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Tight Stretchy Belt For Orthostatic Intolerance

hangininthere

Senior Member
Messages
101
Location
USA
I'm so happy that member Wayne mentioned that an elastic back brace could help Orthostatic Intolerance.

I have never wanted to try compression stockings because I wear sandals.

I recently bought a back brace and it worked.

Then I bought a ladies elastic belt to hold my denim blue jeans up, and it works just as well as the back brace when I tighten the belt real tight when I'm upright.

Now I don't feel like fainting from blood drained down from head - where I can't think straight when upright shopping or in kitchen - and have to sit or lie down.

How luxurious this new discovery I've had success with, thanks to Wayne.

The other day I tried twice in ten minutes to get up and go to kitchen and nuke something up real quick. I was so hungry, but both times I felt so lightheaded I had to immediately dive right back into bed with nothing to eat.

Then a few minutes later I remembered my back brace, and put it on and stood in kitchen nuking something and back to bed with my food, no problem. Amazing difference.

Today I walked in a big store and stood in the checkout line with my elastic belt tightened, and not a thought of fainting or not being able to think straight to shop and having to sit down. Wonderful improvement.

P.S. Edited with more info from discussions in comments below, for those who only read the original post.

I only wear the elastic back brace when standing up. Not when sitting down or lying down. Too confining and suffocating for me.

The regular elastic belt I can wear sitting down, less bulky and comfortable just like a regular belt you wear all day.

I'm going to buy another ladies belt for at home to put over my pajamas that I live in - much easier to quickly put on than the back brace with its many straps, to go to kitchen, or bathroom to brush teeth.

Here's a picture of the elastic belt on the Walmart site. And of course, there are men's elastic stretch belts sold, too.

***Remember, the trick is to tighten the belt as tight as you can for standing.***

0070365e-0c39-4f61-a95a-155028bb179d_1.13ce7a8d8ba459b60c8be5eeb7888c7e.jpeg


Patti
 
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Judee

Psalm 46:1-3
Messages
4,461
Location
Great Lakes
:woot:I have a back brace. I'm going to have to try this.

I have tried the support hose several times. The first times were knee highs; then thigh highs --both made my stomach feel very bloated. I think the blood was pooling there. Then I tried full hose. No stomach blood pools. However, even though all three did a great job at raising my blood pressure closer to normal range, my heart/aorta area started to hurt and when I had to take them off for the evening, I seemed to get a sort of weird "let down" feeling that lasted for several days afterward.
 

hangininthere

Senior Member
Messages
101
Location
USA
Yes, I just wear the back brace or tightened elastic ladies belt temporarily when I'm standing up shopping or in the kitchen. Then I take it right off again.

I can't even wear the back brace when driving to store, too suffocating, too tight. I put it on when I get out of car and take it off when I get back in car. I only wear it when standing.

The ladies belt, I can drive in and sit down in.

I have high blood pressure. Didn't think to take my blood pressure reading with the brace on. Will try it next time I'm wearing it.

Patti
 
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Sushi

Moderation Resource Albuquerque
Messages
19,935
Location
Albuquerque
-both made my stomach feel very bloated. I think the blood was pooling there.
My Autonomic specialist told me that most of us with OI or POTS have more abdominal pooling (splanchnic pooling) than leg pooling. But, abdominal compression is often not comfortable. I used to use a girdle type garment as well as compression knee sock. Lately, I've just been using the knee sock. Wrestling full compression stockings on was a huge aerobic work out!

For guys, there are work-out waist braces that should work pretty well. For women, they tend to ride up due to our shape.
upload_2018-4-29_18-55-30.png
 

perrier

Senior Member
Messages
1,254
I'm so happy that member Wayne mentioned that an elastic back brace could help Orthostatic Intolerance.

I have never wanted to try compression stockings because I wear sandals.

I recently bought a back brace and it worked.

Then I bought a ladies elastic belt to hold my denim blue jeans up, and it works just as well as the back brace when I tighten the belt real tight when I'm upright.

Now I don't feel like fainting from blood drained down from head - where I can't think straight when upright shopping or in kitchen - and have to sit or lie down.

How luxurious this new discovery I've had success with, thanks to Wayne.



The other day I tried twice in ten minutes to get up and go to kitchen and nuke something up real quick. I was so hungry, but both times I felt so lightheaded I had to immediately dive right back into bed with nothing to eat.

Then a few minutes later I remembered my back brace, and put it on and stood in kitchen nuking something and back to bed with my food, no problem. Amazing difference.

Today I walked in a big store and stood in the checkout line with my elastic belt tightened, and not a thought of fainting or not being able to think straight to shop and having to sit down. Wonderful improvement.

Patti
Dear Patti

I wonder if you could please be a touch more specific. Where did you get this belt? What is it like.?

And what sort of back brace is it?

Thanks
 

hangininthere

Senior Member
Messages
101
Location
USA
The ladies elastic belt works just as well for me. And more convenient and comfortable.

I only get dressed when I go to store or appointment. I can wear the belt holding up my blue jeans when driving and sitting. But I take it off and wear my pajamas 24/7 at home.

Here's a picture from the Walmart site of the ladies stretch belt I have, which works just as well as the back brace and is more comfortable and convenient to wear:

0070365e-0c39-4f61-a95a-155028bb179d_1.13ce7a8d8ba459b60c8be5eeb7888c7e.jpeg


I'm going to buy another ladies elastic belt for at home to put over my pajamas which I live in, to go into kitchen, and to brush teeth in bathroom - easier to quickly put on than the back brace with its many straps.

The back brace I bought before finding the belt was from Walmart. Sushi posted a picture of what it's like above at the same time you were posting. It cost about $25. You can get it from any drugstore, too.

An elastic belt is much more comfortable and convenient than a back brace. And works just as well when worn real tight while standing.

Patti
 
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hangininthere

Senior Member
Messages
101
Location
USA
Yes, I'm amazed the simple stretchy fashion belt works just as well. I discovered it by accident when I wore it to store to hold my thick heavy denim blue jeans up. If the belt's not real tight, they slide right down.

I've never worn a belt in my life. These blue jeans are weird like never before, and somehow I got the idea to try a belt to keep them from sliding down. The only reason I happened to get the stretchy one was because I ran across this one with the flat buckle described as not making a bulge under shirt. And voila, it's comfortable and works for my orthostatic intolerance.

I suppose any belt would work, but the stretchy belt is easy to adjust to just the right tightness, without having to make an extra hole in a leather belt to make it just right for standing. A stretchy belt has just the right give to be comfortable.

I wear flip flops, wouldn't want a stocking to show. And as Sushi mentioned, compression socks are a bear to get on. My sis-in-law has a terrible time getting them on every morning. I'm not up for the struggle. :lol: Good tip, though, didn't know they came without toe or heel.

Patti
 
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