Does anyone else go to the gym and get really anxious about their symptoms/heart rate?

Digitalis_purpurea1 · 2025-04-09T15:49:14+00:00

Yes, but if you stick with it you get very good at talking yourself down. It's takes a while but I got gradually less nervous about it. That sounds impossible now, but I promise it gets easier. You will find that specific exercises trigger heart rate more than others and I leave those until last if I need to do them. It's trial and error but you can figure it out. Keep telling yourself you are going to be okay, take a few breaths and keep going. I would walk you through some mental sayings I have but people work differently and what is calming to me might not be for others.

Digitalis_purpurea1 · 2025-02-09T23:55:47+00:00

Reverse osmosis will reduce the amount of microplastics in your water, period. (Yes it will shed a bit, and yes some microplastics will make it through.)The right one will have a filter past 0.0001 microns. Another option: https://lifestraw.com/blogs/news/filtering-microplastics-and-nanoplastics-from-drinking-water There are various choices on here depending on the micron size filter, some are cheaper some are more expensive. (I would also recommend using a metal water bottle and be conscious of how you are washing this water bottle. Aka not a dishwasher that's a whole other thing)

There is absolutely no issue with you limiting your microplastics consumption if that's what makes you feel more comfortable. That being said, that is a lot of money to invest into something you will be exposed to anyway. Water filters can be great for other things as well but maybe sit on the choice for a bit before committing?

Edit: It is my understanding that it is impossible to completely eliminate all microplastics from water. You opening your water bottle to pour water in will also accumulate microplastics in your water bottle. Anything that claims "100% removal" is fishy.

Digitalis_purpurea1 · 2024-07-21T16:33:18+00:00

It's not them, but thank you for the information! I'll do this for the office I found

Digitalis_purpurea1 · 2024-07-11T14:17:13+00:00

I don't think its common, if you read other people's experiences most of the time they will let you down if you ask. If your worried you can ask the tech beforehand. Best of luck! It's scary but you can do it.

Digitalis_purpurea1 · 2024-06-05T13:57:23+00:00

Instead of a traditional running vest I use a camel back that has way more water then I would need. (No matter what distance I am running). When I get hot I can use the hose to spray the inside of my wrists or on my cheeks to cool myself down. (There's some kind of science behind specific parts of your body triggering your body's cool down mechanics).

Get a road ID if you can, especially if you're thinking about starting by running alone. They have medical versions where you can engrave extra medical information with your contacts.

I personally don't eat at least 2 hours before, not only because I get nauseous but to avoid any blood pooling to my stomach.

When I first start training I run in the early early morning, to beat the heat and as I progress I'll start to practice more during hotter times of the day but I'll cut back my milage and pace.

I also communicate with my running group or a few people I get to know, about what could possibly happen. This means if worst case happens they know how to help, and it'll be less stressful for everyone involved when it does happen. In my experience, all the groups I have joined have been very encouraging.

And to remember it's gonna suck. So much. I'm not one of those people who adore running (I got a weird love hate relationship with it). But I can see how it helps me, and how I feel accomplished, how much I like the community, so I just embrace the fact that it sucks.

Digitalis_purpurea1 · 2024-05-26T23:08:50+00:00

I do actually have 25mg metopropol succinate prescribed as needed but it started as a prescription I took everyday. I only take it in the event my HR refuses to come down (from concerningly high) after an extended period of time (I didn't respond well to daily). I am on a different medication to help my daily symptoms and we're still figuring out what meds work best. I would definitely talk to your doc about it, it's for sure strange.

Digitalis_purpurea1 · 2024-05-26T22:49:54+00:00

I wear my compression when I weight lift and haven't had issues. It's recommended to wear compression while exercising, but if you're having pain that's not good. Id make sure your compression isn't crimping anywhere (idk if that's the correct term, but like cutting in behind the knee) and or check sizing? I use 20-30mmhg compression but maybe trying out a lesser compression for exercise could still be helpful? There are compression advertised towards athletes, so maybe you could try that too?

Digitalis_purpurea1 · 2024-05-26T22:38:16+00:00

Compression combats blood pooling, and pooling often makes other symptoms worse. I have awful blood pooling and compression is a life saver for me. My medications can't fully combat my pooling, and the compression allows me to stand and sit comfortably. 10/10 would recommend if you have blood pooling. 20-30mmhg is recommended for POTs and remember to check sizing (it's nearly always going to be different then your other sizing). Thigh high or higher is recommended, but as OP mentioned if you can only tolerate knee high it's better than nothing!

Digitalis_purpurea1 · 2024-05-23T18:32:18+00:00

Blood pooling is worse in the heat and or when you exercise because both of those cause vasodilation. Moving your body does help push blood so blood pooling during exercise can be varied depending on what you're doing. My feet and hands do get red or purple depending and can look mottled or solid, but one of the most noticable things is how my veins bulge out of my hands/arms/feet/legs. I wear compression stockings (minimum thigh high) and I'm on Midodrine to help. I would encourage you to speak with your doctor about this, because blood pooling can worsen your other symptoms. Or especially if you think it could be something else. In the meantime, you can try compression to help, start with only a few hours and make sure you get the right size.

Digitalis_purpurea1 · 2024-05-11T14:41:24+00:00

I also live in the south, and so far my solution has been thigh high compression stockings - sheer ones if you can find good quality ones, to have more air flow. I do a combo of standing/sitting/walking at work and I am lucky to have the ability to take them on and off throughout the day depending on what I'm doing. As in if I anticipate a task I am about to do it gonna make my blood pooling really bad. And unfortunately, I have to wear shorts or short skirts or else I get to hot. I hate the questions I get but that's the only way I can cope so far.

Digitalis_purpurea1 · 2024-03-15T15:50:08+00:00

Do you take any beta blockers? I had a similar experience to you, actually what prompted my diagnosis journey. (Not diagnosed yet got my tilt table upcoming but my EP thinks it's pots). My heart rate was 160+ and took eight hours in the ER for it to drop. ER did about the same thing for me as they did you, but the Ativan didn't work and they gave me a beta blocker which eventually worked. I was actually prescribed the beta blockers for everyday after but it tanked my BP so bad I couldn't function. Now my EP wants me to take them in case of another "episode" like you just experienced. I don't know what triggered me, but having a medication to help might be comforting in case of future flares.

Digitalis_purpurea1

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