My name is Jenna and I am a Junior in college living with a chronic illness. I blog to release my frustrations, to share my happiness, and to connect with others who are in similar predicaments. By no means am I a professional writer, and sometimes my posts might be a little scatterbrained (grr brain fog), but my ultimate goal in my writing is for someone somewhere to feel like they’re not alone. Feel free to comment or message me if you need someone to talk to, want some words of encouragement, or just generally want my opinion on something! Thank you for stopping by and happy reading. 🙂
teens with pots 
Hey to an inspiring blogger! I wanted to let you know that I’ve nominated you for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award. Amanda and Katie do not want you to feel obligated to go through the acceptance steps, as there are a few steps and we understand how crazy things get in life. We were eager to share your blog with our readers because we love it so much and wanted them to see your message, too. However, if you’re interested in accepting the award, the details are here:
http://belowtheradar002.com/2013/03/25/we-humbly-announce/
What an honor! Thank you! 🙂
Hey Jenna, I’m a college student majoring in journalism up in Iowa. I just had a friend direct me to your blog- I’ve dealt with POTS and accompanying medical concerns since I was a sophomore in high school. This past December Mayo Clinic officially declared that I had ‘outgrown’ POTS, even though I still deal with some awkward symptoms on a daily basis. If you’d like, I’ve love to talk to you about it- you can get in contact with me at xkatehayden@gmail.com.
Best of luck!
Oh thank you so much! That is so kind of you. I’m relieved every time I hear of someone who is/has been in my shoes. I can’t wait until the day (if there will be one) where I’ll outgrow POTs. I’m sorry you still deal with some symptoms, though! Thank you so so much.
Kate, Who did you see at Mayo? I have a very good friend with Pfapa and Pots. I want to help her. She is so bright and wonderful. She spends so much time in bed. She is so down sometimes. Please contact me. I think she could use some friends who have gone through what she has gone through. She is only 12 but her mind is amazing. I try to help. I had all sorts of autoimmune stuff and made it through it. I am strong as a bull now but I still have issues. I am 64 now. I never had pots. I want to give her hope and she needs people closer to her age. Thea
I just found your blog and it is so relatable to what I go through. Im going to be a sophomore in college and I have had POTS since I was a freshman in college. I really relate to how friends do not understand what you have to go through, I feel like none of them really listen when you try to explain. I got so frustrated with people when I used a handicapped placard and the comments I would get that I just ended up not using it. But reading that I am not the only one that goes through this definitely helps!
Hey Rachel! I’m sorry I’m just now replying to you, and I don’t know if you’ll even see this comment but I figured I would reply anyways. Do not let those peoples’ words influence you from using a placard that could help you! You were issued it for a reason and people are always going to make ignorant comments. It’s something I struggle with ignoring too, but I’m glad I’m not alone in this either!
Hey Jenna, I’m a junior in college majoring in music and theatre. I first started to notice my symptoms in 7th grade when I fainted in church. Since then, I have had several misdiagnoses but finally my freshman year of high school, my cardiologist figured out that I have POTS. I just want you to know that I know what you’re going through and I know it is definitely not easy some days! Hopefully we can both eventually be “outgrow” POTS and be off of our medication. Good luck trying to figure out your medications…that can be tricky sometimes! If you ever want to talk or something, you can email me at makdietrich@gmail.com! I know it’s helpful to talk to other people who know what I’m going through.
Good Luck!
Hi Makenzie! I am so sorry that you are dealing wit POTS but thank goodness for your cardiologist finally properly diagnosing you! Thank you for your kind words, I truly hope you and I will be able to outgrow it as well. In the mean time just lots of salt, electrolytes, and the support of our POTS community will have to do! Thank you for reaching out to me!
Hi Jenna! I will be a freshman in college this year and have been struggling with POTS for 5 years now. I came across your blog while online and as unfortunate as it is to know that you may struggle with some similar things that I do, it is to know that neither of us are alone in this journey. I’m not sure if you still check this, but if you do, it would be great to have a fellow fighter to talk to.
Best,
Lily
Hi Lily,
I am so sorry it has taken me so long to reply to you, I am just getting back into blogging now! I would love to talk to you too if you still check this. Just let me know and we can connect! I hope college has been going well for you.
Hope you’re doing well,
Jenna
I am a senior, still in high school. I have been diagnosed since sophomore year, but missdiagnosed for eight years. Since I am a senior I am debating on where I would like to attend college. How did you know you were picking the right place? I would love to go far but what am i suppose to do when I passout… without any help from parents? I am very independent but when i get sick, they are the only ones who get it and try to help. t’s extremely frustrating and overwhelming. No one gets it at my school.. my favorite is when classmates say I’m faking it so that I don’t have to go to school… lol actually I wish I could attend everyday. They have no idea. If you have any suggestions or advice, email me at ereiels@hotmail.com. I never have had anyone understand so it’s great to see all the support here!
Hi Erin,
I am sorry for the late reply, I hope you still see this. I knew I was picking the right place because when I walked on the campus, I felt at home and comfortable. This was not an easy feat for me, because literally everything but my home makes me feel anxious. My college is only about a 20 minute drive from my house, so I opted to stay close to the comforts of my own home, but still live in the dorms to get the full “college experience”. I registered with the Disability Resource office at my university. By being registered through this office, my dorm, courses, and the campus as a whole provided me with different resources to make my college career a little bit less difficult on me. They provide accommodations such as being able to take exams in a private space with a little more time, golf cart transportation to take you to classes, dorm room accommodations, and more. This helped immensely in giving me a peace of mind when entering college. I know I replied late to this, and that you probably already went to college, but I hope this advice helps someone else who might have the same questions and that your college experience went smoothly. I would love to hear updates from you about it! As far as your classmates go, just don’t listen to any words they say. They’re being ignorant and frankly just rude. I have had to, and continue to deal with my fair share of people who think I’m faking it, but we just gotta push through it all, girl! I’m here for you and I’m sure you have other loved ones who are there for you as well.
If you need anyone to talk to you, I’m always here and you (or anyone else) can email me anytime at potshead.jenna@gmail.com!
Hope all is well with you, Erin.
-Jenna
Hi Jenna, I came across your blog because i have been struggling with my POTS for about 8 months. Im a sophomore in high school and a very active person. Up until a month and a half ago, I was bed ridden and could not go on with my daily life. I find that this experience has taken a huge toll on my emotions. I fell so lost, I feel like I’m alone, and I feel like I’m never happy anymore. I don’t have anyone to talk to and my panic attacks are coming more and more often. I tried a therapist but she just doesn’t understand. Im sorry if I seem like I’m complaining, Im just trying to find some support. Thanks
Bailey
Hi Bailey,
I am so sorry for the late reply and I hope that you still check this. I’m sorry to hear of the hardships that you have been having to deal with lately, especially as an active person. It breaks my heart to hear that you feel alone, because you are truly not. I would love to connect with you and talk to you more. Don’t feel like you’re complaining, trust me I do my fair share of that! Feel free to email me at potshead.jenna@gmail.com
Jenna
Hi there! I just found your blog while looking for some support for my best friend who was diagnosed with pots yesterday. Do you know of any organization for teens or any body with pots?
Thanks you ❤
Hi Megan,
Sorry for the late reply, how sweet of you it is to be seeking out support for your friend! It’s people like you who really keep those of us with chronic conditions sane! haha
Luckily, there are quite a few organizations and support groups for those with POTS. I will list some below! Hope you’re having a great year.
http://redlilyfoundation.org/
http://www.ndrf.org/
http://www.dysautonomiainternational.org/page.php?ID=30
As far as support groups go, I would search google for groups in the area you live in. Also, I have heard that there are facebook support groups as well!
Jenna