Baroreflex Failure / Baroreceptor Failure

I am from uk, but based overseas, with not the best of medical care here for out of the ordinary conditions. I was wrongly diagnosed to start with and got quite sick, then I was basically told to go back to UK, but when I started to look at UK, I did not know where to go. I found a doctor here by random web search, who is not only a Cardiologist, but can do internal medicine, and has had a few cases like this before. There is no cure for baroreflex failure, and it depends on the patient general condition. Initally my bp was in the high 200s dropping to 60s, it was way off. A dr has to do trial and error to get you reasonably stabilised - it is unlikely to be stable, but controlled. My bp is still up and down, but a lot more controlled. The dr has prescribed a mixture of an old bp control medicine and beta blocker - Aldomet 250 mg, Inderel 20mg andDilatrend 6.25 mg. I take them all in the morning. I do have more issues with low bp, but manageable. I have been on medicine for almost  2 years now, and still improving. You need a dr that is willing to try different medicine - but have knowledge or contact with other hospital to know what to try. Best hospital for this is Cleveland Clinic in USA ! Not that I have had any contact or help for them, but they know what to do with barorflex failure - http://my.clevelandclinic.org/services/urology-kidney/departments-centers/nephrology/center-study-blood-pressure-fluid-electrolyte-disorders You say you have other problems. After 10 years I lost ability to eat, including trouble with aspirating, and now I am fed through a feeding tube (via a mic-key) button. Sounds bad, but actually I am in best condition in a long time. And still manage to work and live overseas. Let me know if I can help anymore.

... Which old BP med is that?

It is classed as an older bp medicine here called Aldomet 250 mg, but also along with Inderel and Dilatrend, which are beta blockers. When I was admitted to hospital for something else, the doctors (other drs) were not comfortable with the mixture of medicine (did not make sense), so they stopped it and only want to give me the bp medicine. But then my bp went high and all over the place again, so after going back on the mixture it stabilsed again (as far as it can stabilise). The mix of medicine seems to work for me. I have more issues with low than high blood pressure now, but later at nights when not active.

PS.....I also have gastric problems, prolapses, joint and nerve pain, bronchiectasis and pooling in feet due to stretchy blood vessels from the EDS. They think that the EDS has been there since childhood but has worsened after the cancer and radiotherapy. I am very pro active regarding my illnesses and am determined to remain as upbeat and healthy as possible.

What is the name of the doctor at the Cleveland Clinic who treats Baroreflex failure?  Thanks for the link, but it does not work.

Thanks.

The link is out of date. Go to Cleveland Clinic, USA website, search barorelex, sometimes called baroreceptor. I was also not treated there ! But they appear to be the world leaders. I am actually based in Abu Dhabi, where there is a Cleveland Clinic here, recently opened. I had to search a lot here and ended up finding a Dr in Dubai. I am from UK, and was struggling to find a dr in the UK with this speciality - not easy. I have had the condition for almost 5 years now. BP still goes up and down, but not near the extreme high levels that it was.

Thanks for your reply. It caught my attention, as stress can wreak havoc on my blood pressure. Stressful triggers can make my BP go straight up (like a rocket!) 80-100 points in under 30 seconds. It also can fall just as fast and cause what feels to be a lack of oxygen perfusion in the brain. It leaves me momentarily unable to function (walk, talk, stand up, think) until my BP rebounds back. Is it debilitating to live like this everyday. I have seen lots of specialists (in the US) and have bags of BP meds. It's been a very long, exhausting, and expensive journey. Questions:  Does your BP instantly skyrocket with a massive headache, or fall in seconds leaving you unable to walk or talk? Have you had any limb jerking? What do you take to bring down your BP when it surges so high? I take Nifedipine, which is the only drug that will bring it down when it is so high (230-240ish). It has gone to 300+ and cut off my breathing, while I turned blue all over and caused a grandmal seizure.  I have not had neck surgery/cancer, but have fixed pupils in both eyes (doctors stated Adies' Tonic Pupil) for almost 4 decades. Are you pupils normal? I have read of a case of ATP with Baro. I am struggling a lot from my wlid BP. It is debilitating. I appreciate any response. Thanks.

Yes I have had similar. I also used to get very high up to 290 ish - once in hosptial for another check, was over 300 and sent to Emergency, by the time I was there and in bed, dropped to below 100. MT low bp range is 60/40, sometimes my BP is hard to register on the machines. It has been controlled over approx 2 years now. When it was up and down so erratic, I had a lot of problems - with one being getting a dr here to believe me. For two years, I have been on a mixture of bp medicine and beta blockers. 250 mg Aldomet, 6.25 Dilatrend (Carvedilol) and 20 mg of inderel - that what they call it here. It balanced the High BP with only occasional spikes to 145, rare to 160 and during stress up to 180 (but even more rare). I have tried other medicine, but it does not control the rocket jumps of High BP. I still continue to have issues with low BP, from nowhere I have to wait until the "out of it" passes by and avoid fainting - got quite good at it now and just wait until it passes. I am senstive to temperature and this can also affect my bp. When I feel my bp is high, I actually take a long hot bath, but then I have to watch the effects of low BP. Overall I am quite stable now, but it did take a couple of years on steady medicine that worked. Your stories are similar to what I have gone through with now more controlled. SOme of these are unavoidable, but I am in good manageable health at the moment. If need be we can email, rather than big responses on here!

Hello Callmil30,

Thanks for your reply. Have you heard/read about anyone with Baroreflex Failure that has "not" had a neck injury/surgery or cancer of the neck? Also, have you heard/read about anyone with Baro. that also has fixed pupil(s) that don't respond to light and can become "frozen" in size? (I have one large pupil and a small pupil, that remain frozen in size.) Thanks for sharing the names of the medications that you take. I plan to share your post with a primary care doctor that I'm scheduled to see next week. Can you please tell me the specifc schedule in which you take the specific amounts of medications? Lastly, are you able to work with this condition? I work full time, but struggle and am concerned about all the extreme BP surges (and yes, falls too) that can cause long-term damage to my body. I am 56 years old and have had these symptoms for 14 years. My BP is still not controlled, and I'm having a difficult time finding a doctor that will believe me when I tell them my symptoms. None of them have helped, and most have never heard of this condition.

I've been to Abu Dhabi. Two universities offered me a faculty position in Dubai, but I did not accept. This was many years ago, just before my symptoms began. I live in the USA.

Emis Moderator comment: I have removed the email address as we do not publish these in the forums. If users wish to exchange contact details please use the Private Message service.

Hello Go away,

Can you please explain what you mean by "stretchy blood vessels"? I can literally feel the blood flowing either up or down, depending on whether I am raising my arms above my head or lowering my arms. Thanks.

The stretchiness is part of my Ehlers Danlos. It has an effect on connective tissue and collagen.... When I stand blood collects and pools in my feet as the blood vessels are stretchy ( at least this is the theory of UCLH and an EDS clinic in Sheffield. So as well as the Baroreceptor dysfunction making my BP go low I also have it happening with the blood pooling in my feet. Some people who have EDS have POTS( postural orthostatic tachycardic syndrome) this also has the feature of pooling ..... But I have been tested and don't have POTS. Hope this explains it..... Cheers Geraldine

Thanks so much. Have you found anything that helps to prevent the extremely high blood pressure surges and fallsth? What are your symptoms when the BP surges and falls? This condition is debilitating.

Symptoms are.... High BP... Very bad headaches, shaking ( like a massive adrenalin rush) heart pounding and palpitations( tests showed that pain and any stress including entail stress worsens this) oh and excercise. But excercise is important so I mainly walk a lot. Low BP... Hanger pain ....( down neck and across shoulders, dizziness / very faint , I can feel as though I am underwater with alterations in hearing, eyesight changes.... Glittery lights then black. Very weak. The strategies I use to counteract the surges are ...... I start my day of by slowly raising up from lying down as this is the first big change to BP of the day. I also drink 400 mls of water as soon as I rise( before breakfast) throughout the day, I keep well hydrated. Eating can lower the blood pressure so small meals are best. if BP goes low, drinking a big glass of water helps or eating a bit of chocolate..... I also find a coffee helps... Also crossing the legs and pumping the calves or squatting ..... When I go dizzy with low BP I immediately squat. When BP raises ......raising arms above the head helps. I personally have found that I don't sleep well if I have things like dark chocolate or red wine late in the evening.... I've noticed this over a period of time and my theory is that it's the Tyremine/histamine I'm certain foods that affects me as when I go to bed I have restless legs, itch all over and am very restless .... Purely by chance I have found that taking an antihistamine tablet helps. But more than anything Best to avoid those foods that contain it ( In the evening ) hope this helps..... And yes it is extremely debilitating.

Go away,

Thank you for your post. First of all, have you heard of fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD)? In particular, you should read about renal, carotid, and vertebral FMD, although FMD can be in other places, including the heart.

I agree that, during blood pressure surges, the headaches are so severe that I can't bear them. The headaches are solely caused by the high blood pressure, because they go away when the blood pressure goes back near normal.  The pressure goes so high that I often am nauseated and have "severe" (it hurts!) pain in my heart. I have a lot of flushing in my face, neck, arms, and even feet and lower legs. Both eyes are completely blood shot, glassy, and sunken in. I look so sick that I look awful, and this routinely occurs when I'm in a meeting with several other people at work. I'm not able to stop what is happening to me. It is very embarrassing and difficult. Having a surge in front of a table full of people who don't understand, is very hard, and I'm tired of it. It is jeopardizing my job.

I too, feel "underwater" at times, when my blood pressure falls because my hearing is instantly reduced by at least 50%. It falls after I've stood up and taken about 7-8 steps. When it falls, I'm unable to stand up staight, walk, or talk, and have to put my head down on a countertop, furniture, or against a wall, because my brain seems to "stop" and I'm too weak to stand up. I can't do anything. I believe it is due to a lack of oxygen in the brain due to the blood pressure falling. This commonly happens 8-10+ times per day. Some days are more severe than others, but it is tiring to continue to live this way.

I have found that Nifedipine will quickly bring down my blood pressure when it surges. Nothing else will do so. I don't go anywhere without it. I actually bite the capsule to get the "juice" out it, as that works much quicker. When my blood pressure is at 230ish, causing me to feel sooo sick, I can't bear to have it that high, so I'm willing to do anything to get it done. My concern is the potential damage the etreme high and low blood pressures are doing to my health long-term. A couple of times, it has gone to 300. Once it went so high that it cut off my breathing and caused a grand mal seizure for several minutes. Have you read anything about long-term effects?

It's interesting that you mentioned an antihistamine. For almost a year, I've experienced an instant "all over flash" sensation the first moment I wake up and go to sleep. I don't understand why it happens, but it is very intense and uncomfortable. Its like a sudden chemical release that's released at one time, all over. I don't know if this is related to baro. or not. I going to take an antihistamine to see if it helps. I am also intolerant to temperature change. Heat makes my blood pressure surge, and often very cold temperatures do as well. I literally can not tolerate heat or cold, as my body temperature seems so dysregulated. I am constantly trying to cool off or warm up.

I also have Adies Tonic Pupil, which the Mayo Cinic surmised may be the cause of the baro. It is believed ATP may be caused by a virus, which could have damaged the nerve that the baroreceptors communicate with. Do you have any size difference with your pupils?

I have not found a doctor in the USA that has been able to help. Most of the doctors know nothing about it. However, there are a handful of autonomic doctors that do, in different parts of the country, but they are hours from where I live. The doctor that actually identified baro. said he wasn't sure if I have baro. because I haven't had a neck injury/surgery. Yet, he didn't consider ATP. Whereas the Mayo specialist did, and diagnosed me with baro. Developing baro. due to ATP is very rare, hence, my struggle to find a doctor that is able and willing to help. In the meantime, I still struggle each day. I have to work, eventhough I'm truly not able to, because it is so very debilitating. Are you able to hold a job with this condition?

What are the "triggers" that cause your blood pressure surges? Just talking about my blood pressure is a trigger for me. I believe this is because I have struggled so hard with this condition, for 14 years, that it has been traumatizing to me, to the point that it's hard to discuss it.

Again, thanks for your information. It helps to read what others are experiencing with this condition.

Dear cindy555,

The only response I have had to baro reflex failure is here. I have met no one with this condition, or even knows what I am talking about. The medication is Aldomet 250 mg, 6.35 Dilatrend, and 20mg Inderal (may be called something else now). I take all in the morning - at one point 20 inderal in the morning, 10 at night - but too much affect the low bp. Recently after 2.5 years, and because I have been able to boost my intake via feeding tube for 1.5 years (tube disconnects - another story), I have now stopped the inderal and on half the dilatrend - very sensitive, took weeks to come off. It is a mixture of bp medicine and beta blockers. It definitiely worked for me. I had short spell in hospital during changing to feeding tube and they tried to change the medicine and my bp went up to high 200s again. So i went back on it - it must be a bit of a mixture as a lot of drs are wondering why I am on this, and asked me to take responsibility to go back on them

I am 52. My main problem with low bp is at night in own house, and I manage to get pre warning before any falls - not to start with. At work, I just have to be careful when standing up too quick, or take immediate action if I feel bo is low.

I have not heard of fixed pupils, but is an interesting point as I have had in the past sort of temporary sparkles and/or darkness in right eye. SOme symtoms come and go.

I am resident in Abu Dhabi, but I am from Scotland.

Hello cindy555

I was diagnosed with suspected Baroreflex failure in March of this year, and I have been searching for months for any support groups or forums for people suffering from this v rare condition.  I am so pleased to have finally found this patient.info forum as hopefully now I can share experiences and find out how other people are affected by this - I have felt v isolated and alone with my symptoms.  I am a 64 year old female.

I have not had cancer, or surgery of the neck. My blood pressure surges started out of the blue as a one-off in October 2015, and became v frequent from December 2015 requiring multiple A&E visits. I was referred to many departments - heart, gastro, endocrin etc - noone could find a cause as all test came back normal yet my blood pressure kept surging despite bp medication. I was too ill to work and spent most days lying down feeling dreadful with head/heart/chest pains. In desperation (after 1 doctor changed perendopril to doxacosin and I became v unwell with tachycardia) I found a cardiovascular specialist privately in March, who immediately mentioned baroreflex failure and referred me to his specialist blood pressure NHS clinic. I have been under his care at Barts Hospital London since May of this year.  I take clonidine tablets, and amlodipine.  My treatment has been complicated by hyperthyroidism that became hypothyroidism, which is now slowly improving and should be back to normal levels in 3 months or so.  This has caused weight gain, problems with fluid retention in joints, and elevated diastolic bp.

I recognise many of the symptoms you and Callmil30 mention - the instant "all over flash" sensation- mine used to happen when I was just sitting watching TV, now it is more when I fall asleep or am woken suddenly.  It is like someone throwing a switch in my body and yes it does feel like a sudden chemical release. I get the temporary zigzag/sparkles in both eyes. I only had the temporary darkness during my 1st episode in October last year. I get the very bad headaches, heart pounding, palpitations - mostly no triggers, it just happens totally at random.

I hope you, and Callmil30, and anyone else suffering from this rare condition, will please reply.  I wish you all well.  Thanks

 I also have this condition I live in Austin Texas have any of you tried wearing support stockings? This may stabilize your low blood pressure and you could take medication for the high blood pressure.  I plan on going to Vanderbilt and seeking remedies treatment or medication and I will let you all know I have all the same symptoms exactly like all of you. 

Which doctor(s) are you seeing at Vanderbilt? Is Dr. David Robertson one of them? Are they planning to do autonomic testing?

I am not sure which doctor I'm seeing at Vanderbilt as of right now. I'm trying different medications to see if this improves they are slow acting and take some weeks to know. I will post any improvements as they develop. My symptoms seem to have gotten worse in the last few weeks are used to get 1 to 2 episodes a day and the other day I had a severe ones yesterday I just had to and this morning I've just had one but hope they keep going down I'll keep you up-to-date.

Hi Rexjb,

Dr. David Robertson, at Vanderbilt, is the physician that actually identified and named the condition, Baroreceptor Reflex Failure, many years ago. I saw him as a patient for several years. (Still searching for answers.)

Would you please take a moment to thoroughly describe the severe episode (mentioned in your last post), and if there was anything that "triggered" it (e.g., instant change in temperature-hot or cold, bending or squatting, simply talking about your BP with someone, laughing with friends, talking with a group of people that you know, physical exertion, etc.)  ? How high and fast (e.g., seconds?) did your BP go up, any headache or anxiety produced by the high BP, any chest pain, any flushing of the face/neck/ankles, very blood shot eyes, feeling like a tight balloon and very sick and weak inside, even nauseous, does the severity of the high BP leaves you instantly non-functional, unable to lie down because the BP would continue to go higher, body jerks, etc. How did you get your BP to come down? How long did it take to finally return to normal? I don't mean to ask too many questions, I just am interested in a very thorough description of whether your episode is similar to what I experience. Much appreciative, thanks.

Hot stuffy places for one is a quick reaction to my blood pressure the highest blood pressure is 235/140 on the low side 71/55. I can feel it coming on when it's stuffy inside the house In a building a restaurant a car . In a car I have to turn the AC on to maximum and put my face in front of the vent this seems to help quite a bit. In the house I really struggle to get to the AC if no one's there to help. In the house I struggle to reach thermostat objects start to move in triplets floors walls lighting and I feel like If on the way to the thermostat I have to lay down my head and arms on any table that comes first. I do finally get to my bed and lay down and that seems to be a relief sometimes five minutes sometimes I fall asleep due to fatigue from that episode. I was wearing support stockings for a few days and I had eight episodes in that day I have since taken them off and I had two episodes or maybe three yesterday today I did not wear them and I've had two and it's mid day. Even on days when the blood pressure drops to normal I still get episodes because my blood pressure prior to that was higher. Is far as getting headaches no I don't but when my blood pressure drops and I feel an incident coming by it hurt I feel pressure but no headaches do I breathe harder I think a little bit more than normal . When the incidence are severe I don't dare squat because I'm sure I will faint. I've been drinking a lot more water and that doesn't seem to help.recent episodes have been a lot more severe than a month ago lasting a lot longer. I hope I've answered some of your questions. As I do these experiments I will let everyone know. Even the doctors have told me that it's hitter mess with these experiments and will continue on with them.

Your reactions sound the same I found a reasonable balance with medicine. ONe type of bp high pressure medicine actually made my high bp and low bp episodes worse. There is no cure for this as you have found out, and low bp I also do not receive treatment. For me it has worked with a mixture of high bp medicine and beta blockers - again not too much beta blockers or has a lethargic effect. It is far from perfect, but the extreme high bps I avoid, but not high bp which can be short term, but I have been stable for almost 2.5 years. Pre medicine I was either extremely uncomfortable with the ultra high bp or fainting with warning with the low bp. That episodes have gone now.

 Could you tell me what medications you are taking so I can review them with my doctor and dosage 

      Thank you

The pills manufacturer name may be different from here, so I will put any names I have in breackets. I started off in the morning with 1 x Aldomet 250mg (Methydopa), 1 x 6.25 mg Dilatrend (Carvedilol) and 2 x 10 mg (1 at night, 1 in morning - Propranolol). It can give a bit of a low bp first thing but only last for about 15 min. I had that for about 2 years and now I take 1 x 250mg Aldomet and 1/2 of 6.25mg Dilatrend. Its not guaranteed to work for everyone, its just the balance I got for me. I have tried to reduce the Dilatrend but high bp episodes increase. during transition off the inital mixture, I would take an occassional Inderel. Note at one point I was given Cosaar 50 mg (Losartan potassium), which is a more modern medicine for high bp, but it did not work at all, quite the opposite.

Vanderbilt has an awesome Center for autonomic dyfunction. Good luck.

Please in what city and state is Vanderbilt located?

Vanderbilt University is located in Nashville, Tennessee.

Thanks for the information.

Dr. David Robertson is recognized as the one who identified Baro. many years ago. I have met him many times. He does not treat Baro. but will consult. They have an autonomic department that conducts many tests for possible diagnosis of Baro./Dysautonomia. Dr. Robertson is nice and very grandfatherly, but he leans heavily in his views that unless one has had a significant injury and/or surgery to the neck, or radiation to the neck, he doesn't believe it is Baro. Yet, I've also read research studies that state for some people who have received the diagnosis of Baro., the cause is "unknown". I tend to believe the "unknown" is also possible. As usual, it's a very long wait to get an appt. with Dr. Robertson. Dr. William Cheshire, who studied under Dr. Robertson and remains in contact with him, works at the Mayo Clinic, in Jacksonville, Florida. He also diagnosis for Baro./Dysautonomia. I have also seen him many times. He is very kind and intellectually impressive. Mayo's testing lab is comparable to Vanderbilt's. I've been through both years ago. It has been a very long and expensive road. Most doctors are not knowledgeable enough about Baro. to effectively help. Good luck.

Hello Judy,

I wanted to follow up with you to see how you are doing. Have you learned any more news for treatment? I find it very interesting that you have been diagnosed with Baro. but have had no neck injury, surgery, or radiation. I have also the same symptoms of Baro. and it is very difficult to work and function with all the symptoms. Yet, I do. I welcome any news that you can share. I'm also wondering if you have heard of PseudoPheochromocytoma and what you may know in regard to how it and Baro. compare. How are both distinguished from each other? Thanks and many blessings!

Hi judy57827

I wondered if you could tell me which doctor you saw and whether you neded a gp referral to see him privately?

Also once you saw him privately was he able to just refer you to his nhs clinic from his private practice?

Hope you are feeling some benefit from treatment.

Hi mobyjoby

Apologies for the delay in replying - I haven't had the opportunity to visit this forum for a while.

I found Dr Melvin Lobo online - and so very pleased and relieved that I did.  He seems to be very well-known and very highly respected at every hospital I attend (UCH A&E, Ear Nose & Throat Hospital, Queens Square, Royal London etc). I asked my GP to refer me to him; I don't know if he accepts self-referrals at the London Bridge Hospital, he may well do, but I wanted my GP to send all my A&E admission letters, and tests from various departments while they were trying to find out was was wrong with me.

During my 1st consultation with him at London Bridge, before I had even asked him to do so, he said if my GP would refer me to his NHS Blood Pressure Centre of Excellence at Barts (St Bartholomew), he would see me there as an NHS patient as I needed a lot of tests and do not have private health cover.  I believe one needs the GP referral to Barts in order to be accepted as an NHS patient there.

He immediately prescribed Clonidine tablets, which has vastly reduced my BP surges, though I do still get them sometimes out of the blue for no reason. Clonidine patches are preferred to tablets but I seem allergic to them.

I hope all this helps. Do let me know you you get on.  I still do not know a single soul with Baroreflex Failure, and feel v isolated with this condition.

Best wishes

Hi Long Journey

Apologies for the lengthy delay in replying, but I haven't had the opportunity to come on this forum for some time.

In essence, my treatment consists of Clonidine tablets to control the blood pressure daily, with 5 mg Diazepam to control the occasional blood pressure surges I still have. 

It seems there is some possible treatment in the pipeline, experimental in the UK at this point, of implanting a device into the neck to replicate the function of the baroreceptor - I only was able to find one article on this and there are associated problems ie. recalibration of chip, risk of infection/ rejection, morbidity.  I have discussed the chip with my doctor at Barts - I don't fit the criteria anyway!

I am very pleased for you that you are able to continue working and functioning with Baroreflex failure - from when it assailed me in mid December 2015 I was to ill work, had to retire from the small charity where I had worked for 12 years, am still not well enough to return as a volunteer.  I regularly experience strange sensations in my heart/chest, and I have to spend a lot of time resting, though that may be due in part to my thyroid problem that was diagnosed shortly after I became unwell.

I don't know anything about PseudoPheochromocytoma, sorry. I think that could be best answered by an Endocrinologist, or Cardiovascular specialist.

It would be good to hear from you again, as I don't know a single soul with Baroreflex Failure to share experiences, symptoms, coping mechanisms etc.

All the very best

Hi Judy , Thanks for your message . Too glad to hear about Dr Melvin Lobo. Have you been to his office yet? I hope you  had a good outcome. i will like to be connected to his office. I do take clonidine for now when I have surges in Blood pressure. Please tell me more about the neck implant to control blood pressure. Bye for now.

Hi mobyjoby

I too, like judy57827 am a patient of Dr Mel Lobo and see him at Bart's after being referred to him my Cardiologist.

?Baroreflex Dysfunction was suspected so tests were conducted within 3months. I have been diagnosed with Baroreflex Failure, Pandysautonomia, Complex Dysautonomia and Joint Hypermobility Syndrome (no Pots).

?It would be worth asking your GP to refer you to him, I can strongly recommend him.

?He has informed me that I will be considered for Baroreflex Activation Therapy later in 2018 once he has set up the UK registry at Bart's.

?Keep me posted as to how you fare.

 

Hi Linda, I have Baroreflex Dysfunction diagnosed by exclusion. I take long acting clonidine, carvedilol ( a beta blocker) and alprazolam( an anxiolytic) for control of my blood pressure for now. What medicines do you take to control yours? Please elaborate a little bit on the Baroreflex Activation Therapy. I will try to get a consult with Dr. Melvin Lobo as soon as I  can. Thanks for your help and God bless you. Awaiting your reply.

Hi Mina

​What exactly do you mean by diagnosis by exclusion? I had to undergo Autonomic Testing for my diagnosis.

​Currently my medicines are :- Clonidine patches, Losartan, Cardura, Furosemide, Flecanaide, Atorvastatin, Apixiban and a few others for other comorbidities.

At the moment Dr Lobo is trying to set up trials for Activation therapy but NICE will not fund it so he is seeking other forms of funding for the research.

​As I understand it, a device similar to a Pace Maker is insert into the Carotid Artery which will send electric impulses to stimulate the Baro receptors.

​It is in use in the US and parts of Europe, it appears the UK are somewhat behind in this specialism.

​Hope this helps, take care . 

Hi Judy, I am also one of Dr Lobo's patients and have been told I have baroreflex failure. You are not alone!

Hi Judy, how are you?

I think I may be developing Baroreflex Failure. I too am hyperthyroid and was wondering if the condition has affected your Baroreflex and its treatment? Also, have u had RAI?

I am also looking for a doctor to consult. What sort of specialist should I be seeing?

Thank you very much.

God bless you

Hi Judy, how are you?

I think I may be developing Baroreflex Failure. I too am hyperthyroid and was wondering if the condition has affected your Baroreflex and its treatment? Also, have u had RAI?

I am also looking for a doctor to consult. What sort of specialist should I be seeing?

Thank you very much.

God bless you

Hello fellow Baroreflex Failure sufferers

I haven't been on this website for quite some time due to a combination of various factors.

I am wondering how everyone is faring ?

I am still feeling extremely isolated as I still do not know a single soul with this condition, and would like to be in contact with people who are going through similar.

Can I ask if anyone has developed other symptoms alongside the Baroreflex Failure? What sort of symptoms does anyone have from the Autonomic Nervous System disorders? I had 2 blood clots last year, causes unknown. Additionally I also have major problems with both hips, knees and my back but replacement surgery may be problematic. Thyroid remains q a major problem too.

Looking forward to replies, if anyone has time.

All the very best to you all

Hi, new to this forum, saw your post and very interested to read it.

I have been diagnosed with afferent baroreceptor failure or selective baroreflex failure for almost 14 yrs now, very similiar to baroreflex failure but believe it or not apparantly even rarer! Totally understand your frustration as i have felt isolated and on my own for such a long time. I also would be keen to find out if anyone developed other symptoms which maybe could be connected. I have been dealing with on going chronic deep intermittant groin pain which is like a knife been pushed into me & triggering a dull ache down leg, scans all clear & specialists stumped! they think possible nerve pain but unsure where its stemming from, no meds are helping at present.I also developed a chronic cough for almost two years and eventually put on inhalers which help but no one really knows what that is as they dont think asthma & when i went for eye test recently, she says i have a very unusual cattarct which looks like a christmas tree and suggested i spoke to my specialist as it maybe is connected to condition, problem is, my consultant has almost no knowledge of selective baroreflex failure so cant throw any light on it!

When i was initially diagnosed after barrage of tests, my consultant at the time said he had only ever saw one other person with similiar condition and it is extremely difficult to treat. He was very supportive to me but admitted he had limited knowledge but by adjusting meds a bit have managed to stay quite stable at present but get many ups & downs (quite literally)

It is a difficult condition to deal with which doesn't help that there is so little info out there & believe it or not i am only just now being referred onto a neurologist as my previous consultant retired and currrent one knows little so i asked to be referred as it is an extremely rare neurological condition and unbelievable that i was not under a neurologist before, whether they can help is another story! will live in hope. lol.

Sorry for the length of this post. also forgot to mention, i am in glasgow, scotland.

Hello Jacks65

I haven't been on this site for some time, so have only this evening found your post from 4 months ago.

I didn't know there are different types of baroreflex failures!

So sorry to hear you have been struggling for so long with your various other conditions

I get a lot of random unpredictable various chest pains, discomfort, bp surges etc from the Baroreflex failure - makes life v difficult

I have my own other conditions - not the same as yours. Hypothyroidism. Arthritis in my hips, so bad it's forcing my back forward, haven't been able to stand upright for 16 months. I am on a waiting list for hip replacement surgery but it'll be v high risk as I was diagnosed in April with 2 pulmonary embolisms 1 in each lung, & dvt 's in left leg. I probably have post thrombotic limb syndrome in both legs. Am having tests & investigations for other new problems as well.

I would be v pleased to hear from you.

Might I recommend that you contact Professor Lobo at Barts Hospital London? He is world famous in the Baroreflex world and treats people from all over the UK.

With all best wishes

Judy