carlacat Posted December 12, 2005 Report Share Posted December 12, 2005 My doc says I should see one just to rule out that there isnt anything going on vascular from my feet to my heart cause he says Pots and vascular problems has the same ill effects. I'm gonna mention it to my cardo doc on my first visit and see what he says. I was just wondering if anyone else has ever had this checked out?ThanksPS...By the way, we got word that the movie my son is in will premere here in Parkersburg, WV Jan 12, 2006. I just hope I feel good that day, pop an extra beta blocker and load up on salt that day I guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunfish Posted December 12, 2005 Report Share Posted December 12, 2005 i haven't seen one but could see that it wouldn't hurt, particularly if one has other risk factors/symptoms for vascular disease. personally i have a lot of systemic autonomic dysfunction that couldn't be explained by vascular disease which may be why it's never been mentioned to me....one of the few types of specialists i haven't seen! let us know if anything comes of it... melissap.s. how about some super salty popcorn for the movie?? i don't think i ever had a chance to reply before, but congrats on your son's movie. i was psyched for you (and him) when i saw your post & looked it up online and all...i'm hoping it will be at a theater near me i have a former high school friend who has gotten quite "big" in the movie world but remember how thrilled she was when she landed her first mainline role our senior year (anyone want to guess who? i grew up in toledo, ohio....any movie/ hollywood trivia buffs?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenn202 Posted December 12, 2005 Report Share Posted December 12, 2005 I have always wondered what the difference was between a cardiologist, a Dr specializing in Dysautonomia and a Vascular Dr?? That is one Dr I have not seen and wonder if I should bring this up at my next appt with my POTS Dr...If you coukd explain in more detain what Vascular probems entail I would really appreciate it... Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MomtoGiuliana Posted December 12, 2005 Report Share Posted December 12, 2005 I don't think people diagnosed with POTS routinely get evaluated for vascular problems. I'm not sure what your doctor would mean by saying that POTS and vascular problems have the same ill effects--like sunfish said, there are a lot of POTS symptoms that could not be explained by vascular disease, for one thing. To respond to your question, in my case, I am under the care of an electrophysiologist with expertise in POTS. He has never felt I needed any additional evaluation. Anyway, it probably doesn't hurt to get further evaluation, except for the financial costs. I suspect that, compared to patients suffering other disorder, POTS patients probably spend among the most $/patient for un-needed testing. That said, it makes sense to follow your doctor's lead in this.Take care,Katherine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
briarrose Posted December 13, 2005 Report Share Posted December 13, 2005 (edited) I agree with Katherine.Cardiologist - The medical study of the structure, function and disorder of the heart.Dysautonomia doc/Autonomic specialist - (there aren't many btw that's why we see so many different doctor's) Someone that can deal with the multiple complaints caused by the dysfunction of your autonomic system.Vascular has to do with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases affecting arteries, veins and lymphatics. Edited December 13, 2005 by briarrose Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs. Glass Posted December 13, 2005 Report Share Posted December 13, 2005 Nope never seen one. My cardio has never mentioned it either. VanessaMy doc says I should see one just to rule out that there isnt anything going on vascular from my feet to my heart cause he says Pots and vascular problems has the same ill effects. I'm gonna mention it to my cardo doc on my first visit and see what he says. I was just wondering if anyone else has ever had this checked out?ThanksPS...By the way, we got word that the movie my son is in will premere here in Parkersburg, WV Jan 12, 2006. I just hope I feel good that day, pop an extra beta blocker and load up on salt that day I guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlacat Posted December 13, 2005 Author Report Share Posted December 13, 2005 I'm gonna see what my cardio doc suggests then go from there. Tests are expensive but if my cardio doc says it would be a good idea then hey..I'm willing to check all things out at this point just to get better.As far as guessing the hollywood star..I havent got a clue. My sons name is Dustin so if you look it up, thats my boy. All Smiles!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JenniferInOhio Posted December 13, 2005 Report Share Posted December 13, 2005 I haven't seen one.Sunfish ~ Katie Holmes, soon to be "Kate Cruise." Am I right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taylortotmom Posted December 13, 2005 Report Share Posted December 13, 2005 My cardio actually deals with cardiovascular diseases. So, he deals not only with the heart but veins and arteries. I actually have a vascualr diagnosis on top of everything else (peripheral vascular disease) and probably would not have had this explored if my cardio was not a cardiovascular doctor. So, a vascular doctor might be appropriate if your having some major circulatory issues (as I do!). I hope this helps a little.Carmen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
futurehope Posted December 13, 2005 Report Share Posted December 13, 2005 This is an interesting topic to me because I had a visit with my vascular surgeon re: a varicose vein in my leg, and I brought up my POTS diagnosis and asked if there were any tests he could do to rule out vascular issues as the cause of my POTS. I flat out asked him if vascular issues could cause my problems? I got a quizzical look, a "no", and no suggestions whatsoever.Which leads me to thinking... the vascular doctor probably needed to hear from another doctor FIRST.. I probably needed to be referred by someone who could clue him in BEFORE my visit.If you do know of any testing, please let us know on this forum as I will bring the tests up with my POTS doc and see what he thinks. Also, what are the symtoms of vascular disease that can overlap with POTS symptoms? Carmen, what vascular disease symptoms did you have?Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taylortotmom Posted December 13, 2005 Report Share Posted December 13, 2005 My legs were so painful (burning!) that I started taking my blood pressure in my legs. Mainly I wanted to make sure there was a pulse because I feared blood clots due to my stroke history. Okay, so... consistently my legs were 30 points higher than the rest of my body as far as pressure readings. My cardio didn't believe this until he took the readings himself (three times) in his office. It stunned him to be honest and I was sent for further testing. Turns out, I have PVD which is usually seen in seventy yearold male smokers. Well, I'm thirty-one, female, and I don't smoke- so, there you go.Carmen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pamyla Posted December 13, 2005 Report Share Posted December 13, 2005 Hi, I ran into some vascular problems last year and went on the search for a vascular doctor. The only type I could find (that was covered by insurance at least) was a vascular surgeon. I tried to make an appointment and they told me I really needed to see my primary doctor first. So, I went to the primary doctor and was told that vascular surgeons usually do *surgery* and that if you're not going to be having surgery they're not the best ones to see. So, I was referred first to a dermatologist. (Who knew, they do things with veins?) And, then I was referred to a rheumatologist. The rheumatologist has been helpful to me in figuring out the underlying causes of the vascular issues. Are there other types of vascular doctors out there? Anyways, just thought I'd share my experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
futurehope Posted December 15, 2005 Report Share Posted December 15, 2005 Pamyla,I think I understand now why my vascular surgeon showed no interest at all when I mentioned pursuing causes for the orthostatic intolerance. He's probably only interested in performing surgery. Anything else, he could care less. So I'm back to square one. Who pursues this? Is there a specialist out there who cares about peripheral artery disease? Did I miss something in the prior posts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlacat Posted December 15, 2005 Author Report Share Posted December 15, 2005 I did go see a vascular specialist in my area when I was having alot of pain in my arm. They did a test then but only on my arm so we'll see what happens when I mention it tomarrow at the docs. I'll let ya know!! I have alot of pain in my legs and my feet are always cold and my legs fall asleep easy. From my understanding of what my neuro doc told me that the vascular should be ruled out because if there were a problem then the blood would not flow correctly and it would pool in my legs. So who knows!!!Carlacat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlacat Posted December 17, 2005 Author Report Share Posted December 17, 2005 Well thought I'd let ya know how my doc appt went. The cardo doc set me up for a test(Doppler ultra sound or something like that, cant read his writing) on my legs to check out my vascular activity so we will see. My appt is Dec 29th so I'll let ya know how it turns out. He also said unless something shows up on this test that my reg family doc can treat me as far as my meds unless I have problems then I can come back to him. I appreciate an honest doctor who is not just out to get my money, I have to admitt it was kinda uncomfortable with a waiting room full of older people in their 70's etc..and I was the only young person in there. Makes ya wonder what they think!!!!Till Later...Merry ChristmasCarlacat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taylortotmom Posted December 17, 2005 Report Share Posted December 17, 2005 You think going to a cardio makes you feel out of place- try going to a urologist. Nothing but seventy year old MALES in that waiting room! Anyway, the doppler on your leg sounds like an ultrasound which may or may not be enough. However, I also had an ABI (arterial brachial index?) which is a test where they do blood pressure readings on your legs and arms and compare the readings. AND I also had an arterial runoff in my leg to check for coaraction of the aorta. So... I had a lot of tests to try and figure out why my blood pressure was so high in my legs compared to the rest of my body which is so, so low. Turns out, the vessels in my legs are dysplastic. Instead of being junked up or "hardened" they are flimsy and weak. Blood just rushes right throug them. So, I hope you can get some answers. Good Luck!Carmen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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