icesktr189 Posted December 21, 2011 Report Share Posted December 21, 2011 I have the type where I can feel myself start to pass out before I actually do. I mean I do have times where I will stand up suddenly and drop, but in the store when I am walking around, I can feel myself having very severe pre syncope systems and I know I have about a minute before I am out. I just get really embarrased and dont want to just sit on the floor infront of a bunch of strangers, so I always end up running to the bathroom and hope I make it in time to sit on the bench or whatever is in there. It wouldnt be such a problem if this didnt have EVERY time I go out somewhere. It is so annoying. I was walking around the store yesterday and realized that my vision was very off and I forgot where I was walking too and then the symptoms started up.What do you do in those situations? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brye Posted December 21, 2011 Report Share Posted December 21, 2011 I sit down, on the floor if I have to. I would rather sit in front of a bunch of strangers than fall in front of them all. I can occasionally divert it if I lean over, lower my head, and rest my hands on my knees.Brye Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icesktr189 Posted December 21, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 21, 2011 I just get so embarrased... everyone tells me to use those electric carts in the stores, but I dont want people looking at me and thinking I am perfectly fine and wondering why I am on it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lieze Posted December 21, 2011 Report Share Posted December 21, 2011 I am at the point of feeling I should use a cart and also embarrassed. Personally I need to get over it.I think my issue is I still haven't totally accepted that I have a disability issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icesktr189 Posted December 21, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 21, 2011 Lieze that is very true for me also. I dont want to "look" disabled ,but its also the fact I am 22 and LOOK healthy. (I am pale and thin, but so are a lot of other people). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
potsgirl Posted December 21, 2011 Report Share Posted December 21, 2011 Sometimes I just have to swallow my pride and use a wheelchair. It is embarrassing, especially since I can't move myself along due to the pain in my hands from my small fiber neuropathy. I also have a handicapped placard for parking. Eventually I got to the point where I just didn't care what others thought of me - I just couldn't waste the energy and didn't want to faint or have a seizure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sue1234 Posted December 21, 2011 Report Share Posted December 21, 2011 I was just telling my husband a couple of weeks ago this same thing. I don't walk-shop at all, as I only have a 5-10 minute upright time before I feel like I'm going to faint. Obviously this is not enough time to walk in and shop. Also, shopping is now stressful, and being stressed automatically reduces my stand-up time from my normal 10 minutes.I don't sit up straight very well, as I get alot of pressure up through my chest/head and makes me feel awful, so shopping in a wheel chair is not a great alternative. On rare days when my stomach is not so bloated, I chance the handicap shopping cart. People treat me differently, I guess in a good way, when I'm using the motorized cart. BUT, it doesn't feel good. I feel like people feel sorry for me, and I have a hard time processing that. In my mind, I don't look at myself as "handicapped", just limited in what I can do. But, when I end up using the motorized cart, I then look handicapped. It is hard to handle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alyssa Posted December 21, 2011 Report Share Posted December 21, 2011 I sit on the floor. By the time I realize that I am going to faint, I have only seconds. I've tried to push through it to get somewhere safe and so far that has resulted in: - fainting onto someone's table at a restaurant - knocking items off shelves - accidentally fainting onto an elderly lady and knocking her over.It's definitely less embarrassing to sit on the floor for a minute as opposed to all of the other stuff that has happened.You can always pretend to be fixing your shoe, looking at something on a lower shelf, etc.When I do have episodes in which I don't get much presyncope, I'll faint, wake up, laugh it off, and keep walking. This usually results in a lot of odd looks, but unless I get seriously injured, I tend to just laugh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rubytuesday Posted December 21, 2011 Report Share Posted December 21, 2011 I sit down immediately before I drop. I'm older than you but it is still embarrassing but not so much that I don't want to get hurt or killed in the fall (and I'm a bleeder). I always have DH with me and use cart as walker to lean over but if hits me giving me enough time--he helps me or I hurry to bench or seat. I am amazed at the volume of folks who pass me by--pale/pouring sweat/shaking/head down/weak/staggering who offer no help or make no inquiries if I am alright (so I suppose they must think I'm a drinker or on something--and we live in a not so large community). I always tuck a bottle of water with me and start guzzling it in as soon as I get seated, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ernie Posted December 21, 2011 Report Share Posted December 21, 2011 Hi,I have my portable chair and I sit ASAP. I don't care if people look at me. Most of the time they say that I am smart to have a portable chair. I thank them for their comment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rubytuesday Posted December 21, 2011 Report Share Posted December 21, 2011 Hi,I have my portable chair and I sit ASAP. I don't care if people look at me. Most of the time they say that I am smart to have a portable chair. I thank them for their comment.Ernie,I have a wheeled walker with a seat I can put down too if I feel brave enough to venture out to a place that may require prolonged standing or walking. I haven't used it yet--but I do have it as one never knows. If DH is out of town on business and I need to go someplace but BP starting out as low, or not so good day, I've got it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Csmith3 Posted December 21, 2011 Report Share Posted December 21, 2011 I avoid supermarkets and stick with small stores so there is less standing time required. And I shop when it is quiet to avoid queuing. The main places I shop in have seats which is helpful, or if I am queuing, I just sit on the floor if I am feeling faint. I am still on first name terms with the first aiders in those stores, though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frugalmama Posted December 21, 2011 Report Share Posted December 21, 2011 I was always embarassed, too, about having to sit on the floor...until my sweet husband pointed out that actually fainting and cracking my head open would be a lot more embarassing! . On Monday I was on a short flight to another province to see a specialist, and had a full blown POTSy episode. Unfortunately it was a completely full flight, so I ended up lying on the floor in front of our seats. Now THAT'S embarassing! At least we were able to talk them down from calling the paramedics to meet us once the plane landed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramakentesh Posted December 21, 2011 Report Share Posted December 21, 2011 ah yes - shopping is the great struggle for all POTSies. When im ok no problem, but if Im bad I do small store shopping or none at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Serbo Posted December 21, 2011 Report Share Posted December 21, 2011 weekly on line shop for me! And on busy standing room only trains or wherever crouch down and pretend to look in my man bag! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katybug Posted December 22, 2011 Report Share Posted December 22, 2011 I've given up my pride and just do what I gotta do to not pass out. It took me a while to get to this place but, as someone mentioned earlier, I just don't have the energy to worry about what other people think anymore. I figure if the worst thing I do is sit down in the middle of a store (so as not to crack my head open), I'm doing a lot better than many people out there. I find it interesting that most of the people on this forum always sound like we are pretty strong, powerful people, but, most of us have struggled so much on this issue, myself included. I feel like I have to make a daily choice to take my power back from this disorder and from what others think about me with this disorder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peregrine Posted December 22, 2011 Report Share Posted December 22, 2011 Depending on how I'm feeling, sitting on the floor helps; so does squatting (I'm one of the lucky squatting helps folks here). If I've got a little more leisure time and start to feel cruddy, or if there's lots of standing involved (e.g. on a tour or waiting in line) I pull out the small folding stool that lives on my backpack and sit. Like others have said, most folks think I'm clever for carrying one! The stool I have was only about $20 and it's helped a ton. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fiona-jane Posted December 23, 2011 Report Share Posted December 23, 2011 when i feel like i'm gonna pass i out i just sit on the floor or lay down if it doesnt ease up with being sat. the 1st few times were the hardest but it gets a lot easier, now i dont really care that others will see- better than passing out and someone calling an ambulance! since getting my wheelchair i've found shopping tons easier, i now enjoy it again- i used to hate it cos it made me feel so ill. i always carry salt and water with me and when i feel my blood pressure dropping i have a little salt and chug half the little bottle of water- drinking around 250ml of water really quickly (chug it down fast) pushes the blood pressure up quite a lot and often helps me shift the symptoms. i've used it a lot in the last few weeks fi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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