Hello friends:

Over the past few weeks, I have been having autonomic testing performed by Dr. Khurana. I don't know what it all means yet... I have an appointment April 20 to discuss all the results.

Testing started with the tilt table and breathing studies. His comments were that tilt table was abnormal in that my BP and pulse increased in the standing position. I also felt headache, weakness, tunnel vision, light-headedness, nausea and had pinchy-feeling legs. He also witnessed the flushing.

Although the test was 'abnormal', he did not think the numbers pointed to a "POTS" syndrome.

He also said the Valsalva test was abnormal. I do not know how it was abnormal. Just abnormal.

Today, I had the Thermoregulatory test or "sweat test". And yes, I sure was a sweaty Betty with all that funky purple ***** on me. He said my toes were possibly abnormal, but that he was going to score the test as normal.

So, I guess I wait until next month to see what's up.

I was surprised to hear him say that Hopkins and U of Maryland no longer perform autonomic testing. I think he is the only one in the Washington metro area. Apparently, it is not a big money maker. Not too many residents studying this sub-field of neurology either. Dr. Khurana is the head of Neurology at Union Hospital - a small (and nice) hospital in Baltimore. It is certainly in a better 'neck of the woods' than Hopkins. He handles Hopkins and University of Maryland interns - and apparently there are not too many. Sad for us who need this type of neurological expertise...

I do feel lucky to have him as a MD. He is kind, does not seem overly extravagant and always is professional. Today, as I was about to leave, he was scrubbing the sweat table with clorox. Doesn't seem like anything is 'beneath' him.

Hope you are all doing well. MrsD, I love the picture of your snowdrops. Mine are starting to pop up. Spring will come soon. Hopefully, bringing a well-deserved rise in everyone's well-being...

Wishing you all well, Mere