Guest guest Posted May 13, 2005 Report Share Posted May 13, 2005 Hello all, I've been diagnosed with a tumor on my adrenal from a CAT scan. This all started when I passed out and woke up in the emergency room. My potassium level was really low (2.6) and I had a heart arrhythmia. My BP was 180/120. This happened 3 months ago. Since then they have tweaking my medications for blood pressure and it is under control now. I am on Spironolactone, Toprol, and Lotrel. BP is around 135/75 pulse 60. Potassium normal. They want to remove my adrenal gland. My question to the group is: What are the long term effects of adrenal gland removal? Is it risky? This is all new to me and I'm a bit apprehensive. I am a 51 year old male. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 13, 2005 Report Share Posted May 13, 2005 You are certainly in the right place to get more info than you would ever be able to find out from any physician. I am sure Dr. Grim and Dave will give you their expertese on correct diagnosis as they sure have helped me make the best decisions so far. I was also diagnosed with Primary Aldosteronism two months ago. Like you, I was also hospitalized due to low potassium and very high bp. A cat scan showed a very small adenoma on my left gland but to make sure that the adenoma is the cause of the problem my surgeon also did an adrenal vein sampling(AVS) to make sure that is the culprit. AVS showed that it was indeed the other gland, right gland producing more aldosterone, so for now I am taking spironolactone which by itself has brought my bp from an average 250/150 to normal avg of 120/80. Will be having more tests periodically to see where to go from here. So far I am doing very well on Spiro. If the gland with the tumor is the cause of your hpt, then removing it will bring your bp to normal, your body can adjust to functioning with one gland with no problem. You can read the archives from as early as two weeks ago going back and all the discussions will be on this issue. Best wishes and hope you feel better, Farahgarkatpatton <garypatton@...> wrote: Hello all,I've been diagnosed with a tumor on my adrenal from a CAT scan.This all started when I passed out and woke up in the emergency room.My potassium level was really low (2.6) and I had a heart arrhythmia. My BP was 180/120. This happened 3 months ago. Since then they have tweaking my medications for blood pressure and it is under control now. I am on Spironolactone, Toprol, and Lotrel. BP is around 135/75 pulse 60.Potassium normal. They want to remove my adrenal gland. My question to the group is: What are the long term effects of adrenal gland removal?Is it risky? This is all new to me and I'm a bit apprehensive. I am a 51 year old male. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 13, 2005 Report Share Posted May 13, 2005 In a message dated 5/13/2005 3:28:44 PM Eastern Daylight Time, Farah Rahbar <farahbar@...> writes: >You are certainly in the right place to get more info than you would ever be able to find out from any physician. I am sure Dr. Grim and Dave will give you their expertese on correct diagnosis as they sure have helped me make the best decisions so far. >I was also diagnosed with Primary Aldosteronism two months ago. Like you, I was also hospitalized due to low potassium and very high bp. A cat scan showed a very small adenoma on my left gland but to make sure that the adenoma is the cause of the problem my surgeon also did an adrenal vein sampling(AVS) to make sure that is the culprit. AVS showed that it was indeed the other gland, right gland producing more aldosterone, so for now I am taking spironolactone which by itself has brought my bp from an average 250/150 to normal avg of 120/80. Will be having more tests periodically to see where to go from here. So far I am doing very well on Spiro. If the gland with the tumor is the cause of your hpt, then removing it will bring your bp to normal, your body can adjust to functioning with one gland with no problem. >You can read the archives from as early as two weeks ago going back and all the discussions will be on this issue. > >Best wishes and hope you feel better, >Farah > >garkatpatton <garypatton@...> wrote: > > >Hello all, >I've been diagnosed with a tumor on my adrenal from a CAT scan. >This all started when I passed out and woke up in the emergency room. >My potassium level was really low (2.6) and I had a heart arrhythmia. >My BP was 180/120. This happened 3 months ago. Since then they have >tweaking my medications for blood pressure and it is under control now. >I am on Spironolactone, Toprol, and Lotrel. BP is around 135/75 pulse >60. >Potassium normal. They want to remove my adrenal gland. My question to >the group is: What are the long term effects of adrenal gland removal? >Is it risky? This is all new to me and I'm a bit apprehensive. I am a >51 year old male. Give us as much history are far back as possible of your BP problem, your family Hx of HTN and low K, and what diet they have recommended (DASH is best). I recommend that you request that you team set up up for and adrenal vein study with ACTH as discussed here. See my paper on the evolution of PA in our files. Take to your Dr. What have your aldo and renin results shown? > > > > >--------------------------------- > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 15, 2005 Report Share Posted May 15, 2005 I know it must be scary. Here's my history, if it helps you at all. Sudden onset of high BP in late 30's, along with low potassium, fatigue, and a small (2.5 cm) mass on my left adrenal gland. The only way to definitively tell if it is truly PA or not is to do adrenal vein (venous) sampling. I just had this done last week. They put you under heavy sedation, but not completely out, although I slept through it. They make a small incision in your groin and take a catheter up to your adrenal veins and take samples. The pre-medicate you with ACTH which is supposed to help determine the condition better (don't understand all of it myself). It determines if one or both adrenals is over-producing aldosterone. The test was no problem for me - no pain, no trouble afterwards - just tired from the drugs. Results are due back Friday, May 20th. I will either go on a medication for life, or if it is confined to the one adrenal where the tumor lies, they may suggest surgery. I have already spoken to a surgeon about this. They tell me it's risky for anyone, but since I'm over 40, even more so. Write me back directly to: annc999@... if I can offer you more support or information. Keep me posted. Ann Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 16, 2005 Report Share Posted May 16, 2005 Kathy, Congratulations. Indeed its wonderful to hear of your good experience with your surgery. This area is so vague and rare that is hard to know when and if you are getting the best of care. Hope you will continue to live a healthy, active, and happy life. We should make a database of all physicians, surgeons, radiologists who can do successful AVSs, etc so we know at least who to go to for referrals or 2nd opinions. Best Wishes Farahcathyb662911 <cathyb662911@...> wrote: > > > Hello all,> I've been diagnosed with a tumor on my adrenal from a CAT scan.> This all started when I passed out and woke up in the emergency room.> My potassium level was really low (2.6) and I had a heart arrhythmia. > My BP was 180/120. This happened 3 months ago. Since then they have > tweaking my medications for blood pressure and it is under control now. > I am on Spironolactone, Toprol, and Lotrel. BP is around 135/75 pulse > 60.> Potassium normal. They want to remove my adrenal gland. My question to > the group is: What are the long term effects of adrenal gland removal?> Is it risky? This is all new to me and I'm a bit apprehensive. I am a > 51 year old male. > > > > > ---------------------------------> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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