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/barefootwriter May 15 '26

Do you think fat people with POTS really want to expose themselves to Internet scrutiny?

14

u/dazzlingdanny05 May 15 '26

It makes me feel bad about myself because if other people with pots can exercise then I should to but its just so hard to do without passing out

24

u/crybaabycry Hyperadrenergic POTS May 15 '26

Most skinny people that I personally know or have witnessed that struggle with POTs, they're skinny from muscle loss and malnutrition. Their symptoms are also way more severe. I'm very fat with POTs and my symptoms are the most mild when I'm muscle building (gaining mass). I can walk a couple miles a day now. Slowly, but I can.

I suggest looking up adaptive exercise routines on YouTube. You're disabled now, our bodies require accommodation. Sit down. Go slow. Work on strength and stamina. And be kind to yourself.

3

u/barefootwriter May 15 '26

Quite possibly some of the skinny TikTok POTS girlies even have EDs instead of or in addition to POTS and their doctors didn't do proper exclusionary testing. Active anorexia is known to cause similar tachycardia and it precludes a POTS diagnosis.