Hospital Visit

Hey guys! I hope all is well.


Last Thursday, I had a really bad episode that ended with me going to the hospital 2 days later! I was in soooo much pain and having constant palpitations and high blood pressure that I could barely stand up without getting dizzy. It was the most scariest experience I've had since being diagnosed with NCS!


Today, I'm slowly recuperating and plan to take a short walk by my house while everyone is away. I have to do something or this disease will kill me!


Until next time....

Tilt Table Test

What is it?

A tilt table test is used to evaluate the cause of unexplained fainting (syncope). During a tilt table test, you lie on a table that moves from a horizontal to a vertical position. Your heart rate and blood pressure are monitored throughout the tilt table test.
Your doctor may recommend a tilt table test if you've had repeated, unexplained episodes of fainting. A tilt table test may also be appropriate to investigate the cause of fainting if you've fainted only once, but another episode would put you at high risk of injury due to your work environment, medical history, age or other factors.
Doctors use a tilt table test to help diagnose the cause of fainting. During the test, your blood pressure and heart rate are monitored. You begin by lying flat on a table. Straps are put around your body to hold you in place. Then, the table is tilted to raise your body to a head-up position — simulating a change in position from lying down to standing up. This test allows doctors to evaluate your body's cardiovascular response to the change in position.

Why is it done?

Your doctor may recommend a tilt table test if he or she suspects that neurocardiogenic syncope is responsible for your fainting and needs additional testing to confirm the diagnosis.
Neurocardiogenic syncope happens when the part of your nervous system that controls blood flow changes your heart rate and lowers your blood pressure for a short time. Then, less blood flows to your brain and you may faint. This kind of syncope is also called vasovagal syncope, reflex syncope, and the common faint.
With neurocardiogenic syncope, you may or may not have warning signs, such as skin paleness, weakness, sweating, blurred vision or nausea. Neurocardiogenic syncope often is a response to something like the sight of blood or an upsetting situation. But it can happen with no clear trigger. This kind of syncope happens when you are standing or sitting.

What are the risks?

A tilt table test is generally safe, and complications are rare. But, as with any medical procedure, it does carry a risk of complications.
Potential complications include:
•Prolonged low blood pressure
•Prolonged pause between heartbeats (asystole)
These complications usually go away when the table that you're lying on during the test is returned to a horizontal position.

How do I prepare?

You may be asked not to eat or drink for two hours or more before a tilt table test. You can take your medications as usual, unless your doctor tells you otherwise.

What can I expect?

Before you start the tilt table test, a member of your health care team will do the following to prepare you for the test:

•Place sticky patches (electrodes) on your chest, legs and arms. The electrodes are connected by wires to an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) machine that monitors your heart rate.
•Place a blood pressure cuff on your finger, on your arm or on both to check your blood pressure during the tilt table test.
•If needed, place an intravenous (IV) line into a vein in your arm for delivering medication during the second part of the test, if needed.

During a tilt table test

For the test, you lie down on a table that can be moved from a horizontal to a vertical position. The table has a footrest and safety belts. The belts are placed around your body during the test to help ensure that you don't slip off the table. Once you're positioned on the table, the test progresses this way:

•Your heart rate and blood pressure are monitored for about five minutes while you're lying flat (horizontal).
•The bed is then moved to a vertical position (about a 60- to 90-degree angle).
•Depending on the reason for the tilt table test, you may stay in the vertical position for about five to 10 minutes, or you may remain in the vertical position for up to 45 minutes.
•While you are in the vertical position, you remain as still as possible. During the test, if you feel symptoms such as nausea, sweating, lightheadedness or irregular heartbeats, tell a member of your health care team.
•If you don't faint or experience any other symptoms after 45 minutes, the medication isoproterenol (Isuprel) may be given through an IV line. This medication lowers your diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number in a blood pressure reading), lowers peripheral vascular resistance, increases your heart rate and may prompt the abnormal nervous system reflex that causes vasovagal or neurocardiogenic syncope.
•You then remain in the upright position and are monitored for another 15 to 20 minutes.

After a tilt table test

If you faint at any time during the test while you're in the vertical position, the table is returned to a horizontal position immediately, and you're monitored closely. Most people regain consciousness almost immediately. In some cases, if blood pressure and heart rate changes indicate you are about to faint, the table is returned to a horizontal position, and you may not actually lose consciousness.
When your tilt table test is complete, you may return to your normal activities for the remainder of the day.

After the tests are done

The results of a tilt table test are based on whether or not you faint during the test and what happens to your blood pressure and heart rate. Depending on the results, your doctor may recommend additional tests to exclude other causes of fainting.


*Information courtesy of the Mayo Clinic Staff.

Aching terribly!

Yesterday I had another episode, but this time I actually lost consciousness! I never completely loss consciousness when I faint, so it was a new experience for me. It literally shook my life!

I walk my daughter to and from school daily, as you all know (if you're new to this blog, you can go back a few blogs to catch up), and I did the same thing yesterday. The only difference is that as I turned the corner to my house, I felt syncope-ish and knew something was about to come. I couldn't exactly put my finger on it because it was a new feeling. Not as strong and forceful as usual. I was very confused.

After entering the house, I paused at the foot of my couch and couldn't move. My daughter was standing in front of me, telling me about her day, but I knew it was just seconds before I would faint and told her to have a seat but to keep telling me about her day. As soon as she moved, I couldn't feel anything! I just remember her moving towards the TV to turn it up.

When I fainted, I landed straight down! I don't remember a thing! I heard her say something, but not much else. I was out for a minute or two before I could open my eyes! My daughter was very scared for me and kept saying that she thought I was dead. That's not what I wanted to hear...ever! She didn't know what to do, but my friend was sitting right outside when this all happened. She went and got him! I'm so happy and proud of her.

As you all know, NCS is not something to play with. You can't negotiate with this disease, even if you really want to. Trust me...I've tried! 😒 Failed miserably, but heck...it was worth a shot! Lol

I'm now trying to stay in the bed until 2:30 or 2:45 and then slowly get ready to go walk to her school. I hope I don't have to wait outside too long. I'm usually home within 10 minutes after retrieving her from her bus, today is going to be longer. Prayers requested!

Until next time....


Ariana M. 💜

Stress and Fatigue

Does anyone else, besides myself, experience fatigue when stressed? I'm feeling beyond fatigued and down! Ugh...

Have a great evening, loves!!! 💝

Thank You!!!

I wanted to take a moment and thank you all for coming to this blog and reading with me daily/weekly! You guys are simply awesome. 😁

Here's a funny video for you to enjoy! Have an amazing weekend and please be safe. 😎
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RP4abiHdQpc

Until next time...

😘 Ariana

Warm Weather and Too Much Sunshine

Today is warmer than it has been and I have felt unusually fatigued walking home. As you all might remember, I've decided to walk my 6 years old to and from school everyday! It's a great way to get exercise and to build up my tolerance. My heart get a good workout as well, so I don't mind it. Although, I can't forget that I tend to have an episode as soon as things start going well! 😒

Talk about a true nuisance! Here's a article about how heat and NCS can sometimes cause problems for those who suffer. This is very good read for family and/or friends of those who are like myself and has been diagnosed with Neurocardiogenic Syncope. This article was written by Dr. Blair Grubb at the Medical University of Ohio. You can read it at the American Heart Association site  http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/111/22/2997.full

Until next time...

Ariana M. 💖

Walking and palpitations

I'm doing another short update! I've been experiencing palpitations today. I've expected something to happen because I have to walk my daughter to her "home-school" to catch the school bus everyday, but I am enjoying the exercise it brings. I don't mind the fresh air either.

Pray for me, you all! What exercises are you doing or want to do to work out your heart and get healthier?

Until next time...

Ariana 💖

Move...Completed!!

Hi, y'all!

Yesterday, after days of rental truck reservation issues, I've finally moved in to my new home! It's a beautiful 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment home in lovely Fort Smith. I am beyond happy to start over here!!! :D

My daughter will be attending a Barling Elementary School, but I've registered her at the "home school" near the house. I'll be walking her to the home school every morning to catch the bus and going back every evening to pick her up! I need to exercise anyway, so this will help me on both fronts. Talk about blessings! ;)

Who knows...maybe I'll be updating you all on my weight loss as well!!! Lol

Until next time...

Ariana M.