fanfaire--those weren't links in blue in my reply, they are just a list of the genetic tests on the lizajane.org site. I think they cover most of the more common genetic causes; if anyone wanted to add any, it was so they could see.

Nothing to read, you can relax!

I found my pre-test prep instructions from Mayo. Here is what they say to prepare for the sweat test:
1. No meds that cause dryness 48 hours before test, like antidepressants, antihistamines, Flexeril or over-the-counter cold meds. Check with your doc if you're not sure about stopping any of these.
2. Day of test, no elastic body stockings or holter monitor. 30 minutes prior, stay indoors and drink hot beverages if possible.
3. No lotions, makeup or shaving day of test.

To prepare for the tilt table test:
1. No smoking four hours prior.
2. No caffeine two hours prior.
3. 48 hours prior, no meds causing dryness of mouth, nose or bladder.
4. You may eat a light meal beforehand.

The sweat test to me was just like laying out in the sun in a paper bikini after I'd been liberally sprinkled with powder. I actually enjoyed the first half hour because for once my hands and feet weren't freezing, and I snoozed right through it. The last 15 minutes, when I actually began to sweat, were a bit uncomfortable but not unbearable.

The tilt table test was weird but not too big a deal. They stimulate the nerves in your arm and leg that make you sweat, and that was a bit like bugs crawling on the skin, but I've felt worse. For the actual tilting part, I went from lying flat to upright at about 70 degrees, nothing too dramatic, and although I had a drop in blood pressure, it wasn't at all scary because I was strapped to a board and had the tester right next to me, so I felt perfectly safe.

Hope that helped. At least these tests don't hurt.

fanfaire

is very truly reassuring! What one who has not been thru it imagines, vs. what really IS, is a big, big gully? I won't go into my own fears about it all, as I've not had to do it, nor anticipate such in the future...I 'd be yelping full time otherwise?
I am soo glad that you are HOME, and in once piece after such an 'investigation' into your whole-ness. It takes time to process such invasive and non-invasive processes that you have been thru....especially in such a short period of time!? I truly hope and pray that you are steps further to a clear diagnosis and then more importanly, a TREATMENT! Any Things that can help to get you relief and treatments is key to life better than that of total and constant pain. I hope beyond hope that that is your Gift for this new year! A life with a future that isn't a downer!

's for now, Just wish it could be more than the 'cyber-kind'. - j

I'm back from the tests....and I did eat a light breakfast thankfully

They didn't do either a tilt table or a sweat test - just checked the autonomic nerves affecting the cardiac muscle. I don't know if that has any relevance to my 'apparent' delayed gastric emptying and epigastric symptoms which have all just developed since the start of the neuropathic symptoms. Likely not! Yes/No?

I did have an asthma attack after the first test today though, so that was quite tiring.

The QST I think it was called, was easy, and I expect I had good responses because the areas they used have not been particularly troublesome areas. I don't know the relevance of that either. The scientist doing the QST said they are standard locations for testing and not necessarily tailored for an individuals symptoms.....so goodness know's if that is useful!

So all in all they'll probably find nothing --again!