Orthostatic Hypotension - to the Physicians in the group

[Guest guest]

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