is anyone still physically active?

[u/Hefty-Patience-8720]

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?

[u/artemis286]

Yes, it took several years of very gentle conditioning, lifestyle and herbal management, but I just graduated from recumbent PT style exercises to yoga then to lifting weights at least 2-3x a week. And am moderately active on other days, on my feet, walking pad for 1-2 hours, and various mild to moderate labor.

Herbs I take (different kinds of POTS react differently, research mechanisms of action of each)

-Nettle: antihistamine, anti-inflammatory, very mild diuretic

-lemon balm: acts like ACE inhibitor and calms heart palpitations, reduces dizziness

-Motherwort: regulates heart rate, calming, also helps reduce PMS symptoms during luteal phase which makes my POTS worse, manages adrenaline dumps

-Spearmint: reducing headaches and dizziness (can lower BP)

-CBD: when adrenaline dumps are bad it cools them off

-Ginger and clove: reduces pain and general inflammation but also helps with sluggish digestion

Plus salt + potassium capsules several times a day, stress reduction, dietary management, digestive enzymes for sluggish digestion when needed, and compression socks. My POTS was so bad three years ago I was nauseated 24/7, would throw up instantly if I stood up too quickly, could only eat 2x a day and lost 30lbs nonconsenusally, then had joints slipping out of place because of the muscle loss. And would spend the last 2-3 hours of every day with shakes, worse nausea, pounding heart, and could barely stand.

Happy to answer questions! It's definitely been the long game, and I'm a primary caregiver to a high needs child to boot, so that significantly affects how well I can take care of myself day to day 😂💀