Question: Hi there! I am a 26 year old female. I have experiencing feelings lightheadness, feeling faint, hot, short of breath, numb lips, extremely fatigued, nauseous, trembling, headaches, GI issues, bladder issues, bloating, purple hands and legs, severe joint pain (most disabling in ankles and shoulder), high pulse rate 95-100bpm, resting, and 120-170bmp, and the list goes on and on. I had had these symptoms for years, however. Since the birth of my son three years ago, I feel disabled, even bathing myself and doing household chores is extremely taxing; I'm a hard worker and push myself to the limits to work 15 hours a week. I saw a cardiologist last week and upon standing, my Bp dropped 20 points and heart rate shot up as well. Today I had a tilt test done, which was negative, although my pulse went from 95 to 121. Which he said was completely normal but I may need to drink more water. I have been doing a lot of reading, and my understanding is that drugs may be given to provoke symptoms. The nurse told me their practice does not do that because it clouds things up. However, I wish they would have because I just want answers so I can be normal again! 1) Is this common? I can't find any information regarding this?
2) I've been doing a lot of reading on pots and elhers danlos syndrome, and it is like reading a diary of my life. I am going in for a stress test in one month. Should I admit to my doctor that I think I have these conditions? He seems to act like there is nothing wrong with me just dehydrated (which I honestly don't think I am) and I don't want to seem crazy. Is a cardiologist the specialist I need for these conditions; am I asking the right guy?
3) does a heart rate upon standing, with an increase of 30 bmp, or higher than 120 usually constitute pots?? If yes, then why was I not diagnosed?? Thank you so much for your time.

Thank you so much! Yes, I will agree with that elhers danlos is far fetched. However, I am double jointed and flexible. When I looked at the pictures of EDS my jaw dropped because I can do all that contorting of my joints and honestly just thought everyone could do that. When I was young, my ankles turned in and hurt badly, and have had unrelenting pain in all of my joints since. I sprain my ankles often and they give out on me (my knees do too) I had a lazy eye as a child, has gotten much better now. Although my vision usually gets worse each time. My skin is stretchy like play doh. My MRI of my spine two years ago showed two *harmless* cysts, mild curvature of spine, degenerative disc disease, moderate arthritis of lower and some upper spine and SI joints. Was also told I have fibromyalgia. Negative blood work for autoimmune diseases and Lyme disease, I honestly don't remember all the tests as I've had tons. With the symptoms listed in my first question, I wish that I could just have my large cluster of symptoms all be related to one thing. Like I mentioned before, this is having a massive impact on my ability to function normally. Do you think if I do get diagnosed with pots, could I just happen to have possible pots, ddd, early osteoarthritis, weak painful joints, AND fibromyalgia? Is there a test you think I should ask for? Sorry this is so long!! Again, thank you for your time.