If you have POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome), you’ve likely heard of the “October Slide“. When fall rolls in, several factors come into play that can make a POTSie’s symptoms flare up: low barometric pressure, reduced vitamin D levels, increased stress (with back-to-school, schedule changes), cold and flu season, and less physical activity in general as summer comes to a close.¹

I’ve learned that spring can be just as much my worst enemy. In opposition to the October Slide, I’d call it the March Climb (or perhaps the “Spring Climb”, if you will). The barometric pressure is bouncing around like a snapped rubber band (we have our first severe storm system blowing in tomorrow!). Daytime outdoor temperatures will see near-80s tomorrow, then down to the 40s just two days later (and colder still at night). With the warmer weather, I feel slightly more energized and am becoming more active, tackling more projects…and likely pushing myself a bit much.

Today, I am powering through a pressuring headache, more pain in my neck and jaw than my dystonia usually gives me (possibly coat hanger pain then), a feeling of malaise usually attributed to a virus, and bouncing body temps (99-99.6). I feel like my face and head can’t get cool…and since I don’t sweat there, that might be somewhat true.

POTS can feel like Snakes and Ladders, or Chutes and Ladders, with all of the ups and downs as you try to get from one season to the next.

Thankfully, I’ve learned over the years that this is temporary, so I choose to either power through in pain or take a rest. Today, I think it will be a little of both. A few days ago, it was a three-hour nap(!!!). Power through when you can, but let your body be the guide.

Are you affected by the seasons? Which one bothers you the most?

1. https://www.eds.clinic/articles/the-october-slide-managing-symptom-flare-ups-in-the-fall ↩︎