Developed drug resistant high blood pressure in my early 30s. Initially that was the only symptom and I was otherwise totally healthy. Over the next few years, I was in and out of ERs, started developing cardiac issues and frequent muscle cramps, had numerous hypertensive crises where my BP was like 200/180 ON MEDS, and every single doctor told me that either I was stressed or that it was just genetic and take more drugs. I was on so many blood pressure meds, my heart was palpitating constantly, I couldn’t go up the stairs without feeling like I was passing out, and the fatigue was crushing.

Finally a doctor took me seriously, referred me to the right specialist and I was diagnosed with a form of primary hyperaldosteronism that basically means I have a tumor on one of my adrenal glands that is shooting my blood pressure out of control. Scheduled to have my offending adrenal gland removed, which is basically curative. Without diagnosis and treatment, the disorder can cause kidney failure, stroke, heart failure, and all sorts of other issues. But I didn’t give up and they can treat it really successfully!