Maybe I’m Just a Mermaid: A POTS Tale

I Finally Figured It Out! …Or Maybe I’m Just a Mermaid: A POTS Tale

Let’s be honest: living with POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) can feel like you’re trying to interpret life in a language your body made up itself. We’ve all had those moments where it feels like our symptoms are messing with us on purpose — so when one person recently posted:

“How could I not realize sooner!! I’ve been lied to this entire time…The way my body so violently craves salt and water to the point where it will shut down if I do not consume both in outrageous excess… I’m not sick, I’m actually just a mermaid.”

…and claimed their true identity was that of an aquatic being, the community duly responded with supportive and equally whimsical affirmations. One commenter even said:

“Once I’m in a pool, it’s like I have all my energy and life back. We fr are mermaids!”

If nothing else, this perfectly captures the emotional rollercoaster of POTS: a chronic condition with symptoms that can look mysterious, frustrating, and — yes — downright silly if you’ve got to joke your way through it.

💦 Why We’re All “Mermaids” Sometimes

While POTS isn’t about fins or sea foam (sadly), there’s a grain of truth in the joke: many people with POTS notice that getting enough fluids and electrolytes matters — a lot. That salty sea-creature craving? Plenty of folks with POTS report needing way more than just a glass of water to feel okay. That’s because hydration isn’t only about water — it’s about fluid with electrolytes that helps your body maintain volume and balance.

On social media, people often joke about constantly drinking, but behind the humor is a real conversation about why hydration feels different:

• Drinking plain water can make some people feel worse or spike their heart rate because it can flush sodium out of the system quickly.

• Some folks report needing salt water… inside their bottle — not just for flavor, but because their bodies respond better when electrolytes, especially sodium, are present.

• Others explain that water alone just doesn’t stick without enough electrolytes to help the body retain it.

In other words: the Hero’s Journey of hydration for many with POTS isn’t just water — it’s smart hydration.

🌊 Why Water Feels Better in a Pool

If you’ve ever dipped into water and instantly felt lighter or more energized, you’re not alone. Many POTS community members describe improved tolerance for activity while submerged, whether it’s water aerobics or just floating around.

There are a few possible reasons for that:

• Buoyancy reduces the effect of gravity, which means your body doesn’t have to work as hard to pump blood back up from your legs.

• The gentle resistance of water can help muscles engage without spiking heart rate like land-based exercise sometimes does.

So even though you might not truly be a mythical marine creature, it’s easy to see how feeling better in water could lead to mermaid metaphors.

🤔 When Humor Helps

Let’s give props to the OP for approaching a daily struggle with hope and humor:

“I’ll be the most awesome and beautiful mermaid in the world.”

That kind of levity resonates with people. Dozens chimed in with support and camaraderie. Some kept the mermaid identity going; others shared their own experiences with water activities helping them feel stronger.

Laughing about it doesn’t mean you’re not dealing with real challenges — it means you’re learning to cope with them in a way that keeps your spirit afloat.

🌟 A Little Something to Keep You Hydrated

Jokes like this are a hallmark of the POTS community — because when something’s tough, you either cry or laugh. And honestly, sometimes both.

If you do find that plain water just isn’t cutting it, one tool people often explore is a hydration solution designed with the right balance of electrolytes to help support your hydration journey. NormaLyte offers options that provide a blend of sodium and other electrolytes that help your body absorb and retain fluids more effectively than water alone.

Whether you’re a mermaid, a dolphin, or just someone who needs a little more salt in their water bottle — finding hydration that actually works can sometimes feel like discovering your own ocean.