Posted by Anonne on July 29, 2003, at 3:22:12
Hello.
I have suffered 3 hypertensive crises during a 15 year (more or less) time of taking Nardil (phenelzine sulfate). The first two times in two separate ERs, I was basically 'dismissed', and given an anxiolytic which did eventually help reduce the severe shotgun headache.
However, the 3rd time, I was lucky enough to go to an ER (all 3 in the US) that knew to give me a head CT - which led to finding that I had had a cerebral hemorrhage. An MRI with and without contrast was given to confirm, and a followup 3 weeks later. The hemorrhage had then resolved, so calcification was ruled out. I am no longer taking Nardil due to that complication.
OK. So this is the deal: I got the hospital records of the time I had my 2nd ER visit (I couldn't recall the first ER, and it had been over 10 years). The ER records clearly state "Anxiety Reaction/Panic Attack", and no head CT was given.
What I want to do now is find some literature on the management of hypertensive crises, esp. mentioning that a "slight" elevation of blood pressure CAN be serious; it's not just the numbers. (For example, my 'normal' bp on Nardil was around 100/70 or not much higher; my ER bp was recorded as 155/95, quite a difference, but not deemed to be such by the 2nd ER).
I am simply wanting to EDUCATE (not litigate, tho' I am thinking of filing a complaint w/ the Physician Quality Assurance, AMA, and whatever else is relevant) the 2nd ER and attending physician, who happens to still be on staff.
Further, I think this medical literature would be helpful to all who are on MAO-Is, in case they have to deal with health care professionals in an emergency situation. (Believe me, most are not trained in food/drug interactions, at least when it comes to MAO-Is)
I had found this literature before on the web, but I simply cannot locate it. I'm searching Medline, Medscape, google, this site, emedicine... and fail to find it.
Any experiences with hypertensive crises, head scans, doctors, good succinct educational literature?
Thanks in advance.
poster:Anonne
thread:246402
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030728/msgs/246402.html