Elfie Posted January 11, 2010 Report Share Posted January 11, 2010 Hey,I was wondering if anyone else has had a dramatic loss of muscle mass since getting POTS? I have and I would love to chock it up to less activity/exercise-- but for me that actually isn't true. I have always had a lot of natural muscle mass that took me very little effort to maintain. Now I have lost a lot of strength and visible muscle while maintaining my activity level. Any ideas why? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firewatcher Posted January 11, 2010 Report Share Posted January 11, 2010 How are you strength-wise if you limit your activity? I took two weeks off from Pilates and that first session was great! Full strength and stamina...however the recovery was awful! Previously, I tried to push and go twice a week, but that second session was so difficult and painful and the recovery was so severe, my neurologist had me tested for myasthenia gravis. I think there is some "hormonal" screw-up that occurs and actually does reduce physical ability and muscle mass. Another POTS mystery... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prettyinpink Posted January 12, 2010 Report Share Posted January 12, 2010 Sorry if this is a stupid question but have you lost weight? If your heart rate is high most of the time your body starts burning more muscle to feed it because its faster then trying to burn fat to supply energy for your heart.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elfie Posted January 12, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2010 Hmm . . . I have never tried to limit my activity because most of the strength requiring activities are part of my job or life. They are things I do everyday. I haven't lost any weight. I am within three pounds of the weight I was 3.5 years ago before pots. During that 3.5 year time period I wasn't really working out but I walk alot and lift alot and I am just naturally muscular. I was always stronger than all the guys my height and weight until I was a junior or senior in high school (then testosterone won out). I was never an athlete though. Now I am living the same basic lifestyle -- even down to diet-- and am losing muscle mass like crazy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firewatcher Posted January 12, 2010 Report Share Posted January 12, 2010 Elfie,Have you seen an endocrinologist? You may want to have your hormone levels checked (testosterone and growth hormone specifically.) You may have a treatable endocrine issue that is causing your autonomic one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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