Guest guest Posted August 31, 2011 Report Share Posted August 31, 2011 Hi , during the three weeks I took spiro a few months back my BP went up from an average of 140s/90s to 160s/100s, and did not come back down until 4 weeks after I had discontinued the spiro. I never did get a concrete explanation for it, but my nephrologist believed it was nothing to worry about and that when the dosage was right, it would come down. (He had me increase the dose in 12.5 mg increments rather than starting at a normal therapeutic dose; I never got past 37.5mg as the side effects were intolerable.) On this board and over at the NORD rare disease board, a few people suggested that it was happening because the dose was not yet high enough. Since this happened to me but does not seem to be the norm, I'd be really curious to hear your doc's explanation, if you wouldn't mind reporting back. Thanks in advance! > > I've been dashing for almost two weeks and started taking Spiro 50mg day on Saturday. My doc said I should stay on the Metoprol 100mg day but discontinue the Amlodipine. Since Saturday my BP has started to go up. I'm averaging 155/102 over the last three days. I have a call out to my doc but wanted to see if anyone else has experienced this. Why is this happening? Is it the Spiro? > > - 44 yr old female/5'6 " / 140 lbs/ 2.2 cm adenoma on left adrenal gland discovered in March 2011. Two year history of high BP. Average BP 150/94. AVS in August determined bilaterial hyperplasia. Current medication Spiro 50mg/day, Metoprolol 100mg/day, Currently being tested for Diabetes due to high glucose on 3 fasting blood tests, no family history of diabetes. Also being tested for Vitamin D deficiency due to low calcium on blood tests. Began DASHING 8/21. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 31, 2011 Report Share Posted August 31, 2011 Thanks for the feedback! What you said about the side effects, that’s interesting. I’ve noticed my anxiety level has been even higher than it normally is for the last few days, and my legs feel like I’ve run a mile. I ask myself, is that the Spiro or just the PA getting worse? My husband asked me, if the medicine is going to make you feel just as crappy as the PA what’s the point of taking it? The way I feel right now I tend to agree with him J I’ll check in after my doc calls back and let you know what he says. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 31, 2011 Report Share Posted August 31, 2011 The most important question is did you decrease your salt intake to 1400 a day? If you haven't then you may be overriding any effect of the spiro. Just taking spiro likely will not suddenly solve every problem if you are not taking the steps to help yourself too. Unfortunately most everyone has found that spiro helped, but not alone - we had to decrease the salt too. Plus you stopped amlodipine and while not common with that class you may be having a rebound effect wherein it is rising due to the change and recent stoppage. You may be blaming it on the spiro, but the spiro may not be doing it at all - could be other things. This is what I call the "Monday morning food poisoning" where if someone is throwing up they automatically think it was the last thing. Sometimes yes sometimes no. May have just been a virus. In your case, did you have a big weekend after the spiro? Were you watching calories, but not the sodium content? It may the drug you stopped and not the one you started. It may be your husband nagging you about the spiro.......... Subject: BP going upTo: hyperaldosteronism Date: Wednesday, August 31, 2011, 2:20 PM I've been dashing for almost two weeks and started taking Spiro 50mg day on Saturday. My doc said I should stay on the Metoprol 100mg day but discontinue the Amlodipine. Since Saturday my BP has started to go up. I'm averaging 155/102 over the last three days. I have a call out to my doc but wanted to see if anyone else has experienced this. Why is this happening? Is it the Spiro?- 44 yr old female/5'6"/ 140 lbs/ 2.2 cm adenoma on left adrenal gland discovered in March 2011. Two year history of high BP. Average BP 150/94. AVS in August determined bilaterial hyperplasia. Current medication Spiro 50mg/day, Metoprolol 100mg/day, Currently being tested for Diabetes due to high glucose on 3 fasting blood tests, no family history of diabetes. Also being tested for Vitamin D deficiency due to low calcium on blood tests. Began DASHING 8/21. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 31, 2011 Report Share Posted August 31, 2011 Thanks ! My doc just called. He wants me to start the Amplodipine again and see if that helps. He feels he may have made too many changes at once. If my BP doesn’t start going back down within a week he suggested increasing the Spiro. I’m being tested for Diabetes so the article you sent was interesting. I’ve never had high glucose until now and there is no history of it in my family so I’m eager to see what the outcome of the blood work is. Every doctor I’ve seen has confirmed PA. As for salt intake, I’ve always been very anti salt and I’m normally far below the daily requirement. I had to retake the sodium loading test three times before I met the minimum required level even after taking the salt pills. Boy was that a horrible experience! I’m also a part time caterer and food is a bit of a passion. Very limited packaged or pre-cooked food in this house and never any salt on the table. Anything I have to buy pre-packaged or pre made is never more than 4% of your daily sodium. I just looked at the labs I had done in the hospital when this all started with heart palpitations and elevated BP in March (Before I ever knew what an adrenal gland did) and looked at my sodium. I was at the bottom of the range at 139 so I think that’s not too bad?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 31, 2011 Report Share Posted August 31, 2011 we all love our foods ....i LOVE cakes, but had to cut down but not out, too. And del taco french fries went bye bye. But I feel so good now. Were the same age - 44 in May- and it's tuff. Why couldn't I have just gotten a motorcycle instead of a syndrome in my midlife (my wife said a younger model mistress is out of the question too :-). But I don't have diabetes. Lets hope just a tiny diet change, exercise,and weight loss will stop it where it is >Thanks ! My doc just called. He wants me to start the Amplodipine again >and see if that helps. He feels he may have made too many changes at once. >If my BP doesn't start going back down within a week he suggested increasing >the Spiro. I'm being tested for Diabetes so the article you sent was >interesting. I've never had high glucose until now and there is no history >of it in my family so I'm eager to see what the outcome of the blood work >is. Every doctor I've seen has confirmed PA. As for salt intake, I've >always been very anti salt and I'm normally far below the daily requirement. >I had to retake the sodium loading test three times before I met the minimum >required level even after taking the salt pills. Boy was that a horrible >experience! I'm also a part time caterer and food is a bit of a passion. >Very limited packaged or pre-cooked food in this house and never any salt on >the table. Anything I have to buy pre-packaged or pre made is never more >than 4% of your daily sodium. I just looked at the labs I had done in the >hospital when this all started with heart palpitations and elevated BP in >March (Before I ever knew what an adrenal gland did) and looked at my >sodium. I was at the bottom of the range at 139 so I think that's not too >bad?? > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 31, 2011 Report Share Posted August 31, 2011 blood sodium isn't the indicator DR G has guidelines on getting the urine sodium. So that 139 doesn't really signify anything related to this. >Thanks ! My doc just called. He wants me to start the Amplodipine again >and see if that helps. He feels he may have made too many changes at once. >If my BP doesn't start going back down within a week he suggested increasing >the Spiro. I'm being tested for Diabetes so the article you sent was >interesting. I've never had high glucose until now and there is no history >of it in my family so I'm eager to see what the outcome of the blood work >is. Every doctor I've seen has confirmed PA. As for salt intake, I've >always been very anti salt and I'm normally far below the daily requirement. >I had to retake the sodium loading test three times before I met the minimum >required level even after taking the salt pills. Boy was that a horrible >experience! I'm also a part time caterer and food is a bit of a passion. >Very limited packaged or pre-cooked food in this house and never any salt on >the table. Anything I have to buy pre-packaged or pre made is never more >than 4% of your daily sodium. I just looked at the labs I had done in the >hospital when this all started with heart palpitations and elevated BP in >March (Before I ever knew what an adrenal gland did) and looked at my >sodium. I was at the bottom of the range at 139 so I think that's not too >bad?? > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 31, 2011 Report Share Posted August 31, 2011 I once posted a question regarding urine vs blood NA and don't believe I ever got an answer: Logic tells me that blood NA would be an indicator of the NA circulating at that point-in-time within your body. Urine NA on the other hand would be the amount of NA being excreated from your body at that point-in-time. If that logic is correct then wouldn't it be blood NA that impacts whether and how effective Spironlactone will work? I can understand where Urine NA would tell you how compliant a PTN is with diet, assuming the salt excretion/retention system is working correctly (which I presume would be validated by the blood NA!) Where did I go wrong? - 64 yo morb. ob. male - 12mm X 13mm rt. a.adnoma with previous rt. flank & testicle pain. I have decided against an adrenalectomy at this time since Meds. are working so well. Current BP(last week ave): 123/69 Other Issues/Opportunities: OSA w Bi-Pap settings 13/19, DM2. and PTSD. Meds: Duloxetine hcl 80 MG, Mirtazapine 15 MG, Metoprolol Tartrate 200 MG, 81mg asprin, Metformin 2000MG and Spironolactone 50 MG. > > >Thanks ! My doc just called. He wants me to start the Amplodipine again > >and see if that helps. He feels he may have made too many changes at once. > >If my BP doesn't start going back down within a week he suggested increasing > >the Spiro. I'm being tested for Diabetes so the article you sent was > >interesting. I've never had high glucose until now and there is no history > >of it in my family so I'm eager to see what the outcome of the blood work > >is. Every doctor I've seen has confirmed PA. As for salt intake, I've > >always been very anti salt and I'm normally far below the daily requirement. > >I had to retake the sodium loading test three times before I met the minimum > >required level even after taking the salt pills. Boy was that a horrible > >experience! I'm also a part time caterer and food is a bit of a passion. > >Very limited packaged or pre-cooked food in this house and never any salt on > >the table. Anything I have to buy pre-packaged or pre made is never more > >than 4% of your daily sodium. I just looked at the labs I had done in the > >hospital when this all started with heart palpitations and elevated BP in > >March (Before I ever knew what an adrenal gland did) and looked at my > >sodium. I was at the bottom of the range at 139 so I think that's not too > >bad?? > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 31, 2011 Report Share Posted August 31, 2011 , as one who's uncontrolled PA (Unknown at the time) caused major systems problems let me assure you that you don't want to ignore it! I ended up with diabettes 2, LVH that in turn caused a requirement for oxygen fulltime and a DX of COPD, Obstructive Sleep Apnea worstened causing an increase in bi-pap settings and flank pain that caused me to be on narcotics and ended my professional driving career! Just my way of encouraging you to continue looking for a solution, the rewards certainly outweigh the effort! And Salt, or limit of, is usually the answer. Good Luck! - 64 yo morb. ob. male - 12mm X 13mm rt. a.adnoma with previous rt. flank & testicle pain. I have decided against an adrenalectomy at this time since Meds. are working so well. Current BP(last week ave): 123/69 Other Issues/Opportunities: OSA w Bi-Pap settings 13/19, DM2. and PTSD. Meds: Duloxetine hcl 80 MG, Mirtazapine 15 MG, Metoprolol Tartrate 200 MG, 81mg asprin, Metformin 2000MG and Spironolactone 50 MG. > > Thanks for the feedback! What you said about the side effects, that's > interesting. I've noticed my anxiety level has been even higher than it > normally is for the last few days, and my legs feel like I've run a mile. I > ask myself, is that the Spiro or just the PA getting worse? My husband asked > me, if the medicine is going to make you feel just as crappy as the PA > what's the point of taking it? The way I feel right now I tend to agree with > him J I'll check in after my doc calls back and let you know what he says. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 31, 2011 Report Share Posted August 31, 2011 I'm not a doctor but glad your doctor saw the error of his way. My main career was computer programming and we always tried to make only one change at a time! My doctor left me on 7BP meds when he started me on Spiro and didn't start titrating off for a couple months. It's been reported that Spiro takes 2-4 weeks to be effective in some (very dependet on NA). So if Amplodipine was doing anything, and as I understand it being a CCB it could have been, then you would have lost all protection! I also note you are on Metoprolol, a beta blocker. I've been doing some research on this med and am discussing if it is appropriate with my PCP. I'll share a couple items that may be important to you: It can induce salt and water retention. Also a quote (Q & A) from answers.com: Q My mother was put on the beta-blocker metoprolol (Toprol) for high blood pressure. Now she thinks her diabetes is out of control because of it. Can this be possible? A Yes. Metoprolol can increase blood glucose levels and cause patients to gain weight. The risk is higher with metoprolol tartrate than metoprolol succinate, but neither drug is ideal for patients with diabetes. I suggest you speak with your mother's physician about switching her to carvedilol (Coreg), which does not raise glucose as much as metoprolol. Speaking of DM2, Dr. Grim told me that Dr. Conn contended that it was caused by PA in 25% of the PTNs that had both. I didn't spend a lot of time on it but know I've seen refrences of PA affecting Glucose, you might want to google it. - 64 yo morb. ob. male - 12mm X 13mm rt. a.adnoma with previous rt. flank & testicle pain. I have decided against an adrenalectomy at this time since Meds. are working so well. Current BP(last week ave): 123/69 Other Issues/Opportunities: OSA w Bi-Pap settings 13/19, DM2. and PTSD. Meds: Duloxetine hcl 80 MG, Mirtazapine 15 MG, Metoprolol Tartrate 200 MG, 81mg asprin, Metformin 2000MG and Spironolactone 50 MG. > > Thanks ! My doc just called. He wants me to start the Amplodipine again > and see if that helps. He feels he may have made too many changes at once. > If my BP doesn't start going back down within a week he suggested increasing > the Spiro. I'm being tested for Diabetes so the article you sent was > interesting. I've never had high glucose until now and there is no history > of it in my family so I'm eager to see what the outcome of the blood work > is. Every doctor I've seen has confirmed PA. As for salt intake, I've > always been very anti salt and I'm normally far below the daily requirement. > I had to retake the sodium loading test three times before I met the minimum > required level even after taking the salt pills. Boy was that a horrible > experience! I'm also a part time caterer and food is a bit of a passion. > Very limited packaged or pre-cooked food in this house and never any salt on > the table. Anything I have to buy pre-packaged or pre made is never more > than 4% of your daily sodium. I just looked at the labs I had done in the > hospital when this all started with heart palpitations and elevated BP in > March (Before I ever knew what an adrenal gland did) and looked at my > sodium. I was at the bottom of the range at 139 so I think that's not too > bad?? > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 1, 2011 Report Share Posted September 1, 2011 Guess I would have stopped the Meto as it does not work on BP in PA. Amlodipine does. When did you stop itOnce again you cannot give me our your medical team too much info.But you help yourself by giving all the info.How much were you on and was it tapered? I've been dashing for almost two weeks and started taking Spiro 50mg day on Saturday. My doc said I should stay on the Metoprol 100mg day but discontinue the Amlodipine. Since Saturday my BP has started to go up. I'm averaging 155/102 over the last three days. I have a call out to my doc but wanted to see if anyone else has experienced this. Why is this happening? Is it the Spiro? - 44 yr old female/5'6"/ 140 lbs/ 2.2 cm adenoma on left adrenal gland discovered in March 2011. Two year history of high BP. Average BP 150/94. AVS in August determined bilaterial hyperplasia. Current medication Spiro 50mg/day, Metoprolol 100mg/day, Currently being tested for Diabetes due to high glucose on 3 fasting blood tests, no family history of diabetes. Also being tested for Vitamin D deficiency due to low calcium on blood tests. Began DASHING 8/21. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 1, 2011 Report Share Posted September 1, 2011 My current doc didn’t have me taper off the Amlodipine. He just said stop taking it. My last pill was Friday. When I talked to him yesterday he said to start taking it again, so I took one last night. They are 10mg, 1 tab a day. He said I should still take the Metoprolol 100mg so I guess he is not aware that it’s not effective in PA as you said. also sent an article that Metoprolol also increases blood sugar so this may be why I suddenly have high glucose. My current Endo specialized in diabetes so I’m surprised that he didn’t know this. He’s sending me for diabetes testing which may be unnecessary now that I know it could just be the Metoprolol. There is no history of it in my family and my sugar has never been an issue before. I had mentioned that I found a new Specialist at Penn that seems (on paper) to understand PA (Dr. Cohen) but I don’t go see her until Sept 26th so until then I feel like I’m winging this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 1, 2011 Report Share Posted September 1, 2011 Metoprolol IS known though for having some rebound effect, especially with regards to heart rate, so they may just be waiting for one to kick in to taper you off of the other one. I've been dashing for almost two weeks and started taking Spiro 50mg day on Saturday. My doc said I should stay on the Metoprol 100mg day but discontinue the Amlodipine. Since Saturday my BP has started to go up. I'm averaging 155/102 over the last three days. I have a call out to my doc but wanted to see if anyone else has experienced this. Why is this happening? Is it the Spiro?- 44 yr old female/5'6"/ 140 lbs/ 2.2 cm adenoma on left adrenal gland discovered in March 2011. Two year history of high BP. Average BP 150/94. AVS in August determined bilaterial hyperplasia. Current medication Spiro 50mg/day, Metoprolol 100mg/day, Currently being tested for Diabetes due to high glucose on 3 fasting blood tests, no family history of diabetes. Also being tested for Vitamin D deficiency due to low calcium on blood tests. Began DASHING 8/21. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 1, 2011 Report Share Posted September 1, 2011 this link may give you some idea as to why blood NA doesn't mean much in PA. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thirst > > > > >Thanks ! My doc just called. He wants me to start the Amplodipine again > > >and see if that helps. He feels he may have made too many changes at once. > > >If my BP doesn't start going back down within a week he suggested increasing > > >the Spiro. I'm being tested for Diabetes so the article you sent was > > >interesting. I've never had high glucose until now and there is no history > > >of it in my family so I'm eager to see what the outcome of the blood work > > >is. Every doctor I've seen has confirmed PA. As for salt intake, I've > > >always been very anti salt and I'm normally far below the daily requirement. > > >I had to retake the sodium loading test three times before I met the minimum > > >required level even after taking the salt pills. Boy was that a horrible > > >experience! I'm also a part time caterer and food is a bit of a passion. > > >Very limited packaged or pre-cooked food in this house and never any salt on > > >the table. Anything I have to buy pre-packaged or pre made is never more > > >than 4% of your daily sodium. I just looked at the labs I had done in the > > >hospital when this all started with heart palpitations and elevated BP in > > >March (Before I ever knew what an adrenal gland did) and looked at my > > >sodium. I was at the bottom of the range at 139 so I think that's not too > > >bad?? > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 1, 2011 Report Share Posted September 1, 2011 Maybe a little but without about 7 years of med school or an interpreter, like Dr.Grim, I don't think I will arrive at an answer! I get as far as activating the RAS which as I understand works on Renin which we have little of so I'm not sure how that causes vasodilation which would theroetically lower blood pressure! Is it the lowered BP that you get when you finally get your NA depleated enough that allows the Spiro to work? It seems like I have hit a brick wall here so let me rephrase my question! Does Spirolactone work in the body or the potty? If it is the body, how does it know how much NA is hitting the potty? I think I am back at my original question! Thanks. - 64 yo morb. ob. male - 12mm X 13mm rt. a.adnoma with previous rt. flank & testicle pain. I have decided against an adrenalectomy at this time since Meds. are working so well. Current BP(last week ave): 123/69 Other Issues/Opportunities: OSA w Bi-Pap settings 13/19, DM2. and PTSD. Meds: Duloxetine hcl 80 MG, Mirtazapine 15 MG, Metoprolol Tartrate 200 MG, 81mg asprin, Metformin 2000MG and Spironolactone 50 MG. > > > > > > >Thanks ! My doc just called. He wants me to start the Amplodipine again > > > >and see if that helps. He feels he may have made too many changes at once. > > > >If my BP doesn't start going back down within a week he suggested increasing > > > >the Spiro. I'm being tested for Diabetes so the article you sent was > > > >interesting. I've never had high glucose until now and there is no history > > > >of it in my family so I'm eager to see what the outcome of the blood work > > > >is. Every doctor I've seen has confirmed PA. As for salt intake, I've > > > >always been very anti salt and I'm normally far below the daily requirement. > > > >I had to retake the sodium loading test three times before I met the minimum > > > >required level even after taking the salt pills. Boy was that a horrible > > > >experience! I'm also a part time caterer and food is a bit of a passion. > > > >Very limited packaged or pre-cooked food in this house and never any salt on > > > >the table. Anything I have to buy pre-packaged or pre made is never more > > > >than 4% of your daily sodium. I just looked at the labs I had done in the > > > >hospital when this all started with heart palpitations and elevated BP in > > > >March (Before I ever knew what an adrenal gland did) and looked at my > > > >sodium. I was at the bottom of the range at 139 so I think that's not too > > > >bad?? > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 1, 2011 Report Share Posted September 1, 2011 I just spoke to my doc and voiced my concerns over the glucose issue and Metoprolol being ineffective in patients with PA. He suggested weaning me off the Metoprolol and then starting HCTZ and keeping the Amlodipine and Spiro. He feels the likelihood that the Metoprolol is affecting glucose is minimal but I just have a gut feeling this may be what’s causing the spike, and I don’t want it to get out of control then end up with another issue that could have been avoided. I looked up HCTZ and I’m reading that this can cause the same glucose problem. I think it was or who mentioned Coreg. Would this be better that HCTZ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 1, 2011 Report Share Posted September 1, 2011 I took HCTZ for about a month before I landed in the ER and hospital about 5 times with severe hypokalemia! I couldn't move my arms and legs - much less walk, talk, or function. I don't seem to have primary Conn's but still......If you have a doctor who is prescribing this medication to you (which is VERY WELL KNOWN to cause hypokalemia in ALL patients) you need to question him/her carefully about their knowledge of Conn's...... Dr. Grim, , and Bill - please correct me if I am wrong! Also, I seem to be one of the few in the group who is on strictly alpha blockers?? Is this anyone else out there? They work great for me along with the potassium supplements, dashing, and Spironolactone. I realize we are all different but the trends of the low potassiums seem to all be the same. Why don't more of us get more potassium supplements? (I am lucky I talked my PCP into it by going up and down and ending up in the ER and showing her the results and she got it) but.... I still question this at length. I have to admit - I had spaghetti for dinner tonight (easy and quick) and I am now tingling in the face and arms and my hand and foot starting cramping - so I am going to take 10 more meq of K - I DO realize the SIDE EFFECT of too much potassium is DEATH however, when was the last time any of us had a high potassium? For me, it was when I was on 40 meq per day. Okay, enough from the Maine peanut gallery tonight. I am fighting the Lyme with a vengeance thanks to a friend on here named Val - thanks Val - and to the Naturopath I found in Wolfeboro NH who is quite well versed in Lyme - Dr. Steve , Wolfeboro NH. God Bless all and have a Happy Labor Day! M p.s. I was proud my pressure was 116/74 this am - pulse still 84 though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 1, 2011 Report Share Posted September 1, 2011 I took HCTZ for about a month before I landed in the ER and hospital about 5 times with severe hypokalemia! I couldn't move my arms and legs - much less walk, talk, or function. I don't seem to have primary Conn's but still......If you have a doctor who is prescribing this medication to you (which is VERY WELL KNOWN to cause hypokalemia in ALL patients) you need to question him/her carefully about their knowledge of Conn's...... Dr. Grim, , and Bill - please correct me if I am wrong! Also, I seem to be one of the few in the group who is on strictly alpha blockers?? Is this anyone else out there? They work great for me along with the potassium supplements, dashing, and Spironolactone. I realize we are all different but the trends of the low potassiums seem to all be the same. Why don't more of us get more potassium supplements? (I am lucky I talked my PCP into it by going up and down and ending up in the ER and showing her the results and she got it) but.... I still question this at length. I have to admit - I had spaghetti for dinner tonight (easy and quick) and I am now tingling in the face and arms and my hand and foot starting cramping - so I am going to take 10 more meq of K - I DO realize the SIDE EFFECT of too much potassium is DEATH however, when was the last time any of us had a high potassium? For me, it was when I was on 40 meq per day. Okay, enough from the Maine peanut gallery tonight. I am fighting the Lyme with a vengeance thanks to a friend on here named Val - thanks Val - and to the Naturopath I found in Wolfeboro NH who is quite well versed in Lyme - Dr. Steve , Wolfeboro NH. God Bless all and have a Happy Labor Day! M p.s. I was proud my pressure was 116/74 this am - pulse still 84 though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 1, 2011 Report Share Posted September 1, 2011 No. Has K ever been low. Tiped sad Send form miiPhone ;-)May your pressure be low!CE Grim MDSpecializing in DifficultHypertension I just spoke to my doc and voiced my concerns over the glucose issue and Metoprolol being ineffective in patients with PA. He suggested weaning me off the Metoprolol and then starting HCTZ and keeping the Amlodipine and Spiro. He feels the likelihood that the Metoprolol is affecting glucose is minimal but I just have a gut feeling this may be what’s causing the spike, and I don’t want it to get out of control then end up with another issue that could have been avoided. I looked up HCTZ and I’m reading that this can cause the same glucose problem. I think it was or who mentioned Coreg. Would this be better that HCTZ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 1, 2011 Report Share Posted September 1, 2011 Blood sodium tells us nothing about intake. Ask your Dr to measure the urine Na and K.CE Grim MD Thanks ! My doc just called. He wants me to start the Amplodipine again and see if that helps. He feels he may have made too many changes at once. If my BP doesn’t start going back down within a week he suggested increasing the Spiro. I’m being tested for Diabetes so the article you sent was interesting. I’ve never had high glucose until now and there is no history of it in my family so I’m eager to see what the outcome of the blood work is. Every doctor I’ve seen has confirmed PA. As for salt intake, I’ve always been very anti salt and I’m normally far below the daily requirement. I had to retake the sodium loading test three times before I met the minimum required level even after taking the salt pills. Boy was that a horrible experience! I’m also a part time caterer and food is a bit of a passion. Very limited packaged or pre-cooked food in this house and never any salt on the table. Anything I have to buy pre-packaged or pre made is never more than 4% of your daily sodium. I just looked at the labs I had done in the hospital when this all started with heart palpitations and elevated BP in March (Before I ever knew what an adrenal gland did) and looked at my sodium. I was at the bottom of the range at 139 so I think that’s not too bad?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 2, 2011 Report Share Posted September 2, 2011 Why do say you don't have primary Conn's? > > I took HCTZ for about a month before I landed in the ER and hospital about > 5 times with severe hypokalemia! I couldn't move my arms and legs - much > less walk, talk, or function. I don't seem to have primary Conn's but > still......If you have a doctor who is prescribing this medication to you (which > is VERY WELL KNOWN to cause hypokalemia in ALL patients) you need to > question him/her carefully about their knowledge of Conn's...... > > Dr. Grim, , and Bill - please correct me if I am wrong! > > Also, I seem to be one of the few in the group who is on strictly alpha > blockers?? Is this anyone else out there? They work great for me along with > the potassium supplements, dashing, and Spironolactone. I realize we are all > different but the trends of the low potassiums seem to all be the same. > > Why don't more of us get more potassium supplements? (I am lucky I talked > my PCP into it by going up and down and ending up in the ER and showing her > the results and she got it) but.... I still question this at length. I > have to admit - I had spaghetti for dinner tonight (easy and quick) and I am > now tingling in the face and arms and my hand and foot starting cramping - so > I am going to take 10 more meq of K - I DO realize the SIDE EFFECT of too > much potassium is DEATH however, when was the last time any of us had a > high potassium? > > For me, it was when I was on 40 meq per day. > > Okay, enough from the Maine peanut gallery tonight. I am fighting the Lyme > with a vengeance thanks to a friend on here named Val - thanks Val - and to > the Naturopath I found in Wolfeboro NH who is quite well versed in Lyme - > Dr. Steve , Wolfeboro NH. > > God Bless all and have a Happy Labor Day! > M > p.s. I was proud my pressure was 116/74 this am - pulse still 84 though > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 2, 2011 Report Share Posted September 2, 2011 Alpha blockers may have what's called a " first-dose effect. " When you start taking an alpha blocker, you may develop pronounced low blood pressure and dizziness, which can make you suddenly faint when you rise from a sitting or lying position. Other side effects include headache, pounding heartbeat, nausea, weakness, weight gain and small decreases in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (the " bad " cholesterol). Alpha blockers can increase or decrease the effects of other medications you take. Tell your doctor if you take any other medications, such as beta blockers, calcium channel blockers or medications used for erectile dysfunction, if you're prescribed an alpha blocker. Some research has found that some alpha blockers can increase the risk of heart failure with long-term use. While more research is needed to confirm this finding, talk to your doctor if you're concerned. > > > > I took HCTZ for about a month before I landed in the ER and hospital about > > 5 times with severe hypokalemia! I couldn't move my arms and legs - much > > less walk, talk, or function. I don't seem to have primary Conn's but > > still......If you have a doctor who is prescribing this medication to you (which > > is VERY WELL KNOWN to cause hypokalemia in ALL patients) you need to > > question him/her carefully about their knowledge of Conn's...... > > > > Dr. Grim, , and Bill - please correct me if I am wrong! > > > > Also, I seem to be one of the few in the group who is on strictly alpha > > blockers?? Is this anyone else out there? They work great for me along with > > the potassium supplements, dashing, and Spironolactone. I realize we are all > > different but the trends of the low potassiums seem to all be the same. > > > > Why don't more of us get more potassium supplements? (I am lucky I talked > > my PCP into it by going up and down and ending up in the ER and showing her > > the results and she got it) but.... I still question this at length. I > > have to admit - I had spaghetti for dinner tonight (easy and quick) and I am > > now tingling in the face and arms and my hand and foot starting cramping - so > > I am going to take 10 more meq of K - I DO realize the SIDE EFFECT of too > > much potassium is DEATH however, when was the last time any of us had a > > high potassium? > > > > For me, it was when I was on 40 meq per day. > > > > Okay, enough from the Maine peanut gallery tonight. I am fighting the Lyme > > with a vengeance thanks to a friend on here named Val - thanks Val - and to > > the Naturopath I found in Wolfeboro NH who is quite well versed in Lyme - > > Dr. Steve , Wolfeboro NH. > > > > God Bless all and have a Happy Labor Day! > > M > > p.s. I was proud my pressure was 116/74 this am - pulse still 84 though > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 2, 2011 Report Share Posted September 2, 2011 Think of it this way. It goes into your blood. As blood sodium increases it kicks in you thrist control you drink more until bood sodium returns to normal. You have increased you blood volume and the increase volume increases flow pressure. Blood sodium will always try to be within normal range as long as drink enough to keep it with in range. > >>> > > > >>> > > >Thanks ! My doc just called. He wants me to start the Amplodipine again > >>> > > >and see if that helps. He feels he may have made too many changes at once. > >>> > > >If my BP doesn't start going back down within a week he suggested increasing > >>> > > >the Spiro. I'm being tested for Diabetes so the article you sent was > >>> > > >interesting. I've never had high glucose until now and there is no history > >>> > > >of it in my family so I'm eager to see what the outcome of the blood work > >>> > > >is. Every doctor I've seen has confirmed PA. As for salt intake, I've > >>> > > >always been very anti salt and I'm normally far below the daily requirement. > >>> > > >I had to retake the sodium loading test three times before I met the minimum > >>> > > >required level even after taking the salt pills. Boy was that a horrible > >>> > > >experience! I'm also a part time caterer and food is a bit of a passion. > >>> > > >Very limited packaged or pre-cooked food in this house and never any salt on > >>> > > >the table. Anything I have to buy pre-packaged or pre made is never more > >>> > > >than 4% of your daily sodium. I just looked at the labs I had done in the > >>> > > >hospital when this all started with heart palpitations and elevated BP in > >>> > > >March (Before I ever knew what an adrenal gland did) and looked at my > >>> > > >sodium. I was at the bottom of the range at 139 so I think that's not too > >>> > > >bad?? > >>> > > > > >>> > > > >>> > > >>> > >> > >> > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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