does anyone else get breathless or tired after having a shower?
 

I was just wondering whether others here get breathless when walking around too much or tired after having a hot shower? Are these symptoms of peripheral neuropathy?

Autonomic neuropathy can cause dysautonomia...which can in turn cause drops in BP when you're upright. A hot shower can dilate blood vessels and drop BP also. When your BP drops, your heart rate automatically increases to compensate. This can cause shortness of breath or increased respiratory rate.

Have you checked your heart rate or BP when these episodes occur?

You are not alone
 

I just got diagnosed with pots a month ago. I have the same issues. I am 34 and a nurse. My hubby wants to get me a shower chair. This diagnosis is unfair to all of us. We can only do one event a day sometimes because our bodys just can`t take it. I was told by a doctor at Mayo to turn the water cold before you get out. Sometimes it works for me. I wish I could tell you that if you just keep walking you will get use to it. But sometimes that is not the case. This sounds bad but be gentle with yourself. Have you friends and family walk slower. MY family and friends for get and I end up going home because body can not take it. Don`t loose hope I am going to Chicago to talk to a doc in ChinaTown who is an expert in holistic medication. I will let you know how it goes. You can find me under Shadowhat.

Checking pulse and feeling breathless
 

I have been thinking of your situation. While I still think you should get a shower chair. I also think perhaps you should get a automatic blood pressure cup. Do not get the ones that go on the wrist they are not accurate. This will help you gage your symptoms so that when your low you will know when it is time to sit. When your high you can take your medication. I am sure this is difficult... It is for me as well. I get breathless in the shower and even pass out sometimes. Since our body's don't listen to our brains with this disease it is hard to control your breathing. Now I had to leave my career in nursing just this last year I am going to say to you what I would say to one of my patients. Count your pulse for one min. If your pulse is 100 or higher and stays that way for 30min or longer it is time to talk to your doc or take your medication. Some docs are familiar with this disease and will have already given you script. As for your breathing you really want to stay under 22 breaths a min. Most are 16 to 22. Sooo count your breaths for a min and see where you are at. You may need something to help calm you down. Ask your doc for a medication that is taken as needed for anxiety

I have Autonomic Neuropathy as the cause of my POTS/Dysautonomia. A shower chair is needed. I use that and I always pull my big wicker chair I keep in my bathroom to the shower to sit in afterwards. I love my hand held shower wand.

Yes, take your bp sitting, standing, lying down, after a shower....Keep track. Be very careful and stay safe.

Last night I had a shower and I think it triggered an episode where I felt really weak (parasesia). My MRI came back as normal but do you think I could still have MS? I know that MS symptoms are triggered by the heat and I've noticed that lately the heat has made my symptoms worse, especially on hot nights (I'm from Australia and we've just been through summer).

MS is not the only illness with heat as a trigger. Dysautonomia/POTS is for sure. You can read about this and there are forums where you can see if it sounds like you might have it.

People with neuromuscular diseases have muscles that are already relaxed/weakened. Taking a hot shower or hot bath can relax them even more. I only take lukewarm showers. Don't do baths anymore as I cannot navigate a bathtub.