Hi, new to the group and some help needed, please

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone,

I'm new to this group and really glad I found it, as I could use some info and

support.

I'm 39, and I started having medical issues November of last year, when the

Lexapro I had been taking for years for anxiety/depression, stopped being

effective, and I began to feel chronically anxious, all day, every day. Around

Feb of 2010 my primary MD noticed that my blood pressures were running

moderately high, esp the diastolic number. Since that time, following about 10

ER visits for arrhymias and chest pain, it was discovered that on 2 occasions I

had low potassium, continued elevated bp, and was referred to a cardio, GI doc,

and nephrologist. The cardio did a coronary CT scan which was normal. However,

in May he found that I have diastolic dysfunction grade II, and was put on

Norvasc. In July another ultrasound showed that this reversed itself, yet the

chest pain continued, so I was continued on Norvasc to keep the bp down. In

early July testing by nephrology showed that my plasma renin activity was 5.36

and aldosterone 103.1, AM cortisol 23. She repeated this test 2 more times, and

diagnosed me with primary hyperaldosteronism. A CT scan of the abdomen did not

show any tumors. My GI doc did an endoscopy which showed gastritis and an

esophageal hiatal hernia, though he does not think this is what is causing the

chest pain. I am due to see another GI doc in Sept for manometrics to see if my

esophagus is having spasms. The cardio thinks I could have microvessel disease,

but says that its more of a " rule out " diagnosis.

So, my current medication regimen is: Norvasc 5 mg twice/day, Klonopin .25mg

3x/day, Paxil 10mg night and 10 mg AM, Spironolactone 25mg in the am, omeprazole

40mg 2x/day.

I spoke to my psych about weaning off the Klonopin, but even when i try to cut

down by one pill, about 3 days later my bp goes up and I have increased chest

pain.

I continue to feel terrible most days: dizzy at times, nauseous on and off,

headache every day for past 2 weeks, and extreme fatigue. I have spoken to all

of my docs about this, and they dont have any answers or suggestions for me. I

got a second opinion from another GP, who recommended seeing an endo, but other

than that, my symptoms are most likely due to anxiety/depression. I asked the

nephro if further testing could be done, such as AVS, but she said she didnt

feel it was warranted as the CT scan did not show any tumors.

So....I'm hoping that someone can give me some direction as to what to do next.

I feel very stuck and depressed, and not sure what to do to feel better. I'd

also like to know if anyone knows of any good endo's in NY...I live on Long

Island, but can travel into NYC. I read online that Columbia has an adrenal

center, wondering if anyone knows of this and if they might be worth a consult?

Thanks for listening,

Kathy