Abigail’s experience with POTS and Gastroparesis

Hi! I’m Abigail Way, but you can call me Abby. I’m 18 years old, and one of my favorite things to do is read—I average about 115 books a year! Reading gives me a much-needed escape and joy, especially while navigating life with chronic illness. I live with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), which I’ve had for three years, and gastroparesis, which I’ve been managing for about a year and a half. This is a peek into my life!

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Question: If you were not born with your condition, what do you miss the most from before you had it? What do you grieve from prior? What’s one thing you were able to do before that you are unable to do now?

Abby’s Answer: I really miss the freedom of not needing to rely on medications. Before my diagnosis, I didn’t have to think so much about my health all the time. Now, I find myself missing out on events with my friends because of flare-ups. There’s a kind of loss in knowing I can’t just show up and participate without planning around how I’ll feel. I grieve that spontaneity.

Question: What are the main symptoms you experience?

Abby’s Answer: I deal with persistent nausea, fatigue, brain fog, abdominal pain, fainting and pre-syncope, headaches, vision issues, joint pain, nerve pain, and dizziness. It’s a lot to manage every day, and it can feel relentless.

Question: How does your condition affect your daily life and school?

Abby’s Answer: The constant nausea and heart rate issues mean I often feel sick, even on good days. I have to leave school frequently and keep a close eye on my vitals. It’s frustrating and draining to have my education and social life so deeply impacted, but I’m doing my best to keep up.

Question: What are the toughest parts about living with this condition? Be as specific as possible!

Abby’s Answer: Honestly, the nausea is the hardest part for me. It never really goes away, and it makes even basic things like eating or concentrating a challenge. I also struggle with feeling left out when I have to cancel plans or sit things out because of my symptoms. It’s tough watching others live freely when I have to pace myself so carefully.

Question: What tips or strategies have helped you manage your condition?

Abby’s Answer: Some small things that help my nausea are soda and gum—they don’t fix it, but they can make it a little easier to deal with. And when it comes to managing my POTS, salty snacks are a must! I love pickles and salt and vinegar chips. They’re actually a comfort food for me now.

Question: What kind of support (from friends, family, or others) has been most helpful?

Abby’s Answer: Finding friends online who also live with chronic illness has been such a lifesaver. It’s helped me feel less isolated and more understood. I also really appreciate when people in my life take the time to learn about my conditions—it makes such a difference when someone genuinely tries to understand what I’m going through.

Question: What’s one thing you wish people understood about living with a chronic condition?

Abby’s Answer: That it’s nonstop. Even when I’m smiling or out with friends, I’m still managing symptoms in the background. There are very few moments where I’m not thinking about my health or how to get through the next task. It’s a constant presence in my life.

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