Pheochromocytoma or just sinus tachycardia

Hi, I'm a 22-year-old female and have been experiencing a host of problems for about 9 months now.  I am now curious if I may have Pheochromocytoma.  I have had about 7 tests done for hyperthyroidism, but all have come back negative.  My problems very closely resemble hyperthyroidism.  I have a racing heart rate that is well over 100 and jumps when I do any kind of physical activity. I am on Lopressor (25mg/2 x day) to try to control it. I was taking 50 mg twice a day but the side effects were too much. Sometimes the Lopressor does not work. I have anxiety for no reason, headaches, insomnia, dizziness, and sometimes tingling in my extremities. I have been tested for thyroid disorders, autoimmune disorders, and Addison's disease. All were negative, and a cardiologist told me I just have inappropriate sinus tachycardia. I learned about pheo recently and I am curious if I have it. I did not think much about it at first, but in the past several weeks I've started developing severe pain on my right side in my mid to lower back and stomach...right where my adrenal glands would be. Has anyone else had this disorder and what can you tell me about it? This is essentially the only disease I haven't been tested for. I'm going for a doctor appointment tomorrow and I hope they will listen. I think they believe I'm a hypochondriac since nothing has yet to be found.

[pilotgroupie502]

Your story sounds similiar to mine and thought maybe it would help if I told it to you.  I had thyroid tests run last year and they all showed up negative.  Over the summer of 2010 I noticed my heart rate up, I ran out of breath quickly, sweated profusely, and had pain or weakness in my shoulders.  I blew it off and continued to work like normal until one day a friend of mine had commented that I was losing a lot of weight and looked ill.  Another friend asked "what's wrong with your throat?"  And what they saw was a goiter that I had not noticed.

My doctor referred me to an Ear, Nose, and Throat specialist who diagnosed Graves disease and was ready to do Radioactive Iodine to kill part of my thyroid.  I quickly refused and found an endocrinologist.  The Endo put me on Propanolol which immediately brought my heart rate down and helped the muscle weakness.  He also prescribed Methimazole, which I blame for a host of problems.  I have gained 15 pounds, have kidney pain (which I also think may be my adrenal glands), severe leg cramps, I have become extremely agitated and moody, heavier periods that are more frequent etc.  I decided on Jan 1, 2011 to stop taking the meds because I felt better with the disease than on the medication.  I have an appt at the end of the month and I am sure my doc is gonna be mad but I am willing to try anything else.   Still wondering why they didn't look at my kidneys since the tests from November clearly showed impaired kidney function.  You know your body better than anyone.  Change doctors if yours is not listening.  Please feel free to contact me if you wanna talk or vent and I hope you find a doctor to listen.

pilotgroupie502

[conserned313]

i am also a 22 year old female with a lot of similar symptoms. i have a very high resting heart rate for about a week, which would not go down. my heart rate now will be normal the one moment and rise to well over a 100 even if i just stand up or eat (especially if i eat something sweet)my blood pressure also is normal the moment moment and extremely high the next ( up to 156/114). when my paramedic brother took my vitals about a week ago, my blood pressure was about 150/50 with a pulse of 130. i have headaches, my upper abdomen is sensitive, i feel dizzy at times and i struggle to fall asleep. i am also suddenly a lot more talkative than normal and am extremely irritable as well as developing fears i have never had before. i have tingling in my fae (especially my lips) i also sweat profusely on my left side. I had my spleen removed about a year ago and the pain i feel in my left shoulder is very similar to the pain i felt right after the splenectomy.  I have had a resting and stress ecg done, and the dr has confirmed the problem is not with my heart. i have gone for blood tests for my thyroid and my kidney function, and am now anxioustly awaiting the results, although i think pheochromocytoma is a very high possibility