A New Start

     So, Tiffany sent the calendars for the Pre-Month workout programs. I started yesterday with cardio and it was much easier! BTW I'm starting on Pre-Month 2 rather than Pre-Month 1 because I was able to make it through the first week of the regular months, but then I couldn't go any farther. I'm so glad I got the Pre-Month program! I don't know what I would do without it!
     Even though it is easier, I still had a hard time. By the end of the 5 minute increments of the Base Pace, I was beginning to feel faint. So, thank God for those 2 minute recoveries in between!
     Today, I did my weight training like normal, but I've decided not to increase any of the weights on the machines until I see my orthopedist because I'm worried I'm doing damage to my cartilage. This morning I squatted down to pick something up, but I had to get my dad to help me up because I couldn't stand up because the pain in my knees was so bad! Hopefully my doctor can do something about that! 

Time for an Update

     So, pretty much the past week I haven't done any workouts. I know I'm supposed to feel worse during the first month, but I'm feeling REALLY worse. Worse to the point where if I do my workouts, I feel I'll pass out. But, Angie (a girl with POTS who has been e-mailing me) said that she is in a pre-month workout. I had no idea what that meant, so her mom e-mailed me and explained what it was. Apparently you use the pre-month workouts to gradually prepare you for the actual months of workouts. So, since we had no idea there was such a thing as a pre-month, my mom e-mailed Tiffany and we're waiting to hear back from her.
     I've decided to not do any workouts until I hear from Tiffany and my orthopedist, because 1) I'm worried I jumped into the harder workouts too fast and actually did damage, so I want some time for my body to recover and 2) I'm worried I'm doing damage to my joints by doing exercise and I want to make sure I'm not by seeing my orthopedist.
     I'm trying to keep a positive attitude though! I try to keep myself busy with watching youtube videos or doing schoolwork (but some days my brain is so foggy I can't do any school work at all...). 

So Stressful!

So, once again, today I tried to do my cardio workout, but I just couldn't make it through. I know I've mentioned before my Erlos Dahnlos Sydrome which affects the cartilage in my joints. I've noticed that every time I go to work out, my joints hurt worse and worse! The different machines at the gym hurt whichever joint is moving the machine, and when I do the recumbent bike, my knees hurt (they're my worst joints). So, we have scheduled an appointment with my orthopedist. I've been to him before because when I was younger, my back would hurt a lot. We went to him and he gave me x-rays and found that I had scoliosis, kyphosis, and spondelolisthesis. (I know those words probably don't make any sense...) Luckily, I've grown out of my scoliosis and kyphosis but, he says that I won't grow out of my spondelolisthesis (two of my lower vertebrae are misaligned, but it isn't too bad). Anyway, we're gonna go to him and see what we should do. My dad mentioned actually going to see Dr. Levine in Texas, but I'm not sure what's going to happen. I'm stressed that I won't be able to complete my workout program because of my Erlos Dahnlos....And if my doctor tells me I can't, I don't know what I'm going to do....Sorry, I just had to give a little bit of a rant there...

Day 26 of Exercise Study

     So, I've had a pretty bad week. Like I said, on Tuesday I couldn't do my weight training because I got like no sleep and couldn't eat because of my reflux. Then on Wednesday, I went to my doctor and heard some news that I didn't really want to hear, even though I knew it was coming. Plus, it was a rainy, dreary day and that made it worse. So, (on Wednesday) when I tried to do my cardio workout, I just couldn't do it. I tried though!
     Yesterday, I went to the gym to do my weight training and I actually made it through! But, I noticed that my Erlos Dahnlos Syndrome (means my cartilage is really flexible and easily damaged) was making my joints hurt on some of the machines. Like the legpress, that hurts my knees, and the calf extension hurts my ankles, and so on....
     Anyway, today. I got on the bike (we have a Recumbent Bike at home) and I was able to make it through, but I was extremely tired afterwards. Usually my fatigue doesn't hit me until about a half hour later, but I felt it immediately afterwards today. And, it hasn't really left. I'm really tired as I write this, and once I'm done, I'll probably go lie down to watch T.V. and rest.  

Day 23 of Exercise Study: Sort of...

     So, today I was supposed to go to the gym for weight training, but I just couldn't do it today. Last night I didn't fall asleep until 7:00. A.M. In the morning...I don't know what it was, but I just could not fall asleep! Even with my 15mg of Melatonin, 3 capsules of Valarian Root, and chamomile tea. So, by the time I did fall asleep, I was only able to sleep for about 5 hours (I woke up at 12:00). When I woke up I noticed that my acid reflux was acting up really bad and I couldn't make myself eat (if I did, I knew I would throw up). Even though I couldn't eat, and I didn't sleep much, I still really wanted to try to go to the gym. So, I got up, got dressed, and stretched to go to the gym. While we were in the car on our way, my stomach started hurting, I started having a hot flash, and I started to feel really fatigued. I just knew I couldn't do it, so we turned around and went home. (which actually turned out good, because a few minutes after we got home, my tutor showed up, and if I had been at the gym, we would've missed her...)
     I do plan to pick up with my cardio workout tomorrow though. I figured it wouldn't hurt to miss one day of weight training because I haven't missed one workout yet....
    

Day 22 of Exercise Study

     The other day, I had a lot of trouble completing my cardio workout. So, we called the office in Dallas, and they told me that I should back up to the first week and re-do my first 3 weeks. I'm doing this so that when my exercises become longer and harder, I will be strong enough to do them. Even though today is my 22 day of the program, I'm working on my first week (again).
     Today I did the Recumbent Bike. It wasn't super easy like it was a few days ago, but it definitely wan't as hard as the first day was. I had a few times where I would feel really sick for a minute or two, but then it would go away. My legs were also burning a little more than they were the other day even though I had the same amount of resistance on the bike.
     I definitely like weight training better than cardio. It's easier for me and it doesn't take as long. I almost kind of enjoy it (:
     

Dr. Levine's Exercise Study

     I am currently in a study for a supposed cure for POTS. It is being conducted out of the Institute for Exercise & Environmental Medicine in Dallas, Texas. If you are interested in becoming a part of the study you can e-mail Tiffany VanGundy, Senior Research Associate, at THRIEEMPOTSRegistry@TexasHealth.org.
     The exercise program was first used on astronauts when they came back from space, because their bodies would also have trouble re-adjusting to pumping their blood in gravity. The program was used to increase the muscle tone in their legs to help pump the blood to their brains more efficiently. And, the best part is, you won't have to take any medicine!
     Before becoming a part of the program, the hospital in Dallas will send the information to your doctor about a 10 minute standing test where he will measure your heart rate and blood pressure standing and lying down. Then your doctor can send in those results back to the hospital in Dallas and they will make sure you fit the criteria for the study. If you do, they will then send the information of the study to your doctor and you can begin the program! (p.s. you won't actually have to travel to Dallas to become a part of the program, you can do it all from where you live)
     It is a three month long program, and ,by the end of the program, most of the patients in the study can barely be classified as having POTS anymore. Becoming a part of the study is a big commitment, though, because you aren't just doing this for yourself, you are doing it for the research to help future POTS patients.
    The program consists of exercises done sitting down, but as you get stronger, you move to exercising standing up. Workouts consist of cardio about 3 days a week, and weight training about 2. Once you become a part of the program, they will tell you what machines to use at the gym and what exercises to do for cardio workouts. They will also tell you what your desired heart rate zones should be for when you do cardio. (You will have to buy a heart rate monitor for these workouts.)