Ok, so many of you know about my terrible anxiety. The Lyme is mostly in my brain, or so it seems.
Dr. put me on Neurontin 400mg 2 x day and I settled down good. I had taken a 4 week break from abx prior to this once again b/c of severe Herxing.
So, on the Neurontin I leveled out nicely, but I also restarted IV Z-max 500mg daily, Plaquenil 200mg 2 x day, and Mepron 750mg per day at the same time.
I started to feel sick on the 5th day, but up till that point, I felt the best I had in a long time. Anxiety and Crying stuff was nicely under control.
Then I held everything b/c I was feeling sick and felt the Herx coming on. Today is my 6th day off everything and meds are on hold again. I have been crying like a 2 y.o. for the last 4 days multiple times per day. The Anxiety came back pretty strong.
B/C I really don't have many to call, I always call my father. I say things like "I want my life back", "I can't live like this", "I miss you", I miss my kids even though they are right here in my house after school, but I basically can't even sit and watch TV with them b/c I'm so wound up or just feeling so sick.
B/C my father can't see what I describe to him that I feel in my brain, he just thinks I really need psychological help. I do admit, when I'm like this, I do feel the same way. He thinks I need ECT (Electro Convulsive Therapy). I buck at this b/c I know it does nothing for Lyme or my Anxiety. It won't touch my Dysautonomia (Postural blood flow changes that bring on symptoms and my Cerebral Hypoperfusion).
I'm trying to get on Zoloft again. Starting very low as SSRI's tend to make me feel sick and I don't want to add to the already sick feeling that I have.
The last few Psychiatrists I have seen don't want to touch me with a ten foot pole. They say I am too complex and that anything they gave me would be just guessing.
So, who wants to be on a Psych ward. I did this in the past and I was left to myself on a matress on the floor. My Anxiety was topped out and they let me sit there and suffer. I was put on Cymbalta and it just drove my Anxiety through the roof, when I didn't think it could get worse.
My POTS is Hyperadrenergic type. I don't pass out when I stand up, only my heart rate goes up and my blood pressure stays normal. So, I get lots of Adrenaline surges even while at rest.
Sorry so long, but just want to get everything in here and I told my father I would start this thread to see if others can relate.
No question, I am depressed. At the same time, my Testosterone is way down, as are many of my other Hormones. I started working with a Bioidentical Dr. who has me on both Thyroid and Adrenal support. She is ordering me some type of sublingual Dopamine and has me on 5-HTP for the Serotonin boost. She told me that I should stop abx if I can't find a better detox program. My LLMD doesn't offer such a plan.
I take lots of supps., Questran, Epsom Salt Baths, Fir Sauna, and drink lots of water. Burber and Lemons, etc. don't seem to do much.
So if you can relate to this or have suggestions, I would appreciate your replies. I'm scared of being stuck like this forever. I'm also scared if I stop and just try and build up my body, every Herx I went through will be for nothing and the whatever I knocked out with Abx, Rife, etc., will just come back to where it was. Certainly, I can't go on treating like this. It's not compatible with life. And b/c my Anxiety gets so bad, I can't sleep any of this off except at night, when I'm just so worn out from the day.
Thanks alot,
Gary
Posted by lou (Member # 81) on :
Have you considered going to one of the lyme literate psychiatrists? It might require traveling, but it sounds like your father might push you into a totally non-relevant treatment because he doesn't understand the problem.
I know you need someone to talk to about this, but it does not sound like your father is the right one at this stage. Can you find another patient that you can phone and console each other? You could also start a journal, which is what I did when I didn't have anyone local to talk to. Any support group meetings you can go to, just so you don't feel isolated and without support?
It may be that you need a naturopath or someone to handle the detox issues. I am not a great believer in detox, but it does seem that we get to feeling toxic at times. I have felt this myself and only going off meds seemed to help, temporary stop. Maybe if there was some science to back up my feeling, I would be more comfortable with it. And also, am not sure that we really have a handle on what we need to do with "detoxing." Dr. H mentioned something that helps most herxes, in the ILADS meeting. I think Scott wrote it up, so maybe try to find this. I will look too.
Am wondering if maybe you could ramp up on the meds? Or maybe do whatever you can to get past the worst of the herx, because with some people, each herx is less bad, and with time they are tolerable. That would be when you get the germ load down, I suppose, and are on the mend. Maybe try to think there is light at the end of the tunnel and it isn't an oncoming train.
Best wishes.
Posted by lou (Member # 81) on :
Here is the section I was remembering about herxing relief:
"# For Herxheimer reactions: 2 Alka-Selzer Gold (no aluminum) in 8 ounces of water with lemon or lime followed by 6-8 capsules of glutathione or 1500 mg or oral liposomal glutathione. 70% will fell better in hours # On the topic of water: Dilution is the solution to pollution. This suggests that in order to help our bodies detoxify, we must drink more water"
You should also read this link, notes on the ILADS conference for more tips. IV glutatione is mentioned for herx relief too.
And I am wondering if you have bartonella, because the psych symptoms seem to be coming from that infection often.
Not any one doctor has the answer for every aspect of tickborne diseases, so sometimes you have to have a team to help.
Posted by map1131 (Member # 2022) on :
Even a therapists that deals with long term illnesses such as chronic fatigue or fibro would be someone that would have heard all the weird sx.
I had a great therapists. She didn't know much about "lyme". She had many patients that I reminded her of. All labeled with someother auto-immune illness etc.
She is pretty lyme literate now. Even talked with some of her current patients about this "lyme" thing.
She wasn't able to rx meds. She made suggestions and sent me to phyc doc for meds only. It amazing when you have someone to talk with about your feelings and thoughts when one is chronically ill.
LL doc can be hundreds of miles away.
Pam
Posted by djf2005 (Member # 11449) on :
detox detox detox
Posted by sammy (Member # 13952) on :
Hopefully once you get your adrenals and thyroid well supported your anxiety will decrease. It's good you found a doctor willing to help with your hormones and neurotransmitters.
You might also look into trying Lithium Orotate (if you haven't already). It is available OTC as a low dose supplement. Is supposed to help with anxiety and depression. Might take a couple weeks before you see any improvements.
Have you tried any other IV or oral antibiotics to see if anything else works without such a herx response? Then you wouldn't have to stop and restart all over again?
I know you've tried lots of things and are desperate to be well so please forgive me if these ideas and questions have been tried before. Hang in there OK.
Posted by sutherngrl (Member # 16270) on :
I can't take SSRI's. They make me much worse. Had to resort to an anti-psychotic, Risperdal. I also take Xanax. Sorry, I can't remember if you tried these meds or not. Might be worth trying. I have not had any side effects from the Risperdal.
Have you tried taking your lyme meds at a lower dose to start out with and building up slowly? Maybe you aren't taking the right meds for you and thats where the anxiety is coming from. I know there are so many possibilities.
Posted by Hoosiers51 (Member # 15759) on :
ECT is discussed as an example in schools to show how far psychiatry as come over the last 50+ years. It is controversial and considered barbaric....in other words, if your Dad thinks you need ECT, he is out of touch. You might want to let your Dad know that the U.S. has put a man on the moon since ECT was considered legit by educated people.
I took a quick look at the Wiki page on ECT, and it looks very biased. Sigh.
Anyways, going to a "psych ward" is not always a bad thing, if it is a legit psychiatric hospital. In severe cases, that is the best way to get your meds figured out. So I would look at it as a good thing, not a bad thing.
Good luck!
Posted by Tracy9 (Member # 7521) on :
Having personally "put" a lot of people in psych hospitals, I have to honestly say almost all have come out worse. Most ended up with almost nothing being done for them, and they were often traumatized by the experience.
Since most psych meds can take 2-8 weeks to even work and they don't keep you there that long, you are usually discharged before they even know if the meds are working.
I have to say I don't think you would see much benefit from an inpatient stay. Most people today are only hospitalized for safety reasons; they have to be suicidal or homocidal or completely psychotic.
The best LL psychiatrist is really not that far from you; Dr. B in New Jersey. Have you seen him yet?
Posted by springshowers (Member # 19863) on :
I have to agree with Detox detox detox comment. And that is all I would do at the point your at.
The stuff you have killed is loaded you up more and more and the more you try the worse you get
That is what happened to me for near a decade and I "Thought" I was doing enough. But it was not enough.
Everyone is different but I have found a common thread in a group of people who treat and just get worse and or herx near the whole time and do not get feeling better.
NO matter what. I hope you find the answers and your way.
I agree with Psych wards because I had to have a family member there. Until we got them to give them clozaril and it saved their life and still after 4 years still a different human being.
Its a complex med and I am sure you are aware of what it is..
Blessings
Posted by kday (Member # 22234) on :
Gary, I understand there are not many that can relate in terms of the severity of anxiety here, but I think I can.
As you know, I used to end up in the ER and they would give me enough tranquilizers to tranquilize a horse. More than a couple times, doctors called in psych evaluators and they wouldn't take me because they said my anxiety was organic (physical) and not like anything they've seen. I wouldn't have gone anyway since it wasn't psychological. I was told my an RN they gave me more meds than he ever seen in his 30 years of work, and instead of getting sleepy, I was just getting more cognitively aware and more lucid. This was when I was severely infected and could not tolerate antibiotics at all. Not even small doses of doxy without falling off the wagon.
I am aware you may not believe that this is the issue, but if I can relate you to myself, I think what you are experiencing may be toxicity. I know I've told you this before, and I probably wouldn't believe in the toxicity aspect if I didn't start releasing so many toxins. My kidneys literally have trouble keeping up now and I need to drink a lot of water. By a lot I mean 100+ oz a day. I know I am not typical, and I have no idea what these toxins are, but they are very yellow and real, and when they come out I feel better (physical, emotional, and even pain). I am by no means normal, and I can't find anyone that has detox symptoms like mine. I guess I can say that I am somewhat unique.
I know I've told you before, but the CFS methylation protocol you have suggested to me in the past is what got my detox going. Before I wasn't detoxing anything. This was a huge part in my treatment, because it allowed me to take more antimicrobials to kill infection. I still had bad anxiety during some herxes, but I only ended up in the ER once since starting the methylation protocol (when I had a flu and a herx at the same time). At that time, they thought I had possible pericarditis since my inflammation markers shot up, but it was just my nervous system getting really screwed up from the flu/herx combo. I honestly think I may have had a seizure as well that day because when I woke up, I was soaked in sweat and my dog scratched up the leather couch next to me. I guess I'll never know for sure.
My lab results came back and I without a doubt have pyroluria. I am going to try to make a transition between a CFS methylation protocol and a HPU protocol. Not only does this protocol address my Zinc/Copper ratios, but it also should theoretically restore methylation/detox beyond what a methylation protocol can do. Zinc is also the powerhouse of your white blood cells, so restoring it should help with immune problems and your body should not need as much antibiotics.
I know many doctors don't believe much in the toxicity issue. Some do.
All I know is that I experienced it first hand. Toxicity issues are very real, and it's a serious problem. They are what determines the severity of the herx, and if your cells keep sequestering toxins, no psych drugs are going to help fix that. In fact, I would assume there would be a tipping point where your body could literally no longer tolerate many or most drugs that are metabolized through certain detox pathways. If toxicity is your problem, I hope you solve it before it gets to that point.
Did you read that pyroluria article I sent you that mentioned Vitigilo and lightening of skin?
Perhaps you may think that toxicity is not really that big of a deal and can't cause the severity of your symptoms. It can, and I lived it.
I have some days that are setbacks, but I am only feeling better and better now. In fact, in the last few days, I am feeling the best since being sick. I usually make baby steps, but I felt like I just made a huge leap forward. It is a bit strange, as if I am becoming a different person. And no, I didn't fill my neurontin. I haven't been considerably fatigued, and even though anxiety is still present (probably from pyroluria), my anxiety is even improving. However, I am still afraid to drive a car after I was transported to the ER (by a stranger) from a highway. This may be more mental.
Man I hope you get this figured out, because you are the one that initially gave me the info about methylation and detox. This was probably the most important information I have received from anyone throughout my journey.
I understand the torture you go through. There is no other way to describe it. While the feelings I had resembled some kind of strange anxiety, in truth there was nothing really psychological or mental about it. It was true torture. At one point I was curled up in a ball and crying much or most of the day for months. It scared me. It scared my family. If I had videos to put on YouTube, I am sure it would frighten the viewers there as well. I am not exaggerating.
You need to get your health back, and you will get it back. You deserve it. Look at this illness as a complex puzzle that you (not your doctors) need to solve. While I obviously can't claim myself cured (yet), that's what I did. Let your doctors guide you and teach you what they know, but you are the captain of the ship.
I am not sure if my advice makes sense, but I'm sticking to it.
Get well Gary.
Posted by Cass A (Member # 11134) on :
Some of the effects you talk about are known side effects of the psychotropic drugs you've been taking.
Unfortunately, many of them also come with serious withdrawal issues if you try to get off them.
ECT is cruel and unusual punishment, not medical help. Psych wards are hell with white smocks.
High doses of B Complex and particularly B 1 can help with these situations.
Treating Lyme is another issue entirely. No psychiatric drugs are going to help with that--at best, they would just mask symptoms. From what you write, they're not even doing that for you.
Try the B vitamins and go out for a walk, LOOKING AT THINGS AROUND YOU--really put your attention out on objects. When you feel better, turn around and walk back home.
Best,
Cass A
Posted by TX Lyme Mom (Member # 3162) on :
Panic attacks are a sign of Babesia, I think -- or perhaps Bartonella(?). I read this in an article by an ILADS doctor just this last week, but I can't recall where -- which is why I can't recall for certain whether it's Babs or Bart which causes the panic and anxiety attacks. (If I can find where I read it, I'll post the link later.)
Until then please recognize that it is probably a co-infection which is causing your anxiety, instead of Lyme per se. Therefore, whatever treatment options you choose need to be directed primarily at the co-infection (Babs, or perhaps Bart?) which is causing the symptoms of panic and anxiety.
The intensification of your anxiety is probably a "good sign" in that it means you were Herxing from the treatment, which means that the antibiotics were working. Maybe you simply need to adjust the dosage of those antibiotics until you get past the heavy Herxing.
PS - I'm editing now to add that I've just noticed that you are from the DC area. That area and surrounding areas seem to have a lot of folks with anxiety and panic attacks as one of their primary symptoms. This seems to point to a co-infection which could be prevalent in that geographical area. The docs at Johns Hopkins diagnose a lot of anxiety and panic attacks.
Posted by apljack (Member # 14233) on :
From what I've heard, John Hopkins doesn't really know much about Lyme so that could be a scary experience and a waste of time. Go see Dr. S in Baltimore. If you need more info, PM me. I agree with the detox. Drink more water, and squeeze some lemon juice in now and then. You will get better, it just takes time. Kids are pretty resilient and you'll have time later to make it up to them. I speak with firsthand knowledge on this. My 7 YO was just last night saying what a terrible life I have and I was telling that I'm pretty much all better, that it's been a rough 5 years but at least I'm not dying of cancer. Truly, for a lot of us, it does feel like we are going crazy. The lyme and company ride is a rough one with all sorts of doctors looking at you like you're crazy. Good luck.
Posted by kday (Member # 22234) on :
quote:Originally posted by Cass A: Some of the effects you talk about are known side effects of the psychotropic drugs you've been taking.
Unfortunately, many of them also come with serious withdrawal issues if you try to get off them.
ECT is cruel and unusual punishment, not medical help. Psych wards are hell with white smocks.
High doses of B Complex and particularly B 1 can help with these situations.
Treating Lyme is another issue entirely. No psychiatric drugs are going to help with that--at best, they would just mask symptoms. From what you write, they're not even doing that for you.
Try the B vitamins and go out for a walk, LOOKING AT THINGS AROUND YOU--really put your attention out on objects. When you feel better, turn around and walk back home.
Best,
Cass A
He is not having side effects from psychotropics. Been where he is too many times, and it made me cringe when people tried to say that.
When you get in the severe state he gets in, in my experiencing there is no calming down. Nothing about it is in your head as much as ignorant people may try to convince you that it is. The only techniques I found that really consistently works to calm me down is wait a few days, drink a lot of water, detox, and keep any kind of stimuli to a minimum. A dark closet can help.
Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
couldn't read all of above
do not do ECT
some detox ads sx to some ppl...i had a friend sleep for a week after a hot bath...
see pm-i told you vistaril helps me with what you describe-i went ino detail in pm but ralize i should at least mention it here incase it would help others
it saved me and made the last 7 yrs of my mothers life a whole lot better
generic doesn't work for me-but did for her
i weigh 200 and maintain on about 75mg...started at 25mg many years ago andhave slowly had to ramp it up
elavil and tofranil have helped others in myfamily with different results
PS-AS FAR AS NO ABX-I'M CONFUSED-SOUNDS LIKE YOU ARE ON THEM-BUT BUHNER TEA HAS HELPED ME MORE IN THE LAST YEAR THAN ABX...WE STARTED A NEW THREAD ON IT HERE
Posted by lou (Member # 81) on :
Where is lymetwister?
Posted by lymetwister (Member # 19590) on :
I am here Lou. Thank you everyone as always for your kind words and thoughts, suggestions, etc.
I tried to take Zoloft, just 2 days at 12.5mg per day. I am still bundled up in a blanket with chills, nausea, worse anxiety, and just feel like crap.
No more Zoloft. I learned a long time ago that I can't tolerate the SSRI's. Now I just want it out of me and I see my LLMD tomorrow. I can't imagine it's still toxins now 7 days off abx, but anything is possible with this disease.
I know I can't pick and chose my symptoms, but the Anxiety is gut wrenching as is the depression. I'd rather cry then endure the torture of the anxiety. It's ALL DAY !!!
Posted by lymednva (Member # 9098) on :
I saw a great psych doc in Falls Church. He specializes in patients who are physically ill and I'm sure would do well with a Lyme patient.
I saw him pre-dx and he was very helpful and understanding. I'm sure he would do well with Lymies, especially if you gave him a bit of info on it. Very personable.
Only problem is he doesn't take insurance because he doesn't want to divulge private info to anyone.
I was able to file for out of network and get reimbursed 50%. Actually he sent the papers in, so I didn't have any extra paperwork to deal with.
PM me if you would like more info.
Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
is v s in philly still practicing?
[ 11-10-2010, 07:57 AM: Message edited by: lpkayak ]
Posted by Rumigirl (Member # 15091) on :
Yes to Ipkayak's question. She would be a good choice (but you should change it to only an abbreviation). So would Dr. B in NJ.
But I agree: DETOX, DETOX, DETOX!
And listen to kday; he obviously know whereof he speaks! It sounds vital for you.
Posted by lyme in Putnam (Member # 11561) on :
I'm so sorry Gary. I live in the land of oz now and beg too for my life back. I take klonapin and recently got off anafranil for cod /depression. Trying herbs but transition from antibiotics to natural is brutal. I know u don't want to hear one day at a time. The mind is such a complex thing. Wish it would work in our benefit instead of against us. Write when u want and hang on.
Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
3 month wait for dr b i guess...has anyone been his patient? i am so into his research but wonder about bedside manner
Posted by pepperspeck (Member # 18837) on :
Hi Lymetwister,
I just wanted to add my experience with Neurontin. I will say first that I do realize that not everyone has this reaction.
I am not one to experience anxiety. I was on Neurontin for about 3 years. The dosage was gradually increased over time. I noticed from the beginning, a very, very anxious feeling when it was time for my next dose. I would watch the clock! It was not because there was breakthrough pain (was on it for severe polyneurapathy). It was close to panic though. It took me a long time to slowly wean off of the drug for the same reason.
Is there a side effect of this drug that can create an anxiety state?
All the best to you.
Posted by nefferdun (Member # 20157) on :
It sounds to me like you have bartonella. When you take the abx you are only treating lyme and babesia which allows the bart to throttle out of control.
Dr. B says when neuro symptoms strongly outweight other symptoms suspect bart. It is the infection most responsible for anxiety and when you said you felt alone even though your children are there, that keyed me in to my feelings of feeling not connected to others. Do you have periods of rage which plunge into depression?
You should probably see another LLMD or at lease suggest to the one you are now seeing that you would like to consider bart treatment. But when you do hit bart, realize that your emotional state will be MUCH worse. You have to let go and allow this purge to happen if you are ever going to get rid of it.
There are no natural remedies that treat bart effectively - the first LLMD told me this but I tried them all anyway and sunk to the bottom while on massive amounts of everything recommended, all at the same time.
Antidepressants etc do not work for me. Neurontin was something I could not tolerate. I tried it before I had lyme for insomnia. Your father needs a few good books on lyme if you are going to continue to consult with him.
Sorry I am having a bad day myself so might not be much help.
Posted by djf2005 (Member # 11449) on :
I hate to see you suffer so much continuously.
I have posted multiple times that I have suffered your exact symptom set throughout my illness (more so initially)
I am SURE if you address detox sufficiently, your anxiety will lessen greatly.
Metals, Lyme, Bartonella, Fungi, and other factors are all likely contributing.
Get a Pekana detox kit. Take milk thistle. Use ACZ. Try LDN. Drink lemon water. Address your methyl cycle.
Honestly, go on Scott's site and employ his detox methods. They will save you the suffering. No RX drug is going to fix the problems you describe. You need to cleanse and re-build from the outside in.
His detox section on the left is extremely comprehensive. Then address metals sufficiently. Then address mold/fungi. Then get back to the infections while staying on good detox throughout.
Best
Derek
Posted by TerryK (Member # 8552) on :
I believe others have mentioned that porphyria could be part of the picture and after researching this for awhile I tend to agree. You don't need to have colored urine to have it.
Perhaps try a bag of IV glucose and see if that relieves some of your symptoms?
Hope you feel better soon.
Terry I'm not a doctor
Posted by Tracy9 (Member # 7521) on :
I know one person who went to Dr B in NJ and really felt he saved her. She felt she was going crazy and he figured out what meds were interacting with each other and got her on the right track immediately. She thought he was wonderful.
Posted by djf2005 (Member # 11449) on :
Dr B in NJ is amazing.
He leans towards Rx Physc meds but that's obviously his background.
The best available to Lyme patients, he is worth the trip.
After the initial, phone consults are the norm saving time and money.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Severe anxiety, especially as reaction to medicines that are supposed to help, is one of the classic clues of porphyria.
As TerryK suggests, this could very well be one or more forms of porphyria. Anyone who has trouble metabolizing drugs that require the use of the Cytochrome P-450 liver detox pathway should consider porphyria.
Many psych drugs are in this category and, in the presence of porphyria, can cause severe anxiety, even psychosis. Even death.
Porphyria attacks can include neurological, psychological, and psychiatric symptoms - and severe visceral complaints (such as abdominal pain or cramping).
There are over 11 different types of porphyria. Not all result in colored urine. Some do, most do not. Urine, Stool, AND blood collections are required for testing. All Three. Plus a clinical exam and history, with note of Rx reactions and family history.
While liver support is vital, pushing detox methods can also prove very dangerous, if not done in a very specific manner.
Again, pushing detox can be VERY dangerous, if not done in line with porphyria treatments. Detox can be too much for the liver to handle.
I've was diagnosed with 2 different kinds of genetic hepatic porphyria about 17 years ago. I've read your posts over time and I would bet every penny in my tiny bank account on this being highly likely.
Your case reminds me so much of England's King George III, who suffered horribly, undiagnosed. Had they only known. Although records now show he had arsenic accumulation from a medicine that was supposed to have helped, but that intensified the porphyria to a point that he was called mad (as in the 1994 movie, "The Madness of King George III").
With proper diagnosis and treatment, this can get better. Really. But, if this is one of the hepatic porphyrias, if left untreated and challenged with more and more C P-450 drugs, it can be fatal.
Infections can make porphyria much worse. And that makes all round treatment even more complex. But it's possible.
This note has been posted many times for you, over time. Please discuss this with a good doctor. Sadly, many do not know much about this area. You might seek out a liver specialist. -----------
. . . the clinical manifestation of each type is not the same.
A common feature of all porphyrias is the accumulation in the body of "porphyrins" or "porphyrin precursors." These are normal body chemicals, but they do not normally accumulate.
Each type of porphyria is determined by deficiency of a different enzyme. These enzyme deficiencies are usually inherited.
Symptoms of the disease can include (but are not limited to) photosensitivity, strong abdominal pain . . . muscle weakness or paralysis in the arms and legs, and behavioral changes including anxiety, irritability, and confusion.
The interruption of nerve impulses to the brain can cause the development of psychiatric symptoms such as depression or delirium.
- [the article mentions port wine colored urine. However, that is for only the kind of porphyria that King George had. Not all porphyrias involved colored urine and, for those that do, different colors can show. Green is one. Again, for most types, there is no change in urine color and a urine test, alone, is not sufficient for testing.] -
Posted by bigstan (Member # 11699) on :
Hey Gary, Months ago I told you to get checked for a Pheo(pheochromocytoma). Just wondering if you ever followed up on this. Your symptoms are right on for this. A simple test called the clonodine suppression test could rule this out but it's worth a shot.
More info:
Pheochromocytomas can be found anywhere in the body, though most occur in the adrenal medulla. Even a tiny benign pheochromocytoma can make a person very sick.
Regardless of location and appearance, the patients will usually report anxiety, headache, palpitations, panic attacks, sweating, and dizziness as some of the main symptoms.
Extra-adrenal paragangliomas (often called extra-adrenal pheochromocytomas) are closely related and less common tumors. These tumors originate in the ganglia of the sympathetic nervous system and are named based upon the primary anatomical site of origin.
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