Guero

@pistol -- Thank you for your helpful reply. Your contributions to these forums are a great resource that no-doubt benefit many. As to your input and my original question: - Exercise / retraining the body: the wall-squat seems like an interesting exercise -- I'll try it out. I assume the leg/abdominal muscles pumping, and the pressure/constriction on the mid-to-low body helps push blood up to the heart. I've been gradually increasing my activity to ease myself into it. I'm trying to better understand the point at which training is beneficial (building) as opposed to detrimental (over training, too depleting/taxing/stressful). - Medication: I decided to hold off on the metropolol another week, giving myself time to get a good understanding of my BP/HR before beginning the medicine (just bought a BP (upper arm cuff) monitor). I'm getting around okay so I don't think it's pressing. @MikeO -- thank you for your input. Best of luck continuing your treadmill work. Looking forward to working with a professional who may be able to narrow down on the mechanisms causing my POTS. My "crackpot" theory that I'd like to investigate is something along the lines of: Lax connective tissue from some form of EDS impacting autonomic regulation of my BP / HR. Recent stress and damage from COVID in the background of chronic stress or an overactive sympathetic nervous system has resulted in my ANS being slightly out-of-whack. I'd be interested to know if anything up with my neurotransmitter mechanisms and levels of norepinephrine levels during a tilt test. Thanks again for your input. A tidbit to laugh at, and something that I've personally (and others, anecdotally) benefited from -- exposure to cosmic-rays (sunlight infrared):

Hello Everyone, I recently discovered these forums and have been lurking the past few days and would greatly appreciate hearing your input on a few questions. While I'm not sure it is helpful past a certain point, I am really drawn to hearing about other's experiences in these forums and others. Questions: - Can light, graded exercise make my POTS worse? I haven't been experiencing PEM, so have been keeping it pretty light to avoid PEM and more long covid symptoms if possible. - Is it helpful/possible to "re-train" the body into orthostatic tolerance by gradually standing more and more frequently? Or can testing the body make things worse? - Is medication necessary/helpful if I feel I currently am functional? (just not to the extent previously with exercise/orthostatic intolerance--have gotten coat hanger headaches after being on my feet too much). - What is the role of (chronic) stress / maladaptive sympathetic overdrive in development of POTS? I've been trying to meditate and relax to combat what seems to be sympathetic overdrive. - What role do you think EDS plays in POTS? Issues with vasoconstriction causing overcompensation? Background: male in his late 20s. Believe I have a mild form of hyperPOTS -- had primary doctor test my BP/HR while supine (HR = 60bpm, BP = 106/65) and standing (HR fluctuated between 78 and 93bpm, BP 124/74. I believe I have a type of EDS as I pass a number of the criteria (very flexible, soft/stretchy skin, dislocations...). Been very active my whole life, participated in athletics. My hands/feet have always gotten really cold compared to the rest of my body (temp regulation issues). Have noticed throughout my life that often upon standing I'll have a big rise in HR / presyncope. Someone in my immediate family has ME/CFS. After getting sick with covid ~1 month ago, I got a wearable HR monitor and noticed immediately I would have large jumps in HR upon standing -- anywhere from ~60bpm to 110bpm and in between. Exercise/orthostatic intolerance. I am looking into POTS/dysautonomia doctors. Been increasing fluids and trying to eat about ~1tsp of salt daily. About a week ago I started trying light exercise (compared to my previous standards) on a rowing machine and more recently some yoga--haven't experienced PEM so far. Been prescribed metropolol to lower HR upon standing but am hesitant to take it. If anyone has made it this far, I really appreciate your time and input if you'd like to comment, Thanks