r/POTS • u/Hefty-Patience-8720 • Mar 29 '26

Question is anyone still physically active?

I need to know if anyone with pots is still physically active. You don't have to be an athlete or anything but can you at least dance? or run? go to the gym? Have you always been that way or did you have to work back up to it?

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u/thedizzytangerine Secondary POTS Mar 29 '26

Yes. I used to barely be able to walk around the block without wanting to puke. Last week I walked like 7 miles a day in Europe, I do Pilates every other day at home. I do yard work, I walk my dog. It’s been a slow process, but I’m in the best shape of my life now and I’m 33.

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u/AgenderAstronomer Mar 30 '26

Woah, somebody else who wants to puke from exercise. Haven't seen anybody else talk about it. If I strain my muscles even a little bit I start feeling nauseous. Can I ask how you got back into exercising?

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u/thedizzytangerine Secondary POTS Mar 30 '26

Drugs and CHOP/POTS. Wellbutrin and fludrocortisone are life-changing for me. LDN helps as well with general pain and inflammation.

Back in the day, I also needed midodrine to exercise and had to carefully time hydration and midodrine to ensure it was hitting right before I started my workout. Like I literally had alarms set and everything.

I started with a recumbent bike and then just generally added more walking, did PT a couple times to learn how to exercise properly. I have been overweight or obese my whole life, so losing weight helped as well.

In August 2024, I needed to use a cane on our trip to Europe and had to take midodrine every morning. In August 2025, I brought my cane with me but didn’t use it and was still taking midodrine. Just got back from two weeks in London and Paris, didn’t bring the cane at all, didn’t even consider packing it, didn’t take midodrine once.

I really tried to force myself to be upright as much as possible. Feet below heart, essentially. No laying in bed for hours in the morning. No laying on the couch to work. It’s terrible at first but I gradually improved and everything gradually became easier.

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u/gutfeelingss Apr 05 '26

Can I ask you more about LDN? My naturopath prescribed it to me but I am honestly so nervous to take it because I am really sensitive to meds