Did the tilt table test make anyone's condition worse?

[Super_tachy_1]

Hi everyone - this may be a totally ridiculous question (sorry!), but I have a TTT scheduled for early January.  This will be my first - and even though I am the one who pushed my EP into doing it, I'm starting to freak out a bit reading about people's experiences.  I have never actually completely passed out in my life, though I have come close a few times, and my biggest fear is that if I actually DO pass out or have some other sort of wickedly bad reaction to the TTT, that it will trigger something in my body and make me either temporarily or permanently worse...this kind of happened to me this past January when a medical procedure triggered a vagal response and I almost passed out then ended up in the ER from not recovering well from it, then suffered a horrible series of nearly constant panic attacks for months after that.

I know, I know, I totally have crazy health anxiety lol....but I can't get the thought out of my mind...

Does anyone feel that a bad reaction to the TTT triggered something in them that made them either temporarily or permanently worse??  Or did even a bad reaction to the test leave you feeling like your usual self in the days/weeks/months afterwards?

 

[Sushi]

17 minutes ago, Super_tachy_1 said:

Does anyone feel that a bad reaction to the TTT triggered something in them that made them either temporarily or permanently worse??  Or did even a bad reaction to the test leave you feeling like your usual self in the days/weeks/months afterwards?

First thing is that they don’t want you to pass out during a TTT and you can stop the test any time you feel you need to—I stopped mine as my autonomic specialist had told me to if my symptoms got too bad. By that point, they should have plenty of data. I did feel awful for a day or so, but it was just bad PEM and I got over it in a few days. I had my one and only TTT years ago but the report from it is still invaluable as other docs take me seriously when I tell them that my BP and HR are unstable. This has been so helpful with cardiologists, EPs, anesthesiologists, gastroenterologists.....etc. The test was tough for me but well worth it. Just my experience!

[Super_tachy_1]

Very helpful feedback - thanks so much, Sushi!!

[Pistol]

@Super_tachy_1 - I had 2 TTT's performed and did pass out on the first one. The worst was that I had to stop my BB 3 days before. The TTT itself does not feel good and after I was a bit weak for the rest of the day, but I had no long-lasting ill effects from the tests. Remember - you are being monitored and someone is right there with you. Good luck!

[MomtoGiuliana]

You may feel badly afterwards and it could trigger feeling more poorly for a few days afterwards.  This definitely happened to me.  But I also had no idea what my diagnosis could be at that point and did not understand that salt and hydration were helpful for reducing symptoms.  Regardless it's an important diagnostic tool--so important to have it done. Take care.

[Super_tachy_1]

Thanks everyone for the responses - such great information!!

[WickedMindz]

I actually went unconscious when they gave me the Nitroglycerin and then put me in the upright position.  I told the doctor I felt weird and I was going to go unconscious.  Next thing I know I wake up and the doctor and nurses are standing over me and telling me I went unconscious and that I was in Atrial Fibrillation, scary stuff indeed.