Hi,
I will be having a tilt table test done in the morning. My Dr. thinks I may have Neurocardiogenic Syncope or another form of dysautonomia. I was just wondering what to expect with this test? If anyone else has had this test, I would really appreciate it if you could tell me your experience. I'm a little nervous about the fact that it will probably cause me to pass out.
Thanks :)

Hilary,
Can you tell me you symptoms and what is causing your problems?

Thanks,
Bec

Bec,
My symptoms include:
-fast heart rate upon standing and with minimal exertion
-fainting spells(occasional... 5 or 6 times in the last several months)
-lightheaded most of the time/feeling faint
-tingling in my face and hands
-chest pressure
-breathlessness
-low bp

This year I have had one medical problem after another. I've had every test imaginable to rule out any serious heart problems. My cardiologist(and neurologist) are now suspecting I have an autonomic nervous system disorder.

Hiliary,
I have pretty much the same symptoms, but have had them for a long time know. I have had every test in the book for your heart. They have assured me that my heart is fine. I don't have to many times when I have palpitations anymore, b/c I have learned to breathe through them, but I have all the same symptoms as you. I have a slow heart rate and low b/p as well.
What is your blood pressure usually run?

This is quite interesting to me, although I have (THANK GOD) never passed out, although I feel dizzy/lightheaded dailey.

Bec

Hi Bec,
I'm sorry you're going through a similar situation.
My bp varies a lot. On average it's been running around 95-100/60-65(which is higher than it used to be). It has dropped as low as 86/54. However, it seems to run a little higher at the Dr.'s office(because I get anxious). I had a hard time convincing my Dr.'s that my bp was low.

All of my symptoms started over a year ago. In the process of trying to get a diagnosis I have found out I have a couple unrelated medical conditions. But, after a year, I still have no explanation for the symptoms I'm having. I've been through every test imaginable and I'm really hoping I will get some answers with this tilt table test tomorrow.

Take care,
hilery

Wow, Hilary you sound just like me. Do/did you every have any anxiety issues? Chest pain?
How soon will you have your results? The only thing is that I haven't passed out...Again, THANK GOD.
Bec

Yes, I've had anxiety issues and panic attacks-which for a long time I thought could be the cause of a lot of my symptoms. I know that it's possible for anxiety to cause a lot of different physical symptoms, but at this point my dr.'s(GP, cardiologist, neurologist) don't believe anxiety is the cause. Yes, I do get chest pain with exertion. My Cardio ended up doing a heart cath last week to make sure I didn't have a blockage. I'm not sure when I'll get the results of my tilt table test, but I have an appt with my cardio on the 26th(so I'll know by then).

Thankfully, I've gone almost a month now without passing out. I feel like I'm going to a few times a day, but I've been able to quickly sit or lie down to stop it from happening.
hilery

Hi Hilary,

I cant tell you anything about the tilt table test, but just want to wish you luck and that you can find out what is going on.

I have very similar symptoms to yourself - My heart rate goes to over 100 just standing, and after about 10 minutes I feel dizzy and faint, I aslo have a low BP and feel tired all the time. In the morning when I fisrt stand up my feet go blue. My Doc says I am hyperventilating because Im scared of being dizzy. he wont give me any heart tests as he doesnt think its anything to do with circulation.

Ive read alot about POTS - it sound very likely that you could have that. Hope you get sorted - its miserable feeling this way every day - I know,

Christine

Hi Christine,
I'm sorry you're feeling bad, too. It's hard to live a "normal" life feeling lightheaded/dizzy all the time.

I was wondering about POTS, as well. My tilt table test didn't cause me to pass out this morning, but my hr did go up from 80 to 128 when they tilted me upright. It stayed this high until I was tilted back down. My Dr. didn't say anything about my hr. He just said that the test went fine and since it didn't cause me to faint, he couldn't confirm neurocardiogenic syncope. I'm definatly going to talk to him about POTS next week at my appt.

I hope you find some answers soon, too. If you're not happy with the answers you're getting from your current Dr., I would get another opinion. I've been so determined to get some answers that I've ended up getting too many Dr's involved. I now regularly see my GP, an Internist, a Neurologist, and a Cardiologist. It's getting a little ridiculous because every Dr. tells me something different. :rolleyes:
Take care,
hilery