Second EditionPOTS - Together We Stand: Riding the Waves of Dysautonomia is a collaborative effort of many doctors, teachers, counselors, parents and patients who wove this tapestry. Initially conceptualized as a survival guide for children, teens, young adults and parents; it quickly transcended into this unprecedented, critical volume. This encompassing work responds to the many desperate and heartbreaking pleas of those affected by dysautonomia; included are clear explanations of medical information, evidenced-based research, best practices for clinical diagnoses and treatment options, alternative/complimentary medicine approaches, non-medical strategies, coping techniques, helpful tips, patient rights and options, and inspiring narrative accounts of people living with the syndrome around the globe. The book contributors and its readers join hand in hand to represent the POTS dysautonomia community's shared struggles and hopes, concerns and endeavors, unequivocally serving as a living testament that "Together We Stand." This is the 3rd Edition!
About the Author: Jodi Epstein Rhum was born and raised in IL. She received her B.S. in Education from the University of IL. Jodi has four children, two of whom have POTS and one who has Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. Having grown up with an undiagnosed mild case of POTS herself, she understands the complexities and frustrations of this syndrome, first hand. Jodi, who is a former middle school teacher, has devoted herself to POTS Awareness. Jodi has spoken at various schools in the area advocating for POTS patients as well as educating staff members and school nurses on the syndrome. She has spoken with many doctors and attends conferences trying to further educate herself on the illness. Jodi started a POTS Awareness Site, which now has over 3,000 members. She has been on the news and has been interviewed for many newspaper articles trying to raise awareness. This book was a culminating effort to learn through her experiences as a mother, a teacher and as a patient.
Dr. Svetlana Blitshteyn is a board-certified neurologist who specializes in POTS and other autonomic disorders in her private practice in Williamsville, NY. Dr. Blitshteyn completed her neurology residency training at Mayo Clinic and is currently serving as a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. She graduated from the University at Buffalo Honors College with a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry, Summa Cum Laude, and received her Medical Doctor degree from the University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. Dr. Blitshteyn has been awarded numerous awards and honors, including the American Academy of Neurology Student Prize; a Research Award from the Florida Society of Neurology, a US Human Health Award from the American Headache Society and a Marquis Who's Who in Medicine and Healthcare 2011. Dr. Blitshteyn has served as a medical adviser for the Dysautonomia Inf. Network and has been a regular contributor to the Dysautonomia Inf. Network newsletter. She was also featured in the documentary "Changes: Living with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome". Dr. Blitshteyn has been the principle research investigator on several nationally acclaimed studies and has presented her research at various national and international meetings, including the A. Academy of Neurology and A. Autonomic Society scientific meetings. She also published in many scientific journals on the topic of POTS, headache and other neurologic disorders