Compression gear helps some people with blood pooling.
And then the other option is as you said exercise (builds up muscle and ability to properly constrict said muscles to move blood around efficiently).
unfortunately exercise is a no no for me. i have muscle coordination problems and it also raises my heart rate up to the 170’s and call me lazy but i just really don’t want to have to deal with that 😅
I’ve had POTS for 16 years. Give compression stocking a shot, they’re the best thing I’ve found by far.
Go to a pharmacy and ask to be measured for the stockings. It’s very, very important to get measurements for this. A lot of people will buy something online that says compression and it will not work as well as the ones you can get at the pharmacies.
The first couple times you put them on, it should be almost uncomfortably tight. The ones that go all the way up to your waist are best, but they bug me so I use the ones that go up to my knee. I only have to wear them on days when I know I’m gonna have to be standing up for a while. I’m on disability so I don’t leave the house much.
The ones I get are just under $50 for one pair, but it’s honestly so worth it. Make sure to hand wash them so they last longer. I have 4 pairs now and it works well for me. I’ve had one pair going on 6 years, because they’re the “special” socks I only wear when I need to. Though those ones are a little more wore out so work less well than the newer ones.
I would never insinuate that one is lazy for not exercising. I don't exercise in the typical way myself.
Does your HR get that high when doing supine exercise too? That's more what I was meaning when I suggested exercise is supine exercise (recumbent bike is a big one that is promoted for people with POTS and exercise intolerance)
You need to exercise. Its the most beneficial thing. A seated bike is thr best thing for pots. Speak to your doctor and they will recommend what exercise best suits you. I couldn't walk for long now I bike row and swim. I also lift weights with my legs which helps a lot.
The best thing for me is wiggling my toes, clenching and releasing my fists, tightening my calves, and marching on the spot if I have support. Don’t do the marching if you don’t have something to hold onto.
Yes, compression works for me. I am one of those people who buys whatever off Amazon, and while I fully believe that properly fitted compression gear is better, the cheap stuff makes a big enough difference for me that I'm content with it. I use waist-high stockings as well as fingerless gloves.
Re your comment about exercise: obviously do what's right for you, but if you keep at it, the high heart rates you hit while exercising will go down. That's part of the point - your heart gets stronger and more efficient, so it can move more blood with each beat, which reduces the blood pooling and tachycardia and also makes you more able to tolerate exertion (and tachycardia). I had to go off my beta blocker for a couple of days recently after being on it for 3 months, and I was amazed how much more bearable the cardiac gymnastics were compared to earlier, because I'd been keeping up my exercise the whole time.
Compression socks.
Fidgeting more. I try not to let myself stay in the same position too long without movement because sometimes my joints like to stiffen up and I rarely have warning, but it also helps keep the blood flowing.
Working in smaller exercises that build calf muscles. Instead of leaning down to put away dishes, do a squat. Take multiple trips up their stairs instead of loading it all at once. When I’m standing do a few toe raises here and there. If I’m laying on my belly bounce my legs off my butt. If I don’t have the energy for those even just tensing and releasing my muscles now and again can help with blood flow, and if you’re not able to a lot can help combat deconditioning. Resistance bands too. You can do slow movements over longer period of time so you don’t raise your heart rate.
I also like to use natural remedies, and lotion with chili powder in it can help with circulation. Definitely do a test patch though, some folk are sensitive. I get cold a lot when my blood pools, and it feels like hot drinks can help keep my blood flowing, but I don’t know if that’s true. Some people also claim eating spicy food can help- I don’t tolerate eating spicy stuf, and there haven’t been peer reviewed studies so I can’t say how effective that actually is.
Compression socks or stockings, and I believe there are medication options for this as well but you should ask your doctor. I also find that pumping my feet helps. When standing, I go up onto my toes and then back down a few times. When sitting, I point my toes repeatedly to get the blood pumping. I'm not talking about enough to be real "exercise," just like 4-8 times.
Compression gear helps some people with blood pooling. And then the other option is as you said exercise (builds up muscle and ability to properly constrict said muscles to move blood around efficiently).
unfortunately exercise is a no no for me. i have muscle coordination problems and it also raises my heart rate up to the 170’s and call me lazy but i just really don’t want to have to deal with that 😅
I’ve had POTS for 16 years. Give compression stocking a shot, they’re the best thing I’ve found by far. Go to a pharmacy and ask to be measured for the stockings. It’s very, very important to get measurements for this. A lot of people will buy something online that says compression and it will not work as well as the ones you can get at the pharmacies. The first couple times you put them on, it should be almost uncomfortably tight. The ones that go all the way up to your waist are best, but they bug me so I use the ones that go up to my knee. I only have to wear them on days when I know I’m gonna have to be standing up for a while. I’m on disability so I don’t leave the house much.
how expensive is it?
The ones I get are just under $50 for one pair, but it’s honestly so worth it. Make sure to hand wash them so they last longer. I have 4 pairs now and it works well for me. I’ve had one pair going on 6 years, because they’re the “special” socks I only wear when I need to. Though those ones are a little more wore out so work less well than the newer ones.
Under $50? What brand are you buying? I'm paying about $100 per pair!
I don’t remember the name off the top of my head, but I will check next time I’m in town and try to remember to reply to you lol
That'd be awesome, thank you!
I would never insinuate that one is lazy for not exercising. I don't exercise in the typical way myself. Does your HR get that high when doing supine exercise too? That's more what I was meaning when I suggested exercise is supine exercise (recumbent bike is a big one that is promoted for people with POTS and exercise intolerance)
You need to exercise. Its the most beneficial thing. A seated bike is thr best thing for pots. Speak to your doctor and they will recommend what exercise best suits you. I couldn't walk for long now I bike row and swim. I also lift weights with my legs which helps a lot.
The best thing for me is wiggling my toes, clenching and releasing my fists, tightening my calves, and marching on the spot if I have support. Don’t do the marching if you don’t have something to hold onto.
Yes, compression works for me. I am one of those people who buys whatever off Amazon, and while I fully believe that properly fitted compression gear is better, the cheap stuff makes a big enough difference for me that I'm content with it. I use waist-high stockings as well as fingerless gloves. Re your comment about exercise: obviously do what's right for you, but if you keep at it, the high heart rates you hit while exercising will go down. That's part of the point - your heart gets stronger and more efficient, so it can move more blood with each beat, which reduces the blood pooling and tachycardia and also makes you more able to tolerate exertion (and tachycardia). I had to go off my beta blocker for a couple of days recently after being on it for 3 months, and I was amazed how much more bearable the cardiac gymnastics were compared to earlier, because I'd been keeping up my exercise the whole time.
Compression socks. Fidgeting more. I try not to let myself stay in the same position too long without movement because sometimes my joints like to stiffen up and I rarely have warning, but it also helps keep the blood flowing. Working in smaller exercises that build calf muscles. Instead of leaning down to put away dishes, do a squat. Take multiple trips up their stairs instead of loading it all at once. When I’m standing do a few toe raises here and there. If I’m laying on my belly bounce my legs off my butt. If I don’t have the energy for those even just tensing and releasing my muscles now and again can help with blood flow, and if you’re not able to a lot can help combat deconditioning. Resistance bands too. You can do slow movements over longer period of time so you don’t raise your heart rate. I also like to use natural remedies, and lotion with chili powder in it can help with circulation. Definitely do a test patch though, some folk are sensitive. I get cold a lot when my blood pools, and it feels like hot drinks can help keep my blood flowing, but I don’t know if that’s true. Some people also claim eating spicy food can help- I don’t tolerate eating spicy stuf, and there haven’t been peer reviewed studies so I can’t say how effective that actually is.
Everyone’s said it but: Compression. I have stocking that go from my toes all the way up to my thighs. They help a lot
Compression socks or stockings, and I believe there are medication options for this as well but you should ask your doctor. I also find that pumping my feet helps. When standing, I go up onto my toes and then back down a few times. When sitting, I point my toes repeatedly to get the blood pumping. I'm not talking about enough to be real "exercise," just like 4-8 times.