A couple of weeks ago I talked about hydration being one of my biggest struggles. Despite my best efforts to stay well hydrated, sometimes things get away from me. So today I’m sharing one way I get back on track when things go askew... IV hydration.

I started getting IV therapy a couple of years ago. After several dietary changes I had noticed an upswing in my health and energy levels and with summer approaching, a season that can be especially dehydrating, I was looking for an alternative therapy to add to my toolkit. I was feeling better than I had in months and didn’t want the summer heat to get the best of me. After all, summer is a time of fun and play and I did not want to miss out on that!

As much as I hate IVs (I’m talking full on syncope), after much research and inward reflection I felt this would be an avenue to my highest health. So, I sucked it up, talked to my doctor, and made an appointment. I’ll never forget my first trip to the infusion center. Jagger was out of school so he, Kevin, and I hopped in the car and set out on what would be a life changing voyage together. Here’s a snippet of my thoughts that day. I think I was filled with every emotion imaginable.. mostly though I remember feeling this undercurrent of complete calm. I just knew this was going to be a game changer. And let me tell you, it was. Almost three years later I couldn’t be happier that I was brave enough to dive in. I still use it as one of my wellness therapies and it’s helped me make peace with scary parts of myself too.

There are lots of different IV therapies out there, some ordered by your doctor, some provided by doctors at a myriad of wellness facilities. While I have used non-hospital affiliated infusion centers when traveling I’m fortunate enough to have a doctor who is open to working with me and finding tailored solutions for my care. Therefore, I go to an infusion center affiliated with my hospital and have had a great experience there. That said, I also prefer saline hydration to some of the options available exclusively at anti-aging facilities. So, find what works for you and go for it! If you need a little motivation or are having trouble getting through to your doctor here’s a piece of encouragement.

Since I only get one liter of saline my infusions are generally over in about an hour and are relatively painless. If you are nervous about fainting due to NCS or POTS or have other issues with needles read on, I’ve got you covered! As always, these are only my suggestions based on what’s worked for me. I’m not a doctor, so decide how you want to experiment, if at all, based on your comfort level, research, and internal wisdom. Now that that’s out of the way, here are my top tips for navigating IV therapy with NCS and POTS.

1) Take anxiety medication prescribed by a doctor or a dose of CBD oil before any type of IV hydration or blood draw. This helps regulate the vagal response that can happen for some of us with intravenous needles. I used to wish I didn’t have to use anything to help me get through the process. Then, an epiphany. Why not use all the support within and around me to allow myself the most ease and abundance possible? There is no shame in self care!

2) Use breath work to calm the nervous system and prepare the body for what may feel like an intrusive experience. Slow inhales through the nose and long exhales through the mouth are quite centering. Plus, focusing on the breath means the mind can’t go crazy thinking about the procedure.

3) Lay down! I never get an IV or a blood draw sitting up (this goes for both insertion and removal). Make sure to lay down and have someone nearby that can raise the legs in case extra support is needed. This allows blood to flow back to the heart and brain more easily, meaning the reflex to faint will most likely not be triggered. Every now and then I still feel light headed laying down. When that happens I have whoever is with me lift my legs forcing blood from my lower extremities upward. The nice thing about IV hydration is that the extra fluids help regulate the vagal response. So, more than likely you’ll be able to sit up once the drip begins.. or lay back and take a nap. It’s up to you!

4) Every now and then the IV placement is uncomfortable for me. When this happens I ask for a warmer to place over the affected area. That generally relieves the pain and makes treatment bearable. I also like to prop my arm up on a pillow and leave it there until the treatment is over. Moving it around can be uncomfortable. If that’s the case, just don’t!

5) Any good infusion center should tell you this, but just in case they don’t.. alternate arms/entry points. This will keep veins healthy and will make the infusions easier all the way around. It’s a small action that leads to big differences.

6) It may seem counter intuitive, but drink plenty of water before going in for an infusion. Since the need for therapy is most likely due to dehydration, this will make IV placement much easier. It may seem that since you’re going in to get hydrated you could/should drink less that day. That is not the case. Drink up. Your body will thank you later.

7) I often wear calf compression (compression pants and socks also work) when getting any type of IV treatment or procedure. Anything to help keep the blood flowing upward is helpful. I find they also help to keep me warm because believe it or not, IV hydration lowers the body temp for a bit which can cause cold chills.

8) Ask for what you need. IV therapy is an act of self care, so give yourself permission to be completely indulgent for that hour or so. Ask for warm blankets, snacks, water, extra pillows, whatever you need to make yourself comfortable.

9) Take entertainment. I’ve found that reading a good book, playing cards with my loved ones, or watching my favorite show can make the time pass with great pleasure. Treat it like you would a massage - a nourishing, relaxing experience.

Finally, I’ve had several people tell me they avoid IV hydration because they’re afraid they’ll become dependent on it. Obviously each individual has to make the decision that feels right for them. However, for me, that fear raises a deeper question about self trust, self care, and spirituality. What fear is under this perception of “dependency?” Do we view needing the water we drink with the same perception of “dependency?” Is it the fear of an unconventional hydration mechanism? It is the fear that we will no longer drink water? That our bodies will suddenly reject the water we drink? I want to know more.

I can only share my experience and that is, I have not become dependent on IV hydration. On the contrary, I have actually needed IV therapy less often as treatment time has gone on. I believe this is because my body has relaxed into a hydrated state. Having this as a tool in my wellness bag I don’t get as severely dehydrated any more, allowing me to bounce back from slight dehydration with greater ease while also experiencing deeper levels of hydration (through an IV) when necessary. Being severely dehydrated causes disconnection in the mind, body and spirit. Dysautonomia or not, the truth is sometimes, despite our best efforts, it happens. So, why not take care of ourselves, even if it seems unconventional? Our health is top priority, especially if we are committed to a life of vitality and joy.