoon the mixture into the capsules so the extra just falls back in the bowl. This gives me about 30 pills. But if I want to make more/less, I can use any measurement as long as it’s 5 parts salt and 1 part potassium.

These pills don’t necessarily each have exactly 500 mg sodium and 100 mg potassium in each 2 pill serving, but it’s comparable. A size 0 capsule holds 400-800 mg (.8-.16 tsp) and as I showed above, it takes .3 (.25 + .05) tsp of my ingredients to have 500/100mg. Two of my capsules would hold .16-.32 mg, which makes the serving/pill comparison pretty close.

Sorry for the novel, hope this helps!

edit: forgot some decimal points

A Few of my Favorite Things

Vitalyte electrolyte replacement powder

• low sugar, no stevia
  
  
• no artificial colors or flavors
  
  
• delicious
  
  
• available as a subscription on Amazon Prime
  
  
• https://www.vitalyte.com/products/electrolyte-replacement.html
  
  
  Dr. McDougall's Vegan Miso Ramen Big Cup
  
  
• 190 calories
  
  
• 8g protein
  
  
• 770mg sodium
  
  
• quick and easy
  
  
• https://www.rightfoods.com/shop/miso-soup-with-organic-ramen-noodles-big-cup-6-pack/
  
  
  Abdominal Binder (breathable)
  
  
• I have neurally mediated hypotension. Tightened just before standing, it prevents my blood pressure from dropping, so I don't pass out at work anymore. Yay!
  
  
• To be effective, it needs to go from just under your breasts to below your waist (it should cover part of your pelvis).
  
  
• https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M1E83HN/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_qlxRCb5XXRNSY
  
  
  Hand and Foot Massage Ball
  
  
• inexpensive ($5 at TJ Maxx)
  
  
• good for rolling between your hands when they get stiff or sore, especially at work, or under your feet
  
  
• https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07K175B54/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_iKxRCbXX274TH

Another vote for compression stockings.

I also use a desk footrest like this one. It gives some elevation and encourages me to move my feet around.

I kick my shoes off under the desk, just to help keep my feet from turning into loaves in shoes.

I looked into the more sleek models but ultimately decided to stick with an Omron because I've had them before and they've always been accurate for me. I have the Omron 786n. The iPhone app can be a bit flaky, but I've always been able to get it to sync eventually. It's not as easily portable as QardioArm or the Withings BP monitor. But I got a case for my Omron that I really like a lot: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019M46HTC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It's very possible the sleeker models are just as accurate, but I decided that since I had similar Omron models before that were very accurate to stick with that and am glad I did. I've compared it to my cardiologist doing a manual measurement and it's exact.

This is the one I use. It's pricey but good!

Stamina Mini Exercise Bike with Smooth Pedal System, Purple
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MQPTCAG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_b6BzDb9TV8G71

Same here! I bought this recently
and I love it.

I had realized that on the occasions that I get a drink in a to-go plastic cup with straw (like an iced latte), I will rinse that out and nurse that particular cup for a couple days before recycling it. I really dislike screwtop and fliptop water bottles. I drink more frequently in small amounts with a straw. And 20oz for me is the perfect balance between not too big/heavy and too tiny/needing to refill every hour.

Keto chow electrolyte fasting drops are extremely high quality and effective and gentle on the stomach. Electrolyte Drops

If you are concerned about accidentally cutting off circulation, make sure you get genuine GRADUATED compression stockings. The graduated part is what helps avoid cutting off circulation by applying less and less pressure as the stockings go up the body.

PROS:

1. Successfully keeps my feet the healthy skin tone it’s supposed to be instead of stone cold corpse feet.
   
2. The graduated compression stockings I got are comfortable. I was concerned they’d just feel like tight skinny jeans, but once they are on, i can easily forget I’m wearing them.
   
3. I feel I have more steady energy on the days I wear them rather than my usual sluggish, quick to burn out energy. When I wear the compression stockings, I can actually run around and get my errands done.
   
4. Affordable. The ones my doctor recommended (linked above) are pretty affordable. Mine were only $17.99.
   
   CONS:
   
5. Hot. Not comfortable during warm weather, which kinda sucks because dysautonomia causes heat intolerance (for me at least).
   
6. Not a sufficient solution for leg swelling. Maybe the pressure on mine are too low, but my legs still swell even when I wear the compression stockings. Maybe they swell less than they would’ve if I hadn’t had them on, but it’s still insufficient.
   
7. My doctor said that for my particular case, only the waist high stockings would be effective. The ones I’m currently using have an open toe, but cover the foot and go up over my belly button. I tried the graduated compression stockings for just my calves and found it to be very uncomfortable and pinch my skin under my knee.
   
8. A bit of a hassle to go to the bathroom. Putting these stockings on is a bit of an ordeal. Not bad enough that I wouldn’t be ok doing it once a day, but it does require some extra time after using the bathroom.
   
9. Unforgiving for lazy application. If I try to just yank them up without properly adjusting it to fit my body in the right places, it feels very, very uncomfortable. However, once I get it in the right place, it feels good.

I put 1.25 teaspoons of salt in a liter of water. I drink 2-3 of these a day.

Get an abdominal compression wrap. Such as this one:

NYOrtho Abdominal Binder Lower... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005DLKEM0?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Is there a chance of you getting better? Or worse? Yes to both. It sucks.

The abdominal compression will help a lot. Like--I went from not being able to stand for more than 2 mins to going back to work (I'm a personal trainer and work 20 hours a week).

If you like Omron, it looks like they make models that pair with your phone via bluetooth:

https://www.amazon.com/Omron-Wireless-Pressure-Bluetooth-Connectivity/dp/B00KW4PO82/ref=pd_lpo_121_bs_t_2

I use this

https://www.amazon.com/iHealth-Wireless-Bluetooth-Compatible-Automatic/dp/B01C5QS1T8?ref_=ast_sto_dp

Idk how low it goes but I'm usually at 90/65

It's pretty loud though, people will look over if you use it in class

It connects to an app on your phone via Bluetooth and will upload your readings and show trends

Yep, I had to go find it haha here ya go

Vaunn Medical Pedal Exerciser Chrome Frame (Fully Assembled Exercise Peddler, no tools required)

Dude, don't give up. Doctors so often just give up on tryng to really find a diagnosis for their patients when it gets too complicated. There's a good book on a lot of these misbehaviors and miscommunications I'm working through (because often my doctors latch onto simpler diagnosis as well) called How Doctors Think by Jerome Groopman - http://smile.amazon.com/How-Doctors-Think-Jerome-Groopman/dp/0547053649/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1418403865&sr=8-1&keywords=how+doctors+think&pebp=1418403868809

I just received the book "Small Nerves, Big Problems," but haven't dived into it yet. I'll look into it tomorrow (it's not very big) and get back to you.

Small Nerves, Big Problems: A Comprehensive Patient Guide to Small Fiber Neuropathy.

There's a lot of excitement among neurology researchers about this.

Terramed Women Advanced Footless Graduated Compression Microfiber Leggings Tights (Small, Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00M19WAJM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_lwcwyb039588F

These are what I use. When I've run out before, and Amazon couldn't ship it to me immediately, I've also found them behind the counter at pharmacies.