I have been visiting a specialist clinic in London for my POTS for the last 4 years and the only treatment I have recieved is advice to exercise despite it not having an effect on my condition.
Like you I was in good shape when these symptoms started and continued to exercise for a year before the symptoms where too much and I had to stop. I would bring this up and more at every single appointment but all that would happen is I would be treated like a troublesome patient whos beliefs about exercise are getting in the way of recovery.
So yes doctors do think POTS is caused by deconditioning. I imagine in some people exercise really helps their symptoms but in others the effect is minimal or even detrimental.
@sb4.....Hello. I'm in a quandary myself about exercising and our problems. Since I'm 74, and have had a lot of hospitalizations and surgeries, I find that my physical abilities have lessened. I do feel it's in our best interest to do very light exercise just so we can keep moving, but hard exercise is not something we can do, unless we recover. Then I wonder how much it's responsible for a relapse?
Presently my goal is to just keep into walking into the kitchen, the bedroom, sitting in a chair, not using a wheelchair and being able to bathe myself and wash my hair. If I can do all of that, I'm just happy. Some things simply never go away, there is always pain and those "not great" days that are common.
In the beginning, and after major surgery, I was told to resume walking 3 miles/day. I swear that it just about killed me. I would get out of bed, and out the door and hope I'd make it home again. Not smart in the least, and I soon stopped that recommendation. PT is also tough, unless it's a special one that incorporates myofascial therapy. Everything can be made worse....even massage is often too much for me.
Yet my experience has shown me that we do have to do very light exercise in order to remain mobile. Anyone
else with their thoughts? Yours, Lenora.
