My Experience

In January of 2014 I started experiencing severe stomach pain.  Not a stranger to pain (have been dealing with Fibromyalgia, endometriosis, and a fibroid tumor for years), I decided to self-treat myself.  I tried a series of detox programs and yeast medications.  It seemed that each treatment was successful for a short time.  

In April of 2014 I decided to embark on a weight-loss journey even though past attempts (due to hypothyroidism) had been unsuccessful.  I was losing weight at a steady pace.  In July 2014 the tables turned and I started gaining weight (10 lbs. overnight), blood pressure spiked, and the pain returned full force.  Unable to deal with the pain, I finally broke down and went to the doctor.  After a series of questions it was decided I would go for a CT scan.  In July 2014 I underwent a CT scan.  I received a call about a week later that they had found something that looked like a tumor.  To be sure, they scheduled me for an MRI and an abdominal ultrasound in August of 2014.  This report revealed a tumor on the left adrenal gland that was not typical of a typical adenoma that was 2 cm.  My treating physician wanted me to see a surgeon.  Not wanting to drive long distance, I scheduled an appointment with a local general surgeon.  BIG MISTAKE!!!

THE FIRST SURGEON:

I arrived at the surgeon's office 15 minutes prior to my scheduled appointment.  I completed the paperwork and proceeded to wait 1 hour and 15 minutes to be seen.  While waiting in my exam room I heard the surgeon go into the next office.  He was in there less than 5 minutes and was done.  I thought to myself, "this can't be good".   The surgeon then quickly entered my room with a file.  He sat down, laid the file on the table and then proceeded to tell me that my treating physician didn't know what it was and then got up to leave.  Really????  I stopped him.  Little did he know I already had a copy of my medical records and knew exactly what it said and what he said was not it.  I asked him about my stomach pain.  He said the tumor was an "incidental" finding and that it could not be causing my stomach pain.  He suggested it was probably gastrointestinal.  This man had not laid one hand on me to examine me or make a diagnosis so I guess his second job as a psychic was in gear.  

I then asked him about running the test to check for hormones especially since my blood pressure (BP) had suddenly spiked and my leg pain (which I suspected was from low potassium).  He asked my about my BP meds (which was already written in the file).  He said he would order the Dexamethasone suppression test.  He then got up to leave.  As he opened the door, he turned around one last time and asked again about my BP meds and how long I had been taken them and then left the room.  An assistant came in and gave me a paper to take to the hospital and then a script for the Dexamethasone.  She told me to take the pill before midnight and then go the next day to get the test (no other instructions).  I decided to Google the procedure when I got home.  I found out that because my BP meds contain a diuretic that it would affect the results of the test.  I also found out that the med had to be taken at 11:00 pm (with food) and that the blood had to be drawn at 8:00 am for the best results.  I decided not to take the test and to seek an opinion from another surgeon.

THE SECOND SURGEON

I started a search online, determined not to be shafted again by a crooked physician.  I actually searched for someone in the endocrine field and came across Dr. Cortney Lee at the University of Kentucky Hospital.  She is an endocrine surgeon that specializes in the adrenal glands.  I scheduled an appointment through my treating physician's office. 

Upon my appointment, I presented with severe chest pain.  Not wanting to be placed in the hospital, I failed to mention it to the surgeon.  Turns out my BP was 156/109 (not good).  Dr. Lee's assistant physician did a thorough examination asking lots of questions.  Dr. Lee ordered several tests - including the Dexamethasone suppression test.  She stated it would take several weeks to get the results.  The wait was long.  Turns out my renin activity is low and my aldosterone is high.  Diagnosis: hyperaldosteronism.  An adrenal vein sampling (AVS) was scheduled for November 6, 2014 with a tentative adrenalectomy scheduled for December 18, 2014.  Treatment will be based upon what the AVS reveals.

The waiting game begins.........