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Can Panic Attacks And Racing Heart Be Indications For Pheochromocytoma?

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Posted on Sat, 28 Dec 2013
Question: Hello. For ten years I have had "panic attacks". They hit me like a XXXXXXX even when im in a calm state of mind. Ive had my heart restarted with a drug in an ambulance for my heart being 250bpm. Last saturday I took benadryl and soon after had to call ambulance. my bp was 220/113. I have had 500+ episodes. Its very extreme. Ive had low potassium, and many trips to er. Is it possible I may have phenochromocytomo??? Also had blood transfusion for anemia
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Answered by Dr. Maruti Karale (35 minutes later)
Brief Answer: Pheochromocytoma is a possibility Detailed Answer: Hello Mr XXXXXXX Thanks for query. Pheochromocytoma can present with the similar features that you had but it is not the single disorder causing such symptoms. I would first evaluate you for arrhythmia (fast heart rate) or structural heart disease and then consider other possibilities. You need to consult a cardiologist first before going to an endocrinologist. Hope I answered your query. Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
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Follow up: Dr. Maruti Karale (7 hours later)
ive already had my heart tested with cardiogram and stress test, etc. However, my adrenal glands have never been looked at. Stimulants like caffeine set this off. I cant take my add medicine it woulf put me in an ambulance in 15 minutes easily. (ritlin). If I try to diet I feel like my sugar levels drop too much and I cannot restrict food like I used to or exercise as I used too. exercise can cause this to happen as well. Im going to my primary tomorrow to see if I can get into see an endochrinologist. Ive had easily over 500 episodes...and that seems pretty extreme for panic attacks. Ive dealt with this for 10 years. My last straw was saturday when my bp was 220. My primary doc asked for my forms from the hospital that has seen me repeatedly and they did not even record my bp. They just chalked it up to panic attacks. But then my doctor told me that that bp is very dsngerous...yet she put me on buspar for anxiety. I am so tired of all this. I am not taking the buspar in case I end up with having a reaction to it like I did saturday with benadryl. Also things like delodid, narcotic pain meds, any caffeine makes me very sick. Been in ambulance after mountain dew not knowing it would do this yet. Had extreme shakes, sweating, diaherrea, fainting, my bp was elevated...I used to drink caffeine alot before I had my first episode of this. I lead a normal life...
doctor
Answered by Dr. Maruti Karale (36 hours later)
Brief Answer: Pheochromocytoma is a possibility Detailed Answer: H, Repeated episodes of high BP and rapid heart rate are against the diagnosis of panic attacks. You can push for an endocrinologist referral when you meet your primary healthcare provider. An endocrinologist opinion for evaluation which would include batter of blood test will be useful. Hope this answers your query. Thank you.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
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Answered by
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Dr. Maruti Karale

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :2007

Answered : 339 Questions

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Can Panic Attacks And Racing Heart Be Indications For Pheochromocytoma?

Brief Answer: Pheochromocytoma is a possibility Detailed Answer: Hello Mr XXXXXXX Thanks for query. Pheochromocytoma can present with the similar features that you had but it is not the single disorder causing such symptoms. I would first evaluate you for arrhythmia (fast heart rate) or structural heart disease and then consider other possibilities. You need to consult a cardiologist first before going to an endocrinologist. Hope I answered your query. Regards