I'm new to the group

[Guest guest]

Hi Kathy,

Welcome to the group. Spiro can cause menstrual irregularities from less frequent to more frequent periods (I've experienced both). Both spiro and inspra compete with aldosterone at the receptor level to prevent it from binding, but inspra does better at just interfering with aldo while Spiro gets in the way of testosterone, too. I switched at one point from Spiro to Inspra when I didn't completely dry up more than a year after I stopped nursing. Then I went back to spiro - I actually like the testosterone blocking effects, I find my skin is clearer and I have less PMS symptoms.

From what I've read, it is pretty rare for an aldo producing tumor to be cancerous (it happens but very rarely). I also recall reading once about cancerous adrenal tumors being bigger - like in the 6 - 7 cm range, but I'm not an expert on it, that's just what I read once.

In some respects your Dr. was right that your tumor (alone) isn't causing your high BP because sodium has to be present as well. Try adding the DASH diet (DASH = dietary approach to stopping hypertension) to your regimen, it's helped a lot of people.

I'm lucky - comparatively, I seem to have a pretty stable case of PA. For the last several years, as long as I stay on Spiro, K and watch my sodium, I have a pretty normal life. That's one of the reasons you don't see too many posts from me :-) The only times I really have problems are when my potassium drops, usually because I'm dieting and not eating enough K or due to GI losses (think stomach flu). Things were all over the board when I was first diagnosed, but I was been able to drastically reduce my meds after the first year or so of treatment.

AVS is full of uncertainties and probably not really necessary unless you can't get your condition under control through medication and diet. I do, however, understand the desire to "know" everything you can about your diagnosis. I had it done and it didn't tell us much of significance. I have tumors on both sides that are visible on a CT scan, but the right side can be hard to sample (and, of course, in my case it was) so they never got a good reading on that side. I've also had follow-up CT scans two years after my initial Dx and everything looked the same. I most likely won't go back for another follow-up unless new problems appear.

Best wishes and welcome.

Re: I'm new to the group

Thank you all for welcoming me to the group! I am so pleased to have found this place! Actually I posted on WebMB and someone there gave me the link to this group.This disease or whatever you want to call it has me VERY confused! My Endo doc never seems to explain things to me so I end up having to ask my primary doc everything. I seen my primary doc yesterday and I asked him if the tumor was causing my BP to be high - he said no! Ooookaaay, go figure that one! Anyway, the only way I knew what was going on was I had to be sneaky and look at my files on my Endo's desk while he was out of the room. I do remember seeing Aldostrone. The only tests he did was blood work and a 24 hour urine test. I don't have another appointment to see him (Endo doc) until next March! That will be after my next 6 month CT scan to check the tumor. I've been reading the posts and see a lot about AVS sampling - should I have this test done?To be honest with you, when I was first told about the tumor and it being 2 cm, I was worried about it being cancer. Is there anyway they can know this as well? My Endo doc kind of scared me the last time I seen him because I said "this isn't cancer?" then he replied "we're not sure yet" - well if it's producing too much aldostrone wouldn't it NOT be cancer? I would think if he thinks it's cancer then he should be moving a bit quicker and not deciding to do the scans every 6 months. I just wish he would explain things to me!Kathy

[Guest guest]

Kathy,

K is the chemical symbol for potassium.

Is your water pill a potassium sparing one? I take triamterene with HCTZ which is a potassium sparing water pill.

Debi

[Guest guest]

Thank you :-) Actually, I do like the Spiro, I noticed since

I've been taking it that I don't have the horrible cramps while on my

periods anymore. They were so bad I would have to lay down with a

heating pad on the High setting! I guess that's a plus for Spiro and

also the testosterone blocking!

I have read that as well about the tumors being cancerous when

bigger, so we must have seen it on the same site somewhere, believe

me, I've done tons of research.

My primary doc put me on a water pill last Tuesday (Hydroclor...),

anyway, I don't think I want to take it because I am afraid of losing

potassium again. I have been taking it since Tuesday, but I am not so

sure about it.

I see a lot of people talking about K - what is that? Vitamin K?

I go for my next CT scan in February, and hopefully everything stayed

the same. My endo doc told me if it stays the same in Feb., then I

won't have to have another scan only once a year after that.

Thanks

Kathy

>

> Hi Kathy,

>

> Welcome to the group. Spiro can cause menstrual irregularities

from less frequent to more frequent periods (I've experienced both).

Both spiro and inspra compete with aldosterone at the receptor level

to prevent it from binding, but inspra does better at just

interfering with aldo while Spiro gets in the way of testosterone,

too. I switched at one point from Spiro to Inspra when I didn't

completely dry up more than a year after I stopped nursing. Then I

went back to spiro - I actually like the testosterone blocking

effects, I find my skin is clearer and I have less PMS symptoms.

>

> From what I've read, it is pretty rare for an aldo producing tumor

to be cancerous (it happens but very rarely). I also recall reading

once about cancerous adrenal tumors being bigger - like in the 6 - 7

cm range, but I'm not an expert on it, that's just what I read once.

>

> In some respects your Dr. was right that your tumor (alone) isn't

causing your high BP because sodium has to be present as well. Try

adding the DASH diet (DASH = dietary approach to stopping

hypertension) to your regimen, it's helped a lot of people.

>

> I'm lucky - comparatively, I seem to have a pretty stable case of

PA. For the last several years, as long as I stay on Spiro, K and

watch my sodium, I have a pretty normal life. That's one of the

reasons you don't see too many posts from me :-) The only times I

really have problems are when my potassium drops, usually because I'm

dieting and not eating enough K or due to GI losses (think stomach

flu). Things were all over the board when I was first diagnosed, but

I was been able to drastically reduce my meds after the first year or

so of treatment.

>

> AVS is full of uncertainties and probably not really necessary

unless you can't get your condition under control through medication

and diet. I do, however, understand the desire to " know " everything

you can about your diagnosis. I had it done and it didn't tell us

much of significance. I have tumors on both sides that are visible

on a CT scan, but the right side can be hard to sample (and, of

course, in my case it was) so they never got a good reading on that

side. I've also had follow-up CT scans two years after my initial Dx

and everything looked the same. I most likely won't go back for

another follow-up unless new problems appear.

>

> Best wishes and welcome.

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Debi,

Ohhhh! Now I know what the K means! I never thought of the chemical

symbol! I should have put 2 and 2 together! LOL!

No - the water pill is Hydrochlorothiazide (thyazide). I don't think

it's a potassium sparing water pill. I'm not too keen on taking anymore

of it because I am afraid of losing potassium again.

Kathy

>

> Kathy,

>

> K is the chemical symbol for potassium.

>

> Is your water pill a potassium sparing one? I take triamterene with

HCTZ

> which is a potassium sparing water pill.

>

> Debi

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Kathy:K is potassium. If you are taking Spironolactone or Inspra and following the dash diet, then you dont need to worry about your K. A lot of doctors combine the spiro. with hydrochlor.. if spironolactone is not helping you alone. Cramps you are talking about were probably losing so much potassium that you were having the cramps. Remember to give the diet a good 12 weeks along with spiro and see how it lowers your bp and how you feel better. Although you will start feeling better within a week on the diet. If you are having too many side effects with spiro, then you can ask your doctor for Inspra. Some people like myself have a lot of side effects to Inspra i.e. headaches, chest pain, etc.

Hope you will start feeling better as the days go by to good health.

Farah

On 10/12/06, kathy11961 <kathy11961@...> wrote:

Thank you :-) Actually, I do like the Spiro, I noticed since I've been taking it that I don't have the horrible cramps while on my periods anymore. They were so bad I would have to lay down with a heating pad on the High setting! I guess that's a plus for Spiro and also the testosterone blocking!I have read that as well about the tumors being cancerous when bigger, so we must have seen it on the same site somewhere, believe me, I've done tons of research.

My primary doc put me on a water pill last Tuesday (Hydroclor...), anyway, I don't think I want to take it because I am afraid of losing potassium again. I have been taking it since Tuesday, but I am not so sure about it.

I see a lot of people talking about K - what is that? Vitamin K?I go for my next CT scan in February, and hopefully everything stayed the same. My endo doc told me if it stays the same in Feb., then I won't have to have another scan only once a year after that.ThanksKathy>> Hi Kathy,> > Welcome to the group. Spiro can cause menstrual irregularities from less frequent to more frequent periods (I've experienced both). Both spiro and inspra compete with aldosterone at the receptor level to prevent it from binding, but inspra does better at just interfering with aldo while Spiro gets in the way of testosterone, too. I switched at one point from Spiro to Inspra when I didn't completely dry up more than a year after I stopped nursing. Then I went back to spiro - I actually like the testosterone blocking effects, I find my skin is clearer and I have less PMS symptoms.> > From what I've read, it is pretty rare for an aldo producing tumor to be cancerous (it happens but very rarely). I also recall reading once about cancerous adrenal tumors being bigger - like in the 6 - 7 cm range, but I'm not an expert on it, that's just what I read once.

> > In some respects your Dr. was right that your tumor (alone) isn't causing your high BP because sodium has to be present as well. Try adding the DASH diet (DASH = dietary approach to stopping hypertension) to your regimen, it's helped a lot of people.

> > I'm lucky - comparatively, I seem to have a pretty stable case of PA. For the last several years, as long as I stay on Spiro, K and watch my sodium, I have a pretty normal life. That's one of the reasons you don't see too many posts from me :-) The only times I really have problems are when my potassium drops, usually because I'm dieting and not eating enough K or due to GI losses (think stomach flu). Things were all over the board when I was first diagnosed, but I was been able to drastically reduce my meds after the first year or so of treatment.> > AVS is full of uncertainties and probably not really necessary unless you can't get your condition under control through medication and diet. I do, however, understand the desire to " know " everything you can about your diagnosis. I had it done and it didn't tell us much of significance. I have tumors on both sides that are visible on a CT scan, but the right side can be hard to sample (and, of course, in my case it was) so they never got a good reading on that side. I've also had follow-up CT scans two years after my initial Dx and everything looked the same. I most likely won't go back for another follow-up unless new problems appear.> > Best wishes and welcome.> > > > >

[Guest guest]

Hi Kathy,

Welcome to the group. One thing most of us have been thru is a lot

of doctors!! Since your endo seems to just want to ignore the tumor

and take pictures every 6 months, I would say you need to find

another doctor. I have been to 7 endos so far and have heard a

different story from all of them. The one I tend to believe is that

the nodule on my adrenal gland isn't causing my high aldosterone

levels, something else is. Unfortunately the dr who told me that

didn't give me any idea of what was causing it. He said this after

he saw the results of my saline suppression test. You said something

in your first message about the high aldo level causing the tumor, is

that right? I hadn't read that but was wondering if high aldo levels

would cause a tumor. I know that some in this group have had a tumor

removed but still have high aldo levels so I wonder. I have also

read that if you are on a low sodium diet, your aldo level goes up.

It seems to me that there is much about this that they don't know.

Where do you live? Maybe someone here knows a better doctor close to

you.

Fran

> >

> > Kathy,

> >

> > K is the chemical symbol for potassium.

> >

> > Is your water pill a potassium sparing one? I take triamterene

with

> HCTZ

> > which is a potassium sparing water pill.

> >

> > Debi

> >

>

[Guest guest]

>

Hello Farah & kathy,

just a caution, when you are on spiro and/or inspra & following the

dash diet, you still need to watch your K. I know cuz i do both and

load up on potassium foods constantly, and still have low K.

......> Hi Kathy:

> K is potassium. If you are taking Spironolactone or Inspra and

following the dash diet, then you dont need to worry about your K....

> Farah

>

>

> >....My primary doc put me on a water pill last Tuesday

(Hydroclor...),anyway, I don't think I want to take it because I am

afraid of losing potassium again. I have been taking it since Tuesday,

but I am not so sure about it...Thanks

> >

> > Kathy

You can ask your doc re/taking a potassium sparing diuretic (sp?),

like Maxzide.

best wishes,

kim

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/12/06 9:35:14 PM, kathy11961@... writes:

Thank you :-) Actually, I do like the Spiro, I noticed since

I've been taking it that I don't have the horrible cramps while on my

periods anymore. They were so bad I would have to lay down with a

heating pad on the High setting! I guess that's a plus for Spiro and

also the testosterone blocking!

I have read that as well about the tumors being cancerous when

bigger, so we must have seen it on the same site somewhere, believe

me, I've done tons of research.

My primary doc put me on a water pill last Tuesday (Hydroclor.. My

anyway, I don't think I want to take it because I am afraid of losing

potassium again. I have been taking it since Tuesday, but I am not so

sure about it.

I see a lot of people talking about K - what is that? Vitamin K?

I go for my next CT scan in February, and hopefully everything stayed

the same. My endo doc told me if it stays the same in Feb., then I

won't have to have another scan only once a year after that.

Thanks

Kathy

>

> Hi Kathy,

>

> Welcome to the group. Spiro can cause menstrual irregularities

from less frequent to more frequent periods (I've experienced both).

Both spiro and inspra compete with aldosterone at the receptor level

to prevent it from binding, but inspra does better at just

interfering with aldo while Spiro gets in the way of testosterone,

too. I switched at one point from Spiro to Inspra when I didn't

completely dry up more than a year after I stopped nursing. Then I

went back to spiro - I actually like the testosterone blocking

effects, I find my skin is clearer and I have less PMS symptoms.

>

> From what I've read, it is pretty rare for an aldo producing tumor

to be cancerous (it happens but very rarely). I also recall reading

once about cancerous adrenal tumors being bigger - like in the 6 - 7

cm range, but I'm not an expert on it, that's just what I read once.

>

> In some respects your Dr. was right that your tumor (alone) isn't

causing your high BP because sodium has to be present as well. Try

adding the DASH diet (DASH = dietary approach to stopping

hypertension) to your regimen, it's helped a lot of people.

>

> I'm lucky - comparatively, I seem to have a pretty stable case of

PA. For the last several years, as long as I stay on Spiro, K and

watch my sodium, I have a pretty normal life. That's one of the

reasons you don't see too many posts from me :-) The only times I

really have problems are when my potassium drops, usually because I'm

dieting and not eating enough K or due to GI losses (think stomach

flu). Things were all over the board when I was first diagnosed, but

I was been able to drastically reduce my meds after the first year or

so of treatment.

>

> AVS is full of uncertainties and probably not really necessary

unless you can't get your condition under control through medication

and diet. I do, however, understand the desire to "know" everything

you can about your diagnosis. I had it done and it didn't tell us

much of significance. I have tumors on both sides that are visible

on a CT scan, but the right side can be hard to sample (and, of

course, in my case it was) so they never got a good reading on that

side. I've also had follow-up CT scans two years after my initial Dx

and everything looked the same. I most likely won't go back for

another follow-up unless new problems appear.

>

> Best wishes and welcome.

>

>

>

>

>

But beware of the HCTZ, It may lower your K dramatically if you have PA.

[Guest guest]

more likely the tumor is causing the high aldo.

CE Grim, MD

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/11/06 8:43:55 AM, sheltonlayne@... writes:

But Inspra blocks the receptors that cause the reaction. 

It blocks the aldo receptors but does not occupy (stimulate) the estrogen receptors which are the ones that produce the gynecomastia.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/11/06 11:51:43 PM, leslie@... writes:

From what I've read, it is pretty rare for an aldo producing tumor to be cancerous (it happens but very rarely).  I also recall reading once about cancerous adrenal tumors being bigger - like in the 6 - 7 cm range, but I'm not an expert on it, that's just what I read once.

That is sort of the rule. I have only seen one that was a cancer in 40+years. And we took the adrenal out because we thought she had a pheo-turns out it was a PA producing cancer.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/11/06 9:34:17 PM, kathy11961@... writes:

I've been reading the posts and see a lot about AVS sampling - should

I have this test done?

Depends on how your BP and K can be controlled with drugs and DASH. If they can be controlled then I do not do AVS. Only when all else has failed.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/11/06 8:41:56 AM, cornerstone@... writes:

> ...Now my story - back in Feb. '06 I had a CT scan done on my

abdomin because of abdominal pain, well to my surprise they found a

2cm tumor on my left adrenal gland... Spiro hasn't lowered my BP at

all! It is still 165/103 and this really scares me. I had seem my

primary doctor today and he put me on a water pill

(Hydrochlorothiazid (Hydrochlorothiazid<wbr>e - I know, a long wor

this pill as well? >

lots of bumps on the adreanl are not making anything. What are your aldos and renins?

[Guest guest]

Thanks, I was going to say the same thing. It is best to have it

checked regularly. I take 50 mg of Spiro each day and average around

3000 - 3500 mg of dietary potassium (I can get it up to 4000 but it is

difficult for me to do that without taking my total calories into weight

gaining range). With that combination, I need to supplement 60 meqs of K.

kimsstay wrote:

>

> >

> Hello Farah & kathy,

>

> just a caution, when you are on spiro and/or inspra & following the

> dash diet, you still need to watch your K. I know cuz i do both and

> load up on potassium foods constantly, and still have low K.

>

> .....> Hi Kathy:

> > K is potassium. If you are taking Spironolactone or Inspra and

> following the dash diet, then you dont need to worry about your K....

> > Farah

> >

> >

> > >....My primary doc put me on a water pill last Tuesday

> (Hydroclor...),anyway, I don't think I want to take it because I am

> afraid of losing potassium again. I have been taking it since Tuesday,

> but I am not so sure about it...Thanks

> > >

> > > Kathy

>

> You can ask your doc re/taking a potassium sparing diuretic (sp?),

> like Maxzide.

>

> best wishes,

> kim

>

>

[Guest guest]

That would be about 2 cans of low sodium V-8.

May your pressure be low!

CE Grim MD

Clinical Professor of Internal Medicine

Professor of Epidemiology

Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Geriatrics and Hypertension

Re: Re: I'm new to the group

Thanks, I was going to say the same thing. It is best to have it

checked regularly. I take 50 mg of Spiro each day and average around

3000 - 3500 mg of dietary potassium (I can get it up to 4000 but it is

difficult for me to do that without taking my total calories into weight

gaining range). With that combination, I need to supplement 60 meqs of K.

kimsstay wrote:

>

> >

> Hello Farah & kathy,

>

> just a caution, when you are on spiro and/or inspra & following the

> dash diet, you still need to watch your K. I know cuz i do both and

> load up on potassium foods constantly, and still have low K.

>

> .....> Hi Kathy:

> > K is potassium. If you are taking Spironolactone or Inspra and

> following the dash diet, then you dont need to worry about your K....

> > Farah

> >

> >

> > >....My primary doc put me on a water pill last Tuesday

> (Hydroclor...),anyway, I don't think I want to take it because I am

> afraid of losing potassium again. I have been taking it since Tuesday,

> but I am not so sure about it...Thanks

> > >

> > > Kathy

>

> You can ask your doc re/taking a potassium sparing diuretic (sp?),

> like Maxzide.

>

> best wishes,

> kim

>

>

Check out the new AOL. Most comprehensive set of free safety and security tools, free access to millions of high-quality videos from across the web, free AOL Mail and more.

[Guest guest]

I haven't been here in about a week, so I need to catch up on the

replies.

I don't know what my aldos and renins are. I really do not understand

why my Endo doctor doesn't give me copies of my blood work - all he

tells me is " Your blood work is coming back perfect " . Ooookay, if it's

coming back perfect now than what is he doing to have the blood work

come back as normal? I mean could it be the Spiro? I think tomorrow I'm

calling his office and telling them in the office I want copies of all

the blood work - if I can't get answers there, than at least I can get

copies and post here what the results are - maybe I can get some help.

Someone posted and asked where I live, so maybe I can get help from

someone here in the group that may live in my area. Funny someone asked

because I had already gotten a reply from someone in the group that

lives fairly close to where I live.

If anyone else lives near Syracuse, New York just let me know.

Kathy

>

>

>

>

> lots of bumps on the adreanl are not making anything. What are your

aldos and

> renins?

>

[Guest guest]

Kathy

I often receive my labs over my fax its standard with me. I always get copies of

labs.

spiro does not make you aldo level lower. You need copies so you can post your

labs and get proper interpetation of them.

ita

>

>

> I haven't been here in about a week, so I need to catch up on the

> replies.

I don't know what my aldos and renins are. I really do not understand why my

Endo doctor doesn't give me copies of my blood work all he tells me is " Your

blood work is coming back perfect " . Ooookay, if it's coming back perfect now

than what is he doing to have the blood work come back as normal? I mean could

it be the Spiro? I think tomorrow I'm calling his office and telling them in the

office I want copies of all the blood work - if I can't get answers there, than

at least I can get copies and post here what the results are - maybe I can get

some help.Someone posted and asked where I live, so maybe I can get help from

someone here in the group that may live in my area. Funny someone asked because

I had already gotten a reply from someone in the group that lives fairly close

to where I live.> If anyone else lives near Syracuse, New York just let me know.

>

> Kathy

[Guest guest]

Thanks for replying. Yes this is what I am going to do tomorrow. Maybe

if it isn't too late, I can call them now. Well, I think the faxing is

out for now, mine needs ink :-)

Kathy

>

>

> Kathy

> I often receive my labs over my fax its standard with me. I always

get copies of labs.

> spiro does not make you aldo level lower. You need copies so you can

post your labs and get proper interpetation of them.

> ita

>

>

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/22/06 11:09:33 PM, meling333@... writes:

I really do not understand why my Endo doctor doesn't give me copies of my blood work all he tells me is "Your blood work is coming back perfect".

Being from MIssouri you can use my quote: "Show me, don't snow me!".

May your pressure be low!

Clarence E. Grim, B.S., M.S., M.D.

Specializing in Difficult to Control High Blood Pressure

and the Physiology and History of Survival During

Hard Times and Heart Disease today.

[Guest guest]

I would try to see the HTN expert at the Medical

School in Syracuse. Used to be Dr. ??? (can't recall last name at this time) He was actually working with Conn on the first patient. But he died () a few years ago.

Gunnar was with him but dont know if he is still there.

May your pressure be low!

C.E. Grim, B.S., M.S., M.D.

Specializing in Difficult to Control High Blood Pressure

and the Physiology and History of Survival During

Hard Times and Heart Disease today.

[Guest guest]

Thank you Dr. Grim. I will look into the name and see if he is still

there.

I did get some test result copies, BUT they are from my testosterone

lab work - not really what I wanted. I will post these results in a

new post and hopefully you can help me figure out those results/or at

least translate them for me. I go back to my primary doctor in Nov.,

so I will see if he can get the aldo results from him. He seems to be

very supportive.

Kathy

>

> I would try to see the HTN expert at the Medical

> School in Syracuse. Used to be Dr. ??? (can't recall last

name at

> this time) He was actually working with Conn on the first

patient. But he died

> () a few years ago.

>

> Gunnar was with him but dont know if he is still there.

>

>

>

>

>

>

> May your pressure be low!

>

> C.E. Grim, B.S., M.S., M.D.

> Specializing in Difficult to Control High Blood Pressure

> and the Physiology and History of Survival During

> Hard Times and Heart Disease today.

>

[Guest guest]

Dr Grim

Are you telling the group that Gunnar is

supposed to be a hypertension expert?

He works in Utica NY at the Slocum Dickson Medical

Group as an endocrinologist.

No one ever mentioned to me that he had done any work

with the adrenals. He only treats thyroid and

diabetes here in Utica as do the other

endocrinologists, that is why I had to travel to

Syracuse.

I had my surgery on the 25th as planned, laparoscopic.

No problems with anesthesia, all the doctors were

tuned in to my many med allergies and sensitivities

and were very careful in what they used. Post op care

could have been better, but that is how all hospitals

are these days.

No nausea, no hangover, used fentanyl IV PCA the first

day then just 650 tylenol q6h for pain control.

Home Friday, a little sore but doing well.

The endocrinologist never visited the hospital, I have

a f/u appt there Nov 13th.

The surgeon will see me the 7th and only addresses the

surgical issues, if all is well he will discharge me

from his care at that visit.

The surgical PA told me I needed to continue on 20 meq

KCL BID and that it would take 2-3 weeks for

everything to stabilize. No f/u labs ordered. I

questioned why I still needed the supplement and she

told me I was still a little " low " and should take it

till I had my f/u appt.

My pressure readings were great the first day post op

but now are hovering around 160/100 average which

isn't much improvement in the diastolic. I am not

getting the high spikes, flushing, headaches , muscle

cramps and today was able to walk around the block

(0.6 miles) at a good pace which I couldn't do before

surgery without becoming exhausted and cramping up.

No one seems to be too sure of what to expect and how

long the " adjustment " period will be.

Do you have any experience with this, what should I

expect or is it that every patient is different?

I plan on continuing the DASH diet, I am not holding

fluid like before, I have lost 1/2 lb a day without

trying and the " doughy " appearance I had is gone.

I should own stock in the company that makes low

sodium V-8 as I have been drinking it consistantly

since February of this year. I was drinking 8 ounces

of it a day along with the 80 meq KCl supplement pre

op just to keep my level in a normal range. I do not

eat junk, and get good amounts of fruits and veggies

in daily.

Is it harmful to take the extra potassium now? I was

under the assumption that the supplementation would be

stopped post op and I was not given any extra

potassium while in the hospital, I did drop to 3.3

12 hours post op from a 4.0 the day before surgery. I

hadn't taken any potassium or eaten from 9 pm the day

before surgery.

I do plan on calling the endocrinologist tomorrow and

running all this by him. I do not have a primary doc

any longer since he left town unexpectedly and I am

not sure who I can trust to adequately treat me.

________________________________________________________________________________\

____

We have the perfect Group for you. Check out the handy changes to

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[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/29/06 2:58:53 PM, shotzie@... writes:

Dr Grim

Are you telling the group that Gunnar is

supposed to be a hypertension expert?

He works in Utica NY at the Slocum Dickson Medical

Group as an endocrinologist.

He may be the same one. If you can track down his tele number I will call to make sure. Dr. Conn BTW was an Endocrinologist.

May your pressure be low!

Clarence E. Grim, B.S., M.S., M.D.

Specializing in Difficult to Control High Blood Pressure

and the Physiology and History of Survival During

Hard Times and Heart Disease today.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/29/06 2:58:53 PM, shotzie@... writes:

Dr Grim

Are you telling the group that Gunnar is

supposed to be a hypertension expert?

He works in Utica NY at the Slocum Dickson Medical

Group as an endocrinologist.

No one ever mentioned to me that he had done any work

with the adrenals. He only treats thyroid and

diabetes here in Utica as do the other

endocrinologists, that is why I had to travel to

Syracuse.

I had my surgery on the 25th as planned, laparoscopic.

No problems with anesthesia, all the doctors were

tuned in to my many med allergies and sensitivities

and were very careful in what they used. Post op care

could have been better, but that is how all hospitals

are these days.

No nausea, no hangover, used fentanyl IV PCA the first

day then just 650 tylenol q6h for pain control.

Home Friday, a little sore but doing well.

Excellent and sounds very encouraging.

Please be sure to get the pathology report on the adrenal gland for your records.

The endocrinologist never visited the hospital, I have

a f/u appt there Nov 13th.

I always followed my pts in the hosptial as long as they were there. Guess it was the old way of doctoring.

The surgeon will see me the 7th and only addresses the

surgical issues, if all is well he will discharge me

from his care at that visit.

The surgical PA told me I needed to continue on 20 meq

KCL BID and that it would take 2-3 weeks for

everything to stabilize. No f/u labs ordered. I

questioned why I still needed the supplement and she

told me I was still a little "low" and should take it

till I had my f/u appt.

What one hopes to see after the ADX is the K will increase and indeed go a bit high. Keep us posted. Were you on Spiro up to the time of surgery?

My pressure readings were great the first day post op

but now are hovering around 160/100 average which

isn't much improvement in the diastolic. I am not

getting the high spikes, flushing, headaches , muscle

cramps and today was able to walk around the block

(0.6 miles) at a good pace which I couldn't do before

surgery without becoming exhausted and cramping up.

Takes a month or so for things to stabilize usually.

No one seems to be too sure of what to expect and how

long the "adjustment" period will be.

Do you have any experience with this, what should I

expect or is it that every patient is different?

Yes I expect the K supplement to not be needed immediately.

So keep us posted.

I plan on continuing the DASH diet, I am not holding

fluid like before, I have lost 1/2 lb a day without

trying and the "doughy" appearance I had is gone.

I should own stock in the company that makes low

sodium V-8 as I have been drinking it consistantly

since February of this year. I was drinking 8 ounces

of it a day along with the 80 meq KCl supplement pre

op just to keep my level in a normal range. I do not

eat junk, and get good amounts of fruits and veggies

in daily.

Is it harmful to take the extra potassium now? I was

under the assumption that the supplementation would be

stopped post op and I was not given any extra

potassium while in the hospital, I did drop to 3.3

12 hours post op from a 4.0 the day before surgery. I

hadn't taken any potassium or eaten from 9 pm the day

before surgery.

Hmmm? I prefer to see the K normalize almost immediately. Keep us posted.

I do plan on calling the endocrinologist tomorrow and

running all this by him. I do not have a primary doc

any longer since he left town unexpectedly and I am

not sure who I can trust to adequately treat me.

I will be happy to work with your Endo if he needs any guidance.

____________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________

We have the perfect Group for you. Check out the handy changes to

(http://groups.http://gr)

May your pressure be low!

Clarence E. Grim, B.S., M.S., M.D.

Specializing in Difficult to Control High Blood Pressure

and the Physiology and History of Survival During

Hard Times and Heart Disease today.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/30/06 4:56:56 PM, shotzie@... writes:

ince having a 3.1 potassium reported to me as "normal" via the mail

in 2004 I insist on copies of things. What should the path report

tell me?

If you had a single adenoma which means you will likely be "cured" for a long time or hyperplasia which means you may not be "cured" for a long time-but time will tell. I just think you should have a copy for your files.

May your pressure be low!

Clarence E. Grim, B.S., M.S., M.D.

Specializing in Difficult to Control High Blood Pressure

and the Physiology and History of Survival During

Hard Times and Heart Disease today.