Persistent Health Concerns: Blood Pressure, Fatigue, and Other Symptoms - Ask Dr. Borucki

Question
Dr. Borucki,
I am 30 years old.  For the past four years or so my blood pressure will go up for a span of a couple of weeks-3 or 4 months before righting itself.  Lately, I tend to stay exhaustd all of the time; I have hideous dark circles around both eyes; I tend to get SOB; my menstrual cycles have been irreg; and I have been having severe leg cramps as well.  The Health Clinic put me on Ortho-Tricyclen 10 days ago.  Two nights ago I started having severe abdominal cramps that I assumed were the result of the medicine doing its job.  They have since stopped.  However my blood pressure was elevated (147/125, 155/120) this afternoon.  By the time the ER checked me it had lowered to 147/90.  They tested my blood sugar, and it was 163 which they say is high.  I have also noticed a small knot directly behind my left ear that I assumed was a swollen lymph node.  The ER doctor told me that it's not, but he's not sure what it is either.  It's been present for a couple of weeks.  Do you have any idea what any of this is?  Is it all related or is there more than one thing happening to me?

Answer
I would worry about several problems... I always worry about thyroid problems... you could have anemia and could have hypertension or it could be secondary to the other above problems..... overall, you need to check with your doctor for a full workup.........