At the age of 17 I began to have palpatations and begain to have sporatic episodes of syncope and Atrial Fibrillation. I was hospitalized for AFIB and the following tests were conducted at that time: MRI, EKG s, Stress Echo, Echo, Cardiac Cath, CT Scan, various blood work all in which were normal. Holter monitors caught some PVC s. A tilt table was conducted and I was diagnosed with vasal vagal episodes. I was not put on any type of medications at that time. Over the years of have had minor difficulty breathing with the feeling of rapid heart beat, palpatations, dizziness, near snycopol episodes, extreme fatique, etc. I am now 28 and my symptoms have greatly increased over the last 2 years or so and in the last couple of month much much worse. I am unable to do anything with exursion without shortness of breath and the feeling of rapid heart rate, I have had a couple of syncopal episodes, severe headaches around the eyes radiating to the back of the neck, dizziness, very extreme fatique, frequent urination, anxiety, the feeling of a fever (no elevated temp), high blood pressure, feeling of palpatations, sweating to name a few. I have again undergone a stress echo, echo, ekg s, blood work, hospitalized overnight for a CT scan of abdomen, Chest x-ray to rule out a lung embolism, or pulmonary hypertension. An EPS study (cath) was conducted and was negative. Chest xray was negative and CT scan was negative other than a small nodule (1cm) on my adrenal gland. I was released from the hospital with orders for an ultrasound of the coritid arteries and MRI of the abdomen all in which I am waiting for the scheduled date (unsure why this was not done in the hosp) I have also undergone additional blood work which was negative and a 24 hour catch to rule out Pheocromoytoma, these results are in however have yet to been read by the Endo specialist. On top of the symptoms I have mentioned above I have been having extreme dizziness (almost like vertigo) with the slightest movement. This does not come and go but is now constant, sometimes to the point I have waves of nausea. I am on the following medications: Metroprolol 50mg 1 daily, Paxil 20mg 1 daily, Ambien 10mg for sleep as needed, Pravastatin Sodium 10mg 1 daily, Diazepam 5mg every 8 hours if needed, Fish oil. My BP now seems to be mostly controlled with the beta-blocker however sometimes spikes for no reason and comes back down quickly. Prior to the medication the BP was running on average 170/90 and going up as much as 188/103. My heart has checked out ok, blood ok, lungs ok..does anyone have similar symptoms or diagnoses? Any ideas on what this may be any why the symptoms are persisting? This is getting very overwhelming and stressfull and I need to get this resolved. Many Dr s do not seem to take this seriously because they look at my age of 28 and state someone of my age would not have any major problems.
As I was reading your question Phenocromocytoma popped into my head, so I m glad that you are seeing an endocrinologist. They will probably order more blood work when you see them. I hate it when they use age to say your not sick. Hang in there an I hope you get answers soon, take care, Donna
Let me try and give some advice from that list of medications: Paxil and Metoprolol could be causing many of your symptoms. You should be monitored for bradycardia and loss of cardioselectivity. Dose reductions of metoprolol, a change from metoprolol to atenolol or bisoprolol, or substitution of paroxetine with an alternative antidepressant may be necessary. Foods you shoudl avoid: high fat foods - Diazepram caffiene - Diazepram Grapefruit (juice) - Diazepram Metoprolol should be taken WITHOUT food only. You cannot drink alcohol I really advise you to get a cardiologist, psychiatrist and a clinical pharmacist. You are on alot of drugs and you may need to replan your therapy.
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