juliegee Posted February 25, 2011 Report Share Posted February 25, 2011 I saw a new cardio today. He had a weird new treatment option that he insisted would improve my autonomic symptoms:He had me prop myself in the corner of the room, leaning my back against the corner. Then I crossed my legs and tensed them- HARD- for a full 5 minutes. He wants me to repeat this 3 times a day. I have heard of something like this being used as a counter-maneuver against a faint, but not as treatment. I searched Google Scholar and he is in good company. Researchers do seem to be experimenting with this. I'm going to give it a try. What have I got to lose but 15 mins? Maybe I'll tighten my abs at the same time & get ready for bikini season Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sue1234 Posted February 25, 2011 Report Share Posted February 25, 2011 Well, like you said, you've got nothing to lose but time! Keep us posted on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yogini Posted February 25, 2011 Report Share Posted February 25, 2011 My cardio had me try this when I first got POTS and was extremely dizzy upon standing. He said there were studies on it. At the time it helped me a little with standing, but other than that didn't do much for my symptoms. If you're able to be on your feet a bit (which I think you are?), I'm not sure how much it'll help. But you should definitely try it...not much to lose! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heathmcev Posted February 25, 2011 Report Share Posted February 25, 2011 Sounds easy enough - and how great if it helps! Are you standing or sitting when you're propped up against the corner? I'd like to try this. thanks for sharing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iheartcats Posted February 25, 2011 Report Share Posted February 25, 2011 Oh I want to try this when I feel better...I wish someone could post a photo as I'm trying to visualize how to pull this off properly! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chaos Posted February 25, 2011 Report Share Posted February 25, 2011 Is this what they refer to as "tilt training"? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddm1960 Posted February 25, 2011 Report Share Posted February 25, 2011 Well for starters......nothing is going to make me look better in a bikini I just wanted to add this would be for the orthostatic hypotensive part of our group. Any of us with the hyperadrenergenic form already over constrict and continue to constrict the more we stand. This does look like a form of tilt training which has worked well for many, I wonder if it's been tested on the non-peripheral pooling part of our group? All we can do it try..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah4444 Posted February 25, 2011 Report Share Posted February 25, 2011 What is the theory behind this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pat57 Posted February 26, 2011 Report Share Posted February 26, 2011 You go girl. sounds hopeful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovebug Posted February 26, 2011 Report Share Posted February 26, 2011 What is the theory behind this?It constricts the blood vessels in the lower extremities so blood doesn't pool and the person will not pass out due to lack of blood flow to the brain. However, there may be other benefits (just good muscle tone overall from isotonic contractions). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ana_22 Posted February 26, 2011 Report Share Posted February 26, 2011 silly question ..... but are you standing while you are doing this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E246 Posted February 26, 2011 Report Share Posted February 26, 2011 YesMy doctor advised the same. apparently it is the only treatment in Belgium.basically you stand against a wall will your body straight and your feet (heels)30 cm from the wall and you shoulders resting against the wall.I was told to stand like this for as long as possible - up to half an hour, every day or even twice a day.there has been a study about it but it is quite small scale.Hope this helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juliegee Posted February 26, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 26, 2011 YesMy doctor advised the same. apparently it is the only treatment in Belgium.basically you stand against a wall will your body straight and your feet (heels)30 cm from the wall and you shoulders resting against the wall.I was told to stand like this for as long as possible - up to half an hour, every day or even twice a day.there has been a study about it but it is quite small scale.Hope this helps.Interesting, the doctor that prescribed this was from Turkey. He said it was commonly used throughout Europe. I have heard offline from 2 members who've had improved TTT's after this therapy. I feel like I am sending my BP sky high when I squeeze like that, especially for so long. I definitely feel the blood shooting to the upper part of my body. I guess it retrains the venous return mechanism??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmruls Posted February 27, 2011 Report Share Posted February 27, 2011 It is like it is retraining the 'loose' venous blood vessels to be more compliant and contract. Kinda retraining them to contract when standing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ItsMe Posted February 28, 2011 Report Share Posted February 28, 2011 Oh I want to try this when I feel better...I wish someone could post a photo as I'm trying to visualize how to pull this off properly!I'm with you! It's hard for me to visualize, especially today when it's VERY stormy and flooding like crazy out and I'm in a huge brain fog... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddm1960 Posted February 28, 2011 Report Share Posted February 28, 2011 Just a quick question Julie, you seem to have classic low flow pots. You're already over constricting........everywhere. Is this treatment more for high flow pots or the peripheral poolers? How high is your BP and HR going while you do it? Has it helped at all yet? Also have you been able to start on an angiotensin II blocker? I'm a normal flow person and wonder if we increased ang II while standing. Once again the more we learn, the questions we have. Hope you and Mack are being helped with this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juliegee Posted February 28, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 28, 2011 Just a quick question Julie, you seem to have classic low flow pots. You're already over constricting........everywhere. Is this treatment more for high flow pots or the peripheral poolers? How high is your BP and HR going while you do it? Has it helped at all yet? Also have you been able to start on an angiotensin II blocker? I'm a normal flow person and wonder if we increased ang II while standing. Once again the more we learn, the questions we have. Hope you and Mack are being helped with this. Hi Todd- I suspect that I am low-flow POTS based on several symptoms- most notably my severe Reynaud's. At times, I feel like I can't get blood to my extremities- severe acrocynosis, etc. The cardiologist that recommended this was NOT familiar with the subtypes; just eager to share the treatment methods used in his country. My guess is that this therapy would be most helpful for the other two categories. When I do it, I feel like my BP is sky high- I haven't actually taken it during the maneuver. I haven't started an angiotensin II blocker yet, but am eager to do so. I have a rheumy who is currently overseeing my condition. I don't see her until April. I am putting info together for her to buy into this idea. We'll see... In an attempt to treat my Reynauds, I've tried traditional therapies- Procardia & Norvasc with pretty horrific consequences. My hypovolemia was dramatically worsened- as the blood vessels in my peripheries opened up, I lost blood flow to my head that's the problem with a limited supply. My MCAD symptoms have also dramatically worsened with these therapies. Lorsartan is supposed to treat Reynauds, improve MCAD, and improve low-flow POTS Truly a magic bullet for me- Woo hoo!From what Dr. Stewart has published, it seems like the low-flow category is the only one with the increased angiotensin II. Mine has never been tested. Lenna indicated that her son's was NOT tested prior to starting therapy. From what I've read, the test seems to have intricate refrigeration/freezing requirements AND the patient is supposed to recline for a relatively long period beforehand. I wonder if anyone gets accurate results unless they are tested at a facility that routinely performs this test.I'll post about my progress once I start. Sigh- I'm still months away. I'd love to hear about Danny, Lenna's son's progress. Last I heard he wasn't worsened by the treatment and it might have been helping. Fingers crossed!Thanks for checking on me Julie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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