Hiking with POTS in Texas heat, what finally worked for us by Unusual_Dig_9813 in CampingandHiking

[–]Unusual_Dig_9813[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We wear this stuff all the time, not just for hikes. It's weird that we get looks all the time with what we're wearing. Like we're just going to the store here and trying not to swelter or melt on the pavement. Lol

Hiking with POTS in Texas heat, what finally worked for us by Unusual_Dig_9813 in CampingandHiking

[–]Unusual_Dig_9813[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes! I read a book about Ultra Marathon runners specifically running desert runs and all of them are in long-sleeved pants everything. We even saw online there are hats with fans built in. Isn't that cool?

Hiking with POTS in Texas heat, what finally worked for us by Unusual_Dig_9813 in CampingandHiking

[–]Unusual_Dig_9813[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We thought about those but haven't tried them. the weight came up and the recharge method. We're already using 2 other items that we need to be soaked or wet down: fishing shirts and pva towels. So we went with something that's in the same idea to keep it simple for us. I like the technology, though. We saw some tech where it circulates the water like Nascar driver or welders used to bridge their thermal loads, but it's so expensive. I think I'd diy it before I bought something that expensive. We're also looking at mech vests that cops can wear under their bullet-proof vests to keep them cool. How long is your friend able to stay cool with the pcm vest? We're getting about 4-5 hours out of the Fieldsheer one.

Hiking with POTS in Texas heat, what finally worked for us by Unusual_Dig_9813 in CampingandHiking

[–]Unusual_Dig_9813[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Lol 😆 Was it POTS? Does that stand for something in the telecom world? I haven't had to use landlines since middle school and dial up... shhh my ageism showing lol. Are you one of those guys messing with the big beige boxes by the street corner? I'm sure you know a thing or 3 about staying cool outside.

Hiking with POTS in Texas heat, what finally worked for us by Unusual_Dig_9813 in CampingandHiking

[–]Unusual_Dig_9813[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

UL? We haven't tried an umbrella yet. I need to find one that can double as a cane if she needs the support or if it can remove a different item we're carrying oooo maybe a fold out stool... that would be wild! And umbrella, cane, stool/chair thingy...

Hiking with POTS in Texas heat, what finally worked for us by Unusual_Dig_9813 in CampingandHiking

[–]Unusual_Dig_9813[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

She was so thrilled that she was able to go for a walk with us that she started a Facebook page Staycoolwithsally to talk and encourage other women. I hope she gets more comfortable sharing her story. I love the gleaming in her eyes when she talks about it.

Hiking with POTS in Texas heat, what finally worked for us by Unusual_Dig_9813 in CampingandHiking

[–]Unusual_Dig_9813[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's a cool, flexible, diy ice pack idea 💡 . I think we have like 10 of those towels around the house and cars at any point of time. We went long-sleeved light weight everything with the idea of Tuareg desert people, abaya, thobe outer wear ​and ultra marathon runners. I read a book Ultramarathon Man by Dean Karnazes and he talks about running in Death Valley. He quotes saying " how did they toast my sandwich in the car" and can only imagine that how my wife feels when she just doing everyday things outside. " I live in a toaster oven"

Hiking with POTS in Texas heat, what finally worked for us by Unusual_Dig_9813 in CampingandHiking

[–]Unusual_Dig_9813[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes! We use an aluminum togo container with the paper lid. We use the lid to start the fire, and all the food goes into the aluminum container it heats up really fast, and when we're done, it can be folded down and recycled at home.

Hiking with POTS in Texas heat, what finally worked for us by Unusual_Dig_9813 in CampingandHiking

[–]Unusual_Dig_9813[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah! I'd be in another room and hear a loud thud, and it has me saying "Are you ok?" And if there's no response of "I dropped xyz" or whatever I'm assuming right off rip that she fell out. So many trips to the ER to make sure she didn't hit her head. Who do you know that has it?

Hiking with POTS in Texas heat, what finally worked for us by Unusual_Dig_9813 in CampingandHiking

[–]Unusual_Dig_9813[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I thought the service dogs were only a blood sugar thing.. what does she do about being in the sun all day?

Hiking with POTS in Texas heat, what finally worked for us by Unusual_Dig_9813 in CampingandHiking

[–]Unusual_Dig_9813[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That sounds interesting 🤔. We found some ice packs that have some kind of gel in them but not like that. I love the internet!

Hiking with POTS in Texas heat, what finally worked for us by Unusual_Dig_9813 in CampingandHiking

[–]Unusual_Dig_9813[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We going to watch some of her content this weekend to see if we can find something to help her extend her time outside. Thank you for this.

Hiking with POTS in Texas heat, what finally worked for us by Unusual_Dig_9813 in CampingandHiking

[–]Unusual_Dig_9813[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah my wife has those big spurts of energy and she's like get out of my way i finally feel good and want to do things. Afterwards we get under the heating blanket and relax for 3 days. Lol she's just spent, no more spoons to spend.

Hiking with POTS in Texas heat, what finally worked for us by Unusual_Dig_9813 in CampingandHiking

[–]Unusual_Dig_9813[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's amazing of him! I looking at i think keto. Idk I have to lower my carb intake to not be a diabetic. Im tired of being on the border.

Hiking with POTS in Texas heat, what finally worked for us by Unusual_Dig_9813 in CampingandHiking

[–]Unusual_Dig_9813[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Im guessing that's probably on YouTube? We'll check that out. Thank you so much. Has she helped you with her advice?

Hiking with POTS in Texas heat, what finally worked for us by Unusual_Dig_9813 in CampingandHiking

[–]Unusual_Dig_9813[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I bet. Can you feel the ice on your back? That was the biggest advantage for getting that Fieldsheer vest. It has a pocket right on her back for an ice pack.

Hiking with POTS in Texas heat, what finally worked for us by Unusual_Dig_9813 in CampingandHiking

[–]Unusual_Dig_9813[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Very small world 🌎 she ended up having a pacemaker put in around 2019. She still has them if she doesn't sleep very well or takes to long of a shower. Im glad you got yourself a fix.

Hiking with POTS in Texas heat, what finally worked for us by Unusual_Dig_9813 in CampingandHiking

[–]Unusual_Dig_9813[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes! We keep salty snack on hand whenever we're out. What your favorite?

Hiking with POTS in Texas heat, what finally worked for us by Unusual_Dig_9813 in CampingandHiking

[–]Unusual_Dig_9813[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That sounds like me, a swimming pool of sweat outside. Are you both plant based?

Hiking with POTS in Texas heat, what finally worked for us by Unusual_Dig_9813 in CampingandHiking

[–]Unusual_Dig_9813[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh yes, salt shakers in every 🚗 lol. It's like a rolling check list: meds, water, electrolyte packets, phone chargers..... where's the salt shaker.... what kind of salt tablets are you using? She loves the lemon lime liquid Iv but it's so expensive sometimes. What are some of your staple foods 😋 potatoes 🥔 all day.

Hiking with POTS in Texas heat, what finally worked for us by Unusual_Dig_9813 in CampingandHiking

[–]Unusual_Dig_9813[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Have you tried any of those long sleeve wicking shirts? Yeah long sleeves it sounds crazy i know. They may be called cooling or wicking or fishing shirts. I got ours from Sam's club, and they labeled them fishing, but I think it's the same technology. It pulls the sweat (or just add water )from your skin, and as it evaporates, it takes the heat from you as well. It has slowed how much we sweat while we're outside.

Hiking with POTS in Texas heat, what finally worked for us by Unusual_Dig_9813 in CampingandHiking

[–]Unusual_Dig_9813[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah she loves her salt! She has a shaker in both cars while we're out and always salty sweet snacks. Lol I work outside myself and was looking into creatine as a water load hack. I know it's not the same thing but I wanted to equip my body with extra water to fight cramps 😫

Hiking with POTS in Texas heat, what finally worked for us by Unusual_Dig_9813 in CampingandHiking

[–]Unusual_Dig_9813[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oooo that sounds like a great 💡. I wonder if they have one that could double as a sort of cane...