My allergy to gravity makes me faint 10 times a day – I spend 23 hours in bed | The Sun
GRAVITY is what keeps us on the ground and stops us floating around.
It's essential – but one woman has said she is allergic to the force and has to spend 23-hours in bed a day due to her condition.
Lyndsi Johnson faints up to 10 times a day and can't stand up for more than three minutes without passing out.
The 28-year-old said she has to sit with her legs crossed to stop her feeling sick and can only get up to eat or shower.
The former aviation diesel mechanic for the navy started suffering with abdominal and back pain in October 2015 and her symptoms worsened and within a few years and she was projectile vomiting.
Lyndsi, who lives in Bangor, Maine, US spent years going back and forth to the doctors to get help.
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Then in February 2022, she was diagnosed with postural tachycardia syndrome (PoTS).
This is a condition which refers to an abnormal increase in heart rate that occurs after sitting up or standing- which Lyndsi also refers to as an allergy to gravity.
She explained: "I'm allergic to gravity – it sounds crazy but it's true.
"I can't stand up for longer than three minutes without feeling faint, being sick or passing out.
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"I feel much better if I'm laying down. I'm in bed all day – for up to 23 hours a day.
"I never thought that at 28 that I would have to use a shower chair. I can't leave my house anymore.
"There is no cure but I'm so grateful for James (her partner) and what I do have."
She explained that she first started to become unwell when she was working overseas.
Sadly, in May 2018, she was medically discharged from the navy because of her illness and doctors struggled to diagnose her with a condition.
Six months after that, she started to experience severe abdominal pain and also started to projectile vomit.
"It was so bad I was screaming in pain and the vomiting was The Exorcist style," she said.
Still, medics were unable to get to the bottom of her condition.
Then in October 2020, Lyndsi passed out in a lift on her way to a hospital appointment.
What is postural tachycardia syndrome?
POTS usually affects young and middle-age women and can leave some sufferers needing to use a wheelchair to go about their daily lives.
This serious condition can significantly affect the quality of life, but is not usually life-threatening, experts say.
The causes are usually undetermined, but it can be caused by viral illness, severe infection or trauma and can get better as time passes.
There is no cure or standard treatment, but it can be managed with self-care, exercise, diet and certain medications.
Typical symptoms of PoTS include:
- dizziness or lightheadedness
- fainting
- problems with thinking, memory and concentration – this combination of symptoms is often called "brain fog"
- heart palpitations
- shaking and sweating
- weakness and fatigue (tiredness)
- headaches
- poor sleep
- chest pain
- feeling sick
- shortness of breath
Some people notice that feeling hot, eating, strenuous exercise or having a period can make their symptoms worse.
See a GP if you think you have PoTS.
"It was really scary. My fainting got worse from there.
"I was passing out everywhere – I would be shopping at the supermarket and I had to sit down because I felt faint or at the gym.
"I've even passed out after my dog has barked."
Unfortunately, Lyndsi also had to stop driving and was also unable to bend over without feeling lightheaded.
"I'd throw up so much my heart would start having prolonged QT intervals and I'd be in hospital on cardiac monitoring," Lyndsi said.
"I was finally able to speak to another cardiologist who recognised that I might have PoTS."
In February 2022, Lyndsi was given a tilt test.
This measures your heart rate, blood pressure and blood oxygen – and she was officially diagnosed with PoTS.
After her diagnosis she was prescribed betablockers which have reduced her fainting to three times a day and helped with her nausea.
She added: "I still can't really do anything."
Lyndsi explained that her partner James has to do the chores, cook, clean and help her shower.
"I've gone weeks without brushing my teeth because it just makes me feel awful.
"If I make a meal for James and I, then I'll be in bed unable to anything for the next three days," she said.
'COMING TO TERMS WITH IT'
Despite her illness, Lyndsi is hoping to move from her flat to a house so she can spend time outside.
"If I'm lying down I feel fine but as soon as I stand up I'm dizzy and faint.
"I've really had to adapt to this new life and come to terms with it.
"I use mobility aids and that really helps for me.
"I'm grateful for what I have and I'm still able to study music business which is amazing.
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"The rug has been ripped from under my feet – I've gone to super active to having to lay down all day.
"I can't do a lot of what I used to be able to but I've come to terms with that now."
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