Guest guest Posted June 4, 2008 Report Share Posted June 4, 2008 It will be important to collect changes in PA episodes after surgery and cure to see if they go away. I would wonder if they might be episodes of low K, perhaps brought on by eating or rapid breathing. It is important to note if the spells are associated with any hand or foot or arm cramps or " hand drawing " like Sanford would show when he was talking about his " arthritis " on Sanford and Son. On Jun 4, 2008, at 2:38 PM, Valarie wrote: > Carol, this is exactly what I experience but have had such a hard time > putting into words. I am very weak when a PA episode ends, but cannot > sleep. I went to the store yesterday and walked around buying a few > things. > Then, quite suddenly, I started the sweat and knew that was my clue > to get > out of there. In the checkout line, some kids were screaming and > the noise > just pierced my body. I was horribly weak but managed to get back > to my car > where I sat for a while shaking and deep breathing before I went > home. At > home, I took 2 Valerian root capsules, leaned back in my office > chair and > slept for a while. Generally, when an episode hits, I don't even > try to > sleep, and generally can't, because my mind races from one thing to > another, > and the racing increases anxiety. I cannot think or respond to my > husband's > questions. My brain is still fully engaged but I just cannot talk. > Especially, I cannot make a simple decision (ex, would I prefer > chicken or > beef for dinner). I just tell him to leave me alone for a while. > It's like > " How in the hell can I decide what I want to eat when I'm trying to > determine if I'm dying. " > > The only thing that is different between episodes now and a few > months ago > is I am not getting the heart " gripping. " I did have an irregular > heartbeat > a few days ago though. > > So much is written about getting BP to goal with medications and > diet. So > little is written about " PA episodes. " There is so much more to PA > than > hypertension. Spiro may block some of aldo's effects but I don't > think it > blocks all of them. > > Carol, thank you for explaining what a PA episode means to you. > Could you > explain, " It usually begins for me with a sensation in my head > that feels > like a wash is moving through my brain. " ? I understand some sort of > sensation in your head, but cannot define it. > > Val > > From: hyperaldosteronism > [mailto:hyperaldosteronism ] On Behalf Of Carol > Christie > > In using the term " PA episode " , I mean a period of time when symptoms > are more concentrated and pronounced. It usually begins for me with a > sensation in my head that feels like a wash is moving through my > brain. > My head feels heavy, and my thought processes start to slow. I > start to > 'shut down', and need to lie down as weakness and fatigue increase. > The > sleep at these times is usually filled with vivid frightening dreams. > Anxiety increases. > 1. What brings it on if anything/ > Don't know > 2. How long does it last? > Varies from a few hours to a couple of days > 3. Can you stop it if you catch it early? > No > 4. What can you do to make it go away? > Nothing > 5. What has been the past role of BP meds or diuretics on the spells? > Don't know > 6. What do blood tests reveal during or after a spell? > Unknown, untested > Carol > > Clarence Grim wrote: > > > > We need to be sure each person spells out exactly what they mean > by a > > PA episode. > > > > Also: > > > > 1. What brings it on if anything/ > > 2. How long does it last? > > 3. Can you stop it if you catch it early? > > 4. What can you do to make it go away? > > 5. What has been the past role of BP meds or diuretics on the > spells? > > 6. What do blood tests reveal during or after a spell? > > > > Same for the " anxiety episode " > > > > On May 26, 2008, at 7:50 PM, Valarie wrote: > > > > > Over and over we hear about " the anxiety that comes on with a PA > > > episode, " > > > but there is little to nothing in the literature about this issue. > > > I guess > > > it can't be measured very well. > > > > > > Val > > > > > > From: hyperaldosteronism > <mailto:hyperaldosteronism%40> > On Behalf Of Carol Christie > > > > > > Val, I feel better using Efexor than I did using Lexapro. It > doesn't > > > help, though, with the anxiety that comes on with a PA episode. > I'm > > > hoping that if I can feel better with increased dosage of spiro > that I > > > can come off Efexor. Time will tell... > > > Carol > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 4, 2008 Report Share Posted June 4, 2008 My last K on 50 mg spiro was 4.8. Would it be possible, say if I ate too much sodium, for K to temporarily fall? During the episodes, I have noticed a numbness of sorts, weakness and heaviness in my arms. There are no cramps, per se, or hand drawing. I am documenting as much as I can. I've expanded the " anxiety " document to include " Excerpts from posts about aldosterone, anxiety, depression, & 'PA Episodes' " BTW, an interesting note. My blood glucose was running 105 - 113 in 2004. I was on HCTZ 25 mg. I was given Actos (10 more pounds) which didn't really do much in terms of reduce bg. Then I was given metformin and could barely tolerate it. I had constant shakes and had to eat many pieces of fruit/day (7 more pounds). In January, 2008, after being on Triam/HCTZ 37.5/25 for two weeks, BG was 99. On 4/3/08, after being on 50 mg spiro for two weeks, my NON FASTING BG was 91. It seems that, back in 2004, when my BP was not responding to HCTZ and I was taking 20 mEq K, maybe I should have just not have been taking HCTZ. Val From: hyperaldosteronism [mailto:hyperaldosteronism ] On Behalf Of Clarence Grim It will be important to collect changes in PA episodes after surgery and cure to see if they go away. I would wonder if they might be episodes of low K, perhaps brought on by eating or rapid breathing. It is important to note if the spells are associated with any hand or foot or arm cramps or " hand drawing " like Sanford would show when he was talking about his " arthritis " on Sanford and Son. On Jun 4, 2008, at 2:38 PM, Valarie wrote: > Carol, this is exactly what I experience but have had such a hard time > putting into words. I am very weak when a PA episode ends, but cannot > sleep. I went to the store yesterday and walked around buying a few > things. > Then, quite suddenly, I started the sweat and knew that was my clue > to get > out of there. In the checkout line, some kids were screaming and > the noise > just pierced my body. I was horribly weak but managed to get back > to my car > where I sat for a while shaking and deep breathing before I went > home. At > home, I took 2 Valerian root capsules, leaned back in my office > chair and > slept for a while. Generally, when an episode hits, I don't even > try to > sleep, and generally can't, because my mind races from one thing to > another, > and the racing increases anxiety. I cannot think or respond to my > husband's > questions. My brain is still fully engaged but I just cannot talk. > Especially, I cannot make a simple decision (ex, would I prefer > chicken or > beef for dinner). I just tell him to leave me alone for a while. > It's like > " How in the hell can I decide what I want to eat when I'm trying to > determine if I'm dying. " > > The only thing that is different between episodes now and a few > months ago > is I am not getting the heart " gripping. " I did have an irregular > heartbeat > a few days ago though. > > So much is written about getting BP to goal with medications and > diet. So > little is written about " PA episodes. " There is so much more to PA > than > hypertension. Spiro may block some of aldo's effects but I don't > think it > blocks all of them. > > Carol, thank you for explaining what a PA episode means to you. > Could you > explain, " It usually begins for me with a sensation in my head > that feels > like a wash is moving through my brain. " ? I understand some sort of > sensation in your head, but cannot define it. > > Val Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 5, 2008 Report Share Posted June 5, 2008 Val, it was good to read about your experience - it is so hard to put some of this into words. Also, I think, there is the fear of being dismissed as someone suffering some form of neurosis. > Could you explain, " It usually begins for me with a sensation in my > head that feels > like a wash is moving through my brain. " ? I think the closest analogy would be a dripping of water on a sponge, where the moisture gradually permeates the whole sponge. Does that make any sense? My partner says it's as if I'm in a trance. I, too, become incapable of making any decisions. I get so exasperated with it. I remember when I was in hospital in 2004 when I was diagnosed with PA, I was given a questionnaire about anger and PA. There was some research being done by the Greenslopes Hypertension Unit. I don't know if the research has led to anything. I have often thought that if I wasn't angry before, PA is enough to make you angry. It's so frustrating and confusing. End of rant! Carol Valarie wrote: > > Carol, this is exactly what I experience but have had such a hard time > putting into words. I am very weak when a PA episode ends, but cannot > sleep. I went to the store yesterday and walked around buying a few > things. > Then, quite suddenly, I started the sweat and knew that was my clue to get > out of there. In the checkout line, some kids were screaming and the noise > just pierced my body. I was horribly weak but managed to get back to > my car > where I sat for a while shaking and deep breathing before I went home. At > home, I took 2 Valerian root capsules, leaned back in my office chair and > slept for a while. Generally, when an episode hits, I don't even try to > sleep, and generally can't, because my mind races from one thing to > another, > and the racing increases anxiety. I cannot think or respond to my > husband's > questions. My brain is still fully engaged but I just cannot talk. > Especially, I cannot make a simple decision (ex, would I prefer chicken or > beef for dinner). I just tell him to leave me alone for a while. It's like > " How in the hell can I decide what I want to eat when I'm trying to > determine if I'm dying. " > > The only thing that is different between episodes now and a few months ago > is I am not getting the heart " gripping. " I did have an irregular > heartbeat > a few days ago though. > > So much is written about getting BP to goal with medications and diet. So > little is written about " PA episodes. " There is so much more to PA than > hypertension. Spiro may block some of aldo's effects but I don't think it > blocks all of them. > > Carol, thank you for explaining what a PA episode means to you. Could you > explain, " It usually begins for me with a sensation in my head that feels > like a wash is moving through my brain. " ? I understand some sort of > sensation in your head, but cannot define it. > > Val > > From: hyperaldosteronism > <mailto:hyperaldosteronism%40> > [mailto:hyperaldosteronism > <mailto:hyperaldosteronism%40>] On Behalf Of Carol Christie > > In using the term " PA episode " , I mean a period of time when symptoms > are more concentrated and pronounced. It usually begins for me with a > sensation in my head that feels like a wash is moving through my brain. > My head feels heavy, and my thought processes start to slow. I start to > 'shut down', and need to lie down as weakness and fatigue increase. The > sleep at these times is usually filled with vivid frightening dreams. > Anxiety increases. > 1. What brings it on if anything/ > Don't know > 2. How long does it last? > Varies from a few hours to a couple of days > 3. Can you stop it if you catch it early? > No > 4. What can you do to make it go away? > Nothing > 5. What has been the past role of BP meds or diuretics on the spells? > Don't know > 6. What do blood tests reveal during or after a spell? > Unknown, untested > Carol > > Clarence Grim wrote: > > > > We need to be sure each person spells out exactly what they mean by a > > PA episode. > > > > Also: > > > > 1. What brings it on if anything/ > > 2. How long does it last? > > 3. Can you stop it if you catch it early? > > 4. What can you do to make it go away? > > 5. What has been the past role of BP meds or diuretics on the spells? > > 6. What do blood tests reveal during or after a spell? > > > > Same for the " anxiety episode " > > > > On May 26, 2008, at 7:50 PM, Valarie wrote: > > > > > Over and over we hear about " the anxiety that comes on with a PA > > > episode, " > > > but there is little to nothing in the literature about this issue. > > > I guess > > > it can't be measured very well. > > > > > > Val > > > > > > From: hyperaldosteronism > <mailto:hyperaldosteronism%40> > <mailto:hyperaldosteronism%40> > On Behalf Of Carol Christie > > > > > > Val, I feel better using Efexor than I did using Lexapro. It doesn't > > > help, though, with the anxiety that comes on with a PA episode. I'm > > > hoping that if I can feel better with increased dosage of spiro that I > > > can come off Efexor. Time will tell... > > > Carol > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 5, 2008 Report Share Posted June 5, 2008 MOre likely you were not taking enought K to compensate for what was being lost with HCTZ and this was causing " DM " . On Jun 5, 2008, at 12:13 AM, Valarie wrote: > My last K on 50 mg spiro was 4.8. Would it be possible, say if I > ate too > much sodium, for K to temporarily fall? During the episodes, I have > noticed > a numbness of sorts, weakness and heaviness in my arms. There are no > cramps, per se, or hand drawing. > > I am documenting as much as I can. I've expanded the " anxiety " > document to > include " Excerpts from posts about aldosterone, anxiety, > depression, & 'PA > Episodes' " > > BTW, an interesting note. My blood glucose was running 105 - 113 in > 2004. > I was on HCTZ 25 mg. I was given Actos (10 more pounds) which > didn't really > do much in terms of reduce bg. Then I was given metformin and could > barely > tolerate it. I had constant shakes and had to eat many pieces of > fruit/day > (7 more pounds). In January, 2008, after being on Triam/HCTZ > 37.5/25 for > two weeks, BG was 99. On 4/3/08, after being on 50 mg spiro for two > weeks, > my NON FASTING BG was 91. > > It seems that, back in 2004, when my BP was not responding to HCTZ > and I was > taking 20 mEq K, maybe I should have just not have been taking HCTZ. > > Val > > From: hyperaldosteronism > [mailto:hyperaldosteronism ] On Behalf Of Clarence Grim > > It will be important to collect changes in PA episodes after surgery > and cure to see if they go away. > > I would wonder if they might be episodes of low K, perhaps brought on > by eating or rapid breathing. > > It is important to note if the spells are associated with any hand or > foot or arm cramps or " hand drawing " like Sanford would show when he > was talking about his " arthritis " on Sanford and Son. > > On Jun 4, 2008, at 2:38 PM, Valarie wrote: > > > Carol, this is exactly what I experience but have had such a hard > time > > putting into words. I am very weak when a PA episode ends, but > cannot > > sleep. I went to the store yesterday and walked around buying a few > > things. > > Then, quite suddenly, I started the sweat and knew that was my clue > > to get > > out of there. In the checkout line, some kids were screaming and > > the noise > > just pierced my body. I was horribly weak but managed to get back > > to my car > > where I sat for a while shaking and deep breathing before I went > > home. At > > home, I took 2 Valerian root capsules, leaned back in my office > > chair and > > slept for a while. Generally, when an episode hits, I don't even > > try to > > sleep, and generally can't, because my mind races from one thing to > > another, > > and the racing increases anxiety. I cannot think or respond to my > > husband's > > questions. My brain is still fully engaged but I just cannot talk. > > Especially, I cannot make a simple decision (ex, would I prefer > > chicken or > > beef for dinner). I just tell him to leave me alone for a while. > > It's like > > " How in the hell can I decide what I want to eat when I'm trying to > > determine if I'm dying. " > > > > The only thing that is different between episodes now and a few > > months ago > > is I am not getting the heart " gripping. " I did have an irregular > > heartbeat > > a few days ago though. > > > > So much is written about getting BP to goal with medications and > > diet. So > > little is written about " PA episodes. " There is so much more to PA > > than > > hypertension. Spiro may block some of aldo's effects but I don't > > think it > > blocks all of them. > > > > Carol, thank you for explaining what a PA episode means to you. > > Could you > > explain, " It usually begins for me with a sensation in my head > > that feels > > like a wash is moving through my brain. " ? I understand some sort of > > sensation in your head, but cannot define it. > > > > Val > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 5, 2008 Report Share Posted June 5, 2008 If I were a doc and saw someone with low K, impaired fasting glucose, and BP not controlled by HCTZ, I would be inclined to remove the HCTZ and try something else. At least I would stop and try to remember something I read somewhere. It is no wonder PA people talk about " rage. " Val From: hyperaldosteronism [mailto:hyperaldosteronism ] On Behalf Of Clarence Grim MOre likely you were not taking enought K to compensate for what was being lost with HCTZ and this was causing " DM " . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 5, 2008 Report Share Posted June 5, 2008 That is what the guidelines have recommended since thiazides came out around 1958 as I recall. You should also test for PA. On Jun 5, 2008, at 5:25 PM, Valarie wrote: > If I were a doc and saw someone with low K, impaired fasting > glucose, and BP > not controlled by HCTZ, I would be inclined to remove the HCTZ and try > something else. At least I would stop and try to remember something > I read > somewhere. It is no wonder PA people talk about " rage. " > > Val > > From: hyperaldosteronism > [mailto:hyperaldosteronism ] On Behalf Of Clarence Grim > > MOre likely you were not taking enought K to compensate for what was > being lost with HCTZ and this was causing " DM " . > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 6, 2008 Report Share Posted June 6, 2008 Carol, thank you for trying to explain what you feel. I don't understand the dripping water on a sponge. I was telling my husband what you were feeling. The minute I used the word " trance " his jaw dropped. He said, " That's exactly what I see! " Today, I we went about doing various things that needed to get done. I was telling him that this was probably the best day I'd had in several years. We stopped at a restaurant to eat dinner. Shortly after walking in and sitting down, the " episode " started. I started the shakes and got weak. All I could figure was that the place was very noisy and the noise bothered me. Aside from Dr. Grim's wonderful sharing of his knowledge, the most important part of this list has been people telling their stories. Through those stories, I have come to understand a lot of what is going on with me. I am deeply appreciative for all who have taken the time to relate their experiences. Val From: hyperaldosteronism [mailto:hyperaldosteronism ] On Behalf Of Carol Christie Val, it was good to read about your experience - it is so hard to put some of this into words. Also, I think, there is the fear of being dismissed as someone suffering some form of neurosis. > Could you explain, " It usually begins for me with a sensation in my > head that feels > like a wash is moving through my brain. " ? I think the closest analogy would be a dripping of water on a sponge, where the moisture gradually permeates the whole sponge. Does that make any sense? My partner says it's as if I'm in a trance. I, too, become incapable of making any decisions. I get so exasperated with it. I remember when I was in hospital in 2004 when I was diagnosed with PA, I was given a questionnaire about anger and PA. There was some research being done by the Greenslopes Hypertension Unit. I don't know if the research has led to anything. I have often thought that if I wasn't angry before, PA is enough to make you angry. It's so frustrating and confusing. End of rant! Carol Valarie wrote: > > Carol, this is exactly what I experience but have had such a hard time > putting into words. I am very weak when a PA episode ends, but cannot > sleep. I went to the store yesterday and walked around buying a few > things. > Then, quite suddenly, I started the sweat and knew that was my clue to get > out of there. In the checkout line, some kids were screaming and the noise > just pierced my body. I was horribly weak but managed to get back to > my car > where I sat for a while shaking and deep breathing before I went home. At > home, I took 2 Valerian root capsules, leaned back in my office chair and > slept for a while. Generally, when an episode hits, I don't even try to > sleep, and generally can't, because my mind races from one thing to > another, > and the racing increases anxiety. I cannot think or respond to my > husband's > questions. My brain is still fully engaged but I just cannot talk. > Especially, I cannot make a simple decision (ex, would I prefer chicken or > beef for dinner). I just tell him to leave me alone for a while. It's like > " How in the hell can I decide what I want to eat when I'm trying to > determine if I'm dying. " > > The only thing that is different between episodes now and a few months ago > is I am not getting the heart " gripping. " I did have an irregular > heartbeat > a few days ago though. > > So much is written about getting BP to goal with medications and diet. So > little is written about " PA episodes. " There is so much more to PA than > hypertension. Spiro may block some of aldo's effects but I don't think it > blocks all of them. > > Carol, thank you for explaining what a PA episode means to you. Could you > explain, " It usually begins for me with a sensation in my head that feels > like a wash is moving through my brain. " ? I understand some sort of > sensation in your head, but cannot define it. > > Val > > From: hyperaldosteronism <mailto:hyperaldosteronism%40> > <mailto:hyperaldosteronism%40> > [mailto:hyperaldosteronism <mailto:hyperaldosteronism%40> > <mailto:hyperaldosteronism%40>] On Behalf Of Carol Christie > > In using the term " PA episode " , I mean a period of time when symptoms > are more concentrated and pronounced. It usually begins for me with a > sensation in my head that feels like a wash is moving through my brain. > My head feels heavy, and my thought processes start to slow. I start to > 'shut down', and need to lie down as weakness and fatigue increase. The > sleep at these times is usually filled with vivid frightening dreams. > Anxiety increases. > 1. What brings it on if anything/ > Don't know > 2. How long does it last? > Varies from a few hours to a couple of days > 3. Can you stop it if you catch it early? > No > 4. What can you do to make it go away? > Nothing > 5. What has been the past role of BP meds or diuretics on the spells? > Don't know > 6. What do blood tests reveal during or after a spell? > Unknown, untested > Carol > > Clarence Grim wrote: > > > > We need to be sure each person spells out exactly what they mean by a > > PA episode. > > > > Also: > > > > 1. What brings it on if anything/ > > 2. How long does it last? > > 3. Can you stop it if you catch it early? > > 4. What can you do to make it go away? > > 5. What has been the past role of BP meds or diuretics on the spells? > > 6. What do blood tests reveal during or after a spell? > > > > Same for the " anxiety episode " > > > > On May 26, 2008, at 7:50 PM, Valarie wrote: > > > > > Over and over we hear about " the anxiety that comes on with a PA > > > episode, " > > > but there is little to nothing in the literature about this issue. > > > I guess > > > it can't be measured very well. > > > > > > Val > > > > > > From: hyperaldosteronism <mailto:hyperaldosteronism%40> > <mailto:hyperaldosteronism%40> > <mailto:hyperaldosteronism%40> > On Behalf Of Carol Christie > > > > > > Val, I feel better using Efexor than I did using Lexapro. It doesn't > > > help, though, with the anxiety that comes on with a PA episode. I'm > > > hoping that if I can feel better with increased dosage of spiro that I > > > can come off Efexor. Time will tell... > > > Carol > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 7, 2008 Report Share Posted June 7, 2008 Val, I'm interested in your description of how you were OK and then went into a restaurant and started having the shakes etc. I have had many similar experiences, where I'm perfectly fine and then when I go into a restaurant I start getting very anxious, feeling heart beating, being afraid that I;'m going to pass out or be sick, stuff like that. I always suffer in silence, manage to get thru the meal and the minute we leave the restaurant, I'm absolutely fine again, almost exhilirated with being out of there. The thing is, in my case, this behavior has been going on for as long as I can remember. I always put it down to social anxiety and panic disorder, which I was diagnosed with in my 20s. The restaurant is the trigger - eating in public, irraitonally feeling that people are looking at me or that I would embarrass myself somehow. I'm wondering if you have ever been diagnosed with panic or social anxiety disorder. Maybe this is another one of those syndromes that go hand in hand with PA. > > > > > > > Over and over we hear about " the anxiety that comes on with a PA > > > > episode, " > > > > but there is little to nothing in the literature about this issue. > > > > I guess > > > > it can't be measured very well. > > > > > > > > Val > > > > > > > > From: hyperaldosteronism > <mailto:hyperaldosteronism%40> > > <mailto:hyperaldosteronism%40> > > <mailto:hyperaldosteronism%40> > > On Behalf Of Carol Christie > > > > > > > > Val, I feel better using Efexor than I did using Lexapro. It doesn't > > > > help, though, with the anxiety that comes on with a PA episode. I'm > > > > hoping that if I can feel better with increased dosage of spiro that I > > > > can come off Efexor. Time will tell... > > > > Carol > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 7, 2008 Report Share Posted June 7, 2008 Hi , No, I have never had social anxiety or panic disorder. I don't speak so well in front of an audience but I'm sure there are many people like that. At one time, I presented my master's thesis at a conference in Texas. I got a standing ovation. In the 1990's, I organized a school board revolt. Out of my dining room, we put a leaflet on every door step in my county. The school district had 26,000 students. We won and took over the school board. Our intention was to restore academics to a failed education system. I used to be able to anything. My chant with my (3) daughters is always " we are women, we can do anything. " They are all strong, achieving young women. My husband and I were driving yesterday when we heard a commercial for the U of Colo Health Center. They were blah, blahing about being diverse and collaborative. That's the same blah, blah we heard in the school district, all the while our children were falling further and further behind academically. I would assume, therefore, that U of C Health Center teaches its budding doctors to be diverse and collaborative. Never mind the hard core medicine. That is all a part of saying that I have never been wimpy like I am now. I've been able to grab ahold of things and run with them. Always. My husband allowed his name to be put on the ballot for one of the county commissioner seats. We belong to a party that never wins so he is safe. He doesn't want the job but wants people to have a choice. I, of course, will do all the organizing that will get done. I have to make a website and write some sort of script for it. And I'll have to file the financial reports. The good thing is that I am well enough right now to do those things, thanks to spiro. When I was educating the shrink my endo sent me to, I noted to him that my inborn response to my body being out of balance is to quit sleeping and get very anxious. I have done it before. Before I had my parathyroid surgery, I was an anxious, non-sleeping, crying, depressed mess. I think that " out-of-balance " affects me differently than it may affect others. In 2003, I had West Nile Virus. I barely slept for a month even though I was extremely exhausted and very ill. Going into the restaurant last night felt like the atmospheric pressure had changed. It was very noisy and smothering. Right now, I just can't stand much noise or upset, and I think that is a result of my PA. Certainly, I am better now than before I got on spiro. I feel as though I've had some heart healing since going on spiro. Certainly, the nearly constant arrhythmias are gone. I will be seeing a cardiologist on June 16. He was recommended by Dr. Grim. Then I have an appointment at Mayo Clinic on August 5. I have to go off spiro beginning June 24. I hope I can make it. If a producing adenoma can be localized, I want it OUT. I don't even care if I have to take a bit of BP med after. For me, PA is much more than hypertension. It is the sum total of all the other symptoms we've heard about on this list. I've gone back and forth on the issue of a surgery, and have decided I want to have the chance to end all these ugly symptoms. I want the chance to feel normal. Val From: hyperaldosteronism [mailto:hyperaldosteronism ] On Behalf Of em5704 Val, I'm interested in your description of how you were OK and then went into a restaurant and started having the shakes etc. I have had many similar experiences, where I'm perfectly fine and then when I go into a restaurant I start getting very anxious, feeling heart beating, being afraid that I;'m going to pass out or be sick, stuff like that. I always suffer in silence, manage to get thru the meal and the minute we leave the restaurant, I'm absolutely fine again, almost exhilirated with being out of there. The thing is, in my case, this behavior has been going on for as long as I can remember. I always put it down to social anxiety and panic disorder, which I was diagnosed with in my 20s. The restaurant is the trigger - eating in public, irraitonally feeling that people are looking at me or that I would embarrass myself somehow. I'm wondering if you have ever been diagnosed with panic or social anxiety disorder. Maybe this is another one of those syndromes that go hand in hand with PA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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