TILT Test

Dear friends and prayer warriors,

This morning was the TILT test. It was more exciting than the EEG. I passed out with both really low blood pressure and a really low heart rate at the same time. Despite the fact that half of the people that take the test pass out, I totally scared the doctors and nurses, especially since there was no warning that I was about to pass out. I myself was doing alright though, other than not being sure where I was when I first woke up... I thought I was in a scene in a movie or a medical TV show with people gathered all around me shouting, etc. It was nice to pass out and not feel the fear and panic I felt when I passed out several times the night I went to the ER. I was belted to a board during the test, so I was secure and there was no risk of falling, of hitting my nose. The people around me took really good care of me, were really compassionate.

As it turns out, my heart rate was in the 60's just before I passed out, and it suddenly dropped to zero. (That's why they were alarmed.) Usually people's heart rate drops gradually when they pass out during this test. My heart stopped for six seconds, but it also went back to beating normally on its own without assistance of any sort. There was talk of taking me to a hospital via EMT, more heart testing, pacemakers and such right after the frenzy of excitement, but it died down after the doctor administering the TILT test spoke with a cardiologist who deals specifically with arrhythmia (irregular heart beats) on the phone. This specialist didn't seem to worried, as he's seen hearts stop for 15 seconds before. I have an appointment with this specialist Thursday this week, which will likely lead to more tests of some sort and possibly medication. Apparently he's very hard to get in to see, so this appointment is a special blessing.

Thank you for your prayers during this time of uncertainty, tiredness, waiting... I have a follow-up appointment with the neurologist on April 30, but it seems unlikely that anything is wrong with my brain. Praise God for that! And that more answers are coming!

Love,

Joanne