Latest Doctor's Visit

[Guest guest]

Last week, I went to see an endocrinologist at Washington

University Hospital in Washington, DC. My BP is doing really well,

but I wanted to see what he could tell me if some of the problems

that I am have could be related to Conn's. I might as well have

stayed home. I know he was wondering why I was there and I think he

thought I was crazy. I took all of my test results with me and he

said that all of the tests that he would have ordered have already

been done. He said that the pain in my feet could be caused by

potassium and explained to me that there is potassium inside the

cells and also outside the cells. When they measure the potassium in

your blood, they are measuring the potassium outside of your cells.

He said that they have found that people who have had low potassium

levels for a long time have less potassium inside the cells. Before

I could ask him if the potassium would eventually get back into the

cells, he was out the door. I also didn't get to ask him about the

hot flashes and sweating. He said that if everything is getting

better with Aldactone (which it is) then just continue with it. I

asked how he could tell if I was on the right dose of spiro and he

said that they go by the bp. He didn't say to come back. I have an

appt with the nephrologist who is treating me at the end of next

month. In the meantime, I have cut back on high potassium foods

since my last K test was 4.4. I want to see whether it has gone down

any. I started getting the burning sensation in my hands and feet

last week and finally did go get a carton of OJ. The burning went

away and I put out a lot of urine the first day and night. I have to

get bloodwork done before my next appt and may get that done

tomorrow. I have to go home to PA again, my mother had a second

heart attack and is back in the hospital. They said that there is

very little damage from the heart attack but they say her heart is in

poor condition. Today is her birthday, she is 92. The big mistery

is that in May, the dr said that her heart was in good condition

especially for someone her age. My father has RA so I will be

dividing my time between here and there.

Fran