fibromuscular disease if carotid and vertibral arteries

[Mimi-lathan]

    
      Re: fibromuscular disease if carotid and vertibral arteries
    


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Posted by ccf neuro M.D. on May 30, 1997 at 15:32:53:

In Reply to: fibromuscular disease if carotid and vertibral arteries posted by Mimi lathan on May 24, 1997 at 22:02:57:

: Dear Sirs I was diagnosed with this condition after having  temporary blindness in one eye several times.
  My sight began to blur and i really felt strange.  After going to the emergency room at Duke Medical Center
  I was told I was having constant TIAs.  they of course addmitted me to the hospital and found, by MRI, small ledges in these arteries that were catching the blood platelates that formwed clots and were then spiting,if you will, into my brain.  What I would like to know is wheather or not i should have a reevalutation or ignore itsince I seem to be doing well while taking coumadin.  Could there be any relation between this condition and having had Panic Attack Disorder since
  I was seven years old and haven taken about every
  antidepressent on the market for years?  I currently was taking Serzone along with Pamalor until I became
  very ill, just last night and after some testing, was told
  the Serzone had caused some liver disfunctions. Am waiting at this time (Sat.May ,24,1997) to see my phsciatrist who will not be back in office until ttuesday,27th.  Finally, to get to the point, do you think this condition could be caused by some of these medications, and could you suggest any other type of specialist to get the chemical imbalance straightened out. Fifty nine years is a long time to have had to deal with this.
  Thank you very much for your time and any enlightenment you might give me on either or both of these maladies.  You may post this if you wish, but please keep my name annonomus.
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Unfortunately, by posting your question, your name (or pseudonym) appears along with your question. In regards to your first illness, fibromuscular dysplasia, this is a well recognized disease of blood vessels that supply the brain (the carotid and vertebral arteries) and sometimes affects other arteries as well, like the ones that supply the kidneys for example. Regular medical followup is ESSENTIAL as the condition results from multiplication of cells in the innermost layer of the affected blood vessels, called the INTIMA. It is a dangerous problem, since the narrowing can either progress to the point that an artery may actually close off, which could cause a stroke, and/or narrow to a point that even if it doesn't close off the artery, that it makes it narrow enough to cause turbulence of blood flow, which can predispose to clots forming and flying up to the eye and brain, as you describe in your speific case. There is also an association between this condition and brain aneurysms (about a 30% risk) that   you should be aware of, although most people with this condition end up getting an angiogram, which is good at detecting aneurysms as well as the fibromuscular dysplasia. In regards to your second question about panic attacks, these are best handled by a psychiatrist and are treatable with a host of medications. There is no relationship that I am aware of between panic attacks and fibromuscular dysplasia (other than that both are often a disease of young women), and norelationship between any medications and fibromuscular dysplasia that I am aware of. I hope this information is useful to you. If you are interested in a second opinion about your conditions at the Cleveland Clinic, our number is 1-800-223-2273 (ext. 45559 for neurology---I'd suggest Dr. Sila or Dr. Furlan) The information provided in the forum is intended for general information purposes only; specific treatment options and diagnosis of your specific medical condition should be in conjunction with your treating physician(s).