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Sue, I have had multiple MRI's (upwards of 8). I have recently come across some more disturbing reports from my Active Duty medical records that perviously didn't mean anything to me, but now might be relevant. My Army Dr's mentioned; Transverse Myelitis Vertebral Subluxation Facet Syndrome I feel like I am past my "urgent" days and what has happened (and been ignored by medical providers) is here for the duration.

So... It took 2 months to get into my VA Neurologist and I was 30 minutes early for my 10:00 am appt. At 10:40 I am brought back to the Dr. room and given the hurry up and get out treatment (which if you have ever been to the VA, that's the norm). I hade gone though all my Military medical records and took out any diagnosis or symptom that was possibly related to my Autonomic Nervous System and laid it out in a 1 page letter showing her exactly what I have and I told her I believed its related to my ANS. Her reply was...I recommend that you follow up with the Mayo, they will have the specialist that you need (because the VA Docs are just pill pushers, they don't look to cure anything). That takes me to my cheerful morning after hearing that news. I just got a call from the Mayo Clinic and told that "THEY CAN'T OFFER ME AN APPOITMENT AT THIS TIME." So, evidently this 31 year old veteran having been diagnosed with the following is making it up and/or its all in my head; •Mydriasis •Divergence insufficiency •Urinary Incontinence •Fecal Incontinence •Hyperflexia •Anxiety w/ Panic Attacks •Constipation/Diarrhea •Obstructuve Sleep Apnea/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome •Tacycardia •Vertigo •Nausea •Excessive sweating •Muscle aches •Muscle twitching My mind is running so fast right now, I'm not sure what way is up. I am going to follow up with my non-VA primary Dr and see what he recommends (another Dysautonomia non-believer).

I'm still going though the maze.... I have a bunch of "unusual" diagnosis from different medical specialists, but haven't received the Dysautonomia diagnosis. The VA is really good at prescribing meds and taking tests, but Dr. A does not talk to Dr. B even though all my records are digital and compartmentalized. 5 years and just a laundry list of diagnosis' and no attempt to connect the dots I have had a outside of the VA Primary Doc for about 2 years, but he is a "family Doc" and I'm guessing that there are not too many out there that have even heard of Dysautonomia even though he has been doing this for 40 years! I am not fishing for a Diagnosis of Dysautonomia, and I realize that everyone's symptoms are different, but I have the upmost confidence when the dust settles, Dysautonomia with be the culprit I submitted all my stuff to the Mayo and I'm awaiting a thumbs up/thumbs down for a scheduled appointment. Hoping to hear back this week. Thanks, Nick

I realize that everyone's case is different, but are there other folks out there that don't have POTS symptoms? While I haven't had a official TTT, I have tried lying down and evaluating my heart rate for up to 30 minutes later and I don't have much of an increase. Where I do feel that I get the runaway heart rate is almost always In warmer temperatures, my internal temperature feels like a runaway train. Also, when I work out, my heart rate gets and stays elevated for an extended time. I can empathize with you folks with POTS, but does anyone else out there relatively POTS free? Thanks, Nick

Thanks for the replies folks! As this odyssey has played out, it seems each Dr or "specialist" is confident in their diagnosis, but I have yet too see a single medical professional try to put any of the pieces together. I was a paratrooper when I was in the Army (jumped out of planes with parachute and gear attached)and I got my bell rung a few times on hard landings (saw white spots). On top of that, I had every approved and non-FDA approved medication Injected in me before my 1st tour (whole series of Anthrax)...which may or may not be responsible for my issues. What has sold me on the idea of a blast injury causing all my issues brings me back to my vision issues. I have seen a series of 7 optometrists and ophthalmologists and a neuro-ophthalmologist. All of them are 100% in agreement that I have Divergence Insufficiency, but there is not a single one that has ever seen a person that has had it. They all agree that it was more than likely blast exposure induced, so I am assuming that the rest was caused by the blast exposure. I've tried physical therapy, chiropractor, massage, medications, prism glasses...and it's all just a bandaid at this point to whatever larger problem is causing this. Seeing how this stuff is chronic, I'm content with putting out the "wildfires" as they pop up, I just want to know what is causing these **** fires in the first place. Sarah: I have my medical records from when I was in the Military. I have been medically retired because of my back and IBS, and the VA has me at 80% service connected for the majority of my issues listed.

Good Afternoon folks! I just found out about Dysautonomia a week ago and I was speechless when I heard everything that is associated with it…I might not be crazy after all! I was in the Army from 2006-2010. I did 2 tours in Iraq and was on the receiving end of multiple rocket attacks (close enough to feel the blast on my body) but I was never knocked unconscious or caught any shrapnel. That is my only explanation for why I might have acquired Dysautonomia. What should have been the first “red flag” medical condition was when a 25 year old in the best shape of his life is having severe bladder issues (later diagnosed as stress and urge incontinence)In 2010 while getting an Army exit exam they noticed I had a serve case of Hyperflexia (I can kick a 40 yard field goal sitting down) I complained of lower back pain and fecal incontinence…I was sent on my way out of the Army, no further questions asked.Now its 2010, I am in the VA’s hands. I get my initial exam and my BP was 118/75 and my pulse was 115 (the VA doc chocked it up to white coat fever). 8 months later and the lowest pule I have had was 105, so they sent me to mental health where I was diagnosed with Anxiety w/ panic attacks and given SSRI’s.I still get chest pains that are undetectable with EKG's or by wearing a 30 day heart monitor…no medical rational for feeling like I am having a full on heart attack (always on my heart side)Also in 2010 my vision began to change for the worse. I had ungodly dry eyes and cotton mouth which they (the VA) choked up to blepharitis. Since 2010 I have been diagnosed with Divergence Insufficiency and Mydriasis (pupils enlarge on each eyes own whim). Prism glasses don't help and physical therapy only makes me feel dizzy and nauseous. Lately I have been struggling from; nausea, vertigo, blurred/ double vision, Sleep Apnea with CPAP, Chronic Fatigue (sleep up to 18 hours), random excessive sweating, muscle aches, constipation/diarrhea…and I am only 31!I am in the process of getting into the Mayo since I live somewhat nearby. I have NOT been diagnosed with Dysautonomia, but I’d like to hear if anyone else has what they believe is trauma induced Dysautonomia? Thanks for any and all replies! Nick