Food and environmental allergies are a pain to navigate. How about we take the struggles up a notch? What would you do if you were allergic to gravity? Actions that we take for granted are suddenly daunting obstacles. Forget quality time with loved ones. The ground is your new best friend with frequent fainting episodes. When you’re not hugging the floor, you’ll be glued to a bed for 23 hours.
That nightmare is the reality for Lyndsi Johnson. She said: “I’m allergic to gravity — it sounds crazy but it’s true. I can’t stand up for longer than three minutes without feeling faint, sick, or passing out. I feel much better if I’m laying down. I’m in bed all day — for up to 23 hours a day.”
As a former navy aviation mechanic, Johnson started experiencing physical discomfort while she was working in the navy overseas. She was deemed medically unfit and discharged from her duty. Her symptoms worsened with time until she projectile vomiting and fainting roughly ten times a day. At the time, medical doctors were clueless regarding what was causing her distress.
At 28-years-old, Johnson was later diagnosed with postural tachycardia syndrome (PoTS). She calls this fancy medical term an allergy to gravity since this condition causes an abnormal pulse rate when sitting up or standing.
Her supportive husband, James, is present to tend to her needs. Johnson added: “I never thought that at 28 I would have to use a shower chair. I can’t leave my house anymore. There is no cure but I’m so grateful for James and what I do have.”
Johnson has made peace with her diagnosis, and mobility aids add to her quality of life. She remains optimistic about a brighter future. Even if gravity fails her, she has a faithful husband to lift her.