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Well, I'm now 15 weeks post-covid and I still have the post-viral symptoms of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). But my pulse is noticably improving, I am regularly walking two miles in the morning with a normal walking pulse. A brisk walking pulse should be around 110 and I am generally below that; if it creeps higher I stand still and it immediately goes down again which seems to me a healthy response (POTS symptoms tend towards pulse rates being stubborn at returning to normal). My standing pulse is also much better and I can go whole days with a normal pulse.

Absurdly, as my pulse has got better the lightheadedness has got worse. I am no longer having to take gasps of breath when seated as I was a few weeks ago but I definitely lightheaded more often and have 'brain fog', and more prone to morning headaches than before. Ironically, lightheadedness in POTS occurs mainly in a seated position and it is presumed to be due to pooling of blood in the lower legs at rest. The solution is to get up regularly and keep the legs moving while sitting. Good job my standing pulse has improved! I actually find it helpful to work while feeling like this as it distracts me, even if I am not as productive as usual.

I'm hoping all this is just a lag in my system as it gets used to me no longer having as much tachycardia. I'm going to increase the cardio exercise to see if this will stimulate my venous return more. I've also started on low dose rehydration tablets. When I developed POTS I increased my fluids dramatically as per the recommended regime but did not increase my salt intake alongside this as I appear to have a slightly raised blood pressure (BP) post-covid. But my GP is unconcerned about my BP and I'm wondering if my electrolytes are now out of kilter and if I would feel better with extra salt and minerals, as well as retain fluids better.

Anyway, the improvement in pulse rate seems like a positive step forward in recovery.

Annie