Had My Autonomic Testing Today - Any Insights?

[margiebee]

Today I had both a QSART test and the autonomic test where you have to blow into a tube for 15 seconds. I don't have official results back from either, but during the breathing one I started blacking out, and the nurse said that my heart rate was high and all over the place. So I'm guessing I failed haha. Has anyone else had this test? What were your results? Any ideas what this means for me?

[looneymom]

I would really like to know the official name of that test that you have to blow into the tube for 15 seconds. What do failing results mean and how are they connected to POTS. If you can find this information out I would like to know. By the way, who ran the test? Was it your pots doctor or did he send you to a specialist? A couple of years ago my son failed a lung test, but I don't think he had to blow for 15 seconds. If he did this test today, I think he would still fail. If you know the official name of the test, I might be able to google it, and find out the rest of the information. Hopefully someone else has been through this test and can give you some more clues about test results.

[Katybug]

I don't know the name of the test but what it is testing is the vasovagal response. Syncope /severe presyncope indicates an overactive vasovagal response. What the docs do about it if you have it, I do not know but maybe that helps with the research.

[Guest Alex]

1) metronomic breathing - you breathe in and out as instructed (6 breaths per minute) while the BP and HR are continuously monitored

2) Valsalva maneuver - the breathing in a tube for 15 sec test

more info here

http://pcs.hmc.washington.edu/Epilepsy/EpiInfo/ans.html

Best,

Alex

[margiebee]

So I'm gathering from the article that an abnormal Vasalva test doesn't necessarily indicate neuropathy? That's the main thing I'm worried about but I honestly don't think that could be the cause of it because I have had difficulty with things like yelling and blowing up balloons since I was a young child. I guess it all depends what my QSART results end up coming back looking like.

Katybug I do only rarely experience syncope but I experience severe symptoms from pre-syncope pretty frequently so that would make sense.

[Guest Alex]

That would be my understanding as well. Small fiber/autonomic neuropathy is diagnosed by QSART or skin biopsy.

Edited July 2, 2013 by alex74alex

[Guest maia]

I only know from my test so it may not be applicable to everyone, but i failed the breathibg tests and my results say andrenergic failure beause my bp didnt recover appropriately.