Living with POTS: A Reclining Chair’s Tale

Hello there! If you’re reading this, you’ve probably just scanned a QR code attached to the reclining chair I’m currently lounging in at this event.

You might be wondering, “Why on earth is this guy in a reclining chair here?” Well, let me introduce myself and explain.

I’m the guy Wesley you see in this chair, and I have a condition called POTS – Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome. It’s quite a mouthful, isn’t it?

But don’t worry, I’m here to break it down for you and share a bit about why this chair is my trusty companion at events like these.

What on Earth is POTS?

POTS is a form of dysautonomia – a disorder of the autonomic nervous system. In my case, I have the autoimmune variant of POTS. This means my immune system has decided to attack my own blood vessels.

As a result, my blood vessels don’t constrict properly when I’m sitting or standing, which leads to some pretty interesting challenges.

Gravity: My Arch-Nemesis

The main symptom of POTS is orthostatic intolerance. Let me explain this using a couple of analogies:

Imagine your body is a smartphone. Most people’s bodies are like phones with great battery life – they can go all day in “upright mode” without a problem. My body, however, is like a phone with a faulty battery. As soon as I go into “upright mode,” my battery starts draining at an alarming rate.

Or think of it this way: For most people, standing up is like ducks taking to water – natural and effortless. For me, it’s more like a cat trying to swim. Sure, I can do it, but it’s not pretty, and I’d really rather not.

When I stand up, because my blood vessels aren’t constricting properly, gravity pulls too much blood down into my lower body.

This means not enough blood (and therefore oxygen) reaches my brain. As a result, my heart goes into panic mode, racing as if I’ve just run a marathon, even though all I did was get up from my chair.

My blood pressure drops faster than a skydiver without a parachute, and my brain feels like it’s trying to run on dial-up internet in a 5G world.

The POTS Potpourri: Other Delightful Symptoms

But wait, there’s more! POTS is the gift that keeps on giving. Here are some other fun party tricks my body likes to perform:

Fatigue	Imagine feeling like you’ve just completed an Ironman triathlon… every single day. That’s POTS fatigue for you.
Brain Fog	Ever tried to solve a complex puzzle while underwater? That’s what brain fog feels like. Simple tasks become as challenging as trying to remember where you put your keys… while blindfolded.
Lightheadedness	You know that brief, woozy feeling you get when you stand up too quickly? Now imagine that feeling sticking around all day, every day. It’s like my brain is constantly trying to float away from my body.
Headaches	Ah, the cherry on top of the POTS sundae. These aren’t your garden-variety headaches. They’re more like a marching band decided to hold practice inside your skull.
Temperature Regulation Issues	My body thinks it’s auditioning for a role in “Hot and Cold: The Musical.” One minute I’m a human popsicle, the next I’m my own personal sauna.
Gastrointestinal Issues	My digestive system likes to play “Wheel of Fortune” every day. What will I be able to eat today? Spin the wheel to find out!
Exercise Intolerance	Remember that smartphone analogy? Well, any form of exercise is like running every app on your phone at once. It drains my battery faster than you can say “low power mode.”
Post-Exertional Malaise (PEM)	This is the POTS equivalent of a nasty hangover, except it’s triggered by activity, not alcohol. Imagine going for a short walk, then paying for it with days of extreme fatigue, increased pain, and worsened symptoms. It’s like my body’s way of saying, “Oh, you thought you could do normal things? That’s adorable.”

Living with POTS: Why I’m in This Reclining Chair

So, back to the reclining chair you see me in right now. Lying down helps redistribute the blood flow in my body, easing the strain on my heart and reducing symptoms. It’s not just a comfort thing – it’s a staying-conscious thing.

The QR code that led you here? Well, sometimes it’s easier to let people read about POTS than to explain why I look like I’m taking a nap in the middle of an event. Think of it as an efficient redirect to the most relevant content.

Living with POTS is a challenge, but it’s also taught me a lot about adaptability, self-care, and the importance of comfortable seating options. So if you see someone reclining at your next event, don’t assume they’re slacking off. They might just be trying to stay upright in a world that keeps trying to knock them down – much like trying to maintain balance on a constantly shifting ground.

Remember, not all disabilities are visible. Be kind, be curious, and maybe, just maybe, be a little jealous of my ultra-comfy chair setup!

Thank you for taking the time to learn about POTS.

If you have any questions, feel free to come chat with me – I’m right here in the reclining chair, trying not to look too comfortable while everyone else is standing!

Thank you for taking the time to learn about POTS.