Re: New Member - My story and questions

Posted October 13, 2009 · October 13, 2009

My endo says 10 mEg K will cause a 0.1 increase in K. Welcome!

Val

From: hyperaldosteronism

[mailto:hyperaldosteronism ] On Behalf Of Tony Barcellona

Hi,

A couple years ago I started having " skipped beats " in my heart and

went to the hospital. My potassium was 3.1 and I was given a potassium drink

and follow-up K pills. My BP was borderline at 140/90 (and had been for a

couple of years). Of course I continued eating high K foods but a year later

the same thing happened. I ended up in the hospital with the same symptoms

and same low potassium level.

My doctor wanted to put me on anti-anxiety medicine even though I told him

that I only get " anxious " when my heartbeat starts skipping and I

do, I wonder if I am going to freeking die. I had to look up possible causes

myself and had to talk him into doing the tests needed (aldosterone /

renin)because he did not believe my BP was high enough to have Conn's.

Anyway, a few days after the blood tests and after a 24 hour urine collection

I was diagnosed with Conn's and sent to the nephrologist.

I had high aldosterone and undetectable renin and I was potassium wasting

through urine. This all took a few weeks and by then my BP was 170/110 most

of the time.

I now am on spironolactone 25mg and everything was great for a few months. I

had two cbc tests and both times my potassium level was 4.0 so everything

seemed to be working fine. My average BP is now 100/60 to 112/70. (Also, MRI

of adrenals - no tumors or enlargement.)

A couple weeks ago everything went downhill. Severe muscle spasms in my legs

(stabbing pains) and muscle twitching in my arms, legs, and abdomen (also the

heartbeat skipping). The severe stabbing pains in the legs is new, was never

this bad before and neither was the frequency of the muscle twitching though

the heartbeat skips are the same or less than before.

Potassium was low again (3.5) which is higher than before but the muscle

symptoms are as bad if not worse than before.

So my nephrologist doesn't want to increase the spironolactone because my BP

is 100/60 and he said I may pass out if I increase the dose so now I am on

the same 25mg of spironolactone AND two tablets of KLOR-CON M20 (K

horse-pills)daily.

Question: anyone have a theory on my sudden relapse? It has been a week on

the KLOR and I don't seem to be getting any better. (note: thyroid and

magnesium have always been fine).

Question 2: Isn't it dangerous to take spironolactone AND these potassium

horse tablets? What happens if I go back to " normal " level of 4.0

and am still taking these? Do these KLOR tablets have enough potassium that

when combined with spironolactone can overdose me on potassium? (This scares

the hell out of me, to much potassium and Boom, cardiac arrest.)

The doctor seems to think there isn't a problem but everything I read run

counter to this (and the pharmacist also voiced concern). Any other doctors

here have an opinion?

Thanks for listening and have a great week.

Posted October 13, 2009 · October 13, 2009

My endo says 10 mEg K will cause a 0.1 increase in K. Welcome!

Val

From: hyperaldosteronism

[mailto:hyperaldosteronism ] On Behalf Of Tony Barcellona

Hi,

A couple years ago I started having " skipped beats " in my heart and

went to the hospital. My potassium was 3.1 and I was given a potassium drink

and follow-up K pills. My BP was borderline at 140/90 (and had been for a

couple of years). Of course I continued eating high K foods but a year later

the same thing happened. I ended up in the hospital with the same symptoms

and same low potassium level.

My doctor wanted to put me on anti-anxiety medicine even though I told him

that I only get " anxious " when my heartbeat starts skipping and I

do, I wonder if I am going to freeking die. I had to look up possible causes

myself and had to talk him into doing the tests needed (aldosterone /

renin)because he did not believe my BP was high enough to have Conn's.

Anyway, a few days after the blood tests and after a 24 hour urine collection

I was diagnosed with Conn's and sent to the nephrologist.

I had high aldosterone and undetectable renin and I was potassium wasting

through urine. This all took a few weeks and by then my BP was 170/110 most

of the time.

I now am on spironolactone 25mg and everything was great for a few months. I

had two cbc tests and both times my potassium level was 4.0 so everything

seemed to be working fine. My average BP is now 100/60 to 112/70. (Also, MRI

of adrenals - no tumors or enlargement.)

A couple weeks ago everything went downhill. Severe muscle spasms in my legs

(stabbing pains) and muscle twitching in my arms, legs, and abdomen (also the

heartbeat skipping). The severe stabbing pains in the legs is new, was never

this bad before and neither was the frequency of the muscle twitching though

the heartbeat skips are the same or less than before.

Potassium was low again (3.5) which is higher than before but the muscle

symptoms are as bad if not worse than before.

So my nephrologist doesn't want to increase the spironolactone because my BP

is 100/60 and he said I may pass out if I increase the dose so now I am on

the same 25mg of spironolactone AND two tablets of KLOR-CON M20 (K

horse-pills)daily.

Question: anyone have a theory on my sudden relapse? It has been a week on

the KLOR and I don't seem to be getting any better. (note: thyroid and

magnesium have always been fine).

Question 2: Isn't it dangerous to take spironolactone AND these potassium

horse tablets? What happens if I go back to " normal " level of 4.0

and am still taking these? Do these KLOR tablets have enough potassium that

when combined with spironolactone can overdose me on potassium? (This scares

the hell out of me, to much potassium and Boom, cardiac arrest.)

The doctor seems to think there isn't a problem but everything I read run

counter to this (and the pharmacist also voiced concern). Any other doctors

here have an opinion?

Thanks for listening and have a great week.

Posted October 13, 2009 · October 13, 2009

Hi, Tony ! Well, I take 100 mg Spiro and 60-80 meq potassium daily. My potassium gets low quickly if I miss a few days. Even tho Spiro increases blood potassium and I take K+ supplements and eat high potassium, mine stays around 4.1. I have never personally had a problem with mine getting too high. I would not be worried about a low dose Spiro and 40 meq potassium myself. Lori

From: Valarie <val@...>Subject: RE: New Member - My story and questionshyperaldosteronism Date: Tuesday, October 13, 2009, 8:48 PM

My endo says 10 mEg K will cause a 0.1 increase in K. Welcome!

Val

From: hyperaldosteronism [mailto:hyperaldost eronism@gro ups.com] On Behalf Of Tony Barcellona

Hi,A couple years ago I started having "skipped beats" in my heart and went to the hospital. My potassium was 3.1 and I was given a potassium drink and follow-up K pills. My BP was borderline at 140/90 (and had been for a couple of years). Of course I continued eating high K foods but a year later the same thing happened. I ended up in the hospital with the same symptoms and same low potassium level.My doctor wanted to put me on anti-anxiety medicine even though I told him that I only get "anxious" when my heartbeat starts skipping and I do, I wonder if I am going to freeking die. I had to look up possible causes myself and had to talk him into doing the tests needed (aldosterone / renin)because he did not believe my BP was high enough to have Conn's. Anyway, a few days after the blood tests and after a 24 hour urine collection I was diagnosed with Conn's and sent to the nephrologist. I had high

aldosterone and undetectable renin and I was potassium wasting through urine. This all took a few weeks and by then my BP was 170/110 most of the time.I now am on spironolactone 25mg and everything was great for a few months. I had two cbc tests and both times my potassium level was 4.0 so everything seemed to be working fine. My average BP is now 100/60 to 112/70. (Also, MRI of adrenals - no tumors or enlargement. )A couple weeks ago everything went downhill. Severe muscle spasms in my legs (stabbing pains) and muscle twitching in my arms, legs, and abdomen (also the heartbeat skipping). The severe stabbing pains in the legs is new, was never this bad before and neither was the frequency of the muscle twitching though the heartbeat skips are the same or less than before.Potassium was low again (3.5) which is higher than before but the muscle symptoms are as bad if not worse than before.So my nephrologist doesn't want to

increase the spironolactone because my BP is 100/60 and he said I may pass out if I increase the dose so now I am on the same 25mg of spironolactone AND two tablets of KLOR-CON M20 (K horse-pills) daily. Question: anyone have a theory on my sudden relapse? It has been a week on the KLOR and I don't seem to be getting any better. (note: thyroid and magnesium have always been fine).Question 2: Isn't it dangerous to take spironolactone AND these potassium horse tablets? What happens if I go back to "normal" level of 4.0 and am still taking these? Do these KLOR tablets have enough potassium that when combined with spironolactone can overdose me on potassium? (This scares the hell out of me, to much potassium and Boom, cardiac arrest.)The doctor seems to think there isn't a problem but everything I read run counter to this (and the pharmacist also voiced concern). Any other doctors here have an opinion?Thanks for listening and

have a great week.

Posted October 13, 2009 · October 13, 2009

I guess I can only answer your " Question 2 " about the Klor-Con M20. As Val and

Lori have stated, it seems very unlikely that your K will go high enough to

cause problems, especially on your relatively low dose of spiro. I wouldn't

worry about it.

One tip that you are probably already aware of: those pills are easier to

swallow if you break them in half (can do it with your fingers since they are

pre-scored in the middle). ;-)

-Sam

p.s. welcome to the group and thanks for your story.

>

> Hi,

>

> A couple years ago I started having " skipped beats " in my heart and went to

the hospital. My potassium was 3.1 and I was given a potassium drink and

follow-up K pills. My BP was borderline at 140/90 (and had been for a couple of

years). Of course I continued eating high K foods but a year later the same

thing happened. I ended up in the hospital with the same symptoms and same low

potassium level.

>

> My doctor wanted to put me on anti-anxiety medicine even though I told him

that I only get " anxious " when my heartbeat starts skipping and I do, I wonder

if I am going to freeking die. I had to look up possible causes myself and had

to talk him into doing the tests needed (aldosterone / renin)because he did not

believe my BP was high enough to have Conn's.

>

> Anyway, a few days after the blood tests and after a 24 hour urine collection

I was diagnosed with Conn's and sent to the nephrologist.

>

> I had high aldosterone and undetectable renin and I was potassium wasting

through urine. This all took a few weeks and by then my BP was 170/110 most of

the time.

>

> I now am on spironolactone 25mg and everything was great for a few months. I

had two cbc tests and both times my potassium level was 4.0 so everything seemed

to be working fine. My average BP is now 100/60 to 112/70. (Also, MRI of

adrenals - no tumors or enlargement.)

>

> A couple weeks ago everything went downhill. Severe muscle spasms in my legs

(stabbing pains) and muscle twitching in my arms, legs, and abdomen (also the

heartbeat skipping). The severe stabbing pains in the legs is new, was never

this bad before and neither was the frequency of the muscle twitching though the

heartbeat skips are the same or less than before.

>

> Potassium was low again (3.5) which is higher than before but the muscle

symptoms are as bad if not worse than before.

>

> So my nephrologist doesn't want to increase the spironolactone because my BP

is 100/60 and he said I may pass out if I increase the dose so now I am on the

same 25mg of spironolactone AND two tablets of KLOR-CON M20 (K

horse-pills)daily.

>

> Question: anyone have a theory on my sudden relapse? It has been a week on the

KLOR and I don't seem to be getting any better. (note: thyroid and magnesium

have always been fine).

>

> Question 2: Isn't it dangerous to take spironolactone AND these potassium

horse tablets? What happens if I go back to " normal " level of 4.0 and am still

taking these? Do these KLOR tablets have enough potassium that when combined

with spironolactone can overdose me on potassium? (This scares the hell out of

me, to much potassium and Boom, cardiac arrest.)

>

> The doctor seems to think there isn't a problem but everything I read run

counter to this (and the pharmacist also voiced concern). Any other doctors here

have an opinion?

>

> Thanks for listening and have a great week.

>

Posted October 13, 2009 · October 13, 2009

I guess I can only answer your " Question 2 " about the Klor-Con M20. As Val and

Lori have stated, it seems very unlikely that your K will go high enough to

cause problems, especially on your relatively low dose of spiro. I wouldn't

worry about it.

One tip that you are probably already aware of: those pills are easier to

swallow if you break them in half (can do it with your fingers since they are

pre-scored in the middle). ;-)

-Sam

p.s. welcome to the group and thanks for your story.

>

> Hi,

>

> A couple years ago I started having " skipped beats " in my heart and went to

the hospital. My potassium was 3.1 and I was given a potassium drink and

follow-up K pills. My BP was borderline at 140/90 (and had been for a couple of

years). Of course I continued eating high K foods but a year later the same

thing happened. I ended up in the hospital with the same symptoms and same low

potassium level.

>

> My doctor wanted to put me on anti-anxiety medicine even though I told him

that I only get " anxious " when my heartbeat starts skipping and I do, I wonder

if I am going to freeking die. I had to look up possible causes myself and had

to talk him into doing the tests needed (aldosterone / renin)because he did not

believe my BP was high enough to have Conn's.

>

> Anyway, a few days after the blood tests and after a 24 hour urine collection

I was diagnosed with Conn's and sent to the nephrologist.

>

> I had high aldosterone and undetectable renin and I was potassium wasting

through urine. This all took a few weeks and by then my BP was 170/110 most of

the time.

>

> I now am on spironolactone 25mg and everything was great for a few months. I

had two cbc tests and both times my potassium level was 4.0 so everything seemed

to be working fine. My average BP is now 100/60 to 112/70. (Also, MRI of

adrenals - no tumors or enlargement.)

>

> A couple weeks ago everything went downhill. Severe muscle spasms in my legs

(stabbing pains) and muscle twitching in my arms, legs, and abdomen (also the

heartbeat skipping). The severe stabbing pains in the legs is new, was never

this bad before and neither was the frequency of the muscle twitching though the

heartbeat skips are the same or less than before.

>

> Potassium was low again (3.5) which is higher than before but the muscle

symptoms are as bad if not worse than before.

>

> So my nephrologist doesn't want to increase the spironolactone because my BP

is 100/60 and he said I may pass out if I increase the dose so now I am on the

same 25mg of spironolactone AND two tablets of KLOR-CON M20 (K

horse-pills)daily.

>

> Question: anyone have a theory on my sudden relapse? It has been a week on the

KLOR and I don't seem to be getting any better. (note: thyroid and magnesium

have always been fine).

>

> Question 2: Isn't it dangerous to take spironolactone AND these potassium

horse tablets? What happens if I go back to " normal " level of 4.0 and am still

taking these? Do these KLOR tablets have enough potassium that when combined

with spironolactone can overdose me on potassium? (This scares the hell out of

me, to much potassium and Boom, cardiac arrest.)

>

> The doctor seems to think there isn't a problem but everything I read run

counter to this (and the pharmacist also voiced concern). Any other doctors here

have an opinion?

>

> Thanks for listening and have a great week.

>

Posted October 13, 2009 · October 13, 2009

Thank you very much for the information!

>

> From: Valarie <val@...>

> Subject: RE: New Member - My story and questions

> hyperaldosteronism

> Date: Tuesday, October 13, 2009, 8:48 PM

>

> My endo says 10 mEg K will cause a 0.1 increase in K. Welcome!

>

> Val

>

> From: hyperaldosteronism [mailto:hyperaldost

eronism@gro ups.com] On Behalf Of Tony Barcellona

>

> Hi,

>

> A couple years ago I started having " skipped beats " in my heart and went to

the hospital. My potassium was 3.1 and I was given a potassium drink and

follow-up K pills. My BP was borderline at 140/90 (and had been for a couple of

years). Of course I continued eating high K foods but a year later the same

thing happened. I ended up in the hospital with the same symptoms and same low

potassium level.

>

> My doctor wanted to put me on anti-anxiety medicine even though I told him

that I only get " anxious " when my heartbeat starts skipping and I do, I wonder

if I am going to freeking die. I had to look up possible causes myself and had

to talk him into doing the tests needed (aldosterone / renin)because he did not

believe my BP was high enough to have Conn's.

>

> Anyway, a few days after the blood tests and after a 24 hour urine collection

I was diagnosed with Conn's and sent to the nephrologist.

>

> I had high aldosterone and undetectable renin and I was potassium wasting

through urine. This all took a few weeks and by then my BP was 170/110 most of

the time.

>

> I now am on spironolactone 25mg and everything was great for a few months. I

had two cbc tests and both times my potassium level was 4.0 so everything seemed

to be working fine. My average BP is now 100/60 to 112/70. (Also, MRI of

adrenals - no tumors or enlargement. )

>

> A couple weeks ago everything went downhill. Severe muscle spasms in my legs

(stabbing pains) and muscle twitching in my arms, legs, and abdomen (also the

heartbeat skipping). The severe stabbing pains in the legs is new, was never

this bad before and neither was the frequency of the muscle twitching though the

heartbeat skips are the same or less than before.

>

> Potassium was low again (3.5) which is higher than before but the muscle

symptoms are as bad if not worse than before.

>

> So my nephrologist doesn't want to increase the spironolactone because my BP

is 100/60 and he said I may pass out if I increase the dose so now I am on the

same 25mg of spironolactone AND two tablets of KLOR-CON M20 (K horse-pills)

daily.

>

> Question: anyone have a theory on my sudden relapse? It has been a week on the

KLOR and I don't seem to be getting any better. (note: thyroid and magnesium

have always been fine).

>

> Question 2: Isn't it dangerous to take spironolactone AND these potassium

horse tablets? What happens if I go back to " normal " level of 4.0 and am still

taking these? Do these KLOR tablets have enough potassium that when combined

with spironolactone can overdose me on potassium? (This scares the hell out of

me, to much potassium and Boom, cardiac arrest.)

>

> The doctor seems to think there isn't a problem but everything I read run

counter to this (and the pharmacist also voiced concern). Any other doctors here

have an opinion?

>

> Thanks for listening and have a great week.

>

Posted October 13, 2009 · October 13, 2009

Thank you very much for the information!

>

> From: Valarie <val@...>

> Subject: RE: New Member - My story and questions

> hyperaldosteronism

> Date: Tuesday, October 13, 2009, 8:48 PM

>

> My endo says 10 mEg K will cause a 0.1 increase in K. Welcome!

>

> Val

>

> From: hyperaldosteronism [mailto:hyperaldost

eronism@gro ups.com] On Behalf Of Tony Barcellona

>

> Hi,

>

> A couple years ago I started having " skipped beats " in my heart and went to

the hospital. My potassium was 3.1 and I was given a potassium drink and

follow-up K pills. My BP was borderline at 140/90 (and had been for a couple of

years). Of course I continued eating high K foods but a year later the same

thing happened. I ended up in the hospital with the same symptoms and same low

potassium level.

>

> My doctor wanted to put me on anti-anxiety medicine even though I told him

that I only get " anxious " when my heartbeat starts skipping and I do, I wonder

if I am going to freeking die. I had to look up possible causes myself and had

to talk him into doing the tests needed (aldosterone / renin)because he did not

believe my BP was high enough to have Conn's.

>

> Anyway, a few days after the blood tests and after a 24 hour urine collection

I was diagnosed with Conn's and sent to the nephrologist.

>

> I had high aldosterone and undetectable renin and I was potassium wasting

through urine. This all took a few weeks and by then my BP was 170/110 most of

the time.

>

> I now am on spironolactone 25mg and everything was great for a few months. I

had two cbc tests and both times my potassium level was 4.0 so everything seemed

to be working fine. My average BP is now 100/60 to 112/70. (Also, MRI of

adrenals - no tumors or enlargement. )

>

> A couple weeks ago everything went downhill. Severe muscle spasms in my legs

(stabbing pains) and muscle twitching in my arms, legs, and abdomen (also the

heartbeat skipping). The severe stabbing pains in the legs is new, was never

this bad before and neither was the frequency of the muscle twitching though the

heartbeat skips are the same or less than before.

>

> Potassium was low again (3.5) which is higher than before but the muscle

symptoms are as bad if not worse than before.

>

> So my nephrologist doesn't want to increase the spironolactone because my BP

is 100/60 and he said I may pass out if I increase the dose so now I am on the

same 25mg of spironolactone AND two tablets of KLOR-CON M20 (K horse-pills)

daily.

>

> Question: anyone have a theory on my sudden relapse? It has been a week on the

KLOR and I don't seem to be getting any better. (note: thyroid and magnesium

have always been fine).

>

> Question 2: Isn't it dangerous to take spironolactone AND these potassium

horse tablets? What happens if I go back to " normal " level of 4.0 and am still

taking these? Do these KLOR tablets have enough potassium that when combined

with spironolactone can overdose me on potassium? (This scares the hell out of

me, to much potassium and Boom, cardiac arrest.)

>

> The doctor seems to think there isn't a problem but everything I read run

counter to this (and the pharmacist also voiced concern). Any other doctors here

have an opinion?

>

> Thanks for listening and have a great week.

>

Posted October 13, 2009 · October 13, 2009

Lori, Do you drink lots of cola? I know cola was screwing me up a few months ago

and had to completely quit. There are new studies that point to cola reeking

havoc on your potassium levels:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2481241/

http://www.physorg.com/news161950959.html

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/150656.php

>

> From: Valarie <val@...>

> Subject: RE: New Member - My story and questions

> hyperaldosteronism

> Date: Tuesday, October 13, 2009, 8:48 PM

>

> My endo says 10 mEg K will cause a 0.1 increase in K. Welcome!

>

> Val

>

> From: hyperaldosteronism [mailto:hyperaldost

eronism@gro ups.com] On Behalf Of Tony Barcellona

>

> Hi,

>

> A couple years ago I started having " skipped beats " in my heart and went to

the hospital. My potassium was 3.1 and I was given a potassium drink and

follow-up K pills. My BP was borderline at 140/90 (and had been for a couple of

years). Of course I continued eating high K foods but a year later the same

thing happened. I ended up in the hospital with the same symptoms and same low

potassium level.

>

> My doctor wanted to put me on anti-anxiety medicine even though I told him

that I only get " anxious " when my heartbeat starts skipping and I do, I wonder

if I am going to freeking die. I had to look up possible causes myself and had

to talk him into doing the tests needed (aldosterone / renin)because he did not

believe my BP was high enough to have Conn's.

>

> Anyway, a few days after the blood tests and after a 24 hour urine collection

I was diagnosed with Conn's and sent to the nephrologist.

>

> I had high aldosterone and undetectable renin and I was potassium wasting

through urine. This all took a few weeks and by then my BP was 170/110 most of

the time.

>

> I now am on spironolactone 25mg and everything was great for a few months. I

had two cbc tests and both times my potassium level was 4.0 so everything seemed

to be working fine. My average BP is now 100/60 to 112/70. (Also, MRI of

adrenals - no tumors or enlargement. )

>

> A couple weeks ago everything went downhill. Severe muscle spasms in my legs

(stabbing pains) and muscle twitching in my arms, legs, and abdomen (also the

heartbeat skipping). The severe stabbing pains in the legs is new, was never

this bad before and neither was the frequency of the muscle twitching though the

heartbeat skips are the same or less than before.

>

> Potassium was low again (3.5) which is higher than before but the muscle

symptoms are as bad if not worse than before.

>

> So my nephrologist doesn't want to increase the spironolactone because my BP

is 100/60 and he said I may pass out if I increase the dose so now I am on the

same 25mg of spironolactone AND two tablets of KLOR-CON M20 (K horse-pills)

daily.

>

> Question: anyone have a theory on my sudden relapse? It has been a week on the

KLOR and I don't seem to be getting any better. (note: thyroid and magnesium

have always been fine).

>

> Question 2: Isn't it dangerous to take spironolactone AND these potassium

horse tablets? What happens if I go back to " normal " level of 4.0 and am still

taking these? Do these KLOR tablets have enough potassium that when combined

with spironolactone can overdose me on potassium? (This scares the hell out of

me, to much potassium and Boom, cardiac arrest.)

>

> The doctor seems to think there isn't a problem but everything I read run

counter to this (and the pharmacist also voiced concern). Any other doctors here

have an opinion?

>

> Thanks for listening and have a great week.

>

Posted October 13, 2009 · October 13, 2009

Lori, Do you drink lots of cola? I know cola was screwing me up a few months ago

and had to completely quit. There are new studies that point to cola reeking

havoc on your potassium levels:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2481241/

http://www.physorg.com/news161950959.html

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/150656.php

>

> From: Valarie <val@...>

> Subject: RE: New Member - My story and questions

> hyperaldosteronism

> Date: Tuesday, October 13, 2009, 8:48 PM

>

> My endo says 10 mEg K will cause a 0.1 increase in K. Welcome!

>

> Val

>

> From: hyperaldosteronism [mailto:hyperaldost

eronism@gro ups.com] On Behalf Of Tony Barcellona

>

> Hi,

>

> A couple years ago I started having " skipped beats " in my heart and went to

the hospital. My potassium was 3.1 and I was given a potassium drink and

follow-up K pills. My BP was borderline at 140/90 (and had been for a couple of

years). Of course I continued eating high K foods but a year later the same

thing happened. I ended up in the hospital with the same symptoms and same low

potassium level.

>

> My doctor wanted to put me on anti-anxiety medicine even though I told him

that I only get " anxious " when my heartbeat starts skipping and I do, I wonder

if I am going to freeking die. I had to look up possible causes myself and had

to talk him into doing the tests needed (aldosterone / renin)because he did not

believe my BP was high enough to have Conn's.

>

> Anyway, a few days after the blood tests and after a 24 hour urine collection

I was diagnosed with Conn's and sent to the nephrologist.

>

> I had high aldosterone and undetectable renin and I was potassium wasting

through urine. This all took a few weeks and by then my BP was 170/110 most of

the time.

>

> I now am on spironolactone 25mg and everything was great for a few months. I

had two cbc tests and both times my potassium level was 4.0 so everything seemed

to be working fine. My average BP is now 100/60 to 112/70. (Also, MRI of

adrenals - no tumors or enlargement. )

>

> A couple weeks ago everything went downhill. Severe muscle spasms in my legs

(stabbing pains) and muscle twitching in my arms, legs, and abdomen (also the

heartbeat skipping). The severe stabbing pains in the legs is new, was never

this bad before and neither was the frequency of the muscle twitching though the

heartbeat skips are the same or less than before.

>

> Potassium was low again (3.5) which is higher than before but the muscle

symptoms are as bad if not worse than before.

>

> So my nephrologist doesn't want to increase the spironolactone because my BP

is 100/60 and he said I may pass out if I increase the dose so now I am on the

same 25mg of spironolactone AND two tablets of KLOR-CON M20 (K horse-pills)

daily.

>

> Question: anyone have a theory on my sudden relapse? It has been a week on the

KLOR and I don't seem to be getting any better. (note: thyroid and magnesium

have always been fine).

>

> Question 2: Isn't it dangerous to take spironolactone AND these potassium

horse tablets? What happens if I go back to " normal " level of 4.0 and am still

taking these? Do these KLOR tablets have enough potassium that when combined

with spironolactone can overdose me on potassium? (This scares the hell out of

me, to much potassium and Boom, cardiac arrest.)

>

> The doctor seems to think there isn't a problem but everything I read run

counter to this (and the pharmacist also voiced concern). Any other doctors here

have an opinion?

>

> Thanks for listening and have a great week.

>

Posted October 13, 2009 · October 13, 2009

Good work on your part. Likely saved your life IMHO.Good classical story which we would like in our files when we have some more details.Are you on any other meds for anything now? 25 mg spiro in almost never enough to control both BP and K. I have gone up to 400 mg a day in many.Unless one is DASHing to the max. I assume your Neph told you to DASH for BP control anyway. Read my article and take to all who have missed you and to your Neph. We are here to help.Ask how many PAs he or she have followed for 5, 10, 15 years.What you need is enough spiro that you do not need to take horse pills. DASHing will really help the K and the BP.Keep us posted. Welcome1. Read my article in our files on the evolution of PA (Evolution_of_PA-Grim.pdf ) and take to all members of health care team. Tell us what stage you believe you are in.2. Read our Conn's stories files and then give us your own in as much detail as you can. To see others' stories, on the Hyperaldosteronism home page, go to Files/Conns Stories. You'll find instructions in "A - How to put your story here.doc " 3. Get the DASH diet book by T. et al, read it and use it. $8 in paperback at your local bookstore.or go to http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/hbp/dash/new_dash.pdfdownload this 64 page booklet free and do the Week on the DASH Diet for 2 weeks. If you are on BP meds be prepared for a large fall in BP and let your Dr. know you are doing this.4. Measure your BP daily so you can see if it is getting better. If you are taking meds be sure to tell your health care team you are doing this as your BP may plummet to normal quickly.5. Go to familyhistory.hhs.gov and do your detailed family medical history so we can review with you to help Dx familial causes of high blood pressure and heart disease. If BP runs in your family you may save others in your family by checking their BP yourself.6. Go to our file/Conn's Articles of Note/Medications/Bravo spir 1973.pdf and read this article and take to your health care team.7. If you have been Dxed with PA already and are on Rx or have had surgery please go to http://www.kwiksurveys.com/online-survey.php?surveyID=HIJIO_f2685379 and complete our survey with as much information as you know. If there is some information you don'k know ask us and we will help. If you need to update this as you journey thru the diagnostic/treatment process you can add another entry but label it as Nameyymmdd. For example today 6/12/09 for me would be Grim090612. This ever increasing number will allow us and you to sort your multiple entries into a dated order. 8. If you are new to medical lingo then download the acroyms from bloodpressureline/message/291869. To learn the state of the science about salt and blood pressure please spend some time looking at http://www.worldactiononsalt.com/evidence/treatment_trials.htmClarence E. Grim BS, MS, MD, FACP, FACCBoard Certified in Internal Medicine, Geriatrics, and High Blood PressureClinincal Professor of Internal Medicine and Cardiology, Medical College of WisconsinSpecializing in Difficult to Control HIgh Blood Pressure. On Oct 13, 2009, at 4:29 PM, Tony Barcellona wrote: Hi,A couple years ago I started having "skipped beats" in my heart and went to the hospital. My potassium was 3.1 and I was given a potassium drink and follow-up K pills. My BP was borderline at 140/90 (and had been for a couple of years). Of course I continued eating high K foods but a year later the same thing happened. I ended up in the hospital with the same symptoms and same low potassium level.My doctor wanted to put me on anti-anxiety medicine even though I told him that I only get "anxious" when my heartbeat starts skipping and I do, I wonder if I am going to freeking die. I had to look up possible causes myself and had to talk him into doing the tests needed (aldosterone / renin)because he did not believe my BP was high enough to have Conn's. Anyway, a few days after the blood tests and after a 24 hour urine collection I was diagnosed with Conn's and sent to the nephrologist. I had high aldosterone and undetectable renin and I was potassium wasting through urine. This all took a few weeks and by then my BP was 170/110 most of the time.I now am on spironolactone 25mg and everything was great for a few months. I had two cbc tests and both times my potassium level was 4.0 so everything seemed to be working fine. My average BP is now 100/60 to 112/70. (Also, MRI of adrenals - no tumors or enlargement.)A couple weeks ago everything went downhill. Severe muscle spasms in my legs (stabbing pains) and muscle twitching in my arms, legs, and abdomen (also the heartbeat skipping). The severe stabbing pains in the legs is new, was never this bad before and neither was the frequency of the muscle twitching though the heartbeat skips are the same or less than before.Potassium was low again (3.5) which is higher than before but the muscle symptoms are as bad if not worse than before.So my nephrologist doesn't want to increase the spironolactone because my BP is 100/60 and he said I may pass out if I increase the dose so now I am on the same 25mg of spironolactone AND two tablets of KLOR-CON M20 (K horse-pills)daily. Question: anyone have a theory on my sudden relapse? It has been a week on the KLOR and I don't seem to be getting any better. (note: thyroid and magnesium have always been fine).Question 2: Isn't it dangerous to take spironolactone AND these potassium horse tablets? What happens if I go back to "normal" level of 4.0 and am still taking these? Do these KLOR tablets have enough potassium that when combined with spironolactone can overdose me on potassium? (This scares the hell out of me, to much potassium and Boom, cardiac arrest.)The doctor seems to think there isn't a problem but everything I read run counter to this (and the pharmacist also voiced concern). Any other doctors here have an opinion?Thanks for listening and have a great week.

Posted October 13, 2009 · October 13, 2009

Well it depends on how much Na you are eating, how K depleted you are when started. I have never heard of this "rule" ask for references esp in PA. May your pressure be low!Clarence E. Grim, BS, MS, MDSpecializing in Primary Aldosteronism the most common cause of "Difficult/Drug Resistant High Blood Pressure". Other research interests focus on the interactions of recent evolutionary forces on the body's ability to handle salt and the effect of dietary salt on blood pressure in populations today.Listed in Best Doctors of America 2009. On Oct 13, 2009, at 8:48 PM, Valarie wrote: My endo says 10 mEg K will cause a 0.1 increase in K. Welcome! Val From: hyperaldosteronism [mailto:hyperaldosteronism ] On Behalf Of Tony Barcellona Hi, A couple years ago I started having "skipped beats" in my heart and went to the hospital. My potassium was 3.1 and I was given a potassium drink and follow-up K pills. My BP was borderline at 140/90 (and had been for a couple of years). Of course I continued eating high K foods but a year later the same thing happened. I ended up in the hospital with the same symptoms and same low potassium level. My doctor wanted to put me on anti-anxiety medicine even though I told him that I only get "anxious" when my heartbeat starts skipping and I do, I wonder if I am going to freeking die. I had to look up possible causes myself and had to talk him into doing the tests needed (aldosterone / renin)because he did not believe my BP was high enough to have Conn's. Anyway, a few days after the blood tests and after a 24 hour urine collection I was diagnosed with Conn's and sent to the nephrologist. I had high aldosterone and undetectable renin and I was potassium wasting through urine. This all took a few weeks and by then my BP was 170/110 most of the time. I now am on spironolactone 25mg and everything was great for a few months. I had two cbc tests and both times my potassium level was 4.0 so everything seemed to be working fine. My average BP is now 100/60 to 112/70. (Also, MRI of adrenals - no tumors or enlargement.) A couple weeks ago everything went downhill. Severe muscle spasms in my legs (stabbing pains) and muscle twitching in my arms, legs, and abdomen (also the heartbeat skipping). The severe stabbing pains in the legs is new, was never this bad before and neither was the frequency of the muscle twitching though the heartbeat skips are the same or less than before. Potassium was low again (3.5) which is higher than before but the muscle symptoms are as bad if not worse than before. So my nephrologist doesn't want to increase the spironolactone because my BP is 100/60 and he said I may pass out if I increase the dose so now I am on the same 25mg of spironolactone AND two tablets of KLOR-CON M20 (K horse-pills)daily. Question: anyone have a theory on my sudden relapse? It has been a week on the KLOR and I don't seem to be getting any better. (note: thyroid and magnesium have always been fine). Question 2: Isn't it dangerous to take spironolactone AND these potassium horse tablets? What happens if I go back to "normal" level of 4.0 and am still taking these? Do these KLOR tablets have enough potassium that when combined with spironolactone can overdose me on potassium? (This scares the hell out of me, to much potassium and Boom, cardiac arrest.) The doctor seems to think there isn't a problem but everything I read run counter to this (and the pharmacist also voiced concern). Any other doctors here have an opinion? Thanks for listening and have a great week.

Posted October 13, 2009 · October 13, 2009

Unless the kidney's are damaged or aldo is very low the body defends against high K in diet very well. May your pressure be low!Clarence E. Grim, BS, MS, MDSpecializing in Primary Aldosteronism the most common cause of "Difficult/Drug Resistant High Blood Pressure". Other research interests focus on the interactions of recent evolutionary forces on the body's ability to handle salt and the effect of dietary salt on blood pressure in populations today.Listed in Best Doctors of America 2009. On Oct 13, 2009, at 9:04 PM, Lori wrote: Hi, Tony ! Well, I take 100 mg Spiro and 60-80 meq potassium daily. My potassium gets low quickly if I miss a few days. Even tho Spiro increases blood potassium and I take K+ supplements and eat high potassium, mine stays around 4.1. I have never personally had a problem with mine getting too high. I would not be worried about a low dose Spiro and 40 meq potassium myself. Lori From: Valarie <val@...>Subject: RE: New Member - My story and questionshyperaldosteronism Date: Tuesday, October 13, 2009, 8:48 PM My endo says 10 mEg K will cause a 0.1 increase in K. Welcome! Val From: hyperaldosteronism [mailto:hyperaldost eronism@gro ups.com] On Behalf Of Tony Barcellona Hi,A couple years ago I started having "skipped beats" in my heart and went to the hospital. My potassium was 3.1 and I was given a potassium drink and follow-up K pills. My BP was borderline at 140/90 (and had been for a couple of years). Of course I continued eating high K foods but a year later the same thing happened. I ended up in the hospital with the same symptoms and same low potassium level.My doctor wanted to put me on anti-anxiety medicine even though I told him that I only get "anxious" when my heartbeat starts skipping and I do, I wonder if I am going to freeking die. I had to look up possible causes myself and had to talk him into doing the tests needed (aldosterone / renin)because he did not believe my BP was high enough to have Conn's. Anyway, a few days after the blood tests and after a 24 hour urine collection I was diagnosed with Conn's and sent to the nephrologist. I had high aldosterone and undetectable renin and I was potassium wasting through urine. This all took a few weeks and by then my BP was 170/110 most of the time.I now am on spironolactone 25mg and everything was great for a few months. I had two cbc tests and both times my potassium level was 4.0 so everything seemed to be working fine. My average BP is now 100/60 to 112/70. (Also, MRI of adrenals - no tumors or enlargement. )A couple weeks ago everything went downhill. Severe muscle spasms in my legs (stabbing pains) and muscle twitching in my arms, legs, and abdomen (also the heartbeat skipping). The severe stabbing pains in the legs is new, was never this bad before and neither was the frequency of the muscle twitching though the heartbeat skips are the same or less than before.Potassium was low again (3.5) which is higher than before but the muscle symptoms are as bad if not worse than before.So my nephrologist doesn't want to increase the spironolactone because my BP is 100/60 and he said I may pass out if I increase the dose so now I am on the same 25mg of spironolactone AND two tablets of KLOR-CON M20 (K horse-pills) daily. Question: anyone have a theory on my sudden relapse? It has been a week on the KLOR and I don't seem to be getting any better. (note: thyroid and magnesium have always been fine).Question 2: Isn't it dangerous to take spironolactone AND these potassium horse tablets? What happens if I go back to "normal" level of 4.0 and am still taking these? Do these KLOR tablets have enough potassium that when combined with spironolactone can overdose me on potassium? (This scares the hell out of me, to much potassium and Boom, cardiac arrest.)The doctor seems to think there isn't a problem but everything I read run counter to this (and the pharmacist also voiced concern). Any other doctors here have an opinion?Thanks for listening and have a great week.

Posted October 13, 2009 · October 13, 2009

Only OTC medicine I take regularly is a multi-vitamin and Tums for heartburn.

For prescibed drugs (other than the spironolactone and potassium) I currently

take 4 LOVAZA daily for high triglycerides and a once a week 50,000 IU Vitamin D

pill because of a Vitamin D deficiency.

>

> > Hi,

> >

> > A couple years ago I started having " skipped beats " in my heart and

> > went to the hospital. My potassium was 3.1 and I was given a

> > potassium drink and follow-up K pills. My BP was borderline at

> > 140/90 (and had been for a couple of years). Of course I continued

> > eating high K foods but a year later the same thing happened. I

> > ended up in the hospital with the same symptoms and same low

> > potassium level.

> >

> > My doctor wanted to put me on anti-anxiety medicine even though I

> > told him that I only get " anxious " when my heartbeat starts

> > skipping and I do, I wonder if I am going to freeking die. I had to

> > look up possible causes myself and had to talk him into doing the

> > tests needed (aldosterone / renin)because he did not believe my BP

> > was high enough to have Conn's.

> >

> > Anyway, a few days after the blood tests and after a 24 hour urine

> > collection I was diagnosed with Conn's and sent to the nephrologist.

> >

> > I had high aldosterone and undetectable renin and I was potassium

> > wasting through urine. This all took a few weeks and by then my BP

> > was 170/110 most of the time.

> >

> > I now am on spironolactone 25mg and everything was great for a few

> > months. I had two cbc tests and both times my potassium level was

> > 4.0 so everything seemed to be working fine. My average BP is now

> > 100/60 to 112/70. (Also, MRI of adrenals - no tumors or enlargement.)

> >

> > A couple weeks ago everything went downhill. Severe muscle spasms

> > in my legs (stabbing pains) and muscle twitching in my arms, legs,

> > and abdomen (also the heartbeat skipping). The severe stabbing

> > pains in the legs is new, was never this bad before and neither was

> > the frequency of the muscle twitching though the heartbeat skips

> > are the same or less than before.

> >

> > Potassium was low again (3.5) which is higher than before but the

> > muscle symptoms are as bad if not worse than before.

> >

> > So my nephrologist doesn't want to increase the spironolactone

> > because my BP is 100/60 and he said I may pass out if I increase

> > the dose so now I am on the same 25mg of spironolactone AND two

> > tablets of KLOR-CON M20 (K horse-pills)daily.

> >

> > Question: anyone have a theory on my sudden relapse? It has been a

> > week on the KLOR and I don't seem to be getting any better. (note:

> > thyroid and magnesium have always been fine).

> >

> > Question 2: Isn't it dangerous to take spironolactone AND these

> > potassium horse tablets? What happens if I go back to " normal "

> > level of 4.0 and am still taking these? Do these KLOR tablets have

> > enough potassium that when combined with spironolactone can

> > overdose me on potassium? (This scares the hell out of me, to much

> > potassium and Boom, cardiac arrest.)

> >

> > The doctor seems to think there isn't a problem but everything I

> > read run counter to this (and the pharmacist also voiced concern).

> > Any other doctors here have an opinion?

> >

> > Thanks for listening and have a great week.

> >

>

Posted October 13, 2009 · October 13, 2009

Due to my BP only being 140/90, My Primary Care Physician was convinced that I

had some kind of " panic " problem and wanted to put me on Tricor for BP and xanax

for " anxiety " . At the time, I could care less about the BP since I had been at

140/90 for a couple of years and was worried about the low potassium since it

sent me to the emergency room twice in 13 months. I refused to take the

medicines (since I could care less about the 140/90 and I don't have an

" anxiety " or " panic attack " problem unless triggered by irregular heartbeat) so

I only took the potassium and began researching on the internet for possible

causes for Hypokalemia. Conn's and a couple of others were possibilities so I

needed a blood test to find out what my Aldosterone, Renin, cortisol, magnesium,

etc. were to verify if I had these.

My Primary Care Physician was very reluctant to perform these tests because the

condition is so rare and since my BP was not " high enough " . He believed that

Hypokalemia was a secondary symptom of these syndromes and I must surely have a

higher blood pressure before hypokalemia if I had Conn's.

I simply argued with him and he gave in to satisfy my insistence and when the

results came back it was almost classic Conn's (renin undetectable and

aldosterone right at the high of the normal range. We followed up with the 24

hour urine collection just to be sure and it turned out to prove potassium

wasting as well. If I would have settled for the original diagnosis I would be

on tricor and xanax right now and still having the potassium issue (more than I

do now). By the time I got in to see the specialist, my BP was averaging 170/110

(pretty big jump in just 4 weeks). It seems that this is a pretty rare

condition, I am the first that my specialist or primary care physician has seen.

>

> > Hi,

> >

> > A couple years ago I started having " skipped beats " in my heart and

> > went to the hospital. My potassium was 3.1 and I was given a

> > potassium drink and follow-up K pills. My BP was borderline at

> > 140/90 (and had been for a couple of years). Of course I continued

> > eating high K foods but a year later the same thing happened. I

> > ended up in the hospital with the same symptoms and same low

> > potassium level.

> >

> > My doctor wanted to put me on anti-anxiety medicine even though I

> > told him that I only get " anxious " when my heartbeat starts

> > skipping and I do, I wonder if I am going to freeking die. I had to

> > look up possible causes myself and had to talk him into doing the

> > tests needed (aldosterone / renin)because he did not believe my BP

> > was high enough to have Conn's.

> >

> > Anyway, a few days after the blood tests and after a 24 hour urine

> > collection I was diagnosed with Conn's and sent to the nephrologist.

> >

> > I had high aldosterone and undetectable renin and I was potassium

> > wasting through urine. This all took a few weeks and by then my BP

> > was 170/110 most of the time.

> >

> > I now am on spironolactone 25mg and everything was great for a few

> > months. I had two cbc tests and both times my potassium level was

> > 4.0 so everything seemed to be working fine. My average BP is now

> > 100/60 to 112/70. (Also, MRI of adrenals - no tumors or enlargement.)

> >

> > A couple weeks ago everything went downhill. Severe muscle spasms

> > in my legs (stabbing pains) and muscle twitching in my arms, legs,

> > and abdomen (also the heartbeat skipping). The severe stabbing

> > pains in the legs is new, was never this bad before and neither was

> > the frequency of the muscle twitching though the heartbeat skips

> > are the same or less than before.

> >

> > Potassium was low again (3.5) which is higher than before but the

> > muscle symptoms are as bad if not worse than before.

> >

> > So my nephrologist doesn't want to increase the spironolactone

> > because my BP is 100/60 and he said I may pass out if I increase

> > the dose so now I am on the same 25mg of spironolactone AND two

> > tablets of KLOR-CON M20 (K horse-pills)daily.

> >

> > Question: anyone have a theory on my sudden relapse? It has been a

> > week on the KLOR and I don't seem to be getting any better. (note:

> > thyroid and magnesium have always been fine).

> >

> > Question 2: Isn't it dangerous to take spironolactone AND these

> > potassium horse tablets? What happens if I go back to " normal "

> > level of 4.0 and am still taking these? Do these KLOR tablets have

> > enough potassium that when combined with spironolactone can

> > overdose me on potassium? (This scares the hell out of me, to much

> > potassium and Boom, cardiac arrest.)

> >

> > The doctor seems to think there isn't a problem but everything I

> > read run counter to this (and the pharmacist also voiced concern).

> > Any other doctors here have an opinion?

> >

> > Thanks for listening and have a great week.

> >

>

Posted October 13, 2009 · October 13, 2009

Then I probably doesn't exist.

Val

From: hyperaldosteronism

[mailto:hyperaldosteronism ] On Behalf Of Clarence Grim

Well it depends on how much Na you are eating, how K depleted you are when

started. I have never heard of this " rule " ask for references

esp in PA.

On

Oct 13, 2009, at 8:48 PM, Valarie wrote:

My endo says 10 mEg K will cause a 0.1

increase in K. Welcome!

From:

hyperaldosteronism [mailto:hyperaldosteronism ]

On Behalf Of Tony Barcellona

Hi,

A couple years ago I started having " skipped beats " in my heart and

went to the hospital. My potassium was 3.1 and I was given a potassium drink and

follow-up K pills. My BP was borderline at 140/90 (and had been for a couple

of years). Of course I continued eating high K foods but a year later the

same thing happened. I ended up in the hospital with the same symptoms and

same low potassium level.

My doctor wanted to put me on anti-anxiety medicine even though I told him

that I only get " anxious " when my heartbeat starts skipping and I

do, I wonder if I am going to freeking die. I had to look up possible causes

myself and had to talk him into doing the tests needed (aldosterone /

renin)because he did not believe my BP was high enough to have Conn's.

Anyway, a few days after the blood tests and after a 24 hour urine collection

I was diagnosed with Conn's a nd sent to the nephrologist.

I had high aldosterone and undetectable renin and I was potassium wasting

through urine. This all took a few weeks and by then my BP was 170/110 most

of the time.

I now am on spironolactone 25mg and everything was great for a few months. I

had two cbc tests and both times my potassium level was 4.0 so everything

seemed to be working fine. My average BP is now 100/60 to 112/70. (Also, MRI

of adrenals - no tumors or enlargement.)

A couple weeks ago everything went downhill. Severe muscle spasms in my legs

(stabbing pains) and muscle twitching in my arms, legs, and abdomen (also the

heartbeat skipping). The severe stabbing pains in the legs is new, was never

this bad before and neither was the frequency of the muscle twitching though

the heartbeat skips are the same or less than before.

Potassium was low again (3.5) which is higher than before but the muscle

symptoms are as bad if not worse than before.

So my nephrologist doesn't want to increase the spironolactone because my BP

is 100/60 and he said I may pass out if I increase the dose so now I am on

the same 25mg of spironolactone AND two tablets of KLOR-CON M20 (K

horse-pills)daily.

Question: anyone have a theory on my sudden relapse? It has been a week on

the KLOR and I don't seem to be getting any better. (note: thyroid and

magnesium have always been fine).

Question 2: Isn't it dangerous to take spironolactone AND these potassium

horse tablets? What happens if I go back to " normal " level of 4.0

and am still taking these? Do these KLOR tablets have enough potassium that

when combined with spironolactone can overdose me on potassium? (This scares

the hell out of me, to much potassium and Boom, cardiac arrest.)

The doctor seems to think there isn't a problem but everything I read run

counter to this (and the pharmacist also voiced concern). Any other doctors

here have an opinion?

Thanks for listening and have a great week.

Posted October 13, 2009 · October 13, 2009

Some TUMS have lots of sodium which will drive BP up and K down. Please look at the label. Newer ones may be OK.Your goal with the DASH is <1500 mg a day of sodium and more than 4000 mg per day K. It is also a very good diet to control triglycerides without meds. Please get the book ASAP and recommend you do the 14 day trial in Chap 9(as I recall) ASAP. May your pressure be low!Clarence E. Grim, BS, MS, MDSpecializing in Primary Aldosteronism the most common cause of "Difficult/Drug Resistant High Blood Pressure". Other research interests focus on the interactions of recent evolutionary forces on the body's ability to handle salt and the effect of dietary salt on blood pressure in populations today.Listed in Best Doctors of America 2009. On Oct 13, 2009, at 11:41 PM, tbarcellona@... wrote: Only OTC medicine I take regularly is a multi-vitamin and Tums for heartburn. For prescibed drugs (other than the spironolactone and potassium) I currently take 4 LOVAZA daily for high triglycerides and a once a week 50,000 IU Vitamin D pill because of a Vitamin D deficiency. > > > Hi, > > > > A couple years ago I started having "skipped beats" in my heart and > > went to the hospital. My potassium was 3.1 and I was given a > > potassium drink and follow-up K pills. My BP was borderline at > > 140/90 (and had been for a couple of years). Of course I continued > > eating high K foods but a year later the same thing happened. I > > ended up in the hospital with the same symptoms and same low > > potassium level. > > > > My doctor wanted to put me on anti-anxiety medicine even though I > > told him that I only get "anxious" when my heartbeat starts > > skipping and I do, I wonder if I am going to freeking die. I had to > > look up possible causes myself and had to talk him into doing the > > tests needed (aldosterone / renin)because he did not believe my BP > > was high enough to have Conn's. > > > > Anyway, a few days after the blood tests and after a 24 hour urine > > collection I was diagnosed with Conn's and sent to the nephrologist. > > > > I had high aldosterone and undetectable renin and I was potassium > > wasting through urine. This all took a few weeks and by then my BP > > was 170/110 most of the time. > > > > I now am on spironolactone 25mg and everything was great for a few > > months. I had two cbc tests and both times my potassium level was > > 4.0 so everything seemed to be working fine. My average BP is now > > 100/60 to 112/70. (Also, MRI of adrenals - no tumors or enlargement.) > > > > A couple weeks ago everything went downhill. Severe muscle spasms > > in my legs (stabbing pains) and muscle twitching in my arms, legs, > > and abdomen (also the heartbeat skipping). The severe stabbing > > pains in the legs is new, was never this bad before and neither was > > the frequency of the muscle twitching though the heartbeat skips > > are the same or less than before. > > > > Potassium was low again (3.5) which is higher than before but the > > muscle symptoms are as bad if not worse than before. > > > > So my nephrologist doesn't want to increase the spironolactone > > because my BP is 100/60 and he said I may pass out if I increase > > the dose so now I am on the same 25mg of spironolactone AND two > > tablets of KLOR-CON M20 (K horse-pills)daily. > > > > Question: anyone have a theory on my sudden relapse? It has been a > > week on the KLOR and I don't seem to be getting any better. (note: > > thyroid and magnesium have always been fine). > > > > Question 2: Isn't it dangerous to take spironolactone AND these > > potassium horse tablets? What happens if I go back to "normal" > > level of 4.0 and am still taking these? Do these KLOR tablets have > > enough potassium that when combined with spironolactone can > > overdose me on potassium? (This scares the hell out of me, to much > > potassium and Boom, cardiac arrest.) > > > > The doctor seems to think there isn't a problem but everything I > > read run counter to this (and the pharmacist also voiced concern). > > Any other doctors here have an opinion? > > > > Thanks for listening and have a great week. > > > > >

Posted October 13, 2009 · October 13, 2009

It is not a rare condition. They have both seen many cases and likely missed them.Please take them my paper so they can help others. Where do you live? I may know a expert in the area. May your pressure be low!Clarence E. Grim, BS, MS, MDSpecializing in Primary Aldosteronism the most common cause of "Difficult/Drug Resistant High Blood Pressure". Other research interests focus on the interactions of recent evolutionary forces on the body's ability to handle salt and the effect of dietary salt on blood pressure in populations today.Listed in Best Doctors of America 2009. On Oct 14, 2009, at 12:14 AM, tbarcellona@... wrote: Due to my BP only being 140/90, My Primary Care Physician was convinced that I had some kind of "panic" problem and wanted to put me on Tricor for BP and xanax for "anxiety". At the time, I could care less about the BP since I had been at 140/90 for a couple of years and was worried about the low potassium since it sent me to the emergency room twice in 13 months. I refused to take the medicines (since I could care less about the 140/90 and I don't have an "anxiety" or "panic attack" problem unless triggered by irregular heartbeat) so I only took the potassium and began researching on the internet for possible causes for Hypokalemia. Conn's and a couple of others were possibilities so I needed a blood test to find out what my Aldosterone, Renin, cortisol, magnesium, etc. were to verify if I had these. My Primary Care Physician was very reluctant to perform these tests because the condition is so rare and since my BP was not "high enough". He believed that Hypokalemia was a secondary symptom of these syndromes and I must surely have a higher blood pressure before hypokalemia if I had Conn's. I simply argued with him and he gave in to satisfy my insistence and when the results came back it was almost classic Conn's (renin undetectable and aldosterone right at the high of the normal range. We followed up with the 24 hour urine collection just to be sure and it turned out to prove potassium wasting as well. If I would have settled for the original diagnosis I would be on tricor and xanax right now and still having the potassium issue (more than I do now). By the time I got in to see the specialist, my BP was averaging 170/110 (pretty big jump in just 4 weeks). It seems that this is a pretty rare condition, I am the first that my specialist or primary care physician has seen. > > > Hi, > > > > A couple years ago I started having "skipped beats" in my heart and > > went to the hospital. My potassium was 3.1 and I was given a > > potassium drink and follow-up K pills. My BP was borderline at > > 140/90 (and had been for a couple of years). Of course I continued > > eating high K foods but a year later the same thing happened. I > > ended up in the hospital with the same symptoms and same low > > potassium level. > > > > My doctor wanted to put me on anti-anxiety medicine even though I > > told him that I only get "anxious" when my heartbeat starts > > skipping and I do, I wonder if I am going to freeking die. I had to > > look up possible causes myself and had to talk him into doing the > > tests needed (aldosterone / renin)because he did not believe my BP > > was high enough to have Conn's. > > > > Anyway, a few days after the blood tests and after a 24 hour urine > > collection I was diagnosed with Conn's and sent to the nephrologist. > > > > I had high aldosterone and undetectable renin and I was potassium > > wasting through urine. This all took a few weeks and by then my BP > > was 170/110 most of the time. > > > > I now am on spironolactone 25mg and everything was great for a few > > months. I had two cbc tests and both times my potassium level was > > 4.0 so everything seemed to be working fine. My average BP is now > > 100/60 to 112/70. (Also, MRI of adrenals - no tumors or enlargement.) > > > > A couple weeks ago everything went downhill. Severe muscle spasms > > in my legs (stabbing pains) and muscle twitching in my arms, legs, > > and abdomen (also the heartbeat skipping). The severe stabbing > > pains in the legs is new, was never this bad before and neither was > > the frequency of the muscle twitching though the heartbeat skips > > are the same or less than before. > > > > Potassium was low again (3.5) which is higher than before but the > > muscle symptoms are as bad if not worse than before. > > > > So my nephrologist doesn't want to increase the spironolactone > > because my BP is 100/60 and he said I may pass out if I increase > > the dose so now I am on the same 25mg of spironolactone AND two > > tablets of KLOR-CON M20 (K horse-pills)daily. > > > > Question: anyone have a theory on my sudden relapse? It has been a > > week on the KLOR and I don't seem to be getting any better. (note: > > thyroid and magnesium have always been fine). > > > > Question 2: Isn't it dangerous to take spironolactone AND these > > potassium horse tablets? What happens if I go back to "normal" > > level of 4.0 and am still taking these? Do these KLOR tablets have > > enough potassium that when combined with spironolactone can > > overdose me on potassium? (This scares the hell out of me, to much > > potassium and Boom, cardiac arrest.) > > > > The doctor seems to think there isn't a problem but everything I > > read run counter to this (and the pharmacist also voiced concern). > > Any other doctors here have an opinion? > > > > Thanks for listening and have a great week. > > > > >

Posted October 13, 2009 · October 13, 2009

Not certain what this means?? I know its late and am going to bed.We are thinking about a heat pump and as I recall Val you all have one. Will it work in Tahoe at 6000 feet? May your pressure be low!Clarence E. Grim, BS, MS, MDSpecializing in Primary Aldosteronism the most common cause of "Difficult/Drug Resistant High Blood Pressure". Other research interests focus on the interactions of recent evolutionary forces on the body's ability to handle salt and the effect of dietary salt on blood pressure in populations today.Listed in Best Doctors of America 2009. On Oct 14, 2009, at 12:34 AM, Valarie wrote:Then I probably doesn't exist.

Posted October 14, 2009 · October 14, 2009

It is hard to find information on just how common PA is. I tend to think that it

is more common what most say it is. I think what is rare is doctors that know

what it is.

> > >

> > > > Hi,

> > > >

> > > > A couple years ago I started having " skipped beats " in my heart

> > and

> > > > went to the hospital. My potassium was 3.1 and I was given a

> > > > potassium drink and follow-up K pills. My BP was borderline at

> > > > 140/90 (and had been for a couple of years). Of course I continued

> > > > eating high K foods but a year later the same thing happened. I

> > > > ended up in the hospital with the same symptoms and same low

> > > > potassium level.

> > > >

> > > > My doctor wanted to put me on anti-anxiety medicine even though I

> > > > told him that I only get " anxious " when my heartbeat starts

> > > > skipping and I do, I wonder if I am going to freeking die. I

> > had to

> > > > look up possible causes myself and had to talk him into doing the

> > > > tests needed (aldosterone / renin)because he did not believe my BP

> > > > was high enough to have Conn's.

> > > >

> > > > Anyway, a few days after the blood tests and after a 24 hour urine

> > > > collection I was diagnosed with Conn's and sent to the

> > nephrologist.

> > > >

> > > > I had high aldosterone and undetectable renin and I was potassium

> > > > wasting through urine. This all took a few weeks and by then my BP

> > > > was 170/110 most of the time.

> > > >

> > > > I now am on spironolactone 25mg and everything was great for a few

> > > > months. I had two cbc tests and both times my potassium level was

> > > > 4.0 so everything seemed to be working fine. My average BP is now

> > > > 100/60 to 112/70. (Also, MRI of adrenals - no tumors or

> > enlargement.)

> > > >

> > > > A couple weeks ago everything went downhill. Severe muscle spasms

> > > > in my legs (stabbing pains) and muscle twitching in my arms, legs,

> > > > and abdomen (also the heartbeat skipping). The severe stabbing

> > > > pains in the legs is new, was never this bad before and neither

> > was

> > > > the frequency of the muscle twitching though the heartbeat skips

> > > > are the same or less than before.

> > > >

> > > > Potassium was low again (3.5) which is higher than before but the

> > > > muscle symptoms are as bad if not worse than before.

> > > >

> > > > So my nephrologist doesn't want to increase the spironolactone

> > > > because my BP is 100/60 and he said I may pass out if I increase

> > > > the dose so now I am on the same 25mg of spironolactone AND two

> > > > tablets of KLOR-CON M20 (K horse-pills)daily.

> > > >

> > > > Question: anyone have a theory on my sudden relapse? It has been a

> > > > week on the KLOR and I don't seem to be getting any better. (note:

> > > > thyroid and magnesium have always been fine).

> > > >

> > > > Question 2: Isn't it dangerous to take spironolactone AND these

> > > > potassium horse tablets? What happens if I go back to " normal "

> > > > level of 4.0 and am still taking these? Do these KLOR tablets have

> > > > enough potassium that when combined with spironolactone can

> > > > overdose me on potassium? (This scares the hell out of me, to much

> > > > potassium and Boom, cardiac arrest.)

> > > >

> > > > The doctor seems to think there isn't a problem but everything I

> > > > read run counter to this (and the pharmacist also voiced concern).

> > > > Any other doctors here have an opinion?

> > > >

> > > > Thanks for listening and have a great week.

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

Posted October 14, 2009 · October 14, 2009

Some information on heat pumps

http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/space_heating_cooling/index.cfm/mytopic=12\

610

>

> > Then I probably doesn't exist.

>

Posted October 14, 2009 · October 14, 2009

My endo hasn't a clue what she's

doing so she wouldn't have references for that statement. She raised my spiro 50 mg (to 150) and

gave me 10 mEq/d K. Then, told me

there is nothing more she can do for me.

Its up to me to order tests and monitor what's going on. I need to find a real doctor. The additional 50 mg spiro only dropped

BP about 3 points average.

Sometimes K lessens the

" brittle. " My BP is

directly related to the level of " brittle. "

Val

From: hyperaldosteronism

[mailto:hyperaldosteronism ] On Behalf Of Clarence Grim

Well it depends on how much Na you

are eating, how K depleted you are when started. I have never heard of

this " rule " ask for references esp in PA.

On

Oct 13, 2009, at 8:48 PM, Valarie wrote:

My endo says 10 mEg K will cause a 0.1

increase in K. Welcome!

From: hyperaldosteronism [mailto:hyperaldosteronism ] On

Behalf Of Tony Barcellona

Question 2: Isn't it dangerous to take spironolactone AND these potassium

horse tablets? What happens if I go back to " normal " level of 4.0

and am still taking these? Do these KLOR tablets have enough potassium that

when combined with spironolactone can overdose me on potassium? (This scares

the hell out of me, to much potassium and Boom, cardiac arrest.)

Posted October 14, 2009 · October 14, 2009

Been saying this since 1965. Tiped sad Send form miiPhone ;-)May your pressure be low!CE Grim MDSpecializing in DifficultHypertensionOn Oct 14, 2009, at 8:11 AM, Francis Bill <georgewbill@...> wrote:

It is hard to find information on just how common PA is. I tend to think that it is more common what most say it is. I think what is rare is doctors that know what it is.

> > >

> > > > Hi,

> > > >

> > > > A couple years ago I started having "skipped beats" in my heart

> > and

> > > > went to the hospital. My potassium was 3.1 and I was given a

> > > > potassium drink and follow-up K pills. My BP was borderline at

> > > > 140/90 (and had been for a couple of years). Of course I continued

> > > > eating high K foods but a year later the same thing happened. I

> > > > ended up in the hospital with the same symptoms and same low

> > > > potassium level.

> > > >

> > > > My doctor wanted to put me on anti-anxiety medicine even though I

> > > > told him that I only get "anxious" when my heartbeat starts

> > > > skipping and I do, I wonder if I am going to freeking die. I

> > had to

> > > > look up possible causes myself and had to talk him into doing the

> > > > tests needed (aldosterone / renin)because he did not believe my BP

> > > > was high enough to have Conn's.

> > > >

> > > > Anyway, a few days after the blood tests and after a 24 hour urine

> > > > collection I was diagnosed with Conn's and sent to the

> > nephrologist.

> > > >

> > > > I had high aldosterone and undetectable renin and I was potassium

> > > > wasting through urine. This all took a few weeks and by then my BP

> > > > was 170/110 most of the time.

> > > >

> > > > I now am on spironolactone 25mg and everything was great for a few

> > > > months. I had two cbc tests and both times my potassium level was

> > > > 4.0 so everything seemed to be working fine. My average BP is now

> > > > 100/60 to 112/70. (Also, MRI of adrenals - no tumors or

> > enlargement.)

> > > >

> > > > A couple weeks ago everything went downhill. Severe muscle spasms

> > > > in my legs (stabbing pains) and muscle twitching in my arms, legs,

> > > > and abdomen (also the heartbeat skipping). The severe stabbing

> > > > pains in the legs is new, was never this bad before and neither

> > was

> > > > the frequency of the muscle twitching though the heartbeat skips

> > > > are the same or less than before.

> > > >

> > > > Potassium was low again (3.5) which is higher than before but the

> > > > muscle symptoms are as bad if not worse than before.

> > > >

> > > > So my nephrologist doesn't want to increase the spironolactone

> > > > because my BP is 100/60 and he said I may pass out if I increase

> > > > the dose so now I am on the same 25mg of spironolactone AND two

> > > > tablets of KLOR-CON M20 (K horse-pills)daily.

> > > >

> > > > Question: anyone have a theory on my sudden relapse? It has been a

> > > > week on the KLOR and I don't seem to be getting any better. (note:

> > > > thyroid and magnesium have always been fine).

> > > >

> > > > Question 2: Isn't it dangerous to take spironolactone AND these

> > > > potassium horse tablets? What happens if I go back to "normal"

> > > > level of 4.0 and am still taking these? Do these KLOR tablets have

> > > > enough potassium that when combined with spironolactone can

> > > > overdose me on potassium? (This scares the hell out of me, to much

> > > > potassium and Boom, cardiac arrest.)

> > > >

> > > > The doctor seems to think there isn't a problem but everything I

> > > > read run counter to this (and the pharmacist also voiced concern).

> > > > Any other doctors here have an opinion?

> > > >

> > > > Thanks for listening and have a great week.

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

Messages in this topic (17)

Reply (via web post)

|

Start a new topic

Posted October 14, 2009 · October 14, 2009

Depending on what BP and K is doing I would try increasing spiro some more (say another 50). If BP less than 140/90 on average I would stay put. May your pressure be low!Clarence E. Grim, BS, MS, MDSpecializing in Primary Aldosteronism the most common cause of "Difficult/Drug Resistant High Blood Pressure". Other research interests focus on the interactions of recent evolutionary forces on the body's ability to handle salt and the effect of dietary salt on blood pressure in populations today.Listed in Best Doctors of America 2009. On Oct 14, 2009, at 11:27 AM, Valarie wrote: My endo hasn't a clue what she's doing so she wouldn't have references for that statement. She raised my spiro 50 mg (to 150) and gave me 10 mEq/d K. Then, told me there is nothing more she can do for me. Its up to me to order tests and monitor what's going on. I need to find a real doctor. The additional 50 mg spiro only dropped BP about 3 points average. Sometimes K lessens the "brittle." My BP is directly related to the level of "brittle." Val From: hyperaldosteronism [mailto:hyperaldosteronism ] On Behalf Of Clarence Grim Well it depends on how much Na you are eating, how K depleted you are when started. I have never heard of this "rule" ask for references esp in PA. On Oct 13, 2009, at 8:48 PM, Valarie wrote: My endo says 10 mEg K will cause a 0.1 increase in K. Welcome! From: hyperaldosteronism [mailto:hyperaldosteronism ] On Behalf Of Tony Barcellona Question 2: Isn't it dangerous to take spironolactone AND these potassium horse tablets? What happens if I go back to "normal" level of 4.0 and am still taking these? Do these KLOR tablets have enough potassium that when combined with spironolactone can overdose me on potassium? (This scares the hell out of me, to much potassium and Boom, cardiac arrest.)

Posted October 14, 2009 · October 14, 2009

So why is so hard to get doctors undrestand what PA is?

> > > > >

> > > > > > Hi,

> > > > > >

> > > > > > A couple years ago I started having " skipped beats " in my

> > heart

> > > > and

> > > > > > went to the hospital. My potassium was 3.1 and I was given a

> > > > > > potassium drink and follow-up K pills. My BP was borderline at

> > > > > > 140/90 (and had been for a couple of years). Of course I

> > continued

> > > > > > eating high K foods but a year later the same thing

> > happened. I

> > > > > > ended up in the hospital with the same symptoms and same low

> > > > > > potassium level.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > My doctor wanted to put me on anti-anxiety medicine even

> > though I

> > > > > > told him that I only get " anxious " when my heartbeat starts

> > > > > > skipping and I do, I wonder if I am going to freeking die. I

> > > > had to

> > > > > > look up possible causes myself and had to talk him into

> > doing the

> > > > > > tests needed (aldosterone / renin)because he did not believe

> > my BP

> > > > > > was high enough to have Conn's.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Anyway, a few days after the blood tests and after a 24 hour

> > urine

> > > > > > collection I was diagnosed with Conn's and sent to the

> > > > nephrologist.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > I had high aldosterone and undetectable renin and I was

> > potassium

> > > > > > wasting through urine. This all took a few weeks and by then

> > my BP

> > > > > > was 170/110 most of the time.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > I now am on spironolactone 25mg and everything was great for

> > a few

> > > > > > months. I had two cbc tests and both times my potassium

> > level was

> > > > > > 4.0 so everything seemed to be working fine. My average BP

> > is now

> > > > > > 100/60 to 112/70. (Also, MRI of adrenals - no tumors or

> > > > enlargement.)

> > > > > >

> > > > > > A couple weeks ago everything went downhill. Severe muscle

> > spasms

> > > > > > in my legs (stabbing pains) and muscle twitching in my arms,

> > legs,

> > > > > > and abdomen (also the heartbeat skipping). The severe stabbing

> > > > > > pains in the legs is new, was never this bad before and

> > neither

> > > > was

> > > > > > the frequency of the muscle twitching though the heartbeat

> > skips

> > > > > > are the same or less than before.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Potassium was low again (3.5) which is higher than before

> > but the

> > > > > > muscle symptoms are as bad if not worse than before.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > So my nephrologist doesn't want to increase the spironolactone

> > > > > > because my BP is 100/60 and he said I may pass out if I

> > increase

> > > > > > the dose so now I am on the same 25mg of spironolactone AND

> > two

> > > > > > tablets of KLOR-CON M20 (K horse-pills)daily.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Question: anyone have a theory on my sudden relapse? It has

> > been a

> > > > > > week on the KLOR and I don't seem to be getting any better.

> > (note:

> > > > > > thyroid and magnesium have always been fine).

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Question 2: Isn't it dangerous to take spironolactone AND

> > these

> > > > > > potassium horse tablets? What happens if I go back to " normal "

> > > > > > level of 4.0 and am still taking these? Do these KLOR

> > tablets have

> > > > > > enough potassium that when combined with spironolactone can

> > > > > > overdose me on potassium? (This scares the hell out of me,

> > to much

> > > > > > potassium and Boom, cardiac arrest.)

> > > > > >

> > > > > > The doctor seems to think there isn't a problem but

> > everything I

> > > > > > read run counter to this (and the pharmacist also voiced

> > concern).

> > > > > > Any other doctors here have an opinion?

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Thanks for listening and have a great week.

> > > > > >

> > > > >

> > > >

> > >

> >

> > Messages in this topic (17) Reply (via web post) | Start a new topic

>

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