Aa
Tilt table test
Please help.
I am going in for a tilt table test this week. I am really scared.
Do they tilt you upside down?
What will I experience?
I feel as if I will get really sick, tachy, SOB on the TT....just the idea of this test has me feeling sick.
They told me it was OK to take my Midodrine before the test but
I am confused as this is the medicine that increases my blood pressure.
Do they give you an IV? ....IV medications for the TTT?
Is is a big deal?
Please help calm or alleviate my fears, as I am really freaking out here.
Then they said after the TTT that they are going to be checking me into the hospital for
further testing....maybe for 2-3 days!
What are THOSE tests?
I take 25 mg Toprol XL ER, one a day, to slow my fast heartrate
and about 100 mg/day of midodrine to increase my low b.p.
I have had worsening symptoms for about 5 years.
It seems that I do not have a life any more....
It is very depressing, to say the least.
Thank you in advance for any responses.
I am going in for a tilt table test this week. I am really scared.
Do they tilt you upside down?
What will I experience?
I feel as if I will get really sick, tachy, SOB on the TT....just the idea of this test has me feeling sick.
They told me it was OK to take my Midodrine before the test but
I am confused as this is the medicine that increases my blood pressure.
Do they give you an IV? ....IV medications for the TTT?
Is is a big deal?
Please help calm or alleviate my fears, as I am really freaking out here.
Then they said after the TTT that they are going to be checking me into the hospital for
further testing....maybe for 2-3 days!
What are THOSE tests?
I take 25 mg Toprol XL ER, one a day, to slow my fast heartrate
and about 100 mg/day of midodrine to increase my low b.p.
I have had worsening symptoms for about 5 years.
It seems that I do not have a life any more....
It is very depressing, to say the least.
Thank you in advance for any responses.
Hello dear Syriusas-
thank you for your kind response!
Boy do I have a lot to tell you.....
I am beat and am heading off to sleep.....It has been a crazy, crazy week--- to say the least. I have been home a few days from the hospitalization but I am truly exhausted.
I will write and fill you in tomorrow ok?
Thank you for taking the time to reach out to me...sometimes we feel as if we are all alone in this~it is nice to know that we are not.
Until tomorrow...
hbw1
thank you for your kind response!
Boy do I have a lot to tell you.....
I am beat and am heading off to sleep.....It has been a crazy, crazy week--- to say the least. I have been home a few days from the hospitalization but I am truly exhausted.
I will write and fill you in tomorrow ok?
Thank you for taking the time to reach out to me...sometimes we feel as if we are all alone in this~it is nice to know that we are not.
Until tomorrow...
hbw1
Hello gals,
Sorry ----wow----it's been a heck of a week.
I am back home and it is really late....
i will get back to you tomorrow....okay?
I DO have Dysautonomia and the Tilt Table was HORRIFIC!
Worst than I thought or had anticipated!
You explained it very well but I had a severe reaction----one of the WORST results the Dr has ever seen, I was told! Wouldn't you know it to be true----MY LUCK! :(
hahaha!!!!
Tell you more tomorrow ok?
Yawn and zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz's.
:)
Goodnite :)
Thanks for the quick note that you sent----very nice of you to think of me.
How are you doing?
This heat makes us worse I know....... ugh!
Sorry ----wow----it's been a heck of a week.
I am back home and it is really late....
i will get back to you tomorrow....okay?
I DO have Dysautonomia and the Tilt Table was HORRIFIC!
Worst than I thought or had anticipated!
You explained it very well but I had a severe reaction----one of the WORST results the Dr has ever seen, I was told! Wouldn't you know it to be true----MY LUCK! :(
hahaha!!!!
Tell you more tomorrow ok?
Yawn and zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz's.
:)
Goodnite :)
Thanks for the quick note that you sent----very nice of you to think of me.
How are you doing?
This heat makes us worse I know....... ugh!
The past few weeks have been some of my worst since I started having symptoms, but I still consider myself lucky since I haven't passed out. There have been times almost daily that I feel like I am going to, but I am always able to work through it. That is scary that you passed out while driving. I have taken a break from driving until I get the lightheadedness under control.
I went to a chiropractor for the first time today. The doctor was not in the office, so it was just x-rays, my first adjustment by a fill in doctor, and then a really nice massage on a waterbed/table. I thought it was worth trying since they work with the nervous system. There has to be an explanation for why symptoms just come and go...inflammation, pinched nerve, entrapped nerve, or something else. I will see the chiropractor next Friday, and see what the results of the tests were, and what her recommendations are.
Do you have lightheadedness and pass out, or do you just pass out without warning?
I went to a chiropractor for the first time today. The doctor was not in the office, so it was just x-rays, my first adjustment by a fill in doctor, and then a really nice massage on a waterbed/table. I thought it was worth trying since they work with the nervous system. There has to be an explanation for why symptoms just come and go...inflammation, pinched nerve, entrapped nerve, or something else. I will see the chiropractor next Friday, and see what the results of the tests were, and what her recommendations are.
Do you have lightheadedness and pass out, or do you just pass out without warning?
Hi Heather~ I came across your posts when I was looking for some info on postprandial sleepiness... I'm hoping your Tilt Table Test went well yesterday & would be interested to know how it went. I was diagnosed with idiopathic primary autonomic dysfunction/failure (idiopathic- meaning they don't know what caused it, primary- meaning there is no apparent underlying disease/cause such as diabetes or RA, etc, to blame). After TONS & TONS and HOURS upon HOURS of research and reading and questions and appointments- I've got a multitude of information regarding dysautonomia and would be extremely happy to help you in any way that I might be able to... "Lfreem02" seems to have quite a bit of knowledge as well & I have to send a big "THANK YOU!" to her for answering you~ Seems odd to be thanking her for you when I don't know either of you, right?!? :) But~ I personally know how much it helps to have someone, ANYONE!, to help ease your concerns when you're at the point of absolute panic to the extent of questioning your own sanity~ I'm so happy that she took the time to respond to your plea~ God Bless, lfreem02!
Through all of the research I've done, I've found countless symptoms, treatments, suggestions, complications, explanations, etc., that someone can experience with this illness... Maybe I can help answer any questions you might have~
An "abbreviated" version of 'my' story: First, let me mention that when I was around age 16 (I'm 32 now), I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome and an anxiety disorder- all because I passed out a handful of times for no obvious reason. (At that time, the diagnoses that I got from countless docs were anything from "faking" to "she learned how to control her heart rate" to "silent seizures", until a neurologist finally settled on the fibro, CFS and AD. LOL!) These episodes occurred periodically from age 16 to about 21. Then- Huh! It ALL stopped! No reason- No changes- No meds- NOTHING was different! It just "Stopped!" No docs could explain it- but I wasn't complaining! :) I had been quite healthy from age 21 on. I even had managed to adapt to an above-average healthy lifestyle, eating perfectly & exercising 30+ minutes everyday (I even lost 80+ pounds which I still semi-maintain to this day~).
Anyway, in Feb. of 2009 I had foot surgery to remove a taylor's bunion. "Down time" was supposed to be 6-8 weeks but ended up being 6 months due to an "entrapped nerve". In July of 2009, I started experiencing pitting edema in BOTH of my feet, ankles & lower legs. After countless tests, docs did find Lyme disease. I was treated for the Lyme but didn't experience much improvement. Months & months went by- I was in and out of work for various periods of time and continued to add more & more 'symptoms' to the never-ending list of ailments that were plaguing me (everything from digestive problems to blurry vision). In Sept, 2010, all of the symptoms sort of came to a head- I was driving home from volunteering at a charity event when I passed out the first time. (Luckily, an orange construction barrell was the only 'injury/fatality' in that accident~) I continued to pass out every time I stood up - 8 to 13 (my record) times per day... I started seeing a new doctor (a D.O.) when I started passing out and he sent me for the Tilt Table... I didn't actually pass out on the table but experienced much the same scenario as lfreem02 (although my test didn't include the Nitro)- I was very light headed, nauseous, shaky, lethargic... I tached almost immediately upon them standing me up and my heart rate never went below 130 until they laid me back down- but my BP actually never dropped. I attribute the stable BP to the fact that the techs tightened the straps so much that they HAD to be acting like tourniquets, keeping the blood in the upper half of my body! Lol! Wouldn't ya know- I passed out getting out of the car when I got home from the test... (3 stitches in the noggin~ :) The cardiologist who read the Tilt results said POTS and gave me pindolol (a beta-blocker) to reduce my heart-rate which slowed the syncope (passing-out) to 2-3 times per week. I'd continued to see my D.O. and started seeing a neurologist in Feb, 2011 (along with some random specialists here & there for other specific issues...) The neuro was the one who diagnosed the broader diagnosis of autonomic dysfunction rather than just POTS. He also surmises that the incidents I had experienced as a teen were probably related to POTS as well~ Both docs are hesitant to think Lyme had any real involvement (due to both, the fact that I don't test positive now and b/c of the uncertainty surrounding the true realm of Lyme), but- neither can say it didn't either... Who knows~
I've been through the "lifestyle" changes and the regimen of meds (florinef, midodrine, etc.) but nothing has improved my issues beyond what the Pindolol has~ I've now been out of work since Feb, 2011 (b/c I passed out on the sidewalk there~) and am currently in the middle of my first appeal for social security disability... I've found a few things that do seem to help me in some circumstances... I'd be interested in knowing if you've found any methods for helping your symptoms? And- I would, of course, be happy to share my own findings!! I think I do have or at some time, have had, just about every possible symptom related to dysautonomia- I'd definitely feel as though my own struggles held some purpose if I could help someone like yourself~
I really "tried" to keep this short as I am WELL aware of the shortened/ non-existent attention span accompanying all this crap!! So~ If I've left anything out or you have any questions, please feel free to ask anything at all, no matter what it may be~ I hope your test went well and you were able to get some answers!!
Through all of the research I've done, I've found countless symptoms, treatments, suggestions, complications, explanations, etc., that someone can experience with this illness... Maybe I can help answer any questions you might have~
An "abbreviated" version of 'my' story: First, let me mention that when I was around age 16 (I'm 32 now), I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome and an anxiety disorder- all because I passed out a handful of times for no obvious reason. (At that time, the diagnoses that I got from countless docs were anything from "faking" to "she learned how to control her heart rate" to "silent seizures", until a neurologist finally settled on the fibro, CFS and AD. LOL!) These episodes occurred periodically from age 16 to about 21. Then- Huh! It ALL stopped! No reason- No changes- No meds- NOTHING was different! It just "Stopped!" No docs could explain it- but I wasn't complaining! :) I had been quite healthy from age 21 on. I even had managed to adapt to an above-average healthy lifestyle, eating perfectly & exercising 30+ minutes everyday (I even lost 80+ pounds which I still semi-maintain to this day~).
Anyway, in Feb. of 2009 I had foot surgery to remove a taylor's bunion. "Down time" was supposed to be 6-8 weeks but ended up being 6 months due to an "entrapped nerve". In July of 2009, I started experiencing pitting edema in BOTH of my feet, ankles & lower legs. After countless tests, docs did find Lyme disease. I was treated for the Lyme but didn't experience much improvement. Months & months went by- I was in and out of work for various periods of time and continued to add more & more 'symptoms' to the never-ending list of ailments that were plaguing me (everything from digestive problems to blurry vision). In Sept, 2010, all of the symptoms sort of came to a head- I was driving home from volunteering at a charity event when I passed out the first time. (Luckily, an orange construction barrell was the only 'injury/fatality' in that accident~) I continued to pass out every time I stood up - 8 to 13 (my record) times per day... I started seeing a new doctor (a D.O.) when I started passing out and he sent me for the Tilt Table... I didn't actually pass out on the table but experienced much the same scenario as lfreem02 (although my test didn't include the Nitro)- I was very light headed, nauseous, shaky, lethargic... I tached almost immediately upon them standing me up and my heart rate never went below 130 until they laid me back down- but my BP actually never dropped. I attribute the stable BP to the fact that the techs tightened the straps so much that they HAD to be acting like tourniquets, keeping the blood in the upper half of my body! Lol! Wouldn't ya know- I passed out getting out of the car when I got home from the test... (3 stitches in the noggin~ :) The cardiologist who read the Tilt results said POTS and gave me pindolol (a beta-blocker) to reduce my heart-rate which slowed the syncope (passing-out) to 2-3 times per week. I'd continued to see my D.O. and started seeing a neurologist in Feb, 2011 (along with some random specialists here & there for other specific issues...) The neuro was the one who diagnosed the broader diagnosis of autonomic dysfunction rather than just POTS. He also surmises that the incidents I had experienced as a teen were probably related to POTS as well~ Both docs are hesitant to think Lyme had any real involvement (due to both, the fact that I don't test positive now and b/c of the uncertainty surrounding the true realm of Lyme), but- neither can say it didn't either... Who knows~
I've been through the "lifestyle" changes and the regimen of meds (florinef, midodrine, etc.) but nothing has improved my issues beyond what the Pindolol has~ I've now been out of work since Feb, 2011 (b/c I passed out on the sidewalk there~) and am currently in the middle of my first appeal for social security disability... I've found a few things that do seem to help me in some circumstances... I'd be interested in knowing if you've found any methods for helping your symptoms? And- I would, of course, be happy to share my own findings!! I think I do have or at some time, have had, just about every possible symptom related to dysautonomia- I'd definitely feel as though my own struggles held some purpose if I could help someone like yourself~
I really "tried" to keep this short as I am WELL aware of the shortened/ non-existent attention span accompanying all this crap!! So~ If I've left anything out or you have any questions, please feel free to ask anything at all, no matter what it may be~ I hope your test went well and you were able to get some answers!!
Thank you sooooo much. for answereing me back!
I go in tomorrow----yes anxiety is a big one for me and yes I did read that it
is worsened by this horrible monster called Dysautonomia---ARG!
:)
We DO have many community pools----I used to swim all the time.
I will get back into it...have hubby come and watch me cuz I get dizzy and wouldn't want to drown....LOL
I am sorry about your daughters......wow....poor dears!
:(
I hope that they are ok now?
Our children our our loves, isn't it the truth?
Thanks again and I will keep you posted.....
I just received a call from my doctor---they ARE keeping me a few days....
ugh!!!!
Not happy to hear that---they want to run a lot of tests on me....
my mind is saying....will I get sick, dizzy, vomit, queasy and on and on and on...
here goes the ANXIETY !!!
HAHA!
"Big girl panties" is my all time new chant.
I'll write soon....thank you for your kind support....
thank you thank you thank you...I'll be thinking about you when i am going thru it...haha!
:)
I go in tomorrow----yes anxiety is a big one for me and yes I did read that it
is worsened by this horrible monster called Dysautonomia---ARG!
:)
We DO have many community pools----I used to swim all the time.
I will get back into it...have hubby come and watch me cuz I get dizzy and wouldn't want to drown....LOL
I am sorry about your daughters......wow....poor dears!
:(
I hope that they are ok now?
Our children our our loves, isn't it the truth?
Thanks again and I will keep you posted.....
I just received a call from my doctor---they ARE keeping me a few days....
ugh!!!!
Not happy to hear that---they want to run a lot of tests on me....
my mind is saying....will I get sick, dizzy, vomit, queasy and on and on and on...
here goes the ANXIETY !!!
HAHA!
"Big girl panties" is my all time new chant.
I'll write soon....thank you for your kind support....
thank you thank you thank you...I'll be thinking about you when i am going thru it...haha!
:)
Have you been out to dinet.org? There is some helpful information about dyautonomia. I am sorry you are having such a rough time. This is a very frustrating thing to deal with, especially if you are a control freak like I am. I am used to going to the doctor, finding out what is wrong, and taking care of it. This has been a crazy roller coaster ride.
I have been taking classes online since my daughter was two. I am taking one class this semester so that I don't lose the momentum, but I don't want to overdo it. I took two classes last semester and I didn’t think I was going to survive. The brain fog was bad, and I couldn’t absorb anything. My professors were very understanding.
I am not a fan of MRI’s, but I keep telling myself that if my eight year old daughter can get through a 45 minute MRI without sedation, so can I. That is when I found out that anxiety is part of this illness. The fast heart rate doesn’t help. From what I have read, the imbalance of the autonomic system does cause anxiety and panic attacks, which doesn’t help when you are being placed in a small tube, and you have any amount of claustrophobia.
I found out over the holiday weekend, that swimming is a great way to get a break from my symptoms. We have outdoor pools in our neighborhood, and the water is still cool. I think it must help constrict my blood vessels, because I almost felt normal. If you have an outdoor pool nearby, you may want to give it a try. I find exercising much easier in the pool.
Hang in there. I hope the doctors at the hospital can finally help you out. Please keep us posted.
I have been taking classes online since my daughter was two. I am taking one class this semester so that I don't lose the momentum, but I don't want to overdo it. I took two classes last semester and I didn’t think I was going to survive. The brain fog was bad, and I couldn’t absorb anything. My professors were very understanding.
I am not a fan of MRI’s, but I keep telling myself that if my eight year old daughter can get through a 45 minute MRI without sedation, so can I. That is when I found out that anxiety is part of this illness. The fast heart rate doesn’t help. From what I have read, the imbalance of the autonomic system does cause anxiety and panic attacks, which doesn’t help when you are being placed in a small tube, and you have any amount of claustrophobia.
I found out over the holiday weekend, that swimming is a great way to get a break from my symptoms. We have outdoor pools in our neighborhood, and the water is still cool. I think it must help constrict my blood vessels, because I almost felt normal. If you have an outdoor pool nearby, you may want to give it a try. I find exercising much easier in the pool.
Hang in there. I hope the doctors at the hospital can finally help you out. Please keep us posted.
Hi again!
Thanks so much for telling me how short the test is and how it is not THAT bad. I have a lot of anxiety with all this...10 months ago I went through a 5 hour heart ablation for what they thought was SVT for my racing heart, at this same hospital. It turned out it was not SVT---it was Dysautonomia.
The Dr's told me it is EXTREMELY DIFFICULT to diagnose this Syndrome. So with a 5 hour horrid ablation under my belt I guess you'd say I am "gun shy!" :)
But....I take toprol xl er now to control my rapid heart rates...but it also lowers my BP.
It is a catch 22 with me.
Off of the toprol I get BAD Tachy and just to walk up our stairs is a BIG thing! :( Heart rates in the 130's to 170's....just walking!!!!!
I used to have a VERY ACTIVE life and slowly,
year by year,
it has been taken away from me.
It started with the tachy....shortness of breath...weakness...tiredness.....fatigue.....then now the dizziness, brain fog, occasional shakiness, nausea. It is all the low BP and when I don't take my Midodrine every 2-3 hours I CRASH !!
It is just a horrible horrible horrible thing to feel like I do every day.
It controls my life---I have no life anymore. :(
Sometimes I cannot even leave my house to do the grocery shopping without getting dizzy and feeling "weird."
I do not trust myself to drive far anymore.
It is so very sad too as my son is going to be moving 8 hours away for his first career and I won't be able to drive to go visit him?
IT IS UTTER NONSENSE!
I want my life back!
As far as CT scans and MRI's go.....yes, I had a CT scan of my head back about 3 years ago when I went into the ER with severe dizziness----vertigo. It was normal then. I have researched it out and it seems that an MRI is a better choice for the brain.
I am scared only of 2 things with these tests-----I have ALOT of allergies and do NOT want to have an IODINE reaction!!! I am also claustrophobic somewhat and sweet hubby---haha---told me brain MRI's make you feel like you are being buried alive! Thanks darling man! LOL
I had a spine MRI about 10 years ago---very abnormal there---but anyway they gave me a valium and I did pretty fine....i guess??
I am only scared of the contrast material and feeling sick and being in a tube where I feel like I'm gonna die!
See.....I have a lot of anxiety. LOL
I have read anxiety comes along with this Dysautonomia-----is that true?
Is it the epinephrine and the adrenaline etc.... that causes this or am I JUST MAD???? TEE HEE HEE!!!!
Sometimes I get just so downright MAD at having this "thing" that controls me in such a BAD way....
I feel like a prisoner in my own body...and I have so much I want to do/accomplish...so many things I want to see and experience still. ...it is really sad and depressing for me....
I have raised 2 sons and they are doing so well and I just want to be healthy and happy and full of life, like I once was....and be there for them too.
You know?
It has ROBBED me of going back to college to get my degree and so many things....
Any insight on testing or ideas/ help with the MRI and CT scans would help me.
What meds are you on?
I am on Midodrine and Toprol and of course Synthroid for my thyroid---I had Graves disease back about 15 years ago and it was killed off with radioactive iodine. It is a autoimmune disease.
I also suffer from Ankylosing Spondylitis---another autoimmune disease that is in the family of R.A.
So maybe this here Dysautonomia is just another "autoimmune disease" for me and there IS no cure......OMG!!!! NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh well.....any responses would be so helpful to me.
I go into the hospital in 2 days...and counting...haha!!! AHHHHH!!!! Scared I am!!!
BTW...My name is Heather, I am in my early 50's, married with 2 grown sons and I live in California....just so that you know a little bit about me! :)
THANK YOU FOR YOUR KIND RESPONSES!!!! :)
Thanks so much for telling me how short the test is and how it is not THAT bad. I have a lot of anxiety with all this...10 months ago I went through a 5 hour heart ablation for what they thought was SVT for my racing heart, at this same hospital. It turned out it was not SVT---it was Dysautonomia.
The Dr's told me it is EXTREMELY DIFFICULT to diagnose this Syndrome. So with a 5 hour horrid ablation under my belt I guess you'd say I am "gun shy!" :)
But....I take toprol xl er now to control my rapid heart rates...but it also lowers my BP.
It is a catch 22 with me.
Off of the toprol I get BAD Tachy and just to walk up our stairs is a BIG thing! :( Heart rates in the 130's to 170's....just walking!!!!!
I used to have a VERY ACTIVE life and slowly,
year by year,
it has been taken away from me.
It started with the tachy....shortness of breath...weakness...tiredness.....fatigue.....then now the dizziness, brain fog, occasional shakiness, nausea. It is all the low BP and when I don't take my Midodrine every 2-3 hours I CRASH !!
It is just a horrible horrible horrible thing to feel like I do every day.
It controls my life---I have no life anymore. :(
Sometimes I cannot even leave my house to do the grocery shopping without getting dizzy and feeling "weird."
I do not trust myself to drive far anymore.
It is so very sad too as my son is going to be moving 8 hours away for his first career and I won't be able to drive to go visit him?
IT IS UTTER NONSENSE!
I want my life back!
As far as CT scans and MRI's go.....yes, I had a CT scan of my head back about 3 years ago when I went into the ER with severe dizziness----vertigo. It was normal then. I have researched it out and it seems that an MRI is a better choice for the brain.
I am scared only of 2 things with these tests-----I have ALOT of allergies and do NOT want to have an IODINE reaction!!! I am also claustrophobic somewhat and sweet hubby---haha---told me brain MRI's make you feel like you are being buried alive! Thanks darling man! LOL
I had a spine MRI about 10 years ago---very abnormal there---but anyway they gave me a valium and I did pretty fine....i guess??
I am only scared of the contrast material and feeling sick and being in a tube where I feel like I'm gonna die!
See.....I have a lot of anxiety. LOL
I have read anxiety comes along with this Dysautonomia-----is that true?
Is it the epinephrine and the adrenaline etc.... that causes this or am I JUST MAD???? TEE HEE HEE!!!!
Sometimes I get just so downright MAD at having this "thing" that controls me in such a BAD way....
I feel like a prisoner in my own body...and I have so much I want to do/accomplish...so many things I want to see and experience still. ...it is really sad and depressing for me....
I have raised 2 sons and they are doing so well and I just want to be healthy and happy and full of life, like I once was....and be there for them too.
You know?
It has ROBBED me of going back to college to get my degree and so many things....
Any insight on testing or ideas/ help with the MRI and CT scans would help me.
What meds are you on?
I am on Midodrine and Toprol and of course Synthroid for my thyroid---I had Graves disease back about 15 years ago and it was killed off with radioactive iodine. It is a autoimmune disease.
I also suffer from Ankylosing Spondylitis---another autoimmune disease that is in the family of R.A.
So maybe this here Dysautonomia is just another "autoimmune disease" for me and there IS no cure......OMG!!!! NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh well.....any responses would be so helpful to me.
I go into the hospital in 2 days...and counting...haha!!! AHHHHH!!!! Scared I am!!!
BTW...My name is Heather, I am in my early 50's, married with 2 grown sons and I live in California....just so that you know a little bit about me! :)
THANK YOU FOR YOUR KIND RESPONSES!!!! :)
Don't let it scare you. It doesn't last long. It was less than an hour from the time I walked into the room until I walked out. That included the time it took me to take off my compression hose, and put them back on. There is someone there the entire time you can speak to and let them know how you are feeling. The quicker your symptoms kick in, the less time it takes. My symptoms took a while to show, and it took the nitroglycerin to get the tech what she needed.
Just remember that it may finally get you the help you need. Dealing with your illness for five years is much worse than this test. I wouldn’t mind doing the test again if I had to. My symptoms are much less scary when it happens in a controlled situation.
Will this be your first MRI and CT scan since you started having symptoms?
Just remember that it may finally get you the help you need. Dealing with your illness for five years is much worse than this test. I wouldn’t mind doing the test again if I had to. My symptoms are much less scary when it happens in a controlled situation.
Will this be your first MRI and CT scan since you started having symptoms?
Oh man, thank you for your answer although the nitro part kinda has me really freaking out about now.
Sounds HORRIBLE!
I get the feeling like I am going to die when i get my spells---fast heartrate, dizzy, spins, weak, nausea.
Man....your experience sounded BAD but....okay...
I guess it is time to put on my Big Girl Panties (BGP) and DEAL WITH IT!
AHHH!!!
I go in for it in 3 days and I am already freaking out!
Nightmare time, which I KNOW is ridiculous.
I have had my symptoms for 5 years plus...
and they are getting worse.
Basically I am doing what you are doing but i am up to 90-100 mg Midodrine a day and cannot tolerate showers AT ALL.
I take my 20 mg Midodrine and time my 3 minute shower approx 1 hour after taking the Midodrine,
I give you credit for working-----I could not work for my life...
I am so weak and tired and "out of it" in a total brain fog for the first 6 hours of the day.
The later 1/2 of the day I get better.
I would LOVE to be able to work at night, sitting down, but do not know how to even begin to search for something like that.
AHHH!
For now I am just concentrating on the tests----that do not sound like fun....and who knows ....they mentioned MRI and CT scans.
I'm wondering if something is wrong with my Adrenals?
Or brain....?
The Doctor kept asking me, "Have you ever injured your head?"
Hmmm....
Anyway, strange!
THANK YOU VERY MUCH for your reply.
How long did the test last?
BTW----I live in California.
If I lived in the heat and humidity of the South, I would be in BAD shape..as heat is a BIG trigger for me....
But it sounds as if you are doing about what I am...and if we have to go on living our life like this.....well....it's just plain old horrible..but what else can we do?
It's hard not having answers yet, for me at least.
Thanks again.
I will keep you posted if you want me too, ok?
Sounds HORRIBLE!
I get the feeling like I am going to die when i get my spells---fast heartrate, dizzy, spins, weak, nausea.
Man....your experience sounded BAD but....okay...
I guess it is time to put on my Big Girl Panties (BGP) and DEAL WITH IT!
AHHH!!!
I go in for it in 3 days and I am already freaking out!
Nightmare time, which I KNOW is ridiculous.
I have had my symptoms for 5 years plus...
and they are getting worse.
Basically I am doing what you are doing but i am up to 90-100 mg Midodrine a day and cannot tolerate showers AT ALL.
I take my 20 mg Midodrine and time my 3 minute shower approx 1 hour after taking the Midodrine,
I give you credit for working-----I could not work for my life...
I am so weak and tired and "out of it" in a total brain fog for the first 6 hours of the day.
The later 1/2 of the day I get better.
I would LOVE to be able to work at night, sitting down, but do not know how to even begin to search for something like that.
AHHH!
For now I am just concentrating on the tests----that do not sound like fun....and who knows ....they mentioned MRI and CT scans.
I'm wondering if something is wrong with my Adrenals?
Or brain....?
The Doctor kept asking me, "Have you ever injured your head?"
Hmmm....
Anyway, strange!
THANK YOU VERY MUCH for your reply.
How long did the test last?
BTW----I live in California.
If I lived in the heat and humidity of the South, I would be in BAD shape..as heat is a BIG trigger for me....
But it sounds as if you are doing about what I am...and if we have to go on living our life like this.....well....it's just plain old horrible..but what else can we do?
It's hard not having answers yet, for me at least.
Thanks again.
I will keep you posted if you want me too, ok?
I had a tilt table test in January, and it wasn’t too bad. They had me lie down and strapped my legs and chest to the table. The table is a narrow bed that has a board at the end for you to stand on when the table is raised. After taking initial readings of my heart rate and blood pressure they slowly tilted the table up. I had a sick, strange feeling in my stomach that I assume was the blood pooling in my abdomen as the table was being tilted. I had been experiencing triggers leading up to the test that started in my stomach, had shortness of breath, and finally lightheadedness. The cardiologist said it was my vagus nerve being triggered. So, that may be why I had the feeling in my stomach. Once I was upright, my stomach felt okay, but I was very lightheaded. My heart rate went up, and I think my blood pressure did also. After standing for a while, the tech gave me nitroglycerin, and warned me that it would make me feel bad. I waited for a while, and then all of a sudden, I felt horrible. I finally closed my eyes, but I could still hear the tech talking to me, and letting me know that I would be fine. I didn’t pass out, but my pupils dilated like I was having a seizure, and my blood pressure and heart rate dropped to 80/60 and 50. She slowing lowered the table, and it took a few minutes for the bad feeling to pass. I broke into a cold sweat at the end, and then felt fine. The funny thing is that I felt better after the test than I have in a while. It makes me wonder if I need to take medication the opens my blood vessels instead of constricting them. Something I need to mention at my next appointment.
Don’t worry about it though. You are monitored closely so that they can push you as far as possible in order to determine what is happening with your body.
I am not sure about the follow tests. I am a newbie, and have only been diagnosed with orthostatic hypotension. It may be due to autonomic dysfuction and/or POTS. My symptoms started five months ago, and I am still working on getting my lightheadedness under control. I take 10mg of Midodrine three times a day, drink four liters of water/Powerade, and try to take in 3-5 grams of salt a day. Oh ya, I also wear compression stockings in this near record Georgia heat.
I am working five days a week, but have to get a ride to and from work because of the lightheadedness and rocking vision I have all day.
Don’t worry about it though. You are monitored closely so that they can push you as far as possible in order to determine what is happening with your body.
I am not sure about the follow tests. I am a newbie, and have only been diagnosed with orthostatic hypotension. It may be due to autonomic dysfuction and/or POTS. My symptoms started five months ago, and I am still working on getting my lightheadedness under control. I take 10mg of Midodrine three times a day, drink four liters of water/Powerade, and try to take in 3-5 grams of salt a day. Oh ya, I also wear compression stockings in this near record Georgia heat.
I am working five days a week, but have to get a ride to and from work because of the lightheadedness and rocking vision I have all day.
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