Hi this is my first time I've felt comfortable

[KY_EnviroGuy]

16. That's not entirely what I understand.

The disease is diagnosed first by extensive blood work and urine analysis by the endo. Next, if the tumors (Pheochromocytoma) are suspected, they run a nuclear scan called a MIBG, and perhaps an ultrasonic scan to confirm.

See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pheochromocytoma

I had all the blood and urine work done, then an ultrasonic scan and then the MIBG, but mine did not show up. I'm thinking of going to another endo and trying again. Anytime I put pressure on my abdomen (upper part, say from squatting or bending down), I get the adrenaline rush and my BP goes out the roof. They say the excess adrenaline or norepinephrine is bad for our hearts, too.

However, I think some of those symptoms can indicate other diseases of the adrenals and thyroid, for example, so I wouldn't come to any conclusion before seeing an endo. Where I live in KY, it can take 3 or 4 months to get in to see one, mainly because they also treat diabetes.

As a side effect of all the work with the endo, I wound up also seeing a cardiologist and found out I also have some partial blockages and those can make the effects of adrenaline surge feel much worse!

And, no, from what I've read the surgery can be very dangerous and risky because anytime they disturb the adrenals, there is the risk of an adrenaline release so severe that can actually stop the heart. Therefore, the procedure must be done by highly qualified surgeons.

Some drugs prescribed for stress such as propranolol can really help reduce the effects of excess adrenaline. I've taken it and it works pretty darn good, but frightens me because I get a bad rebound effect from it if I stop taking it.

Please be patient with this and do lots of reading to ease your mind, and feel free to converse with others like myself to help relieve the stress. Let me know if I can be of further help.

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