blueskies

Yep, bendy, weak, splitting, tearing nails. Fingers only. Toenails are fine. My mother has them too. But all of my 4 sisters can grow their nails nicely. It's nice that short nails are in fashion for once. I find if I keep my nails very short they are less likey to tear. blue

Hi all, I rarely post here but want to answer the question about experiences with hot baths and showers. For 8 years I've been unable to tolerate either. Even when I tried swimming in a heated pool one winter I found that after 3 laps I was getting very uncomfortable (face hot, felt like I was trying to swim in a too warm bath) and had to get out. Even the water temp of my little grandchildren's bath is too hot for me to put my hand in fully. And every summer (It's winter almost here in Australia, now == yay!) I dream of moving to a colder climate. I'm not a natural lover of cold climates but for the past 8 years I've found summer to be pretty intolerable. I try to spend as much as my time in airconditioned places as possible. And have lots of cool showers -- sitting down. blue

Hi Tammy, I can walk around now, as I wrote in the topic on walking (just not standing), but for 4 years starting 7 years ago I could barely walk at all. Used the furniture a lot to get around the house. sometimes crawled (gee things are looking up, haven't had to do that in quite a while) and whenever I had to leave the house (usually for a doctor's appointment) I was leaning on my husband or big son. I still am not completely trouble free in my walking but am much improved. It used to seem to me if I was in the small percentage of people who get POTS why wouldn't I be in the small percentage that never get well/or well enough? But I'm finding I am getting better in some ways which encourages me to think I will be better in all ways -- eventually. smiles to you, blue

Hi all, In the 'old days' I used to be able to walk for miles and miles and miles. It was only when I stood still -- say at a crossing waiting for lights to change that I'd have problems of OI, nausea, spinning sensations etc. It got to the point that if I had to stop I'd sit down, even just sitting on the ground. Then about 7 years ago I became unable to walk -- it seemed pretty sudden. I was reduced to barely being able to get around my apartment and I was like that for about 4 years. Since diagnosis with POTS, over the past 3 years my walking has improved. I have tried to incorporate into my exercise program -- really focus on it but it's just not possible for me, not yet anyway. I flake out after a day or two of trying. However, on a day to day basis, I can walk around shopping centres, I can walk to the local stores, from a bus-stop, say, to my doctor's appointment. It's when I stop walking and stand still (shuffling from one foot to the other in order to 'keep moving' may as well as be standing still) that I get into trouble and I feel like I'm going to drop. Allowing myself to do this will make me feel pretty week for sometime afterwards. I can't walk for long distances like I used to but I'm doing pretty well in this regard. I probably go out 3 times a week on outings that involve some walking (that's in a good week). But I do stop and rest quite frequently. That has been the key for me. To make sure I stop and sit and rest frequently. Sometimes I've feel like I'm going to 'drop' but (knock on wood) I never do, anymore. Then again I'm pretty aware of my current limitations physically. smiles to you, blue