Re: endo appoinment-please advise

March 18, 2010

Hello hun,Sorry it seemed as though he wasn't taking enough notice. Fingers crossed you will be able to show him what's happening when you have salt with that test!Are you at barts? Who did you see?I'm feeling so nervous now I'm really worried about whether I should eat normally or not before hand.Be careful won't you with those symptoms keep an eye on your bp if you feel very ruff go to a and e.If you've been ill a while like me u tend to put up with some scary symptoms as your waiting for your consultant to help but we shouldn't do this!!Sent using BlackBerryÂ® from OrangeDate: Thu, 18 Mar 2010 12:07:10 -0500To: <hyperaldosteronism >Subject: endo appoinment-please advise Well, I had my endo appoinment on Tuesday and didn't get the news I wanted to hear. The Dr. seemed nice enough and seemed to have read atleast some of my info I sent to him prior to the appointment (Spreadsheet of abnormal tests and symptoms list). But I do not think he went over it carefully and did not do a detailed exam on me either. I told him about my problem with salt and tried to explain it clearly. But sometimes he cut me off and I didn't get to explain all of my weird symptoms that sometimes happen no matter the salt ingestion.He asked why I was seeing him and I said my first doctor suspected cushings because of one high cortisol and ACTH and he just said I didn't have that. And then I said I thought I might have Conn's because of all of my symptoms and reaction to salt. He said he would screen for it but pretty sure I didn't have it due to the Aldosterone renin ration being only 24 and not having high blood pressure. He said that they usually go by 30 or 33. He suggested maybe a kidney issue as well could cause problems with salt.I wanted to do adrenal CT and the saline suppression test. But he said that first we would have to do the salt loading for 7 days. I told him this would make me very sick, but he said it is used as a screening test and the saline suppression is the confirmatory test. Then he said he wouldn't do the CT because sometimes they find tumors that are incidentomas(sp) and not causing any problems. So he did serum potassium and sodium, urine sodium, complete metabolic profile, CBC, and repeat thyroid tests. Haven't heard back from him with these yet.(By the way when they took blood for potassium they did not do it the way Dr. Grim suggests -how do you get them to do it the other way?)Now I'm taking the salt tablets every 8 hours and on a normal-high salt diet since Tuesday afternoon. I am swelling like crazy -just yesterday I gained 8 lbs in 24 hours of fluid. My hands are going crazy too. I am having very strong pounding heartbeat, short of breath, headache, some nausea, and feel more tired. I haven't yet felt the extreme symptoms of dizziness, weakness, feeling like going to pass out, paleness, muscle cramps,etc like I did sometimes before after high salt ingestion. Maybe it will take longer to get my level up there. I am urinating more at night though and spot on mid back that is sometimes sore and feels gross when you push it is more swollen it seems.So, has anyone else had to do these tests in this order before? And what about salt loading for 7 days? He even gave me a refill to get more if needed. Do I need to be on a high salt diet for longer to get back to where I was feeling horrible to show abnrmal levels? When I did Aldosterone and renin last time I was already on very low salt diet for a while. I have an internal medicine Dr appoinment already scheduled for Monday, 22nd and will ask him about testing and results too. But I wanted to hea r nfrom Dr. Grim and all of you about what ya'll think and if I'm on the right track.

March 18, 2010

I wish I wouldv'e came sick to the appoinment now. He looks at me and thinks I

look normal. And also I was off all week for Spring break because I work with

school system and if I wouldv'e came sick we might have been able to do more

testing and been further along. I would suggest asking your Dr. what he wants

you to do before going...but if I could do it over again I wouldv'e came sick.

---- moseleymand@... wrote:

> Hello hun,

>

> Sorry it seemed as though he wasn't taking enough notice.

>

> Fingers crossed you will be able to show him what's happening when you have

salt with that test!

>

> Are you at barts? Who did you see?

>

> I'm feeling so nervous now I'm really worried about whether I should eat

normally or not before hand.

>

> Be careful won't you with those symptoms keep an eye on your bp if you feel

very ruff go to a and e.

>

> If you've been ill a while like me u tend to put up with some scary symptoms

as your waiting for your consultant to help but we shouldn't do this!!

> Sent using BlackBerryÂ® from Orange

>

> endo appoinment-please advise

>

> Well, I had my endo appoinment on Tuesday and didn't get the news I wanted to

hear. The Dr. seemed nice enough and seemed to have read atleast some of my info

I sent to him prior to the appointment (Spreadsheet of abnormal tests and

symptoms list). But I do not think he went over it carefully and did not do a

detailed exam on me either. I told him about my problem with salt and tried to

explain it clearly. But sometimes he cut me off and I didn't get to explain all

of my weird symptoms that sometimes happen no matter the salt ingestion.

>

> He asked why I was seeing him and I said my first doctor suspected cushings

because of one high cortisol and ACTH and he just said I didn't have that. And

then I said I thought I might have Conn's because of all of my symptoms and

reaction to salt. He said he would screen for it but pretty sure I didn't have

it due to the Aldosterone renin ration being only 24 and not having high blood

pressure. He said that they usually go by 30 or 33. He suggested maybe a kidney

issue as well could cause problems with salt.

>

> I wanted to do adrenal CT and the saline suppression test. But he said that

first we would have to do the salt loading for 7 days. I told him this would

make me very sick, but he said it is used as a screening test and the saline

suppression is the confirmatory test. Then he said he wouldn't do the CT because

sometimes they find tumors that are incidentomas(sp) and not causing any

problems. So he did serum potassium and sodium, urine sodium, complete metabolic

profile, CBC, and repeat thyroid tests. Haven't heard back from him with these

yet.(By the way when they took blood for potassium they did not do it the way

Dr. Grim suggests -how do you get them to do it the other way?)

>

> Now I'm taking the salt tablets every 8 hours and on a normal-high salt diet

since Tuesday afternoon. I am swelling like crazy -just yesterday I gained 8 lbs

in 24 hours of fluid. My hands are going crazy too. I am having very strong

pounding heartbeat, short of breath, headache, some nausea, and feel more tired.

I haven't yet felt the extreme symptoms of dizziness, weakness, feeling like

going to pass out, paleness, muscle cramps,etc like I did sometimes before after

high salt ingestion. Maybe it will take longer to get my level up there. I am

urinating more at night though and spot on mid back that is sometimes sore and

feels gross when you push it is more swollen it seems.

>

> So, has anyone else had to do these tests in this order before? And what about

salt loading for 7 days? He even gave me a refill to get more if needed. Do I

need to be on a high salt diet for longer to get back to where I was feeling

horrible to show abnrmal levels? When I did Aldosterone and renin last time I

was already on very low salt diet for a while. I have an internal medicine Dr

appoinment already scheduled for Monday, 22nd and will ask him about testing and

results too. But I wanted to hea r nfrom Dr. Grim and all of you about what

ya'll think and if I'm on the right track.

>

March 18, 2010

This is what iam thinking, thanks. Trouble is I can't communicate so well when sick!!My endo was a witness, I went sick and was manic, crying in a right old state and the on diet and was much calmer..I think this weekend I'm gonna have to make myself sick take a note of what happens, although I have relief of some symptoms with foods with caffeine. But then my heart pounds, jittery etc and then massive crash (chocolate etc).I think I need to eat lots of salt and not drink any caffeine this is when I'm my worst and my face etc is very droopy...Don't worry, even if you have to go back you can you are entitled to second opinion! We will support / help you :)Sent using BlackBerryÂ® from OrangeDate: Thu, 18 Mar 2010 13:21:57 -0500To: <hyperaldosteronism >Cc: Subject: Re: endo appoinment-please advise I wish I wouldv'e came sick to the appoinment now. He looks at me and thinks I look normal. And also I was off all week for Spring break because I work with school system and if I wouldv'e came sick we might have been able to do more testing and been further along. I would suggest asking your Dr. what he wants you to do before going...but if I could do it over again I wouldv'e came sick. ---- moseleymandhotmail (DOT) co.uk wrote: > Hello hun,> > Sorry it seemed as though he wasn't taking enough notice.> > Fingers crossed you will be able to show him what's happening when you have salt with that test!> > Are you at barts? Who did you see?> > I'm feeling so nervous now I'm really worried about whether I should eat normally or not before hand.> > Be careful won't you with those symptoms keep an eye on your bp if you feel very ruff go to a and e.> > If you've been ill a while like me u tend to put up with some scary symptoms as your waiting for your consultant to help but we shouldn't do this!!> Sent using BlackBerryÂ® from Orange> > endo appoinment-please advise> > > Well, I had my endo appoinment on Tuesday and didn't get the news I wanted to hear. The Dr. seemed nice enough and seemed to have read atleast some of my info I sent to him prior to the appointment (Spreadsheet of abnormal tests and symptoms list). But I do not think he went over it carefully and did not do a detailed exam on me either. I told him about my problem with salt and tried to explain it clearly. But sometimes he cut me off and I didn't get to explain all of my weird symptoms that sometimes happen no matter the salt ingestion.> > He asked why I was seeing him and I said my first doctor suspected cushings because of one high cortisol and ACTH and he just said I didn't have that. And then I said I thought I might have Conn's because of all of my symptoms and reaction to salt. He said he would screen for it but pretty sure I didn't have it due to the Aldosterone renin ration being only 24 and not having high blood pressure. He said that they usually go by 30 or 33. He suggested maybe a kidney issue as well could cause problems with salt.> > I wanted to do adrenal CT and the saline suppression test. But he said that first we would have to do the salt loading for 7 days. I told him this would make me very sick, but he said it is used as a screening test and the saline suppression is the confirmatory test. Then he said he wouldn't do the CT because sometimes they find tumors that are incidentomas(sp) and not causing any problems. So he did serum potassium and sodium, urine sodium, complete metabolic profile, CBC, and repeat thyroid tests. Haven't heard back from him with these yet.(By the way when they took blood for potassium they did not do it the way Dr. Grim suggests -how do you get them to do it the other way?)> > > Now I'm taking the salt tablets every 8 hours and on a normal-high salt diet since Tuesday afternoon. I am swelling like crazy -just yesterday I gained 8 lbs in 24 hours of fluid. My hands are going crazy too. I am having very strong pounding heartbeat, short of breath, headache, some nausea, and feel more tired. I haven't yet felt the extreme symptoms of dizziness, weakness, feeling like going to pass out, paleness, muscle cramps,etc like I did sometimes before after high salt ingestion. Maybe it will take longer to get my level up there. I am urinating more at night though and spot on mid back that is sometimes sore and feels gross when you push it is more swollen it seems.> > So, has anyone else had to do these tests in this order before? And what about salt loading for 7 days? He even gave me a refill to get more if needed. Do I need to be on a high salt diet for longer to get back to where I was feeling horrible to show abnrmal levels? When I did Aldosterone and renin last time I was already on very low salt diet for a while. I have an internal medicine Dr appoinment already scheduled for Monday, 22nd and will ask him about testing and results too. But I wanted to hea r nfrom Dr. Grim and all of you about what ya'll think and if I'm on the right track. > >

March 18, 2010

Indeed this is the best order to do them IMHO. Nowadays in old days we put folks in hospital andDid it all in 3 days. Tiped sad Send form miiPhone ;-)May your pressure be low!CE Grim MDSpecializing in DifficultHypertension

Well, I had my endo appoinment on Tuesday and didn't get the news I wanted to hear. The Dr. seemed nice enough and seemed to have read atleast some of my info I sent to him prior to the appointment (Spreadsheet of abnormal tests and symptoms list). But I do not think he went over it carefully and did not do a detailed exam on me either. I told him about my problem with salt and tried to explain it clearly. But sometimes he cut me off and I didn't get to explain all of my weird symptoms that sometimes happen no matter the salt ingestion.

He asked why I was seeing him and I said my first doctor suspected cushings because of one high cortisol and ACTH and he just said I didn't have that. And then I said I thought I might have Conn's because of all of my symptoms and reaction to salt. He said he would screen for it but pretty sure I didn't have it due to the Aldosterone renin ration being only 24 and not having high blood pressure. He said that they usually go by 30 or 33. He suggested maybe a kidney issue as well could cause problems with salt.

I wanted to do adrenal CT and the saline suppression test. But he said that first we would have to do the salt loading for 7 days. I told him this would make me very sick, but he said it is used as a screening test and the saline suppression is the confirmatory test. Then he said he wouldn't do the CT because sometimes they find tumors that are incidentomas(sp) and not causing any problems. So he did serum potassium and sodium, urine sodium, complete metabolic profile, CBC, and repeat thyroid tests. Haven't heard back from him with these yet.(By the way when they took blood for potassium they did not do it the way Dr. Grim suggests -how do you get them to do it the other way?)

Now I'm taking the salt tablets every 8 hours and on a normal-high salt diet since Tuesday afternoon. I am swelling like crazy -just yesterday I gained 8 lbs in 24 hours of fluid. My hands are going crazy too. I am having very strong pounding heartbeat, short of breath, headache, some nausea, and feel more tired. I haven't yet felt the extreme symptoms of dizziness, weakness, feeling like going to pass out, paleness, muscle cramps,etc like I did sometimes before after high salt ingestion. Maybe it will take longer to get my level up there. I am urinating more at night though and spot on mid back that is sometimes sore and feels gross when you push it is more swollen it seems.

So, has anyone else had to do these tests in this order before? And what about salt loading for 7 days? He even gave me a refill to get more if needed. Do I need to be on a high salt diet for longer to get back to where I was feeling horrible to show abnrmal levels? When I did Aldosterone and renin last time I was already on very low salt diet for a while. I have an internal medicine Dr appoinment already scheduled for Monday, 22nd and will ask him about testing and results too. But I wanted to hea r nfrom Dr. Grim and all of you about what ya'll think and if I'm on the right track.

March 20, 2010

I will have repeat aldo and renin levels this week. Have been eating higher NA

foods for two weeks but have not been adding NA tablets. I'm not sure if I'm

eating enough NA for the testing after hearing this. I'm on alpha blocker,

nothing else. Should I be taking NA tablets?

>

> >

> > Well, I had my endo appoinment on Tuesday and didn't get the news I

> > wanted to hear. The Dr. seemed nice enough and seemed to have read

> > atleast some of my info I sent to him prior to the appointment

> > (Spreadsheet of abnormal tests and symptoms list). But I do not

> > think he went over it carefully and did not do a detailed exam on me

> > either. I told him about my problem with salt and tried to explain

> > it clearly. But sometimes he cut me off and I didn't get to explain

> > all of my weird symptoms that sometimes happen no matter the salt

> > ingestion.

> >

> > He asked why I was seeing him and I said my first doctor suspected

> > cushings because of one high cortisol and ACTH and he just said I

> > didn't have that. And then I said I thought I might have Conn's

> > because of all of my symptoms and reaction to salt. He said he would

> > screen for it but pretty sure I didn't have it due to the

> > Aldosterone renin ration being only 24 and not having high blood

> > pressure. He said that they usually go by 30 or 33. He suggested

> > maybe a kidney issue as well could cause problems with salt.

> >

> > I wanted to do adrenal CT and the saline suppression test. But he

> > said that first we would have to do the salt loading for 7 days. I

> > told him this would make me very sick, but he said it is used as a

> > screening test and the saline suppression is the confirmatory test.

> > Then he said he wouldn't do the CT because sometimes they find

> > tumors that are incidentomas(sp) and not causing any problems. So he

> > did serum potassium and sodium, urine sodium, complete metabolic

> > profile, CBC, and repeat thyroid tests. Haven't heard back from him

> > with these yet.(By the way when they took blood for potassium they

> > did not do it the way Dr. Grim suggests -how do you get them to do

> > it the other way?)

> >

> > Now I'm taking the salt tablets every 8 hours and on a normal-high

> > salt diet since Tuesday afternoon. I am swelling like crazy -just

> > yesterday I gained 8 lbs in 24 hours of fluid. My hands are going

> > crazy too. I am having very strong pounding heartbeat, short of

> > breath, headache, some nausea, and feel more tired. I haven't yet

> > felt the extreme symptoms of dizziness, weakness, feeling like going

> > to pass out, paleness, muscle cramps,etc like I did sometimes before

> > after high salt ingestion. Maybe it will take longer to get my level

> > up there. I am urinating more at night though and spot on mid back

> > that is sometimes sore and feels gross when you push it is more

> > swollen it seems.

> >

> > So, has anyone else had to do these tests in this order before? And

> > what about salt loading for 7 days? He even gave me a refill to get

> > more if needed. Do I need to be on a high salt diet for longer to

> > get back to where I was feeling horrible to show abnrmal levels?

> > When I did Aldosterone and renin last time I was already on very low

> > salt diet for a while. I have an internal medicine Dr appoinment

> > already scheduled for Monday, 22nd and will ask him about testing

> > and results too. But I wanted to hea r nfrom Dr. Grim and all of you

> > about what ya'll think and if I'm on the right track.

> >

>

March 20, 2010

Did your doctor tell you to do high sodium for 2 weeks? Mine said salt loading for 7 days. I'm starting to feel worse now. Starting with nausea now and feel like I have fluid in my lungs and becoming shorter of breath and tired.

Re: endo appoinment-please advise

I will have repeat aldo and renin levels this week. Have been eating higher NA foods for two weeks but have not been adding NA tablets. I'm not sure if I'm eating enough NA for the testing after hearing this. I'm on alpha blocker, nothing else. Should I be taking NA tablets?> > >> > Well, I had my endo appoinment on Tuesday and didn't get the news I > > wanted to hear. The Dr. seemed nice enough and seemed to have read > > atleast some of my info I sent to him prior to the appointment > > (Spreadsheet of abnormal tests and symptoms list). But I do not > > think he went over it carefully and did not do a detailed exam on me > > either. I told him about my problem with salt and tried to explain > > it clearly. But sometimes he cut me off and I didn't get to explain > > all of my weird symptoms that sometimes happen no matter the salt > > ingestion.> >> > He asked why I was seeing him and I said my first doctor suspected > > cushings because of one high cortisol and ACTH and he just said I > > didn't have that. And then I said I thought I might have Conn's > > because of all of my symptoms and reaction to salt. He said he would > > screen for it but pretty sure I didn't have it due to the > > Aldosterone renin ration being only 24 and not having high blood > > pressure. He said that they usually go by 30 or 33. He suggested > > maybe a kidney issue as well could cause problems with salt.> >> > I wanted to do adrenal CT and the saline suppression test. But he > > said that first we would have to do the salt loading for 7 days. I > > told him this would make me very sick, but he said it is used as a > > screening test and the saline suppression is the confirmatory test. > > Then he said he wouldn't do the CT because sometimes they find > > tumors that are incidentomas(sp) and not causing any problems. So he > > did serum potassium and sodium, urine sodium, complete metabolic > > profile, CBC, and repeat thyroid tests. Haven't heard back from him > > with these yet.(By the way when they took blood for potassium they > > did not do it the way Dr. Grim suggests -how do you get them to do > > it the other way?)> >> > Now I'm taking the salt tablets every 8 hours and on a normal-high > > salt diet since Tuesday afternoon. I am swelling like crazy -just > > yesterday I gained 8 lbs in 24 hours of fluid. My hands are going > > crazy too. I am having very strong pounding heartbeat, short of > > breath, headache, some nausea, and feel more tired. I haven't yet > > felt the extreme symptoms of dizziness, weakness, feeling like going > > to pass out, paleness, muscle cramps,etc like I did sometimes before > > after high salt ingestion. Maybe it will take longer to get my level > > up there. I am urinating more at night though and spot on mid back > > that is sometimes sore and feels gross when you push it is more > > swollen it seems.> >> > So, has anyone else had to do these tests in this order before? And > > what about salt loading for 7 days? He even gave me a refill to get > > more if needed. Do I need to be on a high salt diet for longer to > > get back to where I was feeling horrible to show abnrmal levels? > > When I did Aldosterone and renin last time I was already on very low > > salt diet for a while. I have an internal medicine Dr appoinment > > already scheduled for Monday, 22nd and will ask him about testing > > and results too. But I wanted to hea r nfrom Dr. Grim and all of you > > about what ya'll think and if I'm on the right track.> > > >>

March 21, 2010

Hi ,

This was my first visit to a new endo; the other one I'd seen on and off for two

years was not getting anywhere. This endo said does not think I have PA since

my ARR was " only " 28.5 on ACE inhibitors - not the 30 he looks for... He took

me off ACE inhibitors for one month, to repeat testing after - which is this

week. He did not say to increase NA intake before testing; I got that off this

site. He did not order any urine tests. I had to start alpha blockers as my BP

went up to 140/94 off ACE inhibitors; now it is 120-130/85ish on alpha blocker;

my norm prior to last two years was 90/60. Going to have blood drawn this week

but having read so much on this site I do not think I have increased my NA

intake enough; will have to go in anyway as I am not handling the extra NA well,

even though it is probably not enough according to Dr Grim's recommendations.

My heart is beating hard esp at night and I can barely sleep some nights. My

ankles, abdomen and legs swelling; veins in my hands swelling. Getting

headaches again, in temple area. Tingling in my trapezius. Besides extreme

fatigue, many of my symptoms had dissipated on lower NA and DASH diet but now

eating out and increasing NA, symptoms are back; want to just get the blood

drawn and stop all the NA.

Suzanne

> >

> > >

> > > Well, I had my endo appoinment on Tuesday and didn't get the news I

> > > wanted to hear. The Dr. seemed nice enough and seemed to have read

> > > atleast some of my info I sent to him prior to the appointment

> > > (Spreadsheet of abnormal tests and symptoms list). But I do not

> > > think he went over it carefully and did not do a detailed exam on me

> > > either. I told him about my problem with salt and tried to explain

> > > it clearly. But sometimes he cut me off and I didn't get to explain

> > > all of my weird symptoms that sometimes happen no matter the salt

> > > ingestion.

> > >

> > > He asked why I was seeing him and I said my first doctor suspected

> > > cushings because of one high cortisol and ACTH and he just said I

> > > didn't have that. And then I said I thought I might have Conn's

> > > because of all of my symptoms and reaction to salt. He said he would

> > > screen for it but pretty sure I didn't have it due to the

> > > Aldosterone renin ration being only 24 and not having high blood

> > > pressure. He said that they usually go by 30 or 33. He suggested

> > > maybe a kidney issue as well could cause problems with salt.

> > >

> > > I wanted to do adrenal CT and the saline suppression test. But he

> > > said that first we would have to do the salt loading for 7 days. I

> > > told him this would make me very sick, but he said it is used as a

> > > screening test and the saline suppression is the confirmatory test.

> > > Then he said he wouldn't do the CT because sometimes they find

> > > tumors that are incidentomas(sp) and not causing any problems. So he

> > > did serum potassium and sodium, urine sodium, complete metabolic

> > > profile, CBC, and repeat thyroid tests. Haven't heard back from him

> > > with these yet.(By the way when they took blood for potassium they

> > > did not do it the way Dr. Grim suggests -how do you get them to do

> > > it the other way?)

> > >

> > > Now I'm taking the salt tablets every 8 hours and on a normal-high

> > > salt diet since Tuesday afternoon. I am swelling like crazy -just

> > > yesterday I gained 8 lbs in 24 hours of fluid. My hands are going

> > > crazy too. I am having very strong pounding heartbeat, short of

> > > breath, headache, some nausea, and feel more tired. I haven't yet

> > > felt the extreme symptoms of dizziness, weakness, feeling like going

> > > to pass out, paleness, muscle cramps,etc like I did sometimes before

> > > after high salt ingestion. Maybe it will take longer to get my level

> > > up there. I am urinating more at night though and spot on mid back

> > > that is sometimes sore and feels gross when you push it is more

> > > swollen it seems.

> > >

> > > So, has anyone else had to do these tests in this order before? And

> > > what about salt loading for 7 days? He even gave me a refill to get

> > > more if needed. Do I need to be on a high salt diet for longer to

> > > get back to where I was feeling horrible to show abnrmal levels?

> > > When I did Aldosterone and renin last time I was already on very low

> > > salt diet for a while. I have an internal medicine Dr appoinment

> > > already scheduled for Monday, 22nd and will ask him about testing

> > > and results too. But I wanted to hea r nfrom Dr. Grim and all of you

> > > about what ya'll think and if I'm on the right track.

> > >

> >

>

March 21, 2010

That is what I'm expereinceing here too. Most symptoms went away with low salt diet and now I'm having to increase sodium for the tests I have felt aweful! Each day I feel worse. I am having headaches, strong heart palpitations where the pulse is fast and sometimes hard pounding, hard to sleep, shortness of breath and now I feel like I have fluid in my lungs, swelling everywhere esp. in hands and abdomen, nauseated too. I am also extremely tired...just taking a bath wore me out today. And this is only the 5th day back on regular-high salt...this stuff is dangerous!

My ARR was only 24 last time we checked it on low salt diet. I'm going to test again in couple of days when salt loading is finally over. My endo also mentioned maybe kidney related because of the salt. I do not know what to think but do know salt is a major issue. Right now I'm not sure how much sodium I'm getting. I'm just trying to make myself as sick as possible so hopefully something will finally show up!

Let me know how everything goes and I'll update you as well.

Re: endo appoinment-please advise

Hi ,This was my first visit to a new endo; the other one I'd seen on and off for two years was not getting anywhere. This endo said does not think I have PA since my ARR was "only" 28.5 on ACE inhibitors - not the 30 he looks for... He took me off ACE inhibitors for one month, to repeat testing after - which is this week. He did not say to increase NA intake before testing; I got that off this site. He did not order any urine tests. I had to start alpha blockers as my BP went up to 140/94 off ACE inhibitors; now it is 120-130/85ish on alpha blocker; my norm prior to last two years was 90/60. Going to have blood drawn this week but having read so much on this site I do not think I have increased my NA intake enough; will have to go in anyway as I am not handling the extra NA well, even though it is probably not enough according to Dr Grim's recommendations. My heart is beating hard esp at night and I can barely sleep some nights. My ankles, abdomen and legs swelling; veins in my hands swelling. Getting headaches again, in temple area. Tingling in my trapezius. Besides extreme fatigue, many of my symptoms had dissipated on lower NA and DASH diet but now eating out and increasing NA, symptoms are back; want to just get the blood drawn and stop all the NA.SuzanneSuzanne> > > > >> > > Well, I had my endo appoinment on Tuesday and didn't get the news I > > > wanted to hear. The Dr. seemed nice enough and seemed to have read > > > atleast some of my info I sent to him prior to the appointment > > > (Spreadsheet of abnormal tests and symptoms list). But I do not > > > think he went over it carefully and did not do a detailed exam on me > > > either. I told him about my problem with salt and tried to explain > > > it clearly. But sometimes he cut me off and I didn't get to explain > > > all of my weird symptoms that sometimes happen no matter the salt > > > ingestion.> > >> > > He asked why I was seeing him and I said my first doctor suspected > > > cushings because of one high cortisol and ACTH and he just said I > > > didn't have that. And then I said I thought I might have Conn's > > > because of all of my symptoms and reaction to salt. He said he would > > > screen for it but pretty sure I didn't have it due to the > > > Aldosterone renin ration being only 24 and not having high blood > > > pressure. He said that they usually go by 30 or 33. He suggested > > > maybe a kidney issue as well could cause problems with salt.> > >> > > I wanted to do adrenal CT and the saline suppression test. But he > > > said that first we would have to do the salt loading for 7 days. I > > > told him this would make me very sick, but he said it is used as a > > > screening test and the saline suppression is the confirmatory test. > > > Then he said he wouldn't do the CT because sometimes they find > > > tumors that are incidentomas(sp) and not causing any problems. So he > > > did serum potassium and sodium, urine sodium, complete metabolic > > > profile, CBC, and repeat thyroid tests. Haven't heard back from him > > > with these yet.(By the way when they took blood for potassium they > > > did not do it the way Dr. Grim suggests -how do you get them to do > > > it the other way?)> > >> > > Now I'm taking the salt tablets every 8 hours and on a normal-high > > > salt diet since Tuesday afternoon. I am swelling like crazy -just > > > yesterday I gained 8 lbs in 24 hours of fluid. My hands are going > > > crazy too. I am having very strong pounding heartbeat, short of > > > breath, headache, some nausea, and feel more tired. I haven't yet > > > felt the extreme symptoms of dizziness, weakness, feeling like going > > > to pass out, paleness, muscle cramps,etc like I did sometimes before > > > after high salt ingestion. Maybe it will take longer to get my level > > > up there. I am urinating more at night though and spot on mid back > > > that is sometimes sore and feels gross when you push it is more > > > swollen it seems.> > >> > > So, has anyone else had to do these tests in this order before? And > > > what about salt loading for 7 days? He even gave me a refill to get > > > more if needed. Do I need to be on a high salt diet for longer to > > > get back to where I was feeling horrible to show abnrmal levels? > > > When I did Aldosterone and renin last time I was already on very low > > > salt diet for a while. I have an internal medicine Dr appoinment > > > already scheduled for Monday, 22nd and will ask him about testing > > > and results too. But I wanted to hea r nfrom Dr. Grim and all of you > > > about what ya'll think and if I'm on the right track.> > > > > >> >>

March 21, 2010

Has ur K been checked on the high Na?Tiped sad Send form miiPhone ;-)May your pressure be low!CE Grim MDSpecializing in DifficultHypertension

That is what I'm expereinceing here too. Most symptoms went away with low salt diet and now I'm having to increase sodium for the tests I have felt aweful! Each day I feel worse. I am having headaches, strong heart palpitations where the pulse is fast and sometimes hard pounding, hard to sleep, shortness of breath and now I feel like I have fluid in my lungs, swelling everywhere esp. in hands and abdomen, nauseated too. I am also extremely tired...just taking a bath wore me out today. And this is only the 5th day back on regular-high salt...this stuff is dangerous!

My ARR was only 24 last time we checked it on low salt diet. I'm going to test again in couple of days when salt loading is finally over. My endo also mentioned maybe kidney related because of the salt. I do not know what to think but do know salt is a major issue. Right now I'm not sure how much sodium I'm getting. I'm just trying to make myself as sick as possible so hopefully something will finally show up!

Let me know how everything goes and I'll update you as well.

Re: endo appoinment-please advise

Hi ,This was my first visit to a new endo; the other one I'd seen on and off for two years was not getting anywhere. This endo said does not think I have PA since my ARR was "only" 28.5 on ACE inhibitors - not the 30 he looks for... He took me off ACE inhibitors for one month, to repeat testing after - which is this week. He did not say to increase NA intake before testing; I got that off this site. He did not order any urine tests. I had to start alpha blockers as my BP went up to 140/94 off ACE inhibitors; now it is 120-130/85ish on alpha blocker; my norm prior to last two years was 90/60. Going to have blood drawn this week but having read so much on this site I do not think I have increased my NA intake enough; will have to go in anyway as I am not handling the extra NA well, even though it is probably not enough according to Dr Grim's recommendations. My heart is beating hard esp at night and I can barely sleep some nights. My ankles, abdomen and legs swelling; veins in my hands swelling. Getting headaches again, in temple area. Tingling in my trapezius. Besides extreme fatigue, many of my symptoms had dissipated on lower NA and DASH diet but now eating out and increasing NA, symptoms are back; want to just get the blood drawn and stop all the NA.SuzanneSuzanne> > > > >> > > Well, I had my endo appoinment on Tuesday and didn't get the news I > > > wanted to hear. The Dr. seemed nice enough and seemed to have read > > > atleast some of my info I sent to him prior to the appointment > > > (Spreadsheet of abnormal tests and symptoms list). But I do not > > > think he went over it carefully and did not do a detailed exam on me > > > either. I told him about my problem with salt and tried to explain > > > it clearly. But sometimes he cut me off and I didn't get to explain > > > all of my weird symptoms that sometimes happen no matter the salt > > > ingestion.> > >> > > He asked why I was seeing him and I said my first doctor suspected > > > cushings because of one high cortisol and ACTH and he just said I > > > didn't have that. And then I said I thought I might have Conn's > > > because of all of my symptoms and reaction to salt. He said he would > > > screen for it but pretty sure I didn't have it due to the > > > Aldosterone renin ration being only 24 and not having high blood > > > pressure. He said that they usually go by 30 or 33. He suggested > > > maybe a kidney issue as well could cause problems with salt.> > >> > > I wanted to do adrenal CT and the saline suppression test. But he > > > said that first we would have to do the salt loading for 7 days. I > > > told him this would make me very sick, but he said it is used as a > > > screening test and the saline suppression is the confirmatory test. > > > Then he said he wouldn't do the CT because sometimes they find > > > tumors that are incidentomas(sp) and not causing any problems. So he > > > did serum potassium and sodium, urine sodium, complete metabolic > > > profile, CBC, and repeat thyroid tests. Haven't heard back from him > > > with these yet.(By the way when they took blood for potassium they > > > did not do it the way Dr. Grim suggests -how do you get them to do > > > it the other way?)> > >> > > Now I'm taking the salt tablets every 8 hours and on a normal-high > > > salt diet since Tuesday afternoon. I am swelling like crazy -just > > > yesterday I gained 8 lbs in 24 hours of fluid. My hands are going > > > crazy too. I am having very strong pounding heartbeat, short of > > > breath, headache, some nausea, and feel more tired. I haven't yet > > > felt the extreme symptoms of dizziness, weakness, feeling like going > > > to pass out, paleness, muscle cramps,etc like I did sometimes before > > > after high salt ingestion. Maybe it will take longer to get my level > > > up there. I am urinating more at night though and spot on mid back > > > that is sometimes sore and feels gross when you push it is more > > > swollen it seems.> > >> > > So, has anyone else had to do these tests in this order before? And > > > what about salt loading for 7 days? He even gave me a refill to get > > > more if needed. Do I need to be on a high salt diet for longer to > > > get back to where I was feeling horrible to show abnrmal levels? > > > When I did Aldosterone and renin last time I was already on very low > > > salt diet for a while. I have an internal medicine Dr appoinment > > > already scheduled for Monday, 22nd and will ask him about testing > > > and results too. But I wanted to hea r nfrom Dr. Grim and all of you > > > about what ya'll think and if I'm on the right track.> > > > > >> >>

March 21, 2010

What woud he do if it were 29.5?Or 29.9Or 29.99999Still say u don't have PA? Note my comments on individual vs group vs classical PA. Tiped sad Send form miiPhone ;-)May your pressure be low!CE Grim MDSpecializing in DifficultHypertension

Hi ,

This was my first visit to a new endo; the other one I'd seen on and off for two years was not getting anywhere. This endo said does not think I have PA since my ARR was "only" 28.5 on ACE inhibitors - not the 30 he looks for... He took me off ACE inhibitors for one month, to repeat testing after - which is this week. He did not say to increase NA intake before testing; I got that off this site. He did not order any urine tests. I had to start alpha blockers as my BP went up to 140/94 off ACE inhibitors; now it is 120-130/85ish on alpha blocker; my norm prior to last two years was 90/60. Going to have blood drawn this week but having read so much on this site I do not think I have increased my NA intake enough; will have to go in anyway as I am not handling the extra NA well, even though it is probably not enough according to Dr Grim's recommendations. My heart is beating hard esp at night and I can barely sleep some nights. My ankles, abdomen and legs swelling;

veins in my hands swelling. Getting headaches again, in temple area. Tingling in my trapezius. Besides extreme fatigue, many of my symptoms had dissipated on lower NA and DASH diet but now eating out and increasing NA, symptoms are back; want to just get the blood drawn and stop all the NA.