Lyndsi Johnson of Bangor, Maine, has a very rare condition that requires him to spend the whole day in bed. The woman cannot stand upright for more than three minutes because she faints every time.
- Lyndsi Johnson struggled with abdominal pain, back pain, and later nausea and fainting appeared. For health reasons, she had to quit her job, because she has to stay in bed for 23 hours a day
- It took a few years to get diagnosed, but the 28-year-old finally found to have postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS), so every time she stands up or sits down, her heart rate increases
- The woman was given medication to alleviate nausea and minimize fainting, but still cannot function normally and is dependent on the other person
- POTS can have many symptoms, e.g. dizziness, palpitations, shortness of breath, making it difficult to diagnose
- There is no clear confirmation of what causes POTS, but there are some theories
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Lyndsi Johnson, 28, has so far led an active lifestyle and worked as a diesel engine aircraft mechanic in the Navy. In 2015, the woman began to feel worse and called her condition “allergy to gravity”. Abdominal pains appeared, and then back pains. Her health deteriorated to such an extent that, over the course of several years, she repeatedly vomited and fainted every day.
It was so bad that I screamed in pain and my vomiting was like from “The Exorcist”. Later there were fainting. It was really scary. I passed out everywhere. In the supermarket, when shopping, and also in the gym. I even passed out after my dog barked
— recalls.
A woman with an «allergy to gravity»
Three years after the first unusual symptoms appeared, Lyndsi Johnson was discharged from the navy. The woman was hospitalized many times, but for several years the doctors were unable to determine what was wrong with the patient. Medics began to suggest that these were nervous symptoms. Lyndsi Johnson didn’t hear the diagnosis until early this year.
Then the doctor recommended her to do a tilt test specifically for POTS (postural tachycardia syndrome). This test involves lying on a special table that gradually tilts until the person is upright while the doctors measure their heart rate. POTS is diagnosed when the heart rate increases 30 beats per minute above the person’s normal resting level for more than 30 seconds, along with symptoms such as dizziness or fainting.
It turned out that Lyndsi Johnson suffers from this very rare disease, postural tachycardia syndrome, so every time she stands up or sits down, her heart rate increases. This makes it very difficult for a woman to function. The 28-year-old has stopped leaving the house, but that’s not all. Even getting around in an apartment is a huge problem. The woman spends most of her time in bed, because she fainted up to ten times a day. She only gets up to eat or shower, although she has to use a chair to sit on in her cabin as well.
I cannot stand for more than three minutes without feeling sick or faint. I feel much better when I lie down. I lie in bed all day. Up to 23 hours a day
— she explained.
- See also: How is vasovagal syndrome manifested?
The 28-year-old is taking medications that have restricted her fainting to as little as three times a day and helped to relieve it nausea, but she still can’t do much and relies heavily on her 30-year-old husband James to look after her.
«There is still nothing I can do. Lying down feels fine, but as soon as I get up I feel dizzy and pass out. It’s really debilitating — I can’t do housework and James has to cook, clean and help me shower. I am very grateful for James and for what I have » — she said.
Lyndsi uses equipment to help her move around the apartment and she has come to terms with her illness. However, she hopes to soon move into a new house with a garden where she can spend at least some time outside.
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What is postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS)?
Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome refers to a group of symptoms; postural: to the body position; orthostatic: associated with standing upright; tachycardia: increased heart rate. POTS is therefore a blood circulation disorder characterized by two factors:
- A group of symptoms that often occur when standing.
- When we move from horizontal to vertical, the heart rate increases by at least 30 beats per minute for adults or at least 40 beats per minute for adolescents (measured during the first 10 minutes of standing).
Symptoms of POTS can range from dizziness when standing up, to tachycardia (abnormally fast heart rate), palpitations, shortness of breath, and digestive symptoms, making it quite difficult to diagnose the condition. It is not known what causes POTS. One study suggests that people with this problem have elevated inflammatory biomarkers. This, in turn, may suggest a condition of chronic inflammation. It can be associated with a variety of chronic conditions, including diabetes and lupus, and genetic factors can also play a role.