's story so far

[Guest guest]

I don't have a diagnosis just yet but here's my story so far: (I

added a few more details from what I posted before but no lab reports

yet)

's story, Jan 4, 2007

I am a 43 year Caucasian female. My HTN began at the age of 28 when

I was pregnant with my last child. It was shortly after that I

began taking HCTZ for many years. In May 2000, I had surgery during

which time I was found to have hypokalemia and needed to have

potassium by IV and they mentioned I had a heart murmur. There have

been other occasions I've needed the extra boost of potassium in IV.

I have reduced salt in my diet and eat bananas, sometimes 2 bananas a

day and other fruit regularly. With eating my banana faithfully

every day and 2 potassium supplements, I am still getting low K

results. I am looking at doing the DASH diet. I am 25 pounds

overweight. I do take goji juice for health benefits but after this

current bottle I'm going to stop until my diagnosis is done. I do

not eat licorice.

I have been fairly healthy and active most of my life and I even

taught a water fitness class up until June 2005. However I have had

low energy in recent months and not motivated to exercise. I will go

for walks occasionally and slowly I'm trying to make exercise and

eating improvements.

In May 2005 at a Fitness Conference, after participating in a

vigorous deep water workshop, I felt tingly and jittery. (When I do

a water workout now, I give myself more time to recover in the water

before getting out.) The jittery feeling made me suspect my blood

pressure was high. I talked with the lifeguard and some friends took

me to the ER. My BP was close to 200/110. My BP did come down after

a few hours and I was released. They thought I was hyperventilating

but didn't really know for sure. Once back home another medication

was added at that time. I think it was altace.

In September 2005, I went to ER for a severe sore throat because the

clinics were closed. My BP was high. Several tests were done

including ECG, blood work. I was released and told to come back 8

hours later for more blood work. My BP was 200/120. The doctor said

I'm sorry we're going to have to admit you. I remained in the

hospital for 5 days. I remember seeing the numbers each time they

took my BP and most of the time it was high. I think it was 160/95

at the time of release. A 24 hour urine was done. A ultrasound was

done. Results were normal. I don't have lab reports at this point.

My medications since that time include: HCTZ, altace, metoprolol,

norvasc, slow k and losec. My BP is generally in the 135-145/85-91

range at home. I have been to the ER a few times for chest pain.

Again I had a reading of 200/101 and I remember my PD was on call and

she said jokingly " I think you're going to burst " . It took a few

doses of clonidine to bring my BP back down again. I was released at

around the 160/90 mark.

I do tend to be a bit ambulatory with BP in hospital/doctor's

office. I used to donate blood regularly but I am not qualified

anymore because of consistent high BP readings when I go. In order

to qualify I have to have chest x-ray and other tests done, etc. My

resting heart rate first thing in the morning is usually 85 bpm.

Before rising I'll typically get a reading of 135/85. I take my BP

at home and once compared my device with the doctor's office and the

readings were similar. I also take it in the grocery store or other

public machines but not as much as I used to.

I usually have blood work to check electrolytes, etc. every 2

months. I've been monitored fairly closely. Typically my Internist

is happy if my BP numbers are below 140/90. The 120/80 doesn't seem

to be the goal for me but I will get lower readings occasionally.

He'll ask me if my readings have been decent. Sometimes I'll give

him a high/low ratio of readings or just say yes they're decent. In

July 2006, I had a stress test which was normal. It showed I have an

extra heart beat which is nothing to worry about I'm told.

I had testing done once before for Conn's syndrome which showed

normal results.

In December 2006, after several consistent low potassium level

readings, (usually around 3.0.)

it was decided to do a plasma adlosterone and plasma renin test. I'm

still waiting to hear what the ratio results are. I was told that

the adlosterone level was high.

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

results while still on the table by my Internist. A tumor on my left

adrenal gland

was found. He immediately began talking that I might have Conn's

syndrome. I haven't received an official diagnosis of Conn's

syndrome yet or PA.

I don't know the size of the tumor yet. The scan also showed a cyst

on my kidney which is supposed to be nothing to worry about and I

don't know the size of the cyst either.

Family history: My dad's sister has HTN and his mother had HTN and

died of a stroke. My mother has had some high BP readings but she is

not on any medication. My siblings don't have HTN. My mother's

sister has diabetes. I don't know of any family Hx of low k.

Some of my symptoms I currently experience in varying degrees

include: thirst, dry mouth, headaches, fatigue, frequent urination,

depression, brain fog, memory lapses, jittery and shaky at times,

foot cramps, anxiety, insomnia, emotional, low energy, chest

discomfort, racing heart, sore throat (occasionally), no motivation.

I know high BP isn't supposed to have symptoms but I sometimes have

an adrenalin type of feeling in my arms and when I feel jittery

usually my BP is up.