Re: Pregnancy and aldosteronism

[Guest guest]

Welcome to the group!

Dr Grim will be able to give you more information about pregancy whilst

having hyperaldosteronism but my own " gut feeling " (with no evidence at

all) is that any drugs taken during pregnancy should be regarded as " a bad

idea " unless proved otherwise. I also think your gynae may be mis-informed

about the effects of spirono on sex hormone production. The gentlemen on

this list will be overjoyed to let you know of their experiences. (tongue

in cheek) My own experience was of being constantly menstruating. I'm not

able to say if that would prevent pregnancy (due to upset in the cycle)or

induce mis-carriage but it certianly something to consider. I have a

feeling it isn't the testosterone that would be the problem but the balance

and regulation of the sex hormones which spironolactone appears to upset.

High blood pressure is a significant risk factor to both mother and baby

during pregnancy so embarking on pregnancy when you know you have high

blood pressure may not be the most sensible thing to do. You might also

like to look at your diet. Although not suitable for everyone the DASH diet

is reputed to help with both blood pressure and potassium levels.

You haven't told us how old you are - could you wait a while before you

start a family? Hyperaldosteronism has many negative effects on the health

(both physical and mental) that you need to be very certian of what you are

doing and the consequences before you start out on this path.

Please keep us updated and best of luck,

Helen

Original Message:

-----------------

From: lwood321 lwood321@...

Date: Tue, 11 Nov 2003 20:46:49 -0000

hyperaldosteronism

Subject: Pregnancy and aldosteronism

Hi,

I read a set of threads on this page regarding pregnancy and I'm

interested in hearing more. I have aldosteronism, but haven't been

told I have Conn's. When the docs did an MRI (or a CAT scan, I can't

remember), they didn't find any tumors, so I'm not a candidate for

surgery.

However, I do want to have kids and I'm a little concerned about the

effect too much aldosterone can have on the fetus, whether it's ok to

be on spironolactone while pregnant, and if i'm not on spironolactone

what bp meds are approved for pregnancy. I've started to do a little

research on the web, but I'd like to hear first-hand accounts, esp.

in non-medical language. Also, I've started conversations with my

gynocologist and endocrinologist, but neither of them have had a

patient with hyperaldosteronism while pregnant. My gynocologist said

that the spironolactone only blocks the effect of testosterone on the

skin and therefore may not be particularly a problem for a developing

fetus. However, Pfizer ( and my endocrinologist) don't recommend it

and said I'll have to find another way to control my bp and take K

supplements. (100 mg of spironolactone seems to control my bp and K

levels. Calcium-channel blockers also did well controlling my bp

before I was diagnosed. I haven't tried ACE inhibitors or Beta-

blockers.)

Can anyone give me more information?

Thanks!

[Guest guest]

I went home at lunch time to check out what the BNP said about

spironolactone and pregnancy. It leaves no doubt at all " Spironolactone

must not be used during pregnancy or when breast feeding. "

So there you have it! No reasons given (but then there never are) just the

MUST NOT.

Hope this helps,

Helen

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[Guest guest]

What causes your aldostronism? Have you been checked for GRA (Gluco-

corticoid remedial Aldostronism)? It is a rare genetic cause of

primary aldostronism. My daughter and I both have a similar form of

genetic aldostronism. GRA can be treated in many cases by

suppressing the offending aldostrone with dexamethesone. I underwent

adrenalectomy x 2 when I was a very small child and she just had her

left adrenal removed on thursday of last week. When the cause is not

a tumor then it is imparitive that you find out why you have it. GRA

is more treatable than many other types of PA. There are DNA tests

that are available to diagnose it through Dr Lifton and

Brigham and Womens Hospital. (Yale I believe) If it is in fact GRA

or one of the other forms of inheritable GRA it is also important for

you to find out because it is genetic. Not a death sentance, but it

is a dominate trait. Having a child when you carry a genetic

disorder is a decision that must be made on a personal and informed

level. I know that my daughter takes several medications and among

them are Spironolactone and Norvasc. Both are bad during pregnancy.

Of all her meds the only one that was ok during pregnancy is

minipress. Not that it matters much now as she is three. But one

day she will be in your shoes. Please push for answers as to why you

have this disease. It is important for your family now as well as

your future. If your family has a history of Hypertension and early

onset heart attacks and strokes then it is even more likley that it

is in the genes. Also if you have one side of your family that has a

noticible lack of children (or the early death of a good many

children) as my mothers did, even though Birth control was not

leagalized until the 1900 's then you are should also be suspicious.

PS you could also be the first mutation of the gene. I just wish you

luck with your quest for children and I also wish you good health.

Be informed and don't take a doctors ignorance of PA as the final

answer. Educate yourself. W.

> Hi,

> I read a set of threads on this page regarding pregnancy and I'm

> interested in hearing more. I have aldosteronism, but haven't been

> told I have Conn's. When the docs did an MRI (or a CAT scan, I

can't

> remember), they didn't find any tumors, so I'm not a candidate for

> surgery.

>

> However, I do want to have kids and I'm a little concerned about

the

> effect too much aldosterone can have on the fetus, whether it's ok

to

> be on spironolactone while pregnant, and if i'm not on

spironolactone

> what bp meds are approved for pregnancy. I've started to do a

little

> research on the web, but I'd like to hear first-hand accounts, esp.

> in non-medical language. Also, I've started conversations with my

> gynocologist and endocrinologist, but neither of them have had a

> patient with hyperaldosteronism while pregnant. My gynocologist

said

> that the spironolactone only blocks the effect of testosterone on

the

> skin and therefore may not be particularly a problem for a

developing

> fetus. However, Pfizer ( and my endocrinologist) don't recommend

it

> and said I'll have to find another way to control my bp and take K

> supplements. (100 mg of spironolactone seems to control my bp and

K

> levels. Calcium-channel blockers also did well controlling my bp

> before I was diagnosed. I haven't tried ACE inhibitors or Beta-

> blockers.)

>

> Can anyone give me more information?

>

> Thanks!

[Guest guest]

> Hi,

> I read a set of threads on this page regarding pregnancy and I'm

> interested in hearing more. I have aldosteronism, but haven't been

> told I have Conn's. When the docs did an MRI (or a CAT scan, I

can't

> remember), they didn't find any tumors, so I'm not a candidate for

> surgery.

>

> However, I do want to have kids and I'm a little concerned about

the

> effect too much aldosterone can have on the fetus, whether it's ok

to

> be on spironolactone while pregnant, and if i'm not on

spironolactone

> what bp meds are approved for pregnancy. I've started to do a

little

> research on the web, but I'd like to hear first-hand accounts, esp.

> in non-medical language. Also, I've started conversations with my

> gynocologist and endocrinologist, but neither of them have had a

> patient with hyperaldosteronism while pregnant. My gynocologist

said

> that the spironolactone only blocks the effect of testosterone on

the

> skin and therefore may not be particularly a problem for a

developing

> fetus. However, Pfizer ( and my endocrinologist) don't recommend

it

> and said I'll have to find another way to control my bp and take K

> supplements. (100 mg of spironolactone seems to control my bp and

K

> levels. Calcium-channel blockers also did well controlling my bp

> before I was diagnosed. I haven't tried ACE inhibitors or Beta-

> blockers.)

>

> Can anyone give me more information?

>

> Thanks!

Hi, Welcome to the group, I am really glad you joined because, like

you, I have been diagnosed with hyperaldosteronism, but I do not have

a tumor. I haven't checked the group website for several months so I

just saw your message the other day. I am now trying to get caught

up on all the messages. I had a hysterectomy in 1991 (fibroid

tumors) so I don't have any problems with Spiro. When I was

searching for a drug to control my bp, I tried a drug called Aldomet

(generic: Methyldopa). One of my doctors said that it was one of

only two hypertension drugs that they could use during pregnancy. I

took 250 mg three times a day along with Normotyne 200 mg three times

a day. It did nothing for my bp and I slept all the time. In

addition, my mouth and my eyes were very dry. Before anyone asks, I

will tell you that I have been tested for and do not have Shograns.

I have tried just about every type of bp drug on the market and only

beta blockers help. The drug that really controls my bp is Spiro.

I tried a couple of ace inhibitors and they both drove my bp sky high

(230/110)+ and my bp came down after I switched to another durg.

Many of the drugs that were supposed to lower my bp raised it

instead. The only one other than a beta blocker is Procardia.

However I developed a burning sensation in my hands and feet and

eventually pain and numbnuss on the bottom of my feet. I continued

to take it thinking that when I retired my bp would go down and I

could stop taking it. However my bp didn't go down and I found that

I wanted to be on my feet more since I retired and they hurt to bad

to stand on them for more than 1/2 hour so I started my search for

other drugs.

Fran

[Guest guest]

Again may with PA have a decrease in BP during preg.

Aldomet is one of the few drugs well studied in preg.

I used to call it the Shadow as it clouds mens (and womens minds) in some. I used to love to see pts come to me on large doses and I knew they were going to think I was a great Dr and gave them back theri life.

ce grim md