My name is Annika and I was diagnosed with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome at age 14. Through natural remedies and therapy, I am now healed - here is a look into my journey!
My Journey
I was diagnosed with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) in 2019 at 14 years old (I am now 18 years old). My entire life changed overnight.
This is how Cranial Sacral Therapy and natural remedies healed my chronic illness.
POTS is a form of dysautonomia — a disorder of the autonomic nervous system. To read more about Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, please visit this reliable source — http://dysautonomiainternational.org/page.php?ID=30
My first signs of POTS followed a 24-hour stomach virus in March 2019. Prior to my first symptoms, I was a highly active athlete and social individual. After spending an evening sick with a stomach bug I expected to wake up the next morning feeling back to my normal self. Unfortunately, this was not the case. Instead, my nausea and fatigue lingered.
At this time, we visited my local pediatrician where they tested me for gastrointestinal illnesses and prescribed me over-the-counter medications. My symptoms did not improve. We were then we were referred to specialists in Boston, MA.
Around May 2019 my symptoms were highly distracting and debilitating so I decided to take a step back and continue school at home. I was experiencing symptoms 24/7 and homeschooling allowed me the flexibility to complete schoolwork when I could. It was a difficult transition but it was the only choice I had to progress in my education. I had to come to terms with spending the foreseeable future in bed, too sick to do basic daily tasks and activities.
In July 2019 after months of feeling nauseous and fatigued, I experienced my first symptoms of lightheadedness following a pre-syncopal episode. After almost fainting and a trip to my local emergency room, I learned that every time I sat or stood up, my heart rate jumped to high numbers. I was sent to Boston Children’s Hospital in an ambulance to their emergency room in hopes of gathering some answers.
While there, after plenty of IV fluids, I had orthostatic vital signs performed. After one ER doctor examined my orthostatic numbers, I was told I had a condition called Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, POTS.
They told me it was benign.
After being out of school for 2.5 years with debilitating symptoms and understanding POTS to be a condition that affected my autonomic nervous system, I know that POTS is not benign. It is an invisible disease that is considered the most common condition that “nobody has ever heard of.”
We continued to visit the most highly recommended cardiac and gastrointestinal specialists as well as neurologists but none of the prescribed treatments helped eliminate my symptoms.
I continued to be homeschooled for my freshman year again as my symptoms of lightheadedness, dizziness, nausea, and high heart rate were constant. The prescribed medications were only worsening my symptoms.
I soon realized instead of healing the root of the problem, the medications were an attempt to “bandage up” my symptoms.
In January 2020 my parents found a Functional Neurologist in Chicago who worked with patients with POTS and I had hopes of feeling normal again. The Functional Neurologist performed non-invasive brain exercises that indirectly stimulated my vagal nerve. These exercises regulated my heart rate out of fight or flight mode but my nausea and lightheadedness did not resolve completely. Still - this was a huge stride in the right direction.
Prior to that, I had tried acupuncture and acupressure but I did not get much relief.
In May 2021, I was introduced to a therapy called Cranial Sacral Therapy. For some background, it is a form of alternative therapy that uses gentle touch to palpate the synarthrodial joints of the cranium. To read more about it, please visit this reliable source — https://www.upledger.com/therapies/index.php
During this time, my symptoms were still present throughout each day. My cranial sacral therapist was able to accommodate my limitations with an at-home visit. I felt a sense of relief moving forward with treatment.
I started with 30-minute sessions because that was all my body could handle. In the beginning, as I lay on the massage table, I noticed my symptoms fluctuating as my therapist gently moved through her exercises. Some exercises enhanced the feeling of my nausea and lightheadedness while others relieved them.
By the end of my appointment, I felt a sense of overall relief from my symptoms and my emotions took over. I became tearful when I shared the experience with my mom, as I had just felt relief for the first time in 2 years. I finally felt hopeful.
I could not wait for the sessions to come as my tolerance began to increase.
In between sessions, I worked on intentional breathing while using my Still Point Inducer regularly. To view the Still Point Inducer, click here. (Not an affiliate link).
The relief was short-lived after the initial treatments, but the more sessions I had, the more I healed. My symptoms continued to resolve until they were gone. It just took time.
Before, I struggled to simply leave the house for even a 5-minute car ride because I felt so horrible. I am thrilled to say my symptoms no longer determine the course of my days nor do they prevent me from doing normal daily tasks and activities and the things I love doing. My stamina is outstanding and I am finally completing the bucket list of activities I prayed to do while sick. I went from laying in bed every day to fully functioning once again. I finally feel back to normal.
Cranial Sacral is used for many other things such as stress, pain, etc., not just chronic illnesses.
Visiting a naturopathic doctor for natural medicines and supplements, maintaining a whole-food-focused diet, and daily exercise played significant roles in my healing journey and allows me to remain in optimal health.
If you would like to speak to me directly or have any questions, please email me at annika112004@gmail.com. I am here for you!
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