Using a wheelchair for POTS

hi! this thread came up again somehow but I use a wheelchair primarily for my POTS but my ehlers danlos syndrome secondarily and I find it sooo helpful. I’m able to do things I wouldn’t otherwise be able to do and I highly recommend it

I definitely use a wheelchair from time to time and I've found it incredibly helpful. If you don't want to buy one but want to try it out most medical supply stores rent out wheelchairs. I've rented a wheelchair from my local medical supply store several times and it has been very useful, and at least at my local store it's very inexpensive!!

I don't currently use one but I do think that it would be good for POTS patients who feel the need for more support. Im thinking about getting one soon. Try talking it out with your parents and get their general idea of what they think.

I didn't think mine was bad enough but use whatever helps I learned it doesn't matter what people think using mobility aids in Walmart and other stores or even the library can make a major difference in your life

Your pots doesn't have to be "bad enough", Pots presents differently for everyone. I haven't fainted since I was really little, I just get really weak and dizzy. Having something to stabilize yourself and keep yourself safe is what matters most! Get the wheelchair if that's what you feel is best for you and your circumstance. You know what you need better than anyone.

I don’t faint at all but I do get really sick a lot from simple things, is that enough for aids? Or prob need to look into other things

I got my walker and eventually my other various mobility aids because of my EDS, but since I got them, I haven't fainted at all! It got to the point that I was falling over and fainting or almost fainting almost every other day, but with my mobility aids, its no longer a problem.

Rollator is another good option that is less expensive if that's a factor. Whatever aid you need! ❤️💕❤️

I guess the biggest thing I’m worried about is the judgement from my dad

there’s no such thing as not bad enough for a mobility aid with POTS! If you think it’ll even help you in the slightest, GO FOR IT! I have a rollator and a wheelchair and they help me so much! I don’t have to worry as much about my symptoms and I have a safe place to sit when I need to. You’d be surprised, people aren’t always as nosy as you’d expect them to be. The anxiety is def there for me, but the more you get used to it and realize how much it helps, the more it doesn’t matter what others think

Oh boy do I get this. I can technically walk just fine, but the pain from EDS and other conditions makes it very difficult to do it for long. If I can sit, I could make my energy go much further and only stand when I arrive somewhere or feel up to it. But I’m not ready to handle the looks people give ambulatory wheelchair users…or the questions.

Just do what you feel is best for you. Everyone else should just mind their own business anyways.

Yeah, getting a wheelchair was one of the best decisions I made. I also have a cane, and both of them really help me when I leave the house. I get a good bit of hate for using the wheelchair, but I don’t care. I know that it helps me and that’s all that matters. It takes a while to get used to, you get a lot of weird looks and comments, but in my opinion it’s worth it because I get to leave the house :)