1. You get water-boarded every time you shower from having to sit down.
2. You need a recycling bin next to your bed.
3. Sexy lingerie includes compression stockings.
4. The phrase from The Matrix "There is no spoon" has special meaning for you, and its not a good one.
5. The thought of being in a padded room actually sounds great!
6. The invention of Skype made you do a happy dance while sitting down. And then your heart rate was 160.
7. Your purse has salt packets in it.
8. You actually want to go to school and work.
9. You crave IV Fluids instead of chocolate (but chocolate may be a close second!).
10. A successful night out means you didn't face plant in public, and you're hungover even though you didn't drink.11. You've been to see more doctors than you have movies in the theater.
12. You want to punch the next person who says, "but you don't look sick!".
13. Being able to shave and wash your hair during the same shower is like a day at the spa, except for the hours in bed after it takes to recover.
14.You have a log of blood pressures and heart rates, and keep asking - is there an app for that?15. You can share geriatric health care equipment with your grandma.
YOU ARE A FIGHTER! You fight to get up every day, and don't take your day for granted. You are grateful you don't have cancer (hopefully), but dream of the day someone will find a cure and you can get back to your life before POTS. Until that day - drink lots of fluids, keep trying those new medications or natural remedies, and KEEP YOUR HEAD UP (and off the floor!).
Love to the POTSies,
Claire
PS - Add your own lines below - I've heard some great ones from fellow POTSies!
You are a fighter! Thoughts can help and mine are directed to doing that for you and all others in a similar situation. No matter what, never lose your faith. Namaste :-)
ReplyDeleteYou know you have POTS when you nearly pass out from laughing so hard at this post! Love it!!!
ReplyDeleteYou know you have POTS when you can wear the shirt with the phrase "Drop it like it's POTS". (Saw this on a site run by a person with POTS that sells shirts with this on it).
ReplyDeleteYou know you have POTS when you would rather hear someone else talk about their day (even if all they did was sit in traffic school) than have to discuss yours, because talking takes too much out of you, physically and emotionally.
ReplyDeleteYou know you have POTS when you pick clothing according to what's going to best hide the heart monitor and the blood-test-bruises!
ReplyDeleteJust got the rollater walker in peacock blue!
ReplyDeleteWonderful job. This is a hideous life stealing disease, and it is ONLY with humor can it be dealt with. I have watched my daughter go from a vibrant, active young mother to a bed ridden 30 year old with a wheelchair. How can this be? If I believed in a higher power I would be asking why, but there is no answer. Keep this post going, those with the disease and those of us with loved ones who have it, need places like this to know for sure you are not alone.
ReplyDeleteYou know you have POTS when you give away all your gift cards to clothing stores b/c you're too tired to go shopping! (And you are a woman who likes nice clothes!!)
ReplyDeleteYou know you have POTS when you don't give a thought to sitting on dirty floors anywhere!
ReplyDeleteYou know you have POTS when you have all of the "fun" of a roller coaster from a simple car ride!
ReplyDeleteYou know you have POTS when you are walking up stairs too slowly for the 80 year old behind you.
ReplyDeleteYou know you have POTS when you can see stars in your shower (indoor shower).
ReplyDeleteYou know you have POTS when showering makes you feel like passing out and your heart rate is 170 for 30 min. after it.
ReplyDeleteYou know you have POTS when you know more medical terminology than most of the doctors you've seen.
ReplyDeleteYou know you have POTS when you are the only one in the grocery isle picking out the foods that have the highest sodium count you can find.
ReplyDeleteYou know you have POTS when heat, long lines and fluorescent lights are you worst enemies.
ReplyDeleteYou know you have POTS when you are single, childless and yet have a months supply of pedialyte and gatorade in your fridge.
ReplyDeleteYou know you have POTS when you are running in a sunny days.
ReplyDeleteMom of 2 POTSies. Love it. Hang in there :)
ReplyDelete