Diagosis?

[jillny]

Hello..I am in the middle of seeing a few doctors. I was wondering, when you all were finally diagnosed, who was it by..a cardiologist, neuroligist? I have been bouncing around from doctor to doctor. I have been having this off balance, dizzy feeling. My right side feels weird from my head to my toes, my right eye looks smaller than my left and I cant seem to focus at times. The neuroligist said my blood pressure is good (lowish) and my pulse increases significantly when I stand. I am so tired of not feeling well..I was wondering who put it all together with all of you and made the diagnosis?? Thanks

[hilfgirl33]

Hello Jillny:

I was finally diagnosed by a cardiologist after I actually told him that I suspected I had POTS (from reading on the internet after being sick for a year!!), and he recommended I have a cardiac tilt table test. I was very positive on the test for POTS and I was then recommended to a cardiologist who had some experience with POTS.

Hope this helps and good luck. It is very frustrating being sick without a diagnosis and I wouldn't go back there for the world.

Elaine

[MightyMouse]

My original diagnosing doctor was a neurologist. This was then confirmed by a TTT done by a cardiologist that she referred me to. Either can do the diagnostic stuff--typically the issue is that most docs haven't got much training in this area, which is why they routinely send you along to someone that they may feel knows more about your specific issues (at least that's the way it's SUPPOSED to work).

Nina

[Goblin]

The neurologist I was seeing first noticed that there was a problem when he noticed a drop in my blood pressure and a rise in heart rate when I was standing. He ordered a holter monitor for me and referred me to a cardiologist. My cardiologist was the one who actually diagnosed me after running several tests- the tilt table was the most important one. Good luck, I hope that you get a diagnosis, I found the worst part for me was not knowing. Take care, -Stacey

[jillny]

Thanks to everyone! I saw my cardioligist and neuroligist this past week. I am now wearing the halter moniter until tomorrow. When I mentioned POTS to him, he looked puzzled! Not a great sign I guess! My neuroligist did lots of tests last week, and was the one who said my pulse increases "significantly" when I stand.

What exactly is the "tilt table" test? Thanks again.

[ethansmom]

I was diagnosed ultimately by a cardiologist. I had been seen by a neurologist, 2 caridologists, a pulmonary specialist, several Internal Medicine docs, and an Ear, Nose, & Throat specialist before receiving the proper diagnosis. It can be really tricky, since POTS can mimick so many other things- but it sounds like you are on the right track.

The tilt table is what most doctors use to make a diagnosis of this nature. You can read more about the procedure at the following link:

http://cpmcnet.columbia.edu/dept/syncope/tiltfaq.html

And here is a picture of a tilt table:

http://human-factors.arc.nasa.gov/ihh/psyc...io/img/tilt.gif

Good Luck, and let us know what you find out!!

[nicole]

Hi,

I was diagnosed by my 3rd cardiologist who knows about POTS and actually told me to do some research on my own to help educate me. My symptoms are like yours but I have some months when the pressure goes extremely low. I took the tilt table test and it was negative but the doctor says I have pots due to my symptoms. So try to be patient (and I know it is hard) they will find whats wrong and help you.