bizbiz Posted April 10, 2009 Report Share Posted April 10, 2009 Hi all,Just wondering how and why POTS has affected my balance? It's nothing really bad, but enough for me to notice...for example sometimes banging my shoulder and arm in the doorway as I'm walking through, or feeling like I'm going to topple over when I bend over over to pick something up. Is this common with POTS and why does it happen? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flop Posted April 10, 2009 Report Share Posted April 10, 2009 Some people with POTS (me included) have problems with proprioception - knowing where in space bits of your body are located. For example if I march on the spot and then stop I can't tell if my feet are level (side-by-side) or if one is more forwards than the other without looking at my feet. People with proprioception problems have trouble balancing / bumping into things. I am always bumping into people in shops or the street and having to appologise!Flop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Broken_Shell Posted April 10, 2009 Report Share Posted April 10, 2009 Hi,I have a lot of proprioreceptive disturbances and feelings like I am falling or woozy that are different than feeling lightheaded or dizzy. I am also very sensitive to position. For example, I can't stand or lay on something that is even the slightest bit unlevel because I start getting very woozy and tightening up my back and neck.~ Broken_Shell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
potsgirl Posted April 10, 2009 Report Share Posted April 10, 2009 bizbiz,I have constant and severe balance problems. I zigzag through stores and bump into things all the time. I fall over and try to grab whatever is handy so I don't fall to the ground and hurt myself. I wish I could give you some wisdom on how to prevent this, but the only thing I know of is to try taking Meclizine, which helps a little, especially in preventing the nausea that often goes with it. You get more used to it with time, and I think it's pretty common with dysautonomia.Good luck!potsgirl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzegrl Posted April 11, 2009 Report Share Posted April 11, 2009 I"m constantly bruised from bumping into doorways, tables, etc. My balance is awful. I actually always chocked it up to many ear infections as a kid! Hmm..Never know it could be yet another potsie thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
masumeh Posted April 11, 2009 Report Share Posted April 11, 2009 I used to like thinking about those days with the phrase, "Tip me over and pour me out." I just get tipsy when I'm POTSy. I also feel less control over my muscles in that kind of mood, or when that symptom comes on during flare-ups. Other than that, I did lose some propriceptive skills alongside overall leg muscle degeneration. Lately, I've been doing physiotherapy with propriception to regain some balance. It helps! Most of these kinds of exercises revolve around putting you a little bit off balance, like by standing on a tilty or wabbly surface, and letting you get more into balance. Proprioceptive muscles in the legs are worked out that way. They aren't really worked out in regular exercises such as biking or jogging. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flop Posted April 11, 2009 Report Share Posted April 11, 2009 I forgot to say in my earlier post that my Tai Chi is helping with proprioception. My instructor was a nurse before learning chinese healing so he understands my health problems. A lot of Tai Chi involves balance and controlled movement. One of the best exercises he has me do is "stepping with empty foot" - you stand up and pick up your right foot and gently place it on the floor infront of you (like you were about to walk forwards) BUT you only let the foot touch the floor you don't put any weight through the right foot. This helps proprioception because the brain tries to go into automatic "walk forwards" mode but you fight against that to just place the foot lightly - it means that you are taking back control of where the foot is and where your weight is centred. It is a strange feeling but it gets easier with practice (do one foot then the other for 10-30 seconds each). Another Tai Chi exercise that is good for proprioception, balance and co-ordination is "cloud walking" it is too complex to describe here but if anyone does do Tai Chi ask your instructor to teach you cloud walking.Flop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bizbiz Posted April 11, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 11, 2009 Thanks everyone!Flop - my sister and I were thinking of starting yoga, but I might try Tai Chi instead Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flop Posted April 11, 2009 Report Share Posted April 11, 2009 Hi Bizbiz,I tried both yoga and pilates before trying Tai Chi - all three are good exercise but I found I "connected" with the Tai Chi and really enjoy it. There are many different styles of Tai Chi, I study the Yang Long form and my teacher is a pupil of Dr Yang, Jwing-Ming founder of YMAA. I hope you find an exercise class that you enjoy.Flop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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