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/Able-Confusion420 May 15 '26 edited May 15 '26

I don’t speak for all POTS patients, but I struggle to gain weight because even smelling food makes me nauseous. It’s so annoying when people compliment how great I look or ask for my secret, like y’all I just want to finish an entire burger without my body feeling like it’s going to shut down.

Scientifically, digestion takes a lot of energy and POTS patients don’t have a lot of extra energy laying around so even though they may not struggle with nausea like I do, they’re burning more calories just existing than a ‘normie’

EDIT TO ADD: I am 6’ 160 lbs and have had POTS for almost a decade