After my daughter had COVID-19 last year, I thought the worst was behind us. She bounced back quickly—at first. But a few weeks later, things started to change.
She’d stand up and suddenly feel dizzy or weak. Her heart would race as if she’d just finished running, even though she was just walking from the couch to the kitchen. She was exhausted all the time, had trouble focusing, and sometimes even said the room was spinning.
At first, I thought it was just part of recovering from the virus. But it didn’t go away. That’s when we began hearing a new term: POTS—short for Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome. It’s something many kids are developing after COVID, and it’s something I’d never heard of until it hit our family.
What Is POTS?
POTS is a condition that affects how the body controls things like heart rate and blood pressure—especially when standing up. For kids like mine, it means their heart races too fast when they move from lying down or sitting to standing. That rush in heart rate makes them feel dizzy, tired, nauseous, and sometimes like they’re going to faint.
And here’s the hard part—it can happen to a child who looks completely fine. From the outside, my daughter looked healthy. But inside, she was struggling every day just to get through simple tasks.
Our New Normal
Getting a diagnosis was a huge relief—it gave us a name for what was going on. But managing POTS has been a whole new learning curve. Here’s what’s helped us so far:
1. Water, Water, and More Water
Our doctor told us to boost fluids—a lot. We aim for about as many ounces as her weight in kilograms. On rough days, we go even higher. We keep a water bottle nearby at all times now.
2. More Salt
This one surprised me, but salt helps the body hold on to fluids. We now add a little extra to meals, and sometimes she takes salt tablets (with the doctor’s okay, of course).
3. Electrolytes
In addition to water and salt, we found that electrolyte drinks can be a big help. They replace minerals like sodium and potassium that are important for hydration. We look for options with no added sugar and natural ingredients.
4. Compression Garments
Compression socks have become a daily essential. They help improve blood flow and reduce dizziness when standing. Some days, we also use a waist compression band for extra support.
5. Small Steps with Exercise
At first, moving around was hard. Even a short walk made her feel worse. But working with a physical therapist, we started with light, seated exercises. Slowly, we added more over time. Now she can do 20-minute sessions a few times a week. It’s not perfect, but it’s progress.
6. Helpful Habits and Tools
We’ve made small changes that help a lot:
- Smaller, more frequent meals
- Cutting back on sugary snacks
- Keeping a journal to track symptoms
Ups and Downs
Some days, my daughter is full of energy. She laughs, plays, and feels like herself again. Other days, she can barely get out of bed. School becomes hard, homework feels impossible, and she just wants to sleep.
And then there was the heartbreak of getting COVID again. It brought back all the worst symptoms and erased weeks of progress. Watching her go through that again was one of the hardest things I’ve ever faced as a parent.
Doing Our Best to Stay Safe
We’ve become extra careful about avoiding viruses now. We wear masks in busy places, wash hands constantly, and skip big events when we need to. It’s not always easy—especially with school and friends—but it’s what we do to protect her.
A Message for Other Parents
If you’re reading this because your child is going through something similar, I want you to know you’re not alone.
POTS is real. It’s hard. But there is help out there. It takes time, and sometimes it feels like one step forward and two steps back. But even small improvements matter.
We’re learning, adjusting, and growing stronger—together. One glass of water, one step, one better day at a time.
Resources We Love
Here are some products and resources that have helped us manage POTS symptoms:
- Compression Socks: Bombas Women’s Compression Socks
- Electrolyte Supplements for Kids: Amazon – Electrolyte Supplements for Kids
- Non-Plastic Water Bottles for Kids:
