Son's 18th Party And I Completely Spent For A Week

[Suzanne]

I had a very low key party for my son. I had my husband to help but no-one else. I thought I could manage and did not really have a friend that I could ask for help (another topic altogether). I tried to do very little, but there is always so much to do. I totally forgot to rest and did not sit down enough. I reverted to my old ways of functioning, but I did not have the health to do it. The next day I ached all over, my eyelids ached. It lessened a fraction the next day and now it is 5 days on and I am still tired, but able to move about the house. No way could I drive.

Is this normal POTS? Does anyone know why? My specialist is very vague about it all. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Suzanne

[willows]

Hello Suzanne ,

So sorry to hear that after such a special event as your sons 18th Birthday you've done what we all do after doing to much , thats the old total and utter exhaustion , and oh boy do I suffer from this

The only way I can describe it to my husband is having flu without having it !!!!!!! The awful aching limbs , the inability to be able to do the smallest thing for yourself let alone anyone else, the 'just let me lay here and quietly sink into oblivion'

This is a lesson well learnt as most of us have to at sometime or another , I have a very old saying which I relate to POTS and the way it effects us all , it goes 'what comes around , goes around ' in other words , what you do one day , comes back twice fold the next and if you happen to 'over-do -it' you really suffer the consequences of your actions .............says she who's always doing to much and then having to spend 2-3 days stuck in bed flat on her back unable to even walk to the loo at times .................yep, many of us have been in your position and it isnt nice.

As for your specialist , I dont think any consultant really has a full understanding of POTS and just what it does to our bodies , unless you have first hand experience of the pain , aching joints , lack of energy and just down right total and utter exhaustion from doing what they would class as a normal days work .................well think about it , how could they !

I've been like this since I was 13 years old and am now in my mid 50's and still not one doctor has come up with a suggestion as to how to help me with any of my daily problems ...............but one day who know's miracles do happen you know.

Look after yourself and dont push yourself too hard , moderation in all things now , whatever it is it will wait and nothing is more important than your health at this time , so take care .

Love to all out in OZ

Ami in Devon xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[Maxine]

It's just so much more taxing for us to do the same things as the average healthy person.

If I have a social function of any kind, and even with a LOT of help, it is very difficult to actually enjoy the company because I'm so wiped out. One time my brother asked me if I was OK because I was so spent I was hard to catch my breath.

I told him it just goes with the POTs and other health issues. Orthostatic intolerance, and the lack of proper blood flow along with low BPs can make us feel like were trying to climb mountain when just trying to attend a social function.

Maxine :0)

[mountainsunflower]

I've done that- get so caught up in the moment that i forget to rest... and then i pay for it, sometimes for days. The worst is that sometimes people don't understand why i can't keep up the energy and need to rest all the time when they've see me take on something big ... they don't see (or feel) the days after...

[Suzanne]

Thanks for the replies, much appreciated. I was also aware that to my son's friends I was this sick lady who did not appear very often. I then appear quite bubbly and on top of it all, so maybe they think I am a fake? They did not see the wreck of a Mum the next day. I guess that is how it goes with this fun illness.

[mountainsunflower]

You said it better than i did! "maybe they think I am a fake?" I agree... i do quite a bit, however, i have done many modifications that most wouldn't notice unless they know me and my condition....(basically altered my life and how i do things significantly) yet then if it is something big i tell them i can't do it and i am just sure they think i am coming up with an excuses to get out of it or that i am lazy....

Anyhow, i do know if i overdo it- which i have done- i feel like i was hit by a truck and hurt for days... I don't know why this happens, my guess is it is because my body works sooooo hard to maintain normal function that i really was like climbing a mountain or running a marathon and i figure those people hurt, i am entitled to feel like crap after my marathon too!!!! just wished i didn't have to run that marathon to just get my house in order or throw a party....

i hope you are feeling better and that you are recovering from your day! I hope you had a good day regardless! Take care.

[Suzanne]

I like your analagy to the marathon runner, I used to love running, so I can relate to it (never did a marathon). I never thought of it in those terms. I just say I'm having a party, everyone else can do it and not fall in a heap, why can't I? Guess I am still struggling to accept this new life.

Yes, I am recovered, ready to overdo it in another way. I can't curb it, but I have learned to reduce the possibilities of it occurring. It was a wonderful birthday, and even the 18 year olds help clean up!