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If anyone has improvement with this propping up therapy, please let me know. Love, Catherine

After I improved with the propping up sequence over six weeks, I moved on to the next phase of orthostatic training. Standing up a few minutes at a time, according to comfort level, stimulated my the blood vessels to strengthen themselves, and improvement could be seen each week. Building up to a total of two hours standing per day was the key to my recovery. When I was able to eventually stand for two hours at a time without any circulatory symptoms, I was convinced that I was healed, and I was able to move on with my goals of education and career. The entire recovery period took me 7 months, including the six weeks of propping up and the 5.5 months of the standing therapy. If I had it to do again, I could probably do the standing portion in a much shorter time frame. I kept getting infections and it slowed my progress, and I didn't know how to carry out the orthostatic training program. My feet had to get used to the increased heel pressure. I had some athletic shoes with gel heel cushions that were very helful. Love, Catherine

There were some times when my legs swelled up and I had to wear the "medium" stockings instead of the "firm" ones. It took a few days for the leg swelling to go down if I was wearing the "medium" ones. That's why it worked better to wear them all the time, and not let the swelling set in. When I was doing the propping up, it helped to have both a bed and a recliner propped up at the right angles, so I could change positions/rooms occasionally. I measured the difference in height between my feet and the top of my head, and had both set to the same height difference. After I recovered my circulation, I was able to improve through strength training, aerobic exercise, and cardio intervals. Over time, my strength and energy have improved a lot, much more than I had hoped. I am so grateful and relieved. Love, Catherine

The path to recoery is a very narrow road. When I was in the propping up process, I could only increase the tilt at the most 2 inches every four days. If I increased it even a couple of inches too far too soon, I would have so much adrenaline pumping into my bloodstream that I couldn't sleep all night and had to lower the bed back down a couple of inches. Propping up my bed caused me to have swelling in my legs and feet, so I had to wear "firm" support hose for 24 hours a day until I finished the proppng up/walking/standing therapy months later.

After I propped up over a period of weeks, I eventually started walking for a few minutes at a time. I measured how many minutes I could comfortably walk at a time, and gradually increased it over time. Eventually I was able to stand, following the same pattern of measuring how many minutes I could comfortably stand at a time. I gradually increased that over time too. Love, Catherine

Either all at once or spread out is fine. If I go to a social event, I stand most of the time, which works out well. Love, Catherine

Thank you. : ) If even one person gets better with my regimen, I will be happy. Love, Catherine

I am not going to be able to be a physical therapist because of my back problems. They are required to lift patients, and I can't do that. I might do some teaching or personal training. I am still going to prepare to teach the scriptures, and I would like to tutor in math and science. Love, Catherine

I had very bad chest pain and fatigue when standing or sitting. I had to be lying down for many years. I had two very bad tilt table tests. The second one was a pacemaker test. It was a terrible mistake, because my problem was my blood vessels, not my heart. I almost died during that test. My suffering was so severe that I lost hope and did not try to fight the illness again for five more years. I was very sad. I am so grateful for my recovery. I have been healed from orthostatic hypotension for 2.5 years now. : ) I am taking finals this week at college. Three down, one to go! I am also starting a job as an online math tutor next week. Love, Catherine

I could have been healed almost two decade earlier if I had been given a program to strengthen my blood vessels. I am glad for my new life. I am planning to go on for a marriage, becoming a scripture teacher, and earning a doctorate in physical therapy. Love, Catherine

Thank you. When I was propping up my bed, I pushed the foot of the bed against the wall, and put pillows on the wall under my feet. I am so very happy that I got better! I am enjoying school very much. I am learning a lot of interesting things. Time goes by really fast. Love, Catherine

Yes, I did go on a mission to share the gospel of Christ. My back problems and gluten intolerance caused me to come back early from the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah. But I learned a lot and met many loving people there. It was wonderful. I have been sharing the gospel with friends since then.

Hello! The medicines to raise blood pressure only worked for a short time, so they weren't reliable. I wore firm support hose up to the waist 24 hours a day during my recovery phase (except when exercising or bathing), until I was eventually able to stand up for two hours a day. Then I was able to sleep with my bed horizontal again, and not wear support hose. I have kept up with two hours a day of standing. Love, Catherine

I suffered severely, and was not understood or helped by my doctors. After 12 years of disability, I almost died during two tilt table tests. I don't agree with the way doctors and nurses treat people with orthostatic hypotension. Nobody ever explained a realistic way to recover. I lost hope for my recovery after suffering severely in two tilt table tests. It took another five years before I tried to battle back again. This time I succeeded. I am grateful for getting my life back. My back problems are bad though. But hopefully they'll get better too, with my physical therapy. Thank you everyone for your support. Love, Catherine

Thank you. Yes, I propped up my bed higher and higher with bricks and cinder blocks. My orthostatic hypotension started after I was in bed for several months with anemia, stomach pain, and a back injury. Love, Catherine