Things You Thought Were Normal but Are Actually POTS

When you live with POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome), it’s easy to assume that what you’re experiencing is just part of life. For years, you may have brushed things off as quirks—until you learned they were actually connected to dysautonomia.

Here are some of the everyday things you might have thought were “normal,” but are really signs of POTS:

1. Feeling Dizzy When Standing Up

Every time you stand up, the room spins. You may think everyone feels that way, but it’s actually your body struggling with blood flow.

2. Feeling Worse After Eating (and in the Bathroom)

Meals leave you drained instead of energized. And trips to the bathroom? Sweating, feeling faint, maybe even nearly passing out. Digestion and circulation shifts hit differently with POTS.

3. Always Shifting, Leaning, or Slouching

Maybe your mom got on you for bad posture, but standing still feels impossible. You’re constantly shifting your weight, leaning on counters, or draping yourself across furniture just to take the edge off.

4. Legs That Go Numb

If your legs tingle or go numb while standing, it’s not just you. Blood pooling is a common POTS issue that makes standing extra difficult.

5. Strange Task Aversion

Vacuuming, scooping the litter box, hanging laundry… do these chores feel impossible? That’s because bending, squatting, or lifting overhead tanks your circulation and makes your symptoms worse.

6. Extreme Fatigue After Simple Things

Climbing stairs, taking a shower, or running a quick errand can leave you completely wiped out. It’s not laziness—your body is working overtime just to keep up.

7. Brain Fog

Losing your train of thought or feeling like your head is stuffed with cotton isn’t forgetfulness—it’s classic POTS brain fog.

8. Not Understanding the Love for Summer

Do you dread patio dinners or hot summer days when everyone else seems to thrive? Heat and POTS just don’t mix, and it’s okay to prefer the darkest, coolest, quietest corner.

9. Needing More Hydration Than Everyone Else

While friends coast through the day on a single water bottle, you’re constantly thirsty. The truth is, your body doesn’t absorb fluids efficiently. That’s why hydration strategies—like oral rehydration solutions (ORS)—can make every sip count. Many people with POTS keep it on hand because water alone isn’t always enough.

Final Thoughts

So many things you thought were just “you” were really signs of POTS. Recognizing these patterns helps you take better care of yourself—through pacing, hydration, and learning to listen to your body.

👉 Want to explore more about hydration choices? Check out pharmacist-developed hydration options on NormaLyte.