pheochromocytoma...ever Heard of It?

Updated on August 28, 2012
S.G. asks from Fort Eustis, VA
5 answers

Do any of you moms or dads have any experience with this condition? A couple years ago I started worrying about my husband and some curious symptoms he was having (panic attacks although he is one of the least anxious people I know, a general "fight or flight" adrenaline rush that lasts for a long time, tingling in his arms, and NOW high blood pressure.) We were misled into suspecting Lyme Disease, but our most recent trip to the ER, where a doctor mentioned pheochromocytoma as a possible diagnosis, now has us wondering. His symptoms are getting worse and we are getting more worried all the time. I don't want my two small children to grow up without a dad. Thanks for listening and any information you've got.
ETA: I've already googled it, so I have all the links I need. Thanks again.

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K.H.

answers from Washington DC on

I didn't recognize the term you mentioned, but when I looked it up on wikipedia, it sounds similar to what a good friend of mine was just dealing with. She's in her mid-30's and had very high blood pressure. They figured out she had a small tumor on her adrenal gland which was causing one of the glands to secrete a high amount of aldosterone, leading to her high blood pressure. She just underwent surgery to remove one of her adrenal glands (that had the tumor), and her aldosterone levels are now normal and no more high blood pressure. Turns out, like kidneys, you can do with only one adrenal gland. So it was a good fix. Not sure if she had the other symptoms that you described, but at least this bit of info may help your husband. Message me further if you'd like me to contact my friend for more information.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.R.

answers from Seattle on

Would you be able to provide more symptoms?
Does he suffer from only panic attacks and high blood pressure?
Has an ultra sound been done on his kidneys and adrenal glands to confirm? Or is this still just a suspicion? And does he indeed have tumors on his adrenal glands?

I actually suspect his diet? Does he eat enough protein, especially red meat where he would receive adequate amounts of B12?

Even though your husband appears non anxious, internally he could be a chronic worrier and have emotional issues from his past that haunt him. What would you know about this aspect in his life? Emotional triggers can cause the only two symptoms you list.

Have you seen a Neurologist yet? If the tingling of his extremities is this common, they would conduct an EMG study, to analyze nerve conduction in his arms.

GL finding the right diagnosis.

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J.W.

answers from Lexington on

You (and he) are lucky the doctors didn't just blow him off as having "mental illness." Yes - he has symptoms affecting emotions and endocrine system but it didn't mean that his own thoughts were causing them. That's what happened to my own kids for many years, and I didn't know any better.

Many things can cause the symptoms -- see http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2007/12/what-are-some-ot...

One friend who had "panic attacks" turned out to have a problem with her heart, and another friend with "Anxiety Disorder" had an adrenal tumor - although she never mentioned it as pheochromocytoma.

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S.M.

answers from Washington DC on

I don't know about that particular disease. I do find that for general anxiety a soak in an epsom salt bath does wonders. There is something about the phosphate in epsom salt that helps the body's normal ability to break down stress hormones. I have tried to research this to show you that this is not as hokey as it sounds -- and of course many web sites will tell you that epsom salts are good for reducing stress and anxiety, but they will not generally explain how. Here's one of these websites that extolls the benefits but doesn't give a biopathway. http://naturaproducts.ltd.uk/epsom_salts.html
So I admit I don't know exactly how it works, but I intend to keep trying to find out. In any case, it's very cheap, available at any drug store, and very low risk (since it's just a simple compound of ions that are naturally occurring in the body anyway). If he is taking a long time to calm down, there might be something wrong with his body's ability to get rid of stress hormone. Can't hurt to try! And he'll get softer skin and get rid of sore muscles as a side benefit. :)

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L.M.

answers from Cleveland on

No i haven't heard of it, but i'm glad websites like this can help expose more people to rare things like this.

I hope you get some answers that help.

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