Yearly Scleroderma Testing: ECHOCARDIOGRAM

 When you have a disease or condition like Scleroderma, you must keep up on yearly testing.  There are several different tests that are required for proper monitoring of the disease.  Yesterday, I completed my yearly echocardiogram at Pulse Heart Institute in Spokane, Washington.  Well, this test is supposed to be done on a yearly basis, but I have extreme medical anxiety, so I waited four years to get it done after the first one.  Testing is difficult for me for many different reasons, the main one being I absolutely hate to be touched by anyone, for any purpose.  

The echocardiogram was scheduled for 4 pm, after my therapy appointment.  I had two hours in between appointments, but I didn't have much to do, so we went and had a Frappuccino before we went to my echocardiogram appointment.  I used our coffee date as a time to prepare myself mentally for what I had to put myself through.  Any test that requires me to remove my clothing triggers my anxiety.  In fact, my anxiety was so high that my blood pressure was 184/116!  Sometimes, testing will also trigger my BPD, depending on who is doing the test, what test they are doing, and how they speak to me regarding said test.  It doesn't take much to trigger me to have a meltdown or splitting episode.  

We arrived at Pulse Heart Institute an hour early, but I didn't mind that at all.  I'd much rather arrive early and spend time on their Wi-Fi than to rush in at the last minute, completely unprepared for what is to come.  I'm not fond of sitting in waiting rooms, either, so I usually wait right outside the door, where they have some chairs in the hallway.  This was not the case yesterday, so I was stuck in the waiting room with other people.  I'm immune-compromised, so this is not a comfortable situation for me, but the waiting room only had two other people in it, so it wasn't too bad.  

The technician called me back right at 4 pm, which was my scheduled appointment time.  I was pleased to learn that the technician was a female.  It was going to be a major problem if they sent in a man to ultrasound all around my left breast, where the heart sits.  I'm not 100% sure, but Multicare might have it on file that I will only see females.  I know I have told them about my issues several times over the years.  At least one doctor has made a note in my file that I am a sexual assault victim, which is helpful in situations where I'm expected to remove my clothing.  I'm grateful that they didn't have a problem with Michael coming back there with me.  You would be surprised how often I have had to fight with staff just for them to allow me to have my caregiver with me.  Nobody should have to fight that hard for support in a medical situation, but it happens more often than not.

Once I was dressed in the gown, the technician got me a warm blanket because my Raynaud's was very active, then we started the test.  An echocardiogram is a mostly painless procedure.  I say mostly because the ultrasound wand was hurting my ribs much more than I remember from last time.  At one point, I was ready to cry from the pain.  I never bothered to say anything about it, though, because I assumed it was just part of the process.  I was glad when it was done and over with, though.  The procedure was supposed to last from 45 minutes to an hour, but she was done in 25!  I was out of there by 4:30 pm and now I don't have to worry about doing this test again until next year.  I was beyond grateful that she got it done quickly.  That medical office was the absolute last place I wanted to be for very long.  I was the last appointment on a Friday, so of course, they moved quickly so that they could start their weekend.  

I received the results of the echocardiogram by the time I got home from the appointment.  The technician said I wouldn't get results until after Monday, but she was wrong, and I was grateful for that.  I sent the results over to my rheumatologist, Sheena Henry, so that she would have a copy of them for her files.  She is not a Multicare doctor, so I have to send files to her separately. The results were all great results, but they failed to assess for peripheral artery pressure, and that is a problem with Scleroderma.  I needed to know what the pressures were.  The echocardiogram from back in 2021 also did not assess the pressures.  I'm wondering why, so I think I'll reach out to the doctors and clinics on Monday and ask them about it.  Other than that, everything was great, so my anxiety is a bit calmer now and I'm grateful that I don't have to put myself through this test again for at least another year.