Tilt table test done

Well, that was certainly interesting. Had to fast for 6 hours and since my test was at 10am, the last time I'd eaten was around 9pm last night. So I had a headache from not eating when we got to the clinic. Not a fun start. I laid flat for 30 minutes, then they tilted me up at a 70 degree angle for 40 minutes and I wasn't supposed to even wiggle my toes. I had to remain very still. Low lights, and white noise, no distractions. Right at the very end, I finally started to "bottom out." Tight chest, nausea, wavy vision, hot all over. Later the nurse said my blood pressure was 60/ZERO! Pulse was way down, too.

Ken and I found out afterward that the goal was to make me pass out, and they took me right to the edge. I didn't fully lose consciousness, but it was close. (And I was strapped down tight to the table so I wouldn't fall over and injure myself.) Once they put the table flat again, I started feeling better. The whole point of this is to see if my heart rate will increase when my blood pressure falls as it is supposed to do to compensate. And mine plummets, which is indicative of POTS and the nurse mentioned another thing, too. Neurocardiogenic syncope or something like that. Reading about it at these websites, lots of things make a lot of sense. I'm thinking that my heart only pumping out 50% of the blood it takes in (normal is 60%) is somehow connected, but not sure exactly how. I have my follow-up with the cardiologist on Monday afternoon.

We stopped at Rosie's Diner for lunch and when we got home, I took a long nap. Reading about the tilt table test, it can cause fatigue for a few days, so I won't be pushing myself.

Here's some really great advice from DENISE AUSTIN:
"Eat Right!
Do a Real Balancing Act!
You've probably heard of — and maybe tried — many different diet strategies. Some diets encourage you to cut starches entirely and stick with just veggies and meat. There are diets that won't let you have even a tiny bit of fat. Still others ask that you balance your meals by eating precise percentages of different foods. Really, though, eating a balanced, nutrient-packed meal is simple! You can do it any night of the week, without a graph or a scale, with almost any kind of food you enjoy. Just follow a few rules of thumb when you're planning your meal.

* Variety counts! Are you eating the most nutritious foods from several food groups? Always go for the basics — whole grains, a rainbow of fruits and vegetables, and lean proteins. This strategy can help you get as many different nutrients as possible without loading up on calories!
* Portions are key. Use the Nutrition Facts label on foods to get a sense of what a real portion is, then stick with it! Another good rule of thumb is to fill half your plate with veggies, a quarter with a single serving of protein, and another quarter with a healthy starch. That's really all there is to it!
* Balance high-calorie foods with low. You can have an occasional sweet or a cheesy casserole! Just be sure to factor it into your entire day's calorie intake: If you splurge at one meal, stick to a simple salad or some other low-cal dish at another. You can do it!
* Focus on fruits and veggies. This is timeless advice! Fruits and vegetables are amazing sources of nutrients, and researchers are proving that they can fight all kinds of diseases! Shop for crunchy greens, sweet red berries, all colors of bell peppers — the sky's the limit! Make these the foundation of all your meals and you'll take a big step toward better health!"