Orthostatic Intolerance - tilt table results.

Well I finally (7 mo after the test) got my OI tilt table results.  It's interesting because the specialist wrote the report like he'd seen me and I actually never even met him.  Perhaps he went off the notes that the technicians wrote?

Not surprisingly, I was positive for POTS - "the patient had a positive tilt table test response for postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome with severe orthostatic intolerance".  They also did what's called a catecholamine level and a beta adrenergic hypersensitivity test both which were normal.  The report about my symptoms during the test was mostly accurate however there was no mention of my excessive sweating (perhaps this is normal for someone with POTS and not worth mentioning).

Recommendations - nothing new - increase salt and water, drugs (Florinef or midodrine and a Beta Blocker) all of which I've tried unfortunately.  Since I wasn't able to speak with him I wasn't able to explore other drug options/ideas which was one of the main reasons I went. I'd would have also really liked to have asked someone about my bouts of extreme air hunger/breathlessness - sigh.

He also mentioned in the report that I should enroll in an exercise program (he obviously doesn't get M.E. and exercise intolerance) as well as CBT.  I was unaware that CBT was a treatment for POTS, not sure how one would think themselves out of tachycardia when the cause is positioning/being upright?  As it is, I force myself to be upright until I have a blackout/vision loss, tremors/shakes, extreme weakness, and my feet turn purple and hurt, on almost a daily basis. I also exercise very gently as much as I can without inducing an M.E. crash (which entails gentle occasional walking).  Unfortunately I can't do anything cardio vascular without major repercussions.

Anyways, my NP and I have decided I will try a very low dose BB again and see if I notice any difference, otherwise, I'm calling the whole thing a write-off except the fact that I now have the diagnosis.

On other life topics - my course is over and I'm in the midst of marking.  It is going agonizingly slowly and I'm hoping grades aren't due at least for another week.  I look forward to being done for the fall.  Getting some gifts off to family and helping my dad do the same is truthfully, more than overwhelming.

I did create a holiday card this year which I'm sending off to some select friends.  It turned out okay so I'll share it with my readers and say - HAPPY HOLIDAYS.