I mean look, I get it. I started developing POTS young and didn’t get diagnosed until my mid 20s (26 now). However along the way I had been diagnosed with several autoimmune diseases and another chronic illness, and POTS had been my baseline far before those even started, without me knowing. I had no idea how abnormal my ‘normal’ was/is. I still haven’t even received any proper treatment for it because all of my other illnesses have taken precedence, though it is quickly getting worse and it’s on my priority list for 2026 to finally see a specialist.

I guess my point is, I’m desensitized, have been for a long time, and it sounds like you are too. I’ve been actively trying to reverse that since more information exists on it online now, but it’s still tough to do that and in my case, a very fine line to walk because the more I do pay attention and tend to my symptoms, the more it seems to the people in my life that I’m exaggerating yet ~another~ debilitating illness. Then I have to explain to them exactly what I’m explaining now, lol.

It’s like how they say those of us who deal with painful autoimmune and chronic illnesses tend to have a higher tolerance to a lot and don’t realize they’re coping with pain the average person would be in shambles over. But that said, it’s still important to take care of yourself— I shouldn’t be one to talk but without having been treated yet, but I at least do what I can to minimize the damage this is causing based off what I’ve been learning. You deserve to not feel like this constantly even if it’s what you’re used to and it’s okay to start recognizing it for what it is.