Posted by Larry Hoover on August 6, 2007, at 10:03:19
In reply to Question re: Anxiety and Adrenal Glands, posted by garyeng on August 5, 2007, at 17:45:29
> Does anyone know if removal of the adrenal glands would get rid of anxiety. I know you would have to be on hormone replacement therapy for life.
>
> I have failed every SSRI medication due to the terrible side effects. My life is so terrible with the all day long anxiety I have. Xanax barely works for me anymore. I take 2-3mg/day plus Klonopin 1mg twice a day and a beta blocker for the rapid heart race. All antidepressants make me sick. Was just wondering about the adrenal glands as they are responsible for the terrible anxiety I have.
>
> Or, is there any way to surpress them.Clonidine is used to suppress adrenal function. But first, it's important to rule out organic disease.
> I'm currently being tested for Pheocryocytoma, which is a tumor or cyst on the adrenal glands.
In case you want to do an Internet search, you'll need the proper spelling. It's a pheochromocytoma. Here's the wiki link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pheochromocytoma
> I have suffered my entire life from anxiety, but never like it has been in the past 8 mos. I could always functions and had spuratic anxiety that a xanax would take care of. Now it's all day, every day. I shake inside like a leaf even with the xanax and my beta blocker doesn't seem to keep my heart rate down.
Actually, you do sound like you might have a pheo. I applaud your doctors for considering it, as many go undiagnosed until autopsy.
The testing for pheo is usually simple: 24-hour urine collection to discover adrenal hormone output, and imaging of the adrenal medulla. The treatment, though, is very specialized, as the surgery itself can cause sudden huge release of hormones that can be fatal. So, if you have a pheo, you will need to find an experienced specialist for the adrenalectomy surgery.
Often, only one adrenal gland is affected, and you can live a full life with the remaining one.
> Thanks in advance....Gary gary1rn@yahoo.com
You should have the results of the pheo tests soon. Please let us know how you make out.
Lar
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:774163
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070730/msgs/774273.html