Cardio factors in CFS

[Guest guest]

I need advice from all the wonderful, knowledgeable people on this

list.

Some of you may remember me as a person who followed the protocol

from the other (unnamed) website, and had really bad problems after

trying the protocol--my thyroid and adrenal glands were not working

well and then I had very high blood pressure and the BP-lowering meds

did not lower it (and they also made me incredibly ill). My primary

physician sent me to a cardiologist.

This cardiologist did not want to answer my questions. All he said

was that I 'had an abnormal electrocardiogram.' As I questioned him

further, he said to me at least half a dozen times--probably closer

to a dozen times--'You are going to die..' This finally engaged my

temper, and I replied. 'Yes, I certainly am. And so are you, and so

is every single person on this planet. None of us is getting out of

here alive. So what we are talking about now is a question of where

and when. Do you want to discuss 'when' with me?' He didn't. He

ordered a bunch of expensive tests and then left for a month's

vacation.

At my request, his office has mailed to me the results of these

tests, which included various echocardiograms, urine testing for

adrenal function, blood tests for lipids. In general, what these

indicate are that my triglycerides are so high (1299mg/dl) that they

could only test for total cholesterol (294 mg/dl) and HDL Cholesterol

39 mg/dl. They were unable to test for LDL chol. because

triglycerides were so high. The heart tests seem to indicate that my

heart is functioning fairly normally, in spite of some slight

problems. I can't understand what was supposed to be the urine test

for adrenal function, but it appears that my numbers are within the

(HUGE) range that Quest Labs thinks is normal.

Since I had been unable to get information from that cardiologist, I

called and made an appointment with another cardiologist. However,

since it seems these tests indicate that heart function is probably

normal, I am not sure whether I need to see another cardiologist.

My blood pressure is still very high (189/107, pulse 118), and

nothing seems to lower it. And I do, in fact, feel awful--much worse

than before I tried that (unnamed) protocol.

I am debating whether or not to keep my appointment with the (new)

cardiologist or whether I should see a specialist in internal

medicine. Do any of the fine minds on this list, who understand a

lot more than I do, have any advice on this subject? A friend has

suggested that I see the new cardiologist and take print-outs of the

studies showing the kinds of cardiac problems people with CFS have.

I would appreciate any suggestions.

Thanking everyone in advance,

[Guest guest]

If the cardiologist you saw could

not/would not help you, you do indeed need to be managed by some sort of

competent physician. You need to dig to the bottom of why they cannot get

your BP lowered despite medication. THere could be a number of reasons

including renal vein occlusion (which could be corrected by insertion of a

stent), hyperparathyroidism, etc. You need to take your test results and

keep looking for a Dr. that will work this up entirely. Despite the

underlying cause of the cardiac problems, there can be good outcomes if proper

interventions take place. A good internist is a good place to

start. Your triglyceride levels certainly suggest that arteriosclerosis

and atherosclerosis is a contributing factor.

Hard to say for sure not knowing what

medications etc., you are on, but you need to be under the care of a competent

caring physician. I wouldn’t touch the MP with a 10 foot pole given

your history & risk factors.

Patrice

From: infections [mailto:infections ] On Behalf Of willydaisy

Sent: Friday, May 20, 2005 3:56 PM

infections

Subject: [infections]

Cardio factors in CFS

I need advice from all the wonderful, knowledgeable people on this

list.

Some of you may remember me as a person who

followed the protocol

from the other (unnamed) website, and had really

bad problems after

trying the protocol--my thyroid and adrenal glands

were not working

well and then I had very high blood pressure and

the BP-lowering meds

did not lower it (and they also made me incredibly

ill). My primary

physician sent me to a cardiologist.

This cardiologist did not want to answer my

questions. All he said

was that I 'had an abnormal

electrocardiogram.' As I questioned him

further, he said to me at least half a dozen

times--probably closer

to a dozen times--'You are going to die..'

This finally engaged my

temper, and I replied. 'Yes, I certainly

am. And so are you, and so

is every single person on this planet. None

of us is getting out of

here alive. So what we are talking about now

is a question of where

and when. Do you want to discuss 'when' with

me?' He didn't. He

ordered a bunch of expensive tests and then left

for a month's

vacation.

At my request, his office has mailed to me the

results of these

tests, which included various echocardiograms,

urine testing for

adrenal function, blood tests for lipids. In

general, what these

indicate are that my triglycerides are so high

(1299mg/dl) that they

could only test for total cholesterol (294 mg/dl)

and HDL Cholesterol

39 mg/dl. They were unable to test for LDL

chol. because

triglycerides were so high. The heart tests

seem to indicate that my

heart is functioning fairly normally, in spite of

some slight

problems. I can't understand what was

supposed to be the urine test

for adrenal function, but it appears that my

numbers are within the

(HUGE) range that Quest Labs thinks is normal.

Since I had been unable to get information from

that cardiologist, I

called and made an appointment with another

cardiologist. However,

since it seems these tests indicate that heart

function is probably

normal, I am not sure whether I need to see

another cardiologist.

My blood pressure is still very high (189/107,

pulse 118), and

nothing seems to lower it. And I do, in

fact, feel awful--much worse

than before I tried that (unnamed) protocol.

I am debating whether or not to keep my

appointment with the (new)

cardiologist or whether I should see a specialist

in internal

medicine. Do any of the fine minds on this

list, who understand a

lot more than I do, have any advice on this subject?

A friend has

suggested that I see the new cardiologist and take

print-outs of the

studies showing the kinds of cardiac problems

people with CFS have.

I would appreciate any suggestions.

Thanking everyone in advance,