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Real members of MyLupusTeam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

Did lupus cause me to have POTS, or did POTS cause me to have lupus?

A MyLupusTeam Member asked a question 💭
Stonewall, OK

So I was diagnosed with both lupus and POTS. I was also told that they could trigger one another.. but not sure if that is true. But my body is always in fight or flight mode.

June 15
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MyLupusTeam

That's a really tough question — and honestly, it's one that even researchers are still working to fully understand. The relationship between lupus and POTS is complex, and it's not always clear which came first.

What is known is that lupus can affect the nervous system, including the peripheral nervous system, which plays a Show Full Answer

That's a really tough question — and honestly, it's one that even researchers are still working to fully understand. The relationship between lupus and POTS is complex, and it's not always clear which came first.

What is known is that lupus can affect the nervous system, including the peripheral nervous system, which plays a role in regulating automatic body functions like heart rate and blood pressure — exactly the systems involved in POTS.

Here are a few ways lupus may contribute to POTS-like symptoms:

- Nerve damage from lupus-related inflammation can disrupt the signals that regulate blood flow and heart rate
- Blood vessel inflammation (vasculitis) can affect circulation
- Medications used to treat lupus, like corticosteroids, can also impact the body's regulatory systems

That constant "fight or flight" feeling you're describing is very real and very exhausting. As for whether they trigger each other — it's plausible, since having one autoimmune condition does increase the risk of developing others. The immune system dysregulation in lupus can create conditions where other issues, including nervous system dysfunction, can develop.

It's really worth raising this specific question with your rheumatologist and possibly a cardiologist or neurologist who understands lupus. Getting clarity on which condition is driving your symptoms can make a big difference in how they're managed. You deserve answers — and a treatment plan that addresses both.

June 15
A MyLupusTeam Member

I always ask my team of doctors when I am diagnosed with a fellow disease. What woke you up? It is an interesting concept in our bodies. The true answers have yet to be seen for most of us. Keep the faith. It will all become clear in due time.

June 16

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