Anxiety symptoms - High BP - Adrenal Gland Tumor

[scaredwithnoanswers]

Hello.  I'm new to this group as a poster,  but have been reading for quite some time.

I have been in a living hell for about 3 months now.  I have been ignored by all doctors ( except for the latest) and constantly turned away,  being told that I suffer from anxiety disorder.   I have felt for quite some time that something just isn't right with that diagnosis.  While I feel many anxiety symptoms physically,  I cannot relate to the emotional component.  I do not get any of the anxiety related emotions such as fear,  panic,  feeling like I'm going to die...anything,  I do however get the physical symptoms such as dizzziness,  tightness in my head, rapid heart beat and a feeling of tingling in my head and face.  

I have just returned from yet another appointment with a new doctor,  who is finally listening to me.  She believes I may have an Adrenal Tumor which would cause my body to produce too much adrenaline and/or cortosol ( the stress hormone)

At the same time that my "anxiety" symptoms began,  I developed insanely high blood pressure as well and even with drugs,  it has become nearly impossible to stabalize it.  It has spiked as high as 220/120, at times.

Has anyone else had any doctor mention Adrenal Tumors?  Has anyone else been investigated for it?

Greatly appreciate any feedback!!

[BERNIEB402]

HI ABBY I KNOW HOW YOU FEEL.I HAVE THE SAME THING GOING ON WITH ME A BENIGN TUMOR OF THE ARDENDALINE GLAND.I'M SUFFERING SO MUCH BECAUSE I ALSO HAVE CYST ON MY RIGHT KIDNEY,FATTY LIVER AND NOW I'M HAVING PAIN IN MY RIGHT LUNG AND SHORTNESS OF BREATH.THE DOCTORS KEEP TELLING THE TUMOR IS NOT CAUSING ANY PROBLEMS WHICH I KNOW DIFFERANT.EVERYTIME I GO THE DOCTOR ABOUT A PAIN THEY GIVE PILLS WHICH I'M VERY FETUP ON TAKING SO MANY DRUGS.I HAVE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE AND NOW I'M DIABETIC.THE DOCTOR REFUSES TO SEND ME TO A WELL EXPERIENCE SPECIALISTS.I'M SICK AND TIRED AND VERY FETTUP WITH THE DOCTORS AND DON'T KNOW WHERE ELSE TO TURN.

[Abbyinokc]

Katzoomie has the best advice here.  During a ct scan (2006),  for abdominal problems, they discovered a tumor IN my left adrenal gland.  There are two parts to the adrenal, the cortex (outer) and the medulla (inner).  My tumor is in the medulla which controls your epinephrine and norepinephrine, stress hormones that affect the parts of the brain where attention and responding actions are controlled.  Along with epinephrine and norepinephrine, also underlies the fright-or-fight response, directly increasing heartrate, triggering the release of glucose from energy stores, and increasing blood flow to the skeletal muscle.  Norepinephrine is synthesized from dopamine by dopamine hydroxylase.  It is released from the adrenal medulla into the blood as a hormone, and is also a neurotransmitter in the central nervous system and sympathetic nervous system, where it is released from noradrenergic neurons.  Norepinephrine is released when a host of physiological changes are activated by a stressful event.  Norepinephrine, along with dopamine, has come to be recognized as playing a large role in attention and focus.  Differences in the norepinephrine system are implicated in depression.

Adrenal Disease Types:

Adrenocoritical Carcinoma
Pheochromocytoma
Cushing's Disease/Syndrome
Hyperaldosteronism (Conn's Syndrome)

Conn's Symptoms:
high blood pressure
increased salt levels - fluid retention
weakness
excessive urination
muscle spasms
temporary/intermittent paralysis (rare)

Cushing's symptoms:
excess fat in the neck, upper back and face
thin skin that bruises easily/heals slowly
purple/red stretch marks on abdomen/thighs/breasts
fatigue
insomnia or other sleep disorders

Pheochromocytoma Symptoms:
high blood pressure
sweating/flushing
headache
rapid or irregular heartbeats
feelings of anxiety/panic/fear
pallor (paleness)
dizziness/lightheadedness with standing
tremor
weight loss

Adrenocortical carcinoma is a malignant tumor that occurs in the cortex, or outer layer of the adrenal gland.  It is very rare, affecting only 300 to 500 people annually in the US.
About 70% of adrenocortical carcinomas are "functioning", meaning they produce hormones, often in excess amounts.  Non-functioning tumors do not produce hormones.  Unfortunately, only about 30% of these tumors are confined to the adrenal gland and have spread to the lung, bone and liver or peritoneum (membrane lining the abdominal cavity).  Symptoms of AC vary widely, depending on the hormones produced by the tumor.  About 50% of tumors overproduce cortisol, causing symptoms of Cushings Syndrome.  Tumors that produce androgen (the "male" hormone), may cause no symptoms at all in men, but women may experience excess growth of facial and body hair, deepened voice or irregular menstruation, or menstruation stopping altogether.  Tumors that produce estrogen (the "female" hormone), may cause breast tenderness or enlargement, lowered sex drive and/or erectile dysfunction in men, while women may not notice symptoms until the tumor grows large enough to affect nearby organs.  Age is the biggest risk factor for adrenocortical carcinoma.  Most cases occur in adults between the ages of 40 and 50, although the disease also strikes children under 5 years of age.

I know in my case, when the tumor was first discovered, it was 8 mm in size.  Currently it has grown to 1.1 cm.  Over the last 2 1/2 years, I've been through so many ct scans (they watch it for growth), as well as all the tests that go along with it, that up until recently have come back negative for any of the syndromes/diseases these tumors cause.  My last round of blood/24 hour urine testing, in August of this year,  showed that my DHEA levels were abnormally high, but the DHEA-sulfate was within normal range.  Also in my case, I have more of the symptoms of the Pheochromocytoma going on, but also have symptoms of Cushings as well.  I see 2 separate Endocrinologists (I wanted a second opinion), and just saw one of them this week.  I have been extremely upset at all of my doctors with regards to the tumor.  Because most of the time my tests come back okay, and this goes for anyone, they "assume" the tumor is benign.  That is why they have you go through at least 2 to 3 ct scans yearly to just "watch it for growth".  The doctors, and just about everything you read online, tell you that when the tumor grows to the size of around 2 to 3 cm, THEN they believe it is malignant and the next step is surgery.  Personally, I think this is bunk!  I don't care what the tests have shown, I know I have all of these symptoms going on and I just want the darn thing OUT OF ME!  When I saw the one Endo doctor this week, I took with me tons of information that I have researched online in order to SHOW him that I have all of these symptoms going on.  When I saw him the first time a year ago, he never even asked me what my symptoms were!!!  So when he walked in the exam room and asked me how I was doing, I replied, not well at all and futhermore, THIS TIME YOU WILL LISTEN TO ME!  He did NOT like me that day at all...tough!  I wanted to ask questions and I wanted answers.  He is one of those doctors with the huge ego problems going on...you know the type...that think just because they are doctors, they're smarter than anyone on the earth...and don't dare questions them!  BUNKIE!!  At one point, as I was telling him things I had read online, he went off on me about oh  yes, you can find all sorts of information online from all sorts of "quacks"...I told him sure, I've even been seen by a few doctors I consider to be those quacks (meaning him!).  He was extremely ugly to me and asked me at another point...where did you hear this information??  I said how about the National Institute of Health???!  He said.."that's a lie"...I don't believe it!  I had been telling him that not only did they do the blood tests and 24 hour urine tests, but ALWAYS did the saliva testing along with those.  I told him I also got the information from the Mayo Clinic!!!!!!!  I have never been talked to/treated like that from any other doctor ever!   He once again, put me through all of the tests (except the saliva test because to him, that was something they did ages ago and wasn't any good at finding anything anyway).  Oh...towards the end of our "visit"...he couldn't apologize enough to me for being so rude.  I thought yeah right buddy...you just know you're not dealing with some uneducated idiot who isn't afraid to question the mighty doctor!  I know what he was thinking...you could see the look of fright on his face...thinking wow...I'd better apologize to this woman before she turns me into the Medical Board for unprofessional conduct!!  Anyway, I went through the testing, took the urine back Wednesday morning, and am just waiting on all the results.  He did ask me what I WANTED done...I told him that I want the tumor taken out!  So he is supposed to get in touch with a surgeon and set me up an appointment and hopefully I WILL GET THIS THING OUT OF MY BODY!!  I truly believe it will help me with at least 1/2 of my problems going on.  I do know it is a very dangerous surgery with a lot of risks involved, but I am willing to take those risks.  After all, it is MY body, MY life and this is what I WANT!  Hell, just the ct scans alone over the last 2 yrs. have put so much radiation into my body, that alone can cause cancer!!  I hope this information helps some of you.  It is hard to understand and all these adrenal problems/diseases are very confusing to understand at times.  Keep your fingers crossed and wish me luck!  I will let you all know how the tests results came out!  Abby

[busso60]

I read your post with interest. I have been having the same sort of symptoms for 6 months now and feel also as if I am hitting my head against a brick wall. I have taken several anxiety drugs and none of them have helped. Just given me worse headaches and a beta blocker gave me terrible palpitations. More than I was having usually. I have no anxiety symptoms emotionally at all. I was feeling very well when suddenly I had an attack of body tingles and clammy skin and just feeling weird six months ago. I too wonder if it is a problem with the adrenal glands. I am seeing a different doctor this next week so I am praying that he may really listen and shed more light on what may be really wrong.

[daffysoundz]

where did you get this information i need to see it so i can show my dr i know this was more then just anxiety

[boogie2]

This was an interesting post.  I am wondering how many of us are being given antidepressents/anxiety medication when our problem could be the adrenal glands????

[remar]

hi. i wanted to welcome you to medhelp. as you can see from your responces there are some great people here. i hope your dr. figures out what's going on. has he recommend putting you on an antianxiety med to see if your blood pressure goes down? let us know how your doing and take care. remar