Hello, I am new on this forum & need some advice/knowledge/experience.
About 7 years ago, I relocated to Southern Virginia from Southern California & became immediately sick (pretty much with identical symptoms as the founder of this website)…it took many years of searching, but finally got a diagnosis, it was POTS. On the whole, the POTS has become pretty manageable. The only time it very out of control is summer & here, it lasts about 7 months.
Well, I have had enough of the heat, the running from one air conditioning unit to the next, not being a part any Fourth of July’s festivities, so I am relocating! Honestly, I want to go back to Southern California, but the only place that is consistently cool is right on the beach, and unfortunately, that area has simply become too cost prohibitive, so…I was thinking about Denver?
Here is my question, okay several questions…
Does anybody know if the mountain altitude is bad for OI or does one’s body acclimate to the altitude?
Does anybody know of areas in the US that are reportedly better for OI? I wish to relocate to the western part of the US & to an area with a thriving art community! (I am not asking for much am I?)
Any help would be appreciated! Beth

My own experience has been that when I got to higher altitudes I recover. I feel much better at my home in Montana and its at 6000 feet and the air is pure there. I have not been able to get back there in years.Montana does have thriving art areas.The last two times I drove to higher altitudes near me; it was the same amazing phenomena again. I do know that Denver has high pollution and bad air quality now. Others talk about how on humid days they become more ill and still others try hyperberic oxygen treatment and feel well.
Good Luck,
Kenneth

I am considering relocating as well!!

My autonomic doc was very clear that it would help me absolutely. Heat is very bad for our condition, she said. (Hot yoga is no longer an option, either, which makes me sad).

We currently live in Southeast Texas and it's 106 today. My husband is installing a new air conditioner to try and keep it cool enough in our house so I don't feel so sick (old house, window units).

When I was in Minnesota last month I felt better, but could've also been excitement / positive outlook over finally receiving autonomic treatments.

We're considering either Minnesota (gorgeous, everyone nice, close to the Mayo) or New Hampshire (close to extended family and the headquarters of where we both work and rural NH is not that expensive -- for the Northeast). I have to stay in Central or Eastern time zone b/c of work -- I'm so awful in the mornings I can't be Pacific where a 9 AM call for Boston is a 6 AM call for me. Ha!

Does cooler weather really help that much?? I can take cold winters (Gee, I gotta wear my Uggs all the time and knit more chunky sweaters? Will have to stay in all weekend with husband and pups because of snow?! Aww, twist my arm!!), so the difference must be the cool summers.

I've always really liked the heat before, I love to sweat (and thank goodness I can, didn't fail that test!), but now even a little transient heat and humidity in the car from parking lot to car to house makes me just absolutely knackered.

If someone would tell me Minnesota or New Hampshire would cause even a 40% improvement in my ability to function I'd do it.

Could it be that you do better in the enviornment you're most used to? Best when we are in a place that stresses us both emotionally and physically less???

I was reared in the swamps of La. And tho heat stroke came to me early as a child--very cold temps don't do well for me either and I get BAD shakes. I also had my first spell of racing heart when I went to a high altitude locale on vacation.

I'd say take a vacation there maybe--try different seasons first. One thing for sure I don't think any of us do well in heat without A/c.

Does the cool weather help you ask?! ABSOLUTELY!
When I was first diagnosed, my system was so broken, that a simple walk from my house to the car would be enough to make me sick for several days(in the summer). At the time, I just couldn’t wrap my mind around the idea, that a few meager steps could wreck so much havoc, but through reading more, I came to understand, it was the blood bottoming out from my brain.(okay, that’s not the technical term but you get my drift)
Well, it’s been several years since being diagnosed & I have been on all the meds, some worked, some didn’t, but they did get me strong enough to where exercise, salt tablets & avoiding the heat has become enough. I was able to garden last year, in the heat, for short periods of time. It was amazing. I want more. It had been years since I was able to be outside. Anyway, I want to do more things outside for longer periods of time, so I am going to where it is cooler.
That’s funny about the ac units, I can drive folks nuts with how one minute I want it really cold …then it gets too cold…so I need the ac lowered…then it needs to be turned back up…ugh! I drive myself nuts!
Beth

Physically, I'm a bit more comfortable in winter. It's not dramatic but noticeable. If I can make the flight to Italy come our summer I'm going to visit my sister who lives there. It will be in Australia's hottest months as it will be winter there.

Wanted to add our two cents here.

Cool is definitely better. On our trip to upstate NY, where my brother lives, my son had the best week of his last two years. My brother's home is at the base of the Catskill Mountains and with 5 acres, there was nothing but nature all around us.

Within 2 days, my son was up and about, at night in the beginning but eventually at week's end, he went out during the day as well. In fact, we attended an outdoor festival and we got to stay the whole day. He didn't like direct son and moved from shaded area to shaded area, but he enjoyed himself.

Upon returning home in Maryland, within a week, we were back to the heat (we reached 100 this year) and his weakness/fatigue. Only time out were quick errands (he lasts 1 1/2 hours out and about before fatigue sets in) or in the neighbor's pool (he can stay in that pool for nearly 3 hours!)

My dream was always to move further south (goal was Florida eventually), but that has been scrapped. As soon as we can with the economy and housing being the way it is, we are selling and moving north. Not quite sure where, but someplace with higher altitude, clean air, lots of greenery and shorter summers.

I will just have to wear long-johns all the time.

Judi

So glad you found a way to help your son. I can NOT imagine how tuff this must be for you!

A side note: I moved back to the USA "thinking" to have access to medical care I needed--just to find that what I need is NOT available everywhere. Maybe check for a good spot nearby ANS centers? Luckily there IS help in NYC so it all works!

Tho I gotta say that description of the mountains sounds REALLY awesome!

Also glad your son has access to a pool. I'm convinced that without one I would NOT have pulled out of this as well as I have.

MY PT's best excercise in water? Trying to run in it--to build up legs and heart endurance--i.e. playing catch and chasing a ball. But start slow with walking and build.

Until you can move maybe try turning a/c down a notch or two since it seems to help?

Again,I'm so happy there is a better option out there for your child!!!

Sandy Sim,

Thanks for giving me some ideas for the pool. We don't have an aquatic program in our area that takes kids as young as he through our insurance. I would have to pay for a sports rehab place and they are VERY expensive.

It doesn't seem to matter what he does, just as long as he is buoyant. Of course, he loses track of time and unless I remind him, by the time he comes out, the fatigue hits him so hard. It is amazing to see it as soon as he comes out. You can literally see the blood drain from his face and all the symptoms reappear. But, each time, his recovery time seems to get shorter. Just this week, he was back to "normal" by the 2nd day after pooltime.

As for the A/C, we let him dictate how the rooms should be. It can't get too cold or he seems to have trouble keeping warm (body temp will drop).

As for where we will move, NY is an expensive place, but rest assured, we will not move far from an ANS specialist and hospital.

Judi

Check the YMCA--or local hospitals that have therapy pools maybe?

Consider an inexpensive not very deep above ground pool?

Many places also have swimming lessons for kids that aren't expensive--doesn't matter if he can already swim or not--just gets him in the water.

I've said this B4--the pool is great--but ya REALLY gotta watch getting out. When gravity hits again it can really be a bit of a surprise.

Glad he's doing better!!!

Hmmm. I am new to this, and not diagnosed with POTS, but up in 5000 foot mountains of Idaho in the winter was when my first noticable odd symptoms started.

Moved from AZ at the end of summer to Idaho. That first winter I started having Raynaud's in a couple of finger tips and was down for 3 months with severe fatigue.

I think my body is reacting to extreme cold and extreme heat. I am housebound this summer now in AZ until early September mornings I think.

Anyway, that is just me. Cold affected me too!

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Sandy Sims:
Check the YMCA--or local hospitals that have therapy pools maybe?

Consider an inexpensive not very deep above ground pool?

Many places also have swimming lessons for kids that aren't expensive--doesn't matter if he can already swim or not--just gets him in the water.
QUOTE]

Our nearest Y is not a comfortable drive for me and their pool is so hot, humid and chlorine-laden. The nearest hospitals don't have pools. We used to go to a public pool that had great swimming lessons for only $5.00, but we went once this season and after getting out, he wobbled out into the street in a complete fog without looking for traffic. I would be alone taking him back and forth, so I've opted for our neighbor's pool (across the court) and my brother-in-law's when the family is together. Better safe than sorry.

We are considering a pool for next season, but our yard is so slanted, even a little one is a logistical exercise. I am trying to work that out now. LOL. A lot of work, but it will be worth it.

Thanks for the suggestions. I am keeping my ears open all the time.

Judi

Glad your neighbor can help! Wish you were in Fl you could use mine.

Okay, this is going to sound crazy...

Last time I flew it was an hours flight. I got on the plane with a really bad migraine, had to sit on the tarmac for an hour and was thinking that if my migraine is this bad now how bad is it going to be when we get in the air.

Once in the air, I got other familiar pots symptoms but my migraine totally disappeared for the flight. 5 minutes back on the ground and migraine kicked back in at the same severe level it was at before the flight.