Re: Orthostatic Hypotension - to the Physicians in the group

[Guest guest]

Adam, no online physician or other healthcare professional can know

what's going on with you.

While all your symptoms are quite common in anxious patients, I can

also think of cardiac conditions that, while unlikely, can also

explain your symptoms and would require an echocardiogram for

diagnosis. So unless that's been part of your workup in the past, or

you have already been evaluated by a competent cardiologist for your

symptoms, it makes sense to me that you request a referral to a

cardiologist before increasing any of your medications. (My

recommendation remains the same: Strong Memorial.)

Marjorie

Marjorie Lazoff, MD

> This question is directed mainly towards Dr. Sy, Dr. Lazoff, or

> Dr. Dethomasis (sorry not sure if you are a doctor ot not, but I

> thought I remembered you saying something about it in a previos

> post?) or any of the other doctors who occasionally check this

> forum, but anyone who knows can chime in.

>

> I'm trying to find out a few specifics about Orthostatic

> Hypotension.

>

> Can either Orthostatic Hypotension or Postural Orthostatic

> Tachycardia Syndrome cause chest pains while sitting up? (I know

> they can cause it when somebody stands, but can chest pains

> caused by one of these or something similar be worsened by

> sitting up and then ameliorated by laying down?)

>

> Also, can the breathing problems caused by these types of

> problems be worsened when laying down? (It seems to me that

> breathing problems caused by these disorders should be worst when

> standing.. but I'm wondering if its possible that breathing

> difficulties could be worst when laying down)

>

> And how exactly would something like Orthostatic Hypotension

> contribute to facial flushing? Would it only be a factor when

> going from sitting to standing or vice versa? Or could it

> contribute to any type of neural flush?

>

> The reason I ask is after going on Clonidine I developed chest

> pains. Then later breathing problems. Also, while my " cea "

> got better at first, since then the flushing has gotten worse.

> All the tests run when I went to the doctor complaining of chest

> pains, came back fine except I had some very noticable

> abnormality in my BP when going from sitting to standing.. or

> laying to sitting.. or something.. I can't remember the

> specifics.. I think there was a difference of more than 30

> points, and it happened opposite to how it was supposed to.. I

> don't really remember though. Also, for the last year, my

> resting heart rate when measured at the doctor's office has been

> well over 100 bpm, even though I am 19 years old and not

> overweight. My doc ended up telling me I had a pulled muscle in

> my chest. But a year later its not better. and it only hurts

> when I'm sitting up. (although when it was at its worst, it also

> hurt when I stood up) When I lay down it goes away almost

> instantly. The breathing problems have continued to intensify,

> and are starting to scare me. My primary care doctor, in

> traditional fashion tells me my chest pains, breathing

> difficulties, are being caused by stress, and has suggested

> increasing the Clonidine to help with that. Even though every

> time I increase the Clonidine the chest pains get worse,

> breathing becomes more difficult, and my heart rate increases.

>

> Adam

>

>

>