For years now
I haven't been able to
Figure out
The puzzle
The strategy
Of how to work out
My tachycardia
The raising pulse
Without exertion
Another symptom of M.E.
Gym or pool
Didn't matter
Yes, exercise raises the pulse
A given, layman's terms
But tachycardia is
The after
When in normal people
The pulse goes back down
With inaction
Not here, here it races
Even faster
Making for dizziness
Inability to catch a breath
Let alone drive home
Nothing worked
Until, while swimming
A few weeks ago
Something clicked
I'm a scuba diver
I'm allowed only
3,000 PSI
Of oxygen per tank per dive
500 PSI
Is the danger level, time to surface
What if my whole 2 hours at the pool
Including shower, dressing, blowing out hair
And driving home
I pretend I'm on a dive
I have to slow my breathing down
When underwater to not run out
Of oxygen quickly
Twice, I tried this strategy at the pool
And both times I was able to knock
The tachycardia away before
It took possession
No real delay
Was able to head home
Goes to show that using
Other experiences in situations
Are often better than any medications
Just be creative, inventive, and don't be
Afraid to try new things
Another seemingly impossible puzzle, solved.