Hi ‘Give my daughter the shot’,
I would carry out a ‘Poor Man’s Tilt Test’ at home and take the results with you. It’s 8 years ago since I learned about this, so things might have changed a little, but if I remember correctly, it goes something like this:
Quick ‘Poor Man’s Tilt Test’.
You’ll need:
Somewhere to lay down and a wall very closeby to lean against
BP pressure cuff
Pen & Paper
Someone to push the start button, write the results & symptoms and to help you
Procedure:
Breath normal and relax, do not talk (except to summon help, if you need it)
1) Lie still and rest for 15 minutes minutes, then take your blood pressure and pulse.
2) Sit up for 15 minutes, then take your blood pressure and pulse.
3) Stand up (against the wall), then take your blood pressure and pulse.
4) Stand quiet and still for 3 minutes, take your blood pressure and pulse.
5) Stand quiet and still for another 3 minutes take your blood pressure and pulse.
6) Stand quiet and still for another 3 minutes take your blood pressure and pulse.
At point 3, if your pulse rises at least 30 bpm (beats per minute), you can bet you have POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome). For some it might take until point 6.
I believe a 20 point drop in BP shows Orthostatic Intolerance (OI) too.
Regards
Barbara
(UK)