What does living with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, POTS, after COVID look like beyond the physical symptoms? Katie, a UK-based teacher and POTS content creator, joins YMyHealth Podcast Co-Host Julie Woon to discuss how symptoms intersect with work, body image, menstrual health, relationships, and self-worth—and why sharing patient stories can make people feel less alone.
🎧Listen in to the conversation with Katie for an honest look at the practical and emotional realities of living with POTS.
Highlights:
(00:00) Meet Katie, a teacher living with POTS after COVID
(02:37) Why Katie began sharing her POTS journey online
(04:10) The emotional toll of invisible illness
(06:13) Teaching while managing symptoms and flare-ups
(09:55) How students respond to POTS
(11:16) Body image, lost activities, and heart-rate monitoring
(16:20) Choosing compression and comfort over appearance
(18:45) POTS symptoms and the menstrual cycle
(21:02) Why women’s health conversations need to be less taboo
(24:05) Grief, guilt, and the reminder: POTS is not your fault
(26:10) Changing boundaries and recognizing supportive relationships
(29:52) How chronic illness changes expectations and independence
(31:04) Redefining health and finding hope for the future
(34:29) Katie’s message on worth, happiness, and living with POTS
(36:08) Where to find Katie’s POTS content
Links:
Are you a millennial interested in learning more about healthcare issues specifically related to your generation? Start here: https://www.ymyhealth.com/ and follow us on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/ymyhealth_/
Connect with this episode's guest, teacher and POTS content creator and patient from the UK, Katie @mypotsjourney on Instagram and @my_potsjourney on TikTok.
Check out the high-sodium electrolyte mix Katie uses and collaborates with that helps patients living with POTS here at: SALTD
Interested in sponsoring the YMyHealth podcast? We'd love to partner with brands and organizations that align with our mission of providing healthcare education to millennials. Contact us at ymyhealthpodcast@gmail.com for sponsorship opportunities.
**Thank You to Our Sponsors**
Dr. Sarah Diekman, Director of Diekman Dysautonomia! If you’d like to learn more about our sponsor and her practice that provides care to patients with POTS and Long COVID, go to https://dysautonomiaexpert.com
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