Aldosterone problems

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> Many of these side effects go away with use and both drugs are

> unlikely to cause long term damage. Most patients taking Florinef

> and Midodrine, as well as extra salt report an improvement in their > symptoms

of palpitations and dizziness/lightheadedness on standing, > while many report

an improvement in fatigue and cognitive

> dysfunction. Licorice, available as a tea from Alvita, may help

> with mild cases. "

> Luv - Sheila

Hi Sheila

Its interesting that you posted this today because I have only just

come to realise I have severe aldosterone problems because of my worn

out adrenals. Probably have had it since 2000 and is the reason why

I haven't been able to recover with just glucocortoids and thyroid

meds.

I am on day 6 of Fludrocortisone after having been in a state of

collapse as mentioned above. Just sitting at the computer I couldn't

stop sweating, I was soaking, couldn't sit upright just had to lie

down all the time I was so weak and after throat infection couldn't

get well. Thankfully something twigged in my brain last Friday and I

luckily had Fludrocortisone in the cupboard cos Dr Myhill had given

me a trial last March when I had similar symptoms. However I didn't

take it properly then and it gave me high bp so I discontinued it

which has turned out to be a very bad decision of mine.

This time I took it in the proper way, ie first thing in the morning

and just 1/2 tab with a tiny bit extra at luchtime if needed and it

has had a wonderful effect. Within 2 days I was able to go out for a

short time though I did crash a bit after. I have been a bit more

careful since but I have managed to go out every afternoon since

Tuesday and have been fine.

One other lovely benefit is that my wrinkly skin that used to hang on

my legs and arms is now soft and plumped up I cannot believe the

difference. This wrinkly effect has been there for many years so I

have been permanantly dehydrated despite lots of sea salt every day.

Wish it would have the same effect on my face and though it has

plumped up a bit it hasn't quite managed this!!

The other improvement is that my heart is beginning to calm down

though can still play up on goin to bed if I am overtired. I think

it is called Postural Orthastatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) and is

common in CFS (my diagnosis). With this syndrome the heart races

when standing and bp actually goes up instead of falling. However I

do know that if I wasn't on the Pred my bp would drop like a stone

and then they call it Neurally Mediated Hypotension. I don't think

any of these CFS doctors realise about the role of knackered adrenals

they look for everything that is going wrong in the body and just

don't realise the adrenals and thyroid could be behind most of the

symptoms. Instead they keep looking for a virus to say that is the

cause and I find it really frustrating that the malfunctiong adrenals

can cause so many of the symptoms!

BW

Pam