“I’m Allergic To Gravity,”: Here’s Why This Woman Spends 23 Hours A Day In Bed
There are so many things people can be allergic to - cats, dogs, pollen, and peanuts. But have you ever heard of someone being allergic to gravity?
Well, this woman is, in fact, allergic to gravity!
Lyndsi Johnson Was Happy To Be A Navy Mechanic
Lyndsi Johnson is a 28-year-old ex-Navy mechanic. In 2015, she was happily working on planes when she started experiencing symptoms of an unknown illness.
What was this unknown illness? POTS.
But Lyndsi Began Fainting Everywhere
Lyndsi was feeling dizzy more often and started fainting almost everywhere she went.
"I would be shopping at the supermarket, and I had to sit down because I felt faint."
What Is POTS?
According to the Cleveland Clinic, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome - or POTS, "is a condition that affects blood flow...[symptoms] come on when standing up from a reclining position and relieved by sitting or lying back down."
And some of the symptoms are dizziness or fainting.
A Wrong Diagnosis
Unfortunately, her doctors initially diagnosed her symptoms as anxiety.
It wasn't until 2022 that doctors looked further into her symptoms. Because by this point, they had worsened; now, on top of fainting and dizziness, Lyndsi was projectile vomiting.
Lyndsi's Irregular Heart Rate Helped Her
"I'd throw up so much my heart would start having prolonged QT intervals, and I'd be in the hospital on cardiac monitoring," Lyndsi explained.
Doctors made Lyndsi do a tilt test, and finally, by February 2022, Lyndsi was officially diagnosed with POTS.
She's Still "Allergic To Gravity"
While finally having a proper diagnosis was good, it didn't change anything.
Lyndsi could only stand upright for about three minutes a day; she had to spend 23 hours of her day lying down.
She Can't Stand More Than 3 Minutes A Day
If she stands for more than three minutes, she begins feeling faint, sick, or passes out.
"I feel much better if I'm lying down. I'm in bed all day." Lyndsi said.
Beta Blockers Help
Unfortunately, as of 2022, there is no cure for POTS, but beta-blockers have been helping Lyndsi.
Now, her fainting has been reduced to three times a day, and she doesn't get nauseous as often.
Her Husband Is Her Caregiver
But she still has to rely on her husband as her caregiver.
"It's really debilitating, I can't do chores, and James has to cook, clean, and help me shower and wash myself. I've gone weeks without brushing my teeth because it makes me feel awful."
The Disbelievers
Unfortunately, some people do not believe Lyndsi's claims and call her illness and symptoms fake.
Many comments read similar to, "what a nice excuse to lay in bed all day."
TikTok's Supportive Community
Surprisingly, many comments Lyndsi receives on her videos are from other people who also suffer from POTS.
And they are a supportive and loving community that Lyndsi can talk to.
Lyndsi's Determination
Some good news out of all this is that Lyndsi has found her passion and is going back to school for a Music Business degree.
She's determined to get back to work and uses her TikTok videos to spread awareness for POTS, so others don't feel alone.
