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What Are The Symptoms Of Pheochromocytoma?
Question: hi. would someone be able to tell me the symptoms of Pheochromocytoma? a dr I talked to said it could be a possibility because I'm only 23 and my BP is 135/80 and my anxiety is severe. I'm really scared as this seems like a serious disease :( I am overweight and have been inactive for about 3 years up until 4 months ago.
Brief Answer:
More likely anxiety related than pheochromocytoma
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome to HCM and thanks for your query.
The common symptoms of pheochromocytoma are high blood pressure , can either be continuous (i.e. most of the time) or episodic (i.e. happens every once in awhile) and the 3 classic symptoms or "triad" of pheochromocytoma -headaches, palpitations (i.e. rapid heart rate), and sweating. Difficulty breathing, weakness, and panic attack-type symptoms can also occur in this classic presentation.
It's an extremely rare condition and there are more chances of you not having it than having it.
Stress and anxiety can cause your symptoms and the elevation in blood pressure.
The blood and urine tests for pheochromocytoma may be done to allay your anxiety and to take appropriate treatment in the unlikely event of the tests being positive.
Take care,
Dr Noble Zachariah
More likely anxiety related than pheochromocytoma
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome to HCM and thanks for your query.
The common symptoms of pheochromocytoma are high blood pressure , can either be continuous (i.e. most of the time) or episodic (i.e. happens every once in awhile) and the 3 classic symptoms or "triad" of pheochromocytoma -headaches, palpitations (i.e. rapid heart rate), and sweating. Difficulty breathing, weakness, and panic attack-type symptoms can also occur in this classic presentation.
It's an extremely rare condition and there are more chances of you not having it than having it.
Stress and anxiety can cause your symptoms and the elevation in blood pressure.
The blood and urine tests for pheochromocytoma may be done to allay your anxiety and to take appropriate treatment in the unlikely event of the tests being positive.
Take care,
Dr Noble Zachariah
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks! The other night i was woken up by rapid heart rate, and earlier during the morning i was woken up by palpitations. it doesn't happen often. I'm definitely over weight. significantly over weight which im working hard on getting down. the other day i was sitting down and my heart rate went up to 110 but it went down about 20 mins after. it may have just been anxiety. i'm scared. I'm a very nervous person but it could just be anxiety. i get headaches in my temples sometimes. I've been having shortness of breath. I'm just scared since the dr mentioned it. Is 135/40 considered high enough to be pheochromocytoma? the worst thing is my anxiety. I have racing thoughts, i constantly want to cry, i feel like death is near, i get too panicked to drive by myself now, i feel like I can't handle anymore. I'm always nervous and over thinking, over analyzing everything. Last but not least i do get abdominal discomfort but its more like i need to use the bathroom and i definitely get chest pain but not severe.
Brief Answer:
Blood pressure normal, not suggestive of pheochrom
Detailed Answer:
Your symptoms are suggestive of panic attacks and an anxious person is prone for the same.
To keep your mind at rest and reassure that you don't have pheochromocytoma, you could have blood and urine catecholamines and metanephrines estimated. Plasma metanephrine testing has the highest sensitivity (96%) for detecting a pheochromocytoma, but it has a lower specificity (85%).[28] In comparison, a 24-hour urinary collection for catecholamines and metanephrines has a sensitivity of 87.5% and a specificity of 99.7%.
A systolic blood pressure up to 140 is normal.
Relax, get the tests done to rule out pheochromocytoma and I will advise you medicine to control your palpitations and fluctuations of blood pressure.
In the meantime practice stress relieving measures.
Have a good day
Blood pressure normal, not suggestive of pheochrom
Detailed Answer:
Your symptoms are suggestive of panic attacks and an anxious person is prone for the same.
To keep your mind at rest and reassure that you don't have pheochromocytoma, you could have blood and urine catecholamines and metanephrines estimated. Plasma metanephrine testing has the highest sensitivity (96%) for detecting a pheochromocytoma, but it has a lower specificity (85%).[28] In comparison, a 24-hour urinary collection for catecholamines and metanephrines has a sensitivity of 87.5% and a specificity of 99.7%.
A systolic blood pressure up to 140 is normal.
Relax, get the tests done to rule out pheochromocytoma and I will advise you medicine to control your palpitations and fluctuations of blood pressure.
In the meantime practice stress relieving measures.
Have a good day
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Brief Answer:
Probably a panic attack
Detailed Answer:
It sounds more like a panic attack.
After the blood and urine tests I had mentioned, we will know one way or the other
whether you have a pheochromocytoma or not.
Take Care
Probably a panic attack
Detailed Answer:
It sounds more like a panic attack.
After the blood and urine tests I had mentioned, we will know one way or the other
whether you have a pheochromocytoma or not.
Take Care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
how do people panic in their sleep? sorry I'm curious
Brief Answer:
sudden gush of sympathetic mediators like epinephrine and norepinephrine
Detailed Answer:
The reason for panic attacks is supposed to be sudden gush of sympathetic mediators like epinephrine and norepinephrine. This may occur any time even in sleep and is more likely if you had a dream or nightmare.
In pheochromocytoma also it is this gush that causes the symptoms.
sudden gush of sympathetic mediators like epinephrine and norepinephrine
Detailed Answer:
The reason for panic attacks is supposed to be sudden gush of sympathetic mediators like epinephrine and norepinephrine. This may occur any time even in sleep and is more likely if you had a dream or nightmare.
In pheochromocytoma also it is this gush that causes the symptoms.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I will go to my gp this week but does this sound more like pheo?
Brief Answer:
Less likely to be pheochromocytoma
Detailed Answer:
It is less likely to be pheochromocytoma.
Please get the tests done to be sure.
Relax, have a good day
Dr Noble Zachariah
Less likely to be pheochromocytoma
Detailed Answer:
It is less likely to be pheochromocytoma.
Please get the tests done to be sure.
Relax, have a good day
Dr Noble Zachariah
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
thanks..what kind of Dr should I see?
Brief Answer:
An Internist
Detailed Answer:
An Internist, endocrinologist or any other doctor who will write the blood and urine tests I suggested.
If the test is positive only, you require specialist in other branches of medicine.
An Internist
Detailed Answer:
An Internist, endocrinologist or any other doctor who will write the blood and urine tests I suggested.
If the test is positive only, you require specialist in other branches of medicine.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
is an internist an internal medicine doctor ?
Brief Answer:
Yes
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Yes, an internist is internal medicine specialist.
Regards,
Yes
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Yes, an internist is internal medicine specialist.
Regards,
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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