Re: left adrenal gland tumor

[Guest guest]

Well, you've come to the right place. Take a look at the files and message history to get a better indication of what comes next. The aldo/renin ratio is first, followed by a number of other non-invasive and, perhaps, invasive tests like adrenal venous sampling to confirm unilateral nature of the problem, if there is one. It is very important that you share your numbers with the group as well as the basis of measurement. That will help us and you get a better handle on what's going on with your body and how well your medical team is managing your case.

You sound a lot like me, except, of course, the pregnancy since I'm a guy. My medication regimen was similarly complex and still without adequate BP control. PA tends to be very drug resistant as you've noticed. My symptoms were similar including the emotional outburts which often comes across clinically as a combination of anxiety and depression. In guys, it can come out as rage rather than crying jags.

I had my left adrenal removed on 12/11/06. It was a walk in the park. The pain was for the most-part non-existent. My reminders of the surgery are 4 very small abdominal scars and no hypertension. We'll see about the rages, as I'm still on the psyc drugs and will be weaning off them over the next several weeks. The entire medical team believes the rages are from the Conn's Syndrome, as do I.

I hope you have the same luck as me.-JeffOn 12/19/06, lyndyst <cjant@...> wrote:

I am new to this group. My high blood pressure began when I was

pregnant with my 3rd child 14 years ago. I am female, 43 years old.

I was only on hydrochlorothiazide (the water pill - diuretic) for

many years until last year when I was hospitalized in September for 5

days due to my hypertension. As a result I am now on more

medication. I take norvasc, altace, metoprolol, hydrochlorothiazide,

slow k and losec. I had testing done once before for Conn's syndrome

and now recently again. I have had consistent low potassium

readings... usually around 3.0.

I had a CT scan done on December 13th. Immediately I received the

results while still on the table. A tumor on my left adrenal gland

was found. I don't know the size yet.

I do know my adolsterone/renin ratios are being looked at.

Apparently my adolsterone levels are high. I don't know the renin

results yet.

I've been looking on the internet a lot for information. Someone

from WebMD told me about the groups on so here I am.

I look forward to learning more and what to expect from surgery, etc.

I am in the early stages of diagnosis so I have not officially got

the label yet but it's looking that way.

Meanwhile, my Dad is giving me some 'alternative' therapy to try and

shrink the tumor.

I take my blood pressure regularly. My last reading was 145/85.

Some of my symptons include: thirst, fatigue, etc. and some are side

effects of the medication.

If I could go off my meds and be cured of hypertension, I would be

thrilled.

Has anyone found themselves more emotional with this disease? With

the adolsterone levels higher? I think I am. It could just be my

personality but I cry very easily.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/19/06 3:19:22 PM, jfeinsmith@... writes:

I would tend to agree with . The only way to shrink tumors is to

kill the cells. Since adenomas are typically benign lesions, with

normal cells, I would think that approaches used to shrink cancerous

tumors are not going to work.

Secondly, I would not introduce strange homeopathic remedies while you

are trying to get a diagnosis. While they may help you temporarily

feel better, they can play havoc with the diagnostics your medical

team needs to do in rather unpredictable ways.

-Jeff

Ask for the data in the snake oil in other pts with Conn's. The best "natural" way is to block the effects of the excess aldo eating a low sodium diet as in DASHing-others will detail. No salt no HTN with aldo.

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]

Glad you found the group. I had my surgery Oct 25th and now have

normal blood pressure and potassium levels. My energy levels have

returned to normal. My muscle cramping,weakness and easy fatigue are

gone.

As for the emotional aspect, I do feel calmer than before but

unfortunately at 54 years of age I still have female hormonal

fluctuations with my cycle that throw me a bit. No signs of menopause

yet, have been in perimenopause for quite a while!

I tried many natural measures to control my BP which I feel delayed

the onset of symptoms until the aldosterone production became so high

nothing would help. I really don't believe there is a way to shrink

the tumor naturally. Dr Grim will comment on this I am sure.

Hopefully you will find many answers to your questions in this group

>

> I am new to this group. My high blood pressure began when I was

> pregnant with my 3rd child 14 years ago. I am female, 43 years

old.

> I was only on hydrochlorothiazide (the water pill - diuretic) for

> many years until last year when I was hospitalized in September for

5

> days due to my hypertension. As a result I am now on more

> medication. I take norvasc, altace, metoprolol,

hydrochlorothiazide,

> slow k and losec. I had testing done once before for Conn's

syndrome

> and now recently again. I have had consistent low potassium

> readings... usually around 3.0.

> I had a CT scan done on December 13th. Immediately I received the

> results while still on the table. A tumor on my left adrenal gland

> was found. I don't know the size yet.

> I do know my adolsterone/renin ratios are being looked at.

> Apparently my adolsterone levels are high. I don't know the renin

> results yet.

> I've been looking on the internet a lot for information. Someone

> from WebMD told me about the groups on so here I am.

> I look forward to learning more and what to expect from surgery,

etc.

> I am in the early stages of diagnosis so I have not officially got

> the label yet but it's looking that way.

> Meanwhile, my Dad is giving me some 'alternative' therapy to try

and

> shrink the tumor.

> I take my blood pressure regularly. My last reading was 145/85.

> Some of my symptons include: thirst, fatigue, etc. and some are

side

> effects of the medication.

> If I could go off my meds and be cured of hypertension, I would be

> thrilled.

> Has anyone found themselves more emotional with this disease? With

> the adolsterone levels higher? I think I am. It could just be my

> personality but I cry very easily.

>

[Guest guest]

I would tend to agree with . The only way to shrink tumors is to

kill the cells. Since adenomas are typically benign lesions, with

normal cells, I would think that approaches used to shrink cancerous

tumors are not going to work.

Secondly, I would not introduce strange homeopathic remedies while you

are trying to get a diagnosis. While they may help you temporarily

feel better, they can play havoc with the diagnostics your medical

team needs to do in rather unpredictable ways.

-Jeff

> I really don't believe there is a way to shrink

> the tumor naturally. Dr Grim will comment on this I am sure.

>

> Hopefully you will find many answers to your questions in this group

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

> > Ask for the data in the snake oil in other pts with Conn's. The

best

> " natural " way is to block the effects of the excess aldo eating a low

sodium diet as

> in DASHing-others will detail. No salt no HTN with aldo.

>

>

>

>

>

> 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

>

*smiles at the term 'snake oil' !! I wonder what my Dad would say

if I told him his product is snake oil... lol. I would'nt dare.

Anyway... this is great to get all the responses. I am trying to get

used to and the set up. Also I'm trying to get used to

the abbreviations here and what they mean. Do most people have AP? Is

that the same as Conn's syndrome? Some of this is a little confusing

to me. It looks like many are having good responses with surgery.

Today at the grocery store I got 'jittery'... that's the best way I

know how to describe the feeling I get when I know my BP is getting up

there. I finished my shopping and came home. I didn't bother taking

my BP cuz I knew it would be high. I will post my 'numbers' once I know

the results.

lyndyst

[Guest guest]

Some one needs to put a list of abbreviations in our files if we dont have one.

We have one I think at bloodpressureline

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]

Think you mean PA not AP.

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 occasionally wonder how many of the " natural " remedies I've used for

unrelated health problems in the past contributed to the unnatural state

of my adrenal glands (I have tumors on both). I won't touch homeopathic

remedies anymore. They typically aren't clinically tested and lack

controls around quantity and quality of ingredients - that's just too

much of a risk for me. Consider the effects of other natural products

commonly found in our society - tobacco, marijuana, etc.

datawrhsdoc wrote:

> I would tend to agree with . The only way to shrink tumors is to

> kill the cells. Since adenomas are typically benign lesions, with

> normal cells, I would think that approaches used to shrink cancerous

> tumors are not going to work.

>

> Secondly, I would not introduce strange homeopathic remedies while you

> are trying to get a diagnosis. While they may help you temporarily

> feel better, they can play havoc with the diagnostics your medical

> team needs to do in rather unpredictable ways.

>

> -Jeff

>

> > I really don't believe there is a way to shrink

> > the tumor naturally. Dr Grim will comment on this I am sure.

> >

> > Hopefully you will find many answers to your questions in this group

> >

> >

> >

> >

>

>

[Guest guest]

>

> Some one needs to put a list of abbreviations in our files if we dont

have

> one.

> We have one I think at bloodpressureline

>

>

> 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.

>

Yes that would be great to have the abbreviations for the newcomers

especially. Some of us are a little slow.

Lyndyst

[Guest guest]

>

> > I would tend to agree with . The only way to shrink tumors

is to

> > kill the cells. Since adenomas are typically benign lesions, with

> > normal cells, I would think that approaches used to shrink

cancerous

> > tumors are not going to work.

> >

> > Secondly, I would not introduce strange homeopathic remedies

while you

> > are trying to get a diagnosis. While they may help you temporarily

> > feel better, they can play havoc with the diagnostics your medical

> > team needs to do in rather unpredictable ways.

> >

> > -Jeff

> >

> > > I really don't believe there is a way to shrink

> > > the tumor naturally. Dr Grim will comment on this I am sure.

> > >

> > > Hopefully you will find many answers to your questions in this

group

> > >

> > >

> > >

You have a good point about the 'natural' products in our

society. It gives me something to think about it. It's hard when

you have enthusiastic family members who think their product is

almost a 'cure-all'. It's not cheap stuff either.

Lyndyst

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/21/06 12:01:37 AM, cjant@... writes:

Yes that would be great to have the abbreviations for the newcomers

especially. Some of us are a little slow.

Lyndyst

Not slow just need to learn a new language which is what I tell incoming medical students.

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 did find a file here that shows some abbreviations. I guess

learning a new language isn't a bad thing when it comes to your

health. The document is called Medical acronyms/abbreviations.

I'm guessing I won't be contacted until the New Year for further

tests, etc. because of the holidays.

-- In hyperaldosteronism , lowerbp2@... wrote:

>

>

> In a message dated 12/21/06 12:01:37 AM, cjant@... writes:

>

>

> > Yes that would be great to have the abbreviations for the

newcomers

> > especially. Some of us are a little slow.

> > Lyndyst

> >

>

> Not slow just need to learn a new language which is what I tell

incoming

> medical students.

>

>

>

> 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]

My goal would be to learn about the epidemiology and physiology of health in grade and high school so it would be part of the language for everyone. The infomration is too important early to wait until midlife to learn about it. By that time the die has been cast.

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 1/2/07 2:53:05 AM, cjant@... writes:

Yes more education at a younger age would be better. I totally agree

with that. Learning is not intimidating to me and it's great to have

the internet as tool in aiding that.

I'm trying to get some questions ready to take to the doctor or if he

phones... I've got a lot of questions. I think the next phone call

will be a referal to an Endo. For Conn's syndrome, is there a good

basic set of questions to be asking?

Ask How many has he seen? He will prob say none but it he has seen 100 HTN he has seen at least one. May not have recognized it but saw it. Take him my article.

I know the aldo/renin ratio and

lab results is a good place to start. Is there a way to avoid taking

spiro or is that necessary to help reduce adlosterone production?

Yes DASH like your life depended on it. No salt in the diet not HTN from aldo.

just want to be informed before my next appt. It seems some here have

not so nice side effects.

Inspra looks better but if BP and K normalize on Spiro that is a good test as well.

I've been reading a lot of the posts and read the evolution paper

many times trying to understand it. It makes sense that there are

stages.

Do some people not have surgery to remove the tumor?

Yes if BP and K can be controlled other ways.

I guess it

depends on if the tumor is producing anything or not? right?

I dont think any Dr. recommends operating on a adrenal tumor that is not making any horomones unless it is bigger than 3 cm.

I'm starting to be bothered by the knowledge that low k is often

allowed to continue while on hydrochlorothiazide allowed to continue

potassium sparing meds? My doctors don't seem to want to change my

medication.

Take them my article and be sure they understand your low K Hx.

I will be happy to talk or email with them. Also take my article on difficult HTN in the files.

I've had to have potassium by IV more than once. My

last surgery (rear rectocele repair), there was a concern with the

how low it was. I didn't ask what the number was at that time.

I will definitely post any lab reports I can get.

From now on always get you numbers and keep then in your own files.

The next thing you need is to have a plasma renin and plasma aldosterone measured

ASAP I would say.

Can you give us a detailed cjant story??

Cant give us too much detail.

Family Hx of HTN and low K

How much licorice you eat.

Where do you live we may have an expert in the area to refer you to.

>

> My goal would be to learn about the epidemiology and physiology of

health in

> grade and high school so it would be part of the language for

everyone. The

> infomration is too important early to wait until midlife to learn

about it.

> By that time the die has been cast.

>

>

>

> 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.

>

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]

Yes more education at a younger age would be better. I totally agree

with that. Learning is not intimidating to me and it's great to have

the internet as tool in aiding that.

I'm trying to get some questions ready to take to the doctor or if he

phones... I've got a lot of questions. I think the next phone call

will be a referal to an Endo. For Conn's syndrome, is there a good

basic set of questions to be asking? I know the aldo/renin ratio and

lab results is a good place to start. Is there a way to avoid taking

spiro or is that necessary to help reduce adlosterone production?

just want to be informed before my next appt. It seems some here have

not so nice side effects.

I've been reading a lot of the posts and read the evolution paper

many times trying to understand it. It makes sense that there are

stages.

Do some people not have surgery to remove the tumor? I guess it

depends on if the tumor is producing anything or not? right?

I'm starting to be bothered by the knowledge that low k is often

allowed to continue while on hydrochlorothiazide?? Why not just use

potassium sparing meds? My doctors don't seem to want to change my

medication. I've had to have potassium by IV more than once. My

last surgery (rear rectocele repair), there was a concern with the

how low it was. I didn't ask what the number was at that time.

I will definitely post any lab reports I can get.

>

> My goal would be to learn about the epidemiology and physiology of

health in

> grade and high school so it would be part of the language for

everyone. The

> infomration is too important early to wait until midlife to learn

about it.

> By that time the die has been cast.

>

>

>

> 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 1/3/07 5:18:29 AM, cjant@... writes:

The next thing you need is to have a plasma renin and plasma

aldosterone

> measured

> ASAP I would say.

* the plasma renin and plasma aldosterone results are what

I am waiting for. My doctor said the aldosterone level was high and

he said the ratio between the 2 was being looked at. Now I'm just

waiting to hear back from him again. I think he'll phone when he has

a referral appointment for me set up.

Get the numbers and normal values for that lab and let us look at them.

* I thought I had posted my story with the first post in

this thread. I've been trying to read more posts to get an idea of

what info is needed for a good story of my history. The one thing

missing I know is lab results and numbers which I don't have right

now. Maybe you could send me a link to someone's story in this group

which is a good example to follow. I will try and post a more

detailed story after reading more stories here.

* I'm a little confused but learning.

* The city I'm probably going to be referred to is

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Do you know any experts in this city or

any in Canada for that matter???

Will look at my list of folks in Canada. Do know a number up there.

* I have been reducing salt in my diet for awhile now but I

plan on looking at the DASH plan and following it.

* I know my Internist says he has not diagnosed Conn's

syndrome in his practice but he's thinking I have it. He talked to

me while I was still on the CT scan table and told me about the tumor

immediately and began talking about Conn's. I will take him your

articles.

* I forgot to take my Mother's BP when she was here. She

had some above normal readings awhile back but she doesn't take her

BP. My Dad's sister has high blood pressure. My Dad's mother died

of a stroke and I think she had HTN too. I will try to find more hx

for my story.

Be sure to give this in detail to your Dr. and remind him of GRA (see my article), famililal Aldosteronism. Not ususally with a tumor but has been reported and first case was from Canada and had hyperplasia.

(lyndyst)

>

>

> In a message dated 1/2/07 2:53:05 AM, cjant@... writes:

>

>

> >

> > Yes more education at a younger age would be better. I totally

agree

> > with that. Learning is not intimidating to me and it's great to

have

> > the internet as tool in aiding that.

> > I'm trying to get some questions ready to take to the doctor or

if he

> > phones... I've got a lot of questions. I think the next phone call

> > will be a referal to an Endo. For Conn's syndrome, is there a good

> > basic set of questions to be asking?

> >

> Ask How many has he seen? He will prob say none but it he has

seen 100 HTN

> he has seen at least one. May not have recognized it but saw it.

Take him my

> article.

>

> > I know the aldo/renin ratio and

> > lab results is a good place to start. Is there a way to avoid

taking

> > spiro or is that necessary to help reduce adlosterone production?

> >

> Yes DASH like your life depended on it. No salt in the diet not HTN

from

> aldo.

>

> > just want to be informed before my next appt. It seems some here

have

> > not so nice side effects.

> >

> Inspra looks better but if BP and K normalize on Spiro that is a

good test as

> well.

>

>

> > I've been reading a lot of the posts and read the evolution paper

> > many times trying to understand it. It makes sense that there are

> > stages.

> > Do some people not have surgery to remove the tumor?

> >

> Yes if BP and K can be controlled other ways.

>

> > I guess it

> > depends on if the tumor is producing anything or not? right?

> >

> I dont think any Dr. recommends operating on a adrenal tumor that

is not

> making any horomones unless it is bigger than 3 cm.

>

> > I'm starting to be bothered by the knowledge that low k is often

> > allowed to continue while on hydrochlorothiazide allowed to

continue

> > potassium sparing meds? My doctors don't seem to want to change my

> > medication.

> >

> Take them my article and be sure they understand your low K Hx.

>

> I will be happy to talk or email with them. Also take my article

on

> difficult HTN in the files.

>

>

> > I've had to have potassium by IV more than once. My

> > last surgery (rear rectocele repair), there was a concern with the

> > how low it was. I didn't ask what the number was at that time.

> > I will definitely post any lab reports I can get.

> >

> From now on always get you numbers and keep then in your own files.

>

> The next thing you need is to have a plasma renin and plasma

aldosterone

> measured

> ASAP I would say.

>

> Can you give us a detailed cjant story??

>

> Cant give us too much detail.

> Family Hx of HTN and low K

> How much licorice you eat.

> Where do you live we may have an expert in the area to refer you to.

>

> >

> > --- In hyperaldosteronism@ --- In hyperaldosteronism@<wbr>h

> > >

> > > My goal would be to learn about the epidemiology and physiology

of

> > health in

> > > grade and high school so it would be part of the language for

> > everyone. The

> > > infomration is too important early to wait until midlife to

learn

> > about it.

> > > By that time the die has been cast.

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > 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.

> > >

> >

> >

> >

>

>

>

>

>

> 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.

>

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]

The next thing you need is to have a plasma renin and plasma

aldosterone

> measured

> ASAP I would say.

* the plasma renin and plasma aldosterone results are what

I am waiting for. My doctor said the aldosterone level was high and

he said the ratio between the 2 was being looked at. Now I'm just

waiting to hear back from him again. I think he'll phone when he has

a referral appointment for me set up.

* I thought I had posted my story with the first post in

this thread. I've been trying to read more posts to get an idea of

what info is needed for a good story of my history. The one thing

missing I know is lab results and numbers which I don't have right

now. Maybe you could send me a link to someone's story in this group

which is a good example to follow. I will try and post a more

detailed story after reading more stories here.

* I'm a little confused but learning.

* The city I'm probably going to be referred to is

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Do you know any experts in this city or

any in Canada for that matter???

* I have been reducing salt in my diet for awhile now but I

plan on looking at the DASH plan and following it.

* I know my Internist says he has not diagnosed Conn's

syndrome in his practice but he's thinking I have it. He talked to

me while I was still on the CT scan table and told me about the tumor

immediately and began talking about Conn's. I will take him your

articles.

* I forgot to take my Mother's BP when she was here. She

had some above normal readings awhile back but she doesn't take her

BP. My Dad's sister has high blood pressure. My Dad's mother died

of a stroke and I think she had HTN too. I will try to find more hx

for my story.

(lyndyst)

> > >

> > > My goal would be to learn about the epidemiology and physiology

of

> > health in

> > > grade and high school so it would be part of the language for

> > everyone. The

> > > infomration is too important early to wait until midlife to

learn

> > about it.

> > > By that time the die has been cast.

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > 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.

> > >

> >

> >

> >

>

>

>

>

>

> 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.

>