Vascular Ultrasonography

[redaxe]

Has anyone here had one of those done? More specifically the Color-doppler duplex ultrasound. Just curious

If you did what did the results show? And what recommendations were there, if any...

 

[Gingergrrl]

@redaxe Am bumping this question as I am also curious if anyone on PR has had vascular studies done (re: endothelial dysfunction or other vascular issues) and if so, what were the studies and what did they find?

 

[maryb]

I just had a Lp-PLA2 (PLAC) blood test. Its a vascular - specific inflammatory marker. Its for assessing the risk from heart disease or stroke.

Low < 151
Medium 152 - 194
High > 195

Me - 262.3

 

[Gingergrrl]

@maryb I am not familiar with that test and have had so many weird abnormal things (that often mean nothing!) that I have no idea if it is something to worry about! What did your doc say?

Did you or anyone else on PR ever have a "vascular study" and I am trying to figure out if this equals an ultrasound or can be other tests too? Am confused re: this topic!

 

[maryb]

HI @Gingergrrl , I've never had a vascular study but maybe try to get one now. The first week I got sick with this illness I noticed a vein come up on the top of my arm, just out of the blue and sore to touch....I've laways had a feeling the vascular system is compromised for me anyway, I also have massive inflammation going on in my, spine, knees etc so this result hasn't come as a surprise.

 

[kangaSue]

https://www.nymc.edu/fhp/centers/syncope/Vascular Dysfunction in CFS.htm
Can't find a date so don't know if this is a current recruiting study.

 

[Gingergrrl]

@kangaSue thanks for the info but I am too old for the study and on the wrong coast. But it looks interesting!

I think my question though was unclear b/c I wasn't thinking about research studies vs. wondering what tests are involved when doctors or fellow patients speak about having a "vascular study" done?

Is this usually an ultrasound or a blood test like what Mary mentioned or some other type of study? I can't find much about it online but I know there are lots of theories now re: vascular or endothelial dysfunction in ME/CFS and am wondering what tests are used to measure it? Thanks again!

 

[kangaSue]

@Gingergrrl, sorry, I don't know anything about it. It was just something I came across in a quick search that I thought might be of interest to anyone looking into the subject of vascular dysfunction.

I don't have ME/CFS but have a problem with microvascular dysfunction in the G.I. tract so I'm always keeping an eye out for anything to do with vascular disorders, especially in this forum as G.I disorders go hand in hand for some with ME/CFS.

 

[Snowdrop]

I've have not had a vascular study either but I think you are right that measuring vascular function to the brain is done by ultrasound.
Now don't laugh but I discovered this idea from a Scifi episode I recently watched.
Then I found this: http://my.clevelandclinic.org/servi...-testing/ultrasound-tests/vascular-ultrasound

I don't know if that's part of what you are trying to answer. Having someone here who's done the testing would be useful. I wonder under what conditions Dr's Dr's decide this type of test is necessary?

 

[maryb]

Don't think it would show inflammation though. Or maybe it would if it was severe enough.

 

[Gingergrrl]

I've have not had a vascular study either but I think you are right that measuring vascular function to the brain is done by ultrasound.
Now don't laugh but I discovered this idea from a Scifi episode I recently watched.
Then I found this: http://my.clevelandclinic.org/servi...-testing/ultrasound-tests/vascular-ultrasound

I don't know if that's part of what you are trying to answer. Having someone here who's done the testing would be useful. I wonder under what conditions Dr's Dr's decide this type of test is necessary?

Thank you @Snowdrop and I was more curious re: vascular issues with the lungs and heart vs. brain in my case and will look at the link shortly. It sounds like no one on PR has done these studies and they must be uncommon. It is just part of my own research after a few people suggested it to me but I can't quite figure out what it involves or if it would be useful treatment-wise.

ETA: Thank you and I looked at the link and it makes sense but am unclear how it relates to lungs and breathing. I will follow-up with the people who mentioned it to me.

 

[Snowdrop]

Hi @Gingergrrl

This is all new to me but I was curious about it.
This may not be of any help but I found this while looking around.


http://www.hopkinsvasculitis.org/types-vasculitis/

 

[kangaSue]

I've have not had a vascular study either but I think you are right that measuring vascular function to the brain is done by ultrasound.
Now don't laugh but I discovered this idea from a Scifi episode I recently watched.
Then I found this: http://my.clevelandclinic.org/servi...-testing/ultrasound-tests/vascular-ultrasound

I don't know if that's part of what you are trying to answer. Having someone here who's done the testing would be useful. I wonder under what conditions Dr's Dr's decide this type of test is necessary?

That type of test is commonly referred to as a Duplex Doppler Ultrasound or just Doppler ultrasound. It can detect flow velocity abnormalities due to occlusions or artery narrowing and is usually a screening procedure before resorting to an Angiogram.

 

[Gingergrrl]

Thanks @kangaSue and @Snowdrop! In my case we think that I do not have enough blood perfusing my lungs and heart when I stand (dysautonomic cause) plus lung muscle weakness and severe mold exposure for 2+ yrs.

Am trying to determine if any kind of vascular study would be helpful in my case diagnostically or treatment wise?

 

[redaxe]

@redaxe Am bumping this question as I am also curious if anyone on PR has had vascular studies done (re: endothelial dysfunction or other vascular issues) and if so, what were the studies and what did they find?

Well I guess the most common vascular study done is a blood pressure test. obviously but that only gives you so much information

Honestly I'd never heard of a vascular ultrasound until I got into reading a bit about this by chance and wondered if anyone knows anything more about it.
Certainly many ME/CFS symptoms give the impression that they could be worsened by poor vascular function. I'm sure we all know what poor blood flow to the brain or muscles or skin or gut would feel like.

Possibly explain
-IBS symptoms
-loss of appetite
-brain fog, memory loss, cognitive loss
-muscle weakness, poor stamina, poor post exercise recovery, reduced VO2max.....
-cold intolerance and heat intolerance

I wonder if this is something that Ron Davis Open Medicine Foundation will test for. Aren't they looking to test their severe ME/CFS patients with every biological test under the sun?

 

[MadeleineKM]

I had a vascular study done and I think ME pasients with obvious blood flow problems should do it if your doctor might be able to do something that help you from the results

 

[Gingergrrl]

I wonder if this is something that Ron Davis Open Medicine Foundation will test for. Aren't they looking to test their severe ME/CFS patients with every biological test under the sun?

@redaxe that is a good question and I don't remember seeing it as something they were testing for but am not certain.

I had a vascular study done and I think ME pasients with obvious blood flow problems should do it if your doctor might be able to do something that help you from the results

@MadeleineKM was your study an ultrasound or something else and am curious how it changed or guided your treatment? Thanks!

 

[MadeleineKM]

@redaxe that is a good question and I don't remember seeing it as something they were testing for but am not certain.



@MadeleineKM was your study an ultrasound or something else and am curious how it changed or guided your treatment? Thanks!

I remember doing and ultrasound but it was something else too, I dont know what its called. It was at a bigger hospital with specialist. My problem is that the veins are way to small and retracted. After reading on this forum I see that there is medicines that can help with this. I havent discussed it with my mainstreem doc yet because I am curious if the problem will go away after the treatment I have started with KDM. I always get a lot worse when its not hot summerweather, at the same time bodyparts get dark blue and inflammed. When this happen my veins are completely unavailable when taken bloodtests etc. I am thinking that ME pasients that suspects problems with their veins might get able to try some medicine for it if it gets detected, maybe that can reduce some symptoms

 

[Gingergrrl]

Thanks to all who responded and hope I didn't get too off track from what the original poster was asking!

Am trying to figure out for severe dysautonomia where blood not going to lungs and heart when I try to stand and walk, if a "vascular study" would help assess & treat this or if I am totally misunderstanding and off track?

 

[Dan_USAAZ]

I remember doing and ultrasound but it was something else too, I dont know what its called. It was at a bigger hospital with specialist. My problem is that the veins are way to small and retracted. After reading on this forum I see that there is medicines that can help with this. I havent discussed it with my mainstreem doc yet because I am curious if the problem will go away after the treatment I have started with KDM. I always get a lot worse when its not hot summerweather, at the same time bodyparts get dark blue and inflammed. When this happen my veins are completely unavailable when taken bloodtests etc. I am thinking that ME pasients that suspects problems with their veins might get able to try some medicine for it if it gets detected, maybe that can reduce some symptoms

Your symptoms appear to be similar to those of Raynaud's disease/syndrome.