Dysautonomia - Diagnosed With POTS

[PurpleWolf08]

Hey --
I was diagnosed with a form of dysautonomia today. POTS. Or Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome. Basically my heart rate spikes whenever I stand. I am wearing an event monitor. I don't understand why/how this happened.
Just ugh.

 

[PurpleWolf08]

It honestly feels like everything is being thrown out of wack. Ugh. IDK what to do.

 

[Callumin]

The good thing about POTS is that just understanding what your body is doing goes a long way towards not letting the symptoms negatively affect you.

It definitely takes some lifestyle adjustment. I, for example, will never just stand up from lying down, I always do it in stages. I sit up first, let the dizziness pass, then I flex a bunch of muscles, which helps with the blood flow when standing, then stand slowly, making sure I have something nearby to hold on to, then I flex a bunch of muscles again, to help more with blood flow, and then go on my merry way.

If I'm at the massage therapist, physio, or dentist, I warn them that I will need to sit up for a good 5 minutes before I'll be able to stand. That way I'm never rushed to get up and go at the end of an appointment.

 

[PurpleWolf08]

The good thing about POTS is that just understanding what your body is doing goes a long way towards not letting the symptoms negatively affect you.

It definitely takes some lifestyle adjustment. I, for example, will never just stand up from lying down, I always do it in stages. I sit up first, let the dizziness pass, then I flex a bunch of muscles, which helps with the blood flow when standing, then stand slowly, making sure I have something nearby to hold on to, then I flex a bunch of muscles again, to help more with blood flow, and then go on my merry way.

If I'm at the massage therapist, physio, or dentist, I warn them that I will need to sit up for a good 5 minutes before I'll be able to stand. That way I'm never rushed to get up and go at the end of an appointment.

I do definitely have to stand up in stages. I'm used to it by now I guess. Part of the issue is with my sports too. Because running hurts and I get really dizzy. But I can't quit. So I don't really know what to do.

 

[Callumin]

I do definitely have to stand up in stages. I'm used to it by now I guess. Part of the issue is with my sports too. Because running hurts and I get really dizzy. But I can't quit. So I don't really know what to do.

Yeah, sports are tough with chronic conditions. I understand the frustration.

The most important thing with chronic conditions is to respect your limitations. Everyone has physical limitations in sports, even professionals, you can only push your body so far. Learn where those limits are and learn not to punish yourself for your body not being different.

Your body is what it is and it's working really hard to function despite some parts not working ideally. The more you respect what your body can do, the less you will be frustrated with what it can't do.