US woman 'allergic to gravity' spends 23 hours a day in bed

CHENNAI: Twenty eight-year-old Lyndsi Johnson from the United States (US) claimed that she is "allergic to gravity" and spend 23 hours in bed in a day due to a rare syndrome.

She is a former aviation diesel mechanic for the US Navy and claimed that she had fainted up to 10 times a day and can't stand for more than three minutes without passing out. The syndrome is reported to have sometimes even forced her to sit with her legs crossed in order to stop feeling sick or losing consciousness.

According to the Independent, Johnson said to have had suffered from abdominal and back pain in 2015. Over the years, her symptoms worsened to the point that she started projectile vomiting and fainting up to 10 times a day.

"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, being 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. I never thought that at 28 years 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 what I do have," she said, according to Independent.

In 2018, she was reported to be medically discharged from military due to her illness. A cardiologist theorised that she might have PoTS and suggested her to undergo a "tilt" test, which measures heart rate, blood pressure and blood oxygen.

After several visits to hospitals, suffering through severe abdominal pain, in February 2022, she was diagnosed with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (PoTS), which is a condition that creates reduced blood volume, and an abnormal increase in heart rate when a person stands or sits up. It is said to be most commonly to affect women between the ages of 15 and 50 and the symptoms for the illness is said to be light headedness, fainting and rapid heartbeat, which are relieved by lying down again.

According to recent reports, she is said to be on beta-blockers which helps with her condition. Despite having this condition, she is reported to be pursuing a music business degree from the confines of her bed.