After a string of events that started with reading about postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) online, since many people with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) also have it, and ended with a neurology referral and a tilt-table test with a cardiac electrophysiologist within my network, I ended up with an outside referral to an autonomic disorders specialist. Before our consult appointment (which I have not had yet), the doctor wanted me to do some autonomic tests in their testing lab. That 2-hour testing session included:
- Cardiovascular testing with head-up tilt (essentially another tilt-table test), the Valsalva maneuver, and deep breathing
- Quantitative sudomotor axon reflex test (QSART)
BUT before I get to all that in Part Two, let’s talk about the major pain of seeing a new doctor outside your healthcare system when you’re used to an HMO… [Read more…] about Autonomic Testing, Part One – The Outside Referral Obstacle Course