Bethenny Frankel took to social media earlier this week to open up about her “extreme” struggle with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS).
In a series of videos, the first of which was shared on her Instagram page, the Real Housewives of New York City alum explained why her face looks different in a new make-up tutorial before noting that she’s a “mess” after experiencing post-COVID stress.
“A lot of people ask me why my face looks different in my makeup videos and because I messed up,” Bethenny began in a Feb. 23 post on Instagram. “I’m not doing well. I’m dehydrated and full of aches and pains. I’ve had liters of Pedialyte and water and kombucha and coconut water. It’s just passed me and I’ve gained like four pounds while I’m here because my body is trying to retain what water whatever you can.
“It’s like it’s really intense and it’s gotten really bad in the last few years since the autoimmune problem I’ve been dealing with,” she continued. “I wake up every two hours in pain and dying of thirst. It’s like I can’t take it anymore. It’s crazy.”
After contacting her doctor, Bethenny was told that her health struggles were “definitely connected” to POTS.
According to WebMD, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is “a disorder in which most of the blood stays in the lower body when you stand, and in response, your heart rate increases,” which can make you feel lightheaded, dizzy. , or faint.”
Other symptoms include blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, brain fog, extreme fatigue, shaking or tremors, body aches, and insomnia.
In a video shared to her TikTok page, Bethenny broke down because she thought it might not be healthy for her 12-year-old daughter, Bryn Casey Hoppy.
“My real thing is the terror of not being healthy for my son. That’s the biggest,” he admitted. “Who cares about the rest? I just want to be healthy for him. I want to go on vacation in Aspen and take him snowboarding, want to live long because I had children later in life.
“I’m really afraid that I’m doing everything to be healthy and still, sometimes this thing wins and it bothers me,” she added.
@bethennyfrankel I’ve never done this but I don’t want to seem like I’m always in control. I certainly don’t.♬ original voice – Bethenny Frankel
In the third clip, Bethenny notes that most people don’t share themselves like she does, she wants to be honest
“I posted a photo of myself today on Instagram. I like to filter the dark circles and folds under my eyes, but this is who I am today,” she said, indicating that she had received “a few IVs” and consumed “a ton of salt.”
“This is a disorder that has gotten worse since COVID,” he continued. “People are discussing whether it’s the vaccine or the virus itself. I don’t know. I’m not an expert, but it’s a fact that after COVID, it’s an animal. Not every day but when it’s an animal, it’s an animal. It’s an animal.”
@bethennyfrankel POTS is real & effects of COVID too. #pots #autoimmunedisorder #potssyndrome ♬ original voice – Bethenny Frankel
Bethenny starred in the first three seasons of The Real Housewives of New York City and returned temporarily for seasons seven through 11.