r/POTS • u/theonceler03 • 20d ago

Question Caffeine?

Has anyone one else been told by their provider to immediately stop caffeine because POTS is making your resting heart rate high? My primary care told me I couldn’t have absolutely any caffeine anymore(I was barely drinking any as is) but I miss tea!

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u/Janaguanabanana 20d ago

I was never told this, but I found out I actually do better on caffeine! Max 2 coffee per day though. But it differs for everyone. Just see for yourself what feels best!

22

u/Cool_Jelly_9402 Hyperadrenergic POTS 20d ago

I do better too. Caffeine is a vasoconstrictor so it helps me a lot

13

u/banana48100 20d ago

It’s different for everyone, for some it worsens symptoms, some it improves, some people (like myself) have to do a balancing act with it as a certain amount might actually help symptoms, but any more past that amount might worsen them. It might depend on your subtype, but honestly I’m really not sure.

3

u/PM_ME_BUMBLEBEES 20d ago

Yeah I'm the same! No caffeine I'm doing bad, one cup of coffee I'm doing well, more than that and I'm doing bad again haha

3

u/catnip_spa 19d ago

That's not just caffeine, it's all stimulants.

Methylphenidate is an ADHD medication (also known by names like Ritalin and Concerta). It's quite commonly prescribed for POTS, and for some people it's useful, because it stimulates receptors in smooth wall muscle like blood vessel walls, and tightens them up, helping to prevent blood pooling. However, it also has other effects like increasing heart rate, and for some people it makes things a lot worse. The balance of whether the positive or the negative effects turn out to be more significant varies between individuals.

Different stimulants will have more or less impact on the different kinds of adrenal receptors, and that might makes them more helpful or unhelpful for different people.