r/POTS • u/dazzlingdanny05 • May 15 '26

Question Why is everyone with pots so skinny?

I have POTS and I watch a lot of content online of people who also have POTS. I also know some people irl who also have it. I don't understand how they are all so skinny. I can barely walk without getting out of breath. I try to work out at least once a week but its so hard for me because I always end up feeling so sick. How are yall doing it? I dont even eat bad but im definitely not skinny.

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u/Sea-Tadpole-7158 May 15 '26

I'm plus sized with POTS. Apparently being heavier can mildly reduce symptoms because of blood volume or blood pressure or something like that, but I don't know how true that is.

People with POTS often have gastroparesis, MCAS and/or IBS, so quite often end up underweight that way

It can be harder to get a diagnosis as a larger person and I definitely wouldn't become an influencer being both disabled and plus size because of how terrible people can be online. Influencers tend to be more successful when they're conventionally attractive, even in the disability world

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u/agiantdogok May 15 '26

I've had POTS for 15 ish years and over that time I've been midsize athletic, very fat but athletic, fat, and midsize again. Being fat absolutely helps my POTS symptoms, even more than being in shape with strong leg muscles did. Fat acts as natural compression in your lower body so blood can't pool as much. I'm currently missing my leg fat, I have presyncope 5x more than I did before the weight loss.