URGENT: Questions for Dr. Grim

[Guest guest]

BPH is a good indication for Cardura. If BP and are doing well then sounds like a good combo for you.

Did Spiro or Inspra lower BP? What dose did it take?

May your pressure be low!

Clarence E. Grim, BS (Chemistry and Mathematics), MS (Biochemistry), MD

Professor of Medicine and Epidemiology

Medical College of Wisconsin

Board certified in Hypertension, Internal Medicine and Geriatrics

[Guest guest]

Dear Dr. Grim:

You asked me, airlinerg:

> How low has your K been?

My potassium is currently 3.9 and is controlled with Midamor

(amiloride). My potassium used to be less than 3.5.

> Have you been tried on spironolactone or Inspra?

Yes. I got gynocomastia from spironolactone. Inspra gave me severe

side effects like headache and dryness.

> Cardura and amlodipine may increase risk of CHF. What are you

taking Cardura for?

In the morning I take:

5 mg. of Norvasc (amlodipine)

5 mg. of Midamor (amiloride)

In the evening I take:

10 mg. Celexa (citalopram)

500 mg Vitamin C

1 mg Cardura (doxazosin)

5 mg Lipitor (atorvastatin)

I take the Cardura for additional hypertension control, as well as

constricted bladder neck and prostatodynia.

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

Some good news is that my blood pressure was 120/80 at the doctor's

office yesterday.

Can you recommend which blood tests I need in my check up?

I am still 40 pounds over weight, and gained another 5 lbs.

I weigh 180 pounds and I am 5'6 " .

I also have fibromyalgia and feel very fatigued and get 2-3 hours of

sleep each night.

I suffer from severe sleep deprivation.

I also have sleep apnea and I think the CPAP is worse than without

it. My pressure is about 7.

I also have low or non-existant Renin and I do watch my salt if I

can.

Please advise.

Thanks.

> > > Had to go visit my GP yesterday. I haven't been feeling well

for

> > > months now and despite nothing showing up on tests he is

sending

> > me

> > > on for further investigation.

> > >

> > > Symptoms are:

> > >

> > > Headache (a band of pain round the head but worst at the back

of

> > the

> > > neck)

> > > Low back pain both sides of the spine but worst on the left.

> > > Not sleeping well - waking up at 1 or 2 am and failing to get

back

> > to

> > > sleep until 5 or 6 just before the alarm sounds!

> > > Lack of stamina.

> > > Weight loss - 10 pounds in the last 2 weeks and 8 pounds the

week

> > > before that. I could do with losing the excess but not at that

> > rate.

> > > Very poor memory.

> > > Rash - face is worst but also elsewhere.

> > > Bruising (especially legs) for no obvious reason.

> > > Can't pass a rest room without using it.

> > > Drink more than most other people - mostly water or herbal tea.

> > > Always feel cold.

> > > Episodes of dizzyness

> > > Increased sweating and body odour (very unpleasant)

> > > Nails and hair grow very rapidly.

> > >

> > > BP fluctuates quite a bit. Last Wednesday average reading was

> > 152/104

> > > and yesterday was 131/112.

> > >

> > > K and Na tests show normal but I am on high K low Na diet so

that

> > > doesn't prove anything - especially as the blood can sit around

> > for

> > > hours before it is tested. Last 3 tests K has been 3.7, 3.1 and

> > > yesterday 4.5.

> > >

> > > Doc says my optical disc is " dished " but didn't go into

details of

> > > what that means or any treatment.

> > >

> > > Anyone any ideas? I've gone through the gauntlet of imagining

> > > everything (from another adrenal tumour to brain tumour to

kidney

> > > stones!)I am not myself and having problems managing at

work.....

> > > can't afford to take sick time without a " real " reason so

> > desperately

> > > need a diagnosis and plan of action to get well again.

> > >

> > >

> > > Helen in Scotland

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > Well I do find your symptoms Helen most interesting, even

though I

> know you have been through a lot more then me, mine are:

>

> Headache (left side of neck, back of head and upper shoulder)

>

> Low back pain on the left side.

>

> Not sleeping well - waking up at 4 am and not failing back to

sleep.

> Often urinating once per night.

>

> Charlie Horse type of muscle cramp in my lower leg when I wake up.

>

> Lack of stamina.

> Feeling tired in the middle of the day.

>

> Weight gain - 5 pounds in the last few months.

>

> Poor short term memory.

>

> Rash - I do have reddish breakouts on my face and scalp, but the

> doctor calls it seborreah.

>

>

> Can't pass a rest room without using it. Same with me.

>

>

> Drink more than most other people - just water everywhere.

>

>

> Always feel HOT. I feel hot, hot and hot. I cannot stand hot

weather.

> I do fine in the snow!

>

> Episodes of dizzyness (sometimes I loose my balance)

>

> I do not sweat too much, but have some body odor.

>

> BP fluctuates quite a bit.  My blood pressure jumps around like a

> jumping daisy. In the morning when I wake up it is high, (140/90)

> and then a few hours after taking my meds (130/85)

>

> Impotence and low testosterone

>

>

> I have low or no renin and moderate aldosterone, but I have not

> tested it without medication.

>

>

> -------------------------------------------------

>

>

>

> My medications are:

>

> In the morning:

>

> 5 mg. Norvasc (amlodipine)

> 5 mg. Midamor (amiloride)

> multi vitamin like Centrum

> vitamin C 500 mg.

> vitamin E 400 IU

> fish oil 1000 mg

> coenzyme Q-10 50 mg.

> acidophillus

>

>

> In the evening at bedtime:

>

> 10 mg. Celexa (citalopram)

> 500 mg Vitamin C

> 1 mg Cardura (doxazosin)

> 5 mg Lipitor (atorvastatin)

>

>

>

> -------------------------------------

>

>

>

> I would really like to find somthing that makes me feel cooler

> instead of walking around with an ice pack on my face!

>

>

>

> Please reply, or any feedback would be appreciated.

>

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/22/04 2:29:23 PM, airlinerg@... writes:

Spiro did lower my blood pressure. I only needed 50 mg per day, but

after a few months, nodes grew in my male breasts, and I got painful

gynocomastia.

As stated, Inspra did not work.

I have low potassium, and low renin hypertension and hyperplasia.

Thanks,

Louis

Can you detail more how Inspra did not work? What dose were you tried on and for how long and how were other meds tpaered?

May your pressure be low!

Clarence E. Grim, BS (Chemistry and Mathematics), MS (Biochemistry), MD

Professor of Medicine and Epidemiology

Medical College of Wisconsin

Board certified in Hypertension, Internal Medicine and Geriatrics

[Guest guest]

Spiro did lower my blood pressure. I only needed 50 mg per day, but

after a few months, nodes grew in my male breasts, and I got painful

gynocomastia.

As stated, Inspra did not work.

I have low potassium, and low renin hypertension and hyperplasia.

Thanks,

Louis

> BPH is a good indication for Cardura. If BP and are doing well

then sounds

> like a good combo for you.

>

> Did Spiro or Inspra lower BP? What dose did it take?

>

>

>

> May your pressure be low!

>

> Clarence E. Grim, BS (Chemistry and Mathematics), MS

(Biochemistry), MD

> Professor of Medicine and Epidemiology

> Medical College of Wisconsin

> Board certified in Hypertension, Internal Medicine and Geriatrics