Re: Has anyone heard from Debi? I'm baaaack!

November 10, 2006

I'm home from surgery (3rd). Surgery went well with BP stable throughout (was blocked for 2 weeks pre-surgery with Dibenzyline due to catachols). Right adrenal removed (w/adenoma). Absolutely incredible how my BP is coming under control. I was on mega doses of clonidine (alpha blocker), beta blocker, K, ace inhibitor, triamterene/HCTZ before surgery. I am now only on beta, K (till level checked), and ace inhibitor. My BP is too low right now and I put a call into my docs office. It has been around 85/54 with pulse of 43-54 today. Looks like I'll be dropping more of the meds. For the first time I can remember, my BP is not up and down and is stable. I feel a calmness inside.

The op report isn't back yet. I don't know what the path report says yet other than 1.3 cm adenoma. Dr. Grim, What levels need to be tested at this point and frequency post surgery? I'm not quite sure what needs to be monitored. I know aldo was elevated in left adrenal as well (AVS). Is there a possibility it will smooth out and produce normally?

I am recuperating at home now. I got a severe UTI from catheter while in hosp. The only symptom is I peed pure dark red for 3 days with extremely high RBC in urine. I don't know what WBC was. I'm taking levaquin for this. I really find it hard to believe I have such a severe UTI from a 24 hr catheter that would make me bleed that much and with no symptoms. I made them resample my urine the night before discharge and post 3 days of antibiotics....just for the record.

Debi in good ol' Knoxville

November 10, 2006

In a message dated 11/10/06 3:22:41 PM, moonium@... writes:

The op report isn't back yet. I don't know what the path report says yet other than 1.3 cm adenoma. Dr. Grim, What levels need to be tested at this point and frequency post surgery?

Mainly follow the BP and taper BP drugs it sounds like. K recheck it if had been low in past.

As long as BP and K OK dont really need to test anything else.

Would be interested in Path report as pheo and adenoma are very rare together. My bet is on PA due to adenoma.

May your pressure be low!

Clarence E. Grim, B.S., M.S., M.D.

Specializing in Difficult to Control High Blood Pressure

and the Physiology and History of Survival During

Hard Times and Heart Disease today.

November 11, 2006

Wow. Your BP and pulse are so low it is amazing you can stand up.

Those drugs you were taking would've killed me - the HCTZ alone would

have caused arrhythmia because it lowered K so much. Clonidine is

regarded as short-term, and rebounds for me. I've never met a doctor

(even most who don't seem to understand not to give ACEs or BBs or CCBs

to PA pts because they don't work and can cause problems individually,

more so together) who prescribed clonidine for more than a couple weeks

as part of an emergency or test. I can't believe they didn't monitor

you daily, and wean you from those drugs.

puzzled,

Dave

On Nov 10, 2006, at 12:47 PM, moonium@... wrote:

> I'm home from surgery (3rd). Surgery went well with BP stable

> throughout (was blocked for 2 weeks pre-surgery with Dibenzyline due

> to catachols). Right adrenal removed (w/adenoma). Absolutely

> incredible how my BP is coming under control. I was on mega doses of

> clonidine (alpha blocker), beta blocker, K, ace inhibitor,

> triamterene/HCTZ before surgery. I am now only on beta, K (till level

> checked), and ace inhibitor. My BP is too low right now and I put a

> call into my docs office. It has been around 85/54 with pulse of 43-54

> today. Looks like I'll be dropping more of the meds. For the first

> time I can remember, my BP is not up and down and is stable. I feel a

> calmness inside.

>

> The op report isn't back yet. I don't know what the path report says

> yet other than 1.3 cm adenoma. Dr. Grim, What levels need to be

> tested at this point and frequency post surgery? I'm not quite sure

> what needs to be monitored. I know aldo was elevated in left adrenal

> as well (AVS). Is there a possibility it will smooth out and produce

> normally?

>

> I am recuperating at home now. I got a severe UTI from catheter while

> in hosp. The only symptom is I peed pure dark red for 3 days with

> extremely high RBC in urine. I don't know what WBC was. I'm taking

> levaquin for this. I really find it hard to believe I have such a

> severe UTI from a 24 hr catheter that would make me bleed that much

> and with no symptoms. I made them resample my urine the night before

> discharge and post 3 days of antibiotics....just for the record.

>

> Debi in good ol' Knoxville

November 13, 2006

In a message dated 11/12/06 2:01:50 PM, shotzie@... writes:

I fell somewhat light headed at times, my bp goes up

and down a little but is averaging out much lower than

pre op, I finally got to 130s/70s the past two days.

Sleep is great, muscle aches and pains gone although

if I overdo it the operative site is sore.

I attribute these Sx to your body adjusting to the lower BP and this can take awhile. Keep a running average is the best way to follow it.

May your pressure be low!

Clarence E. Grim, B.S., M.S., M.D.

Specializing in Difficult to Control High Blood Pressure

and the Physiology and History of Survival During

Hard Times and Heart Disease today.

November 14, 2006

I too am adjusting to the lower bp. I am now off all BP meds post surgery. From 11 pills a day to 0! My bp is running 117/65 with a pulse of 65. For the first time in I can't remember when, I can hold my hand out in front of me and it not shake at all. I feel such a calm inside that is incredible. I get a little light headed at times, am still a little weak, have dropped 14.5 lbs, have little appetite, and still a little sore from lap site. I still am taking antibiotics for the severe UTI I got from the catheter (lab report shows it to be e-coli >100,000 cfu/ml). It's all a miracle in my book! From years of uncontrolled hypertension with bouts of malignant hypertension to perfect bp! All caused by a little 1.3 cm adenoma! Incredible!

Debi Cured in Knoxville!

November 14, 2006

similar thing happened to me, . I think it was just my body

getting used to all of the new hormone levels & BP.

K went to 4.5 right after surgery.

>

> In a message dated 11/12/06 2:01:50 PM, shotzie@... writes:

>

> > I fell somewhat light headed at times, my bp goes up

> > and down a little but is averaging out much lower than

> > pre op, I finally got to 130s/70s the past two days.

> > Sleep is great, muscle aches and pains gone although

> > if I overdo it the operative site is sore.

> >

>

> I attribute these Sx to your body adjusting to the lower BP and

this can take

> awhile. Keep a running average is the best way to follow it.

>

> May your pressure be low!

>

> Clarence E. Grim, B.S., M.S., M.D.

> Specializing in Difficult to Control High Blood Pressure

> and the Physiology and History of Survival During

> Hard Times and Heart Disease today.

>

November 14, 2006

In a message dated 11/14/06 3:01:31 PM, moonium@... writes:

I too am adjusting to the lower bp. I am now off all BP meds post surgery. From 11 pills a day to 0! My bp is running 117/65 with a pulse of 65. For the first time in I can't remember when, I can hold my hand out in front of me and it not shake at all. I feel such a calm inside that is incredible. I get a little light headed at times, am still a little weak, have dropped 14.5 lbs, have little appetite, and still a little sore from lap site. I still am taking antibiotics for the severe UTI I got from the catheter (lab report shows it to be e-coli >100,000 cfu/ml). It's all a miracle in my book! From years of uncontrolled hypertension with bouts of malignant hypertension to perfect bp! All caused by a little 1.3 cm adenoma! Incredible!

Debi Cured in Knoxville!

This is what I call the golden globe of HTN investigation (the golden tumor of classic Conn's). My heart jumps every time one of these are found and if they can't be controlled with meds including MC blockers then are found at surgery and removal alleviates the problems for a long time to forever.

May your pressure be low!

Clarence E. Grim, B.S., M.S., M.D.

Specializing in Difficult to Control High Blood Pressure

and the Physiology and History of Survival During

Hard Times and Heart Disease today.

November 15, 2006

Congratulations Debi on feeling so much better after getting it removed. Wow no

BP pills thats such great news. I once had a UTI that was ecoli it was the worst

of all time. It caused bleeding just like you said. Its odd how odd how you came

down with that? Good luck on that calm feeling.

I am so happy for you. ita

--- In

I too am adjusting to the lower bp. I am now off all BP meds post surgery.

> > From 11 pills a day to 0! My bp is running 117/65 with a pulse of 65. For

the

> > first time in I can't remember when, I can hold my hand out in front of me

> > and it not shake at all. I feel such a calm inside that is incredible. I get

a

> > little light headed at times, am still a little weak, have dropped 14.5 lbs,

> > have little appetite, and still a little sore from lap site. I still am

> > taking antibiotics for the severe UTI I got from the catheter (lab report

shows it

> > to be e-coli >100,000 cfu/ml). It's all a miracle in my book! From years of

> > uncontrolled hypertension with bouts of malignant hypertension to perfect

bp!

> > All caused by a little 1.3 cm adenoma! Incredible!

> >

> > Debi Cured in Knoxville!

November 15, 2006

I wonder if we ever see in this lifetime a research trying to find

what causes these tumors to grow there and solving the puzzle eventually.

>

> In a message dated 11/14/06 3:01:31 PM, moonium@... writes:

>

> >

> > I too am adjusting to the lower bp. I am now off all BP meds post

surgery.

> > From 11 pills a day to 0! My bp is running 117/65 with a pulse of

65. For the

> > first time in I can't remember when, I can hold my hand out in

front of me

> > and it not shake at all. I feel such a calm inside that is

incredible. I get a

> > little light headed at times, am still a little weak, have dropped

14.5 lbs,

> > have little appetite, and still a little sore from lap site. I

still am

> > taking antibiotics for the severe UTI I got from the catheter (lab

report shows it

> > to be e-coli >100,000 cfu/ml). It's all a miracle in my book! From

years of

> > uncontrolled hypertension with bouts of malignant hypertension to

perfect bp!

> > All caused by a little 1.3 cm adenoma! Incredible!

> >

> > Debi Cured in Knoxville!

> >

>

> This is what I call the golden globe of HTN investigation (the

golden tumor

> of classic Conn's). My heart jumps every time one of these are

found and if

> they can't be controlled with meds including MC blockers then are

found at

> surgery and removal alleviates the problems for a long time to forever.

>

> May your pressure be low!

>

> Clarence E. Grim, B.S., M.S., M.D.

> Specializing in Difficult to Control High Blood Pressure

> and the Physiology and History of Survival During

> Hard Times and Heart Disease today.

>

November 15, 2006

>

> I wonder if we ever see in this lifetime a research trying to find

> what causes these tumors to grow there and solving the puzzle

eventually.

>

I wonder the same thing. Before I knew what was " wrong " with me, I

never heard of these tumors, ever.

November 15, 2006

It is one of those things not discussed - in part, I have found via

interviews with clinicians - because it is still relatively ambiguous.

There is not a neat system involving diagnostic cause and effect, with

treatment options that work for everyone equally. They sort of shy

away from those. This is to patients' detriment, but a natural

response to fear of the unknown, I believe.

Long ingestion of large amounts of sodium looks contributory because of

the angiotensin system's efforts to achieve homeostasis with the

electrolytes, fluid management and vaso-behavior. But other lifestyle

things do also. It is one of the disorders that is hard for

anthropologists to track cross-culturally, because we don't really know

the rate of occurrence in technological soceities. The AMA called it

" the most under-recognized cause of hypertension. " There are

probably millions of cases with some " salts " involvement. Giving

potassium supplements for any length of time, my doctor says, is like

putting bactine on a slow-moving melanoma. Even the endocrinologists,

recondite with chemistry as they are, have trouble because the

pituitary and thyroid involvements are just starting to be looked at.

Other hormone roles and effects are slowly gaining ground in

understanding, it appears. Genetic research holds promise for

shortcuts, but it is not a field with the financial incentives that

many have - for researchers or clinicians. So, hard to compare with

more traditional lifestyles.

Dave

On Nov 15, 2006, at 8:05 PM, kathy11961 wrote:

>

> >

> > I wonder if we ever see in this lifetime a research trying to find

> > what causes these tumors to grow there and solving the puzzle

> eventually.

> >

>

> I wonder the same thing. Before I knew what was " wrong " with me, I

> never heard of these tumors, ever.

>

> _

November 16, 2006

We are on the track of developing lifetime stories here is we can ever get the data base together and working.

May your pressure be low!

Clarence E. Grim, B.S., M.S., M.D.

Specializing in Difficult to Control High Blood Pressure

and the Physiology and History of Survival During

Hard Times and Heart Disease today.

November 16, 2006

Its the salt (sodium) in my interpretation. In humans and chimps no salt= no HTN. It is very simple. The issue is how low can you get the salt in what you eat.

May your pressure be low!

Clarence E. Grim, B.S., M.S., M.D.

Specializing in Difficult to Control High Blood Pressure

and the Physiology and History of Survival During

Hard Times and Heart Disease today.

November 16, 2006

In a message dated 11/16/06 12:50:27 PM, shotzie@... writes:

Kip and Debi

I just wish I could get the hard-headed docs I had to

deal with to read the comments on this site. I can

feel the joy in your comments.

Years of frustration, of self-blame, of drugs that

made me sick and some threw me into allergic reactions

lasting for days...all improved with surgery.

When I showed my PCP, who was ignoring my low

potassium levels, the CT scan the neprhologist ordered

which showed the adrenal adenoma, I was promptly told

"that is not the cause of your problems, it probably

doesn't mean anything". That is when I jumped ship!

Good judgement! Did you report him?

It is so great to take a blood pressure and not cringe

at the reading, to exercise again, to have a normal

potassium without supplementation, it was 4.6 on

11/13.

BP has been as low as 112/64 but is average

128-130/78-82. And like Debi said, NO MEDS.

I am not getting the wt loss Debi is but I had already

lost 27 lbs last year with a great effort on my part

to prove that I was doing everything I could to lower

my BP...am at that, "would be nice to lose 5 lbs

stage"

I am 54 but was still getting regular periods, every

28-30 days, I am now overdue. I had an endometrial BX

and hormone levels done 5/06 which showed I wasn't

menopausal. Now no period since 10/11, do either of

you have any comments on how this should effect my

cycle?

Did you lose them before surgery? or after?

Also, Kip, how long before the soreness in the

operative area is gone. I had to resume Tylenol twice

a day, can't take ASA or NSAIDs. Since I am more

active there is more discomfort, the med does take it

away. I still don't have my normal waistline back

either, seems to be some mild swelling in the

operative side. It has been only 3 weeks but when you

read post op instructions they say you should be good

to go and ready to work in 10-14 days!

Yeah thats what they all say. Again if we had a good database here we could give better informed opinions based on our paticipants experience-but will need at least 100 folks and that will take time.

____________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________

Sponsored Link

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November 18, 2006

>

> In a message dated 11/16/06 12:50:27 PM, shotzie@... writes:

>

> >

>> >

> > When I showed my PCP, who was ignoring my low

> > potassium levels, the CT scan the neprhologist ordered

> > which showed the adrenal adenoma, I was promptly told

> > " that is not the cause of your problems, it probably

> > doesn't mean anything " . That is when I jumped ship!

> >

> Good judgement! Did you report him?

Yes, I finally did, also sent information to my HMO along with your

article suggesting they review their HTN treatment guidelines. Feel

the docs around here need a refresher course on the treatment of HTN.

My surgeon in Syracuse agreed that the Family Practice docs seem to

miss this diagnosis.

> >

>> >

> > I am 54 but was still getting regular periods, every

> > 28-30 days, I am now overdue. I had an endometrial BX

> > and hormone levels done 5/06 which showed I wasn't

> > menopausal. Now no period since 10/11, do either of

> > you have any comments on how this should effect my

> > cycle?

> >

> Did you lose them before surgery? or after?

Had regular menses before surgery, very heavy flow for a few days

thus the recent endometial BX.

No period since surgery,now over a week overdue. Have some pelvic

bloating and dull backache like usual, hard to tell what is going on

right now with all the changes I am going through since the surgery.

> >

> > Also, Kip, how long before the soreness in the

> > operative area is gone. I had to resume Tylenol twice

> > a day, can't take ASA or NSAIDs. Since I am more

> > active there is more discomfort, the med does take it

> > away. I still don't have my normal waistline back

> > either, seems to be some mild swelling in the

> > operative side. It has been only 3 weeks but when you

> > read post op instructions they say you should be good

> > to go and ready to work in 10-14 days!

> >

> Yeah thats what they all say. Again if we had a good database here

we could

> give better informed opinions based on our paticipants experience-

but will need

> at least 100 folks and that will take time.

>

there is a lack of info out there about what to expect post op

Hard to know what is abnormal when I don't know what to expect.

As long as the pain med relieves the discomfort I guess there is no

problem. I do not plan to work again until after the holidays

anyway, the past two years I was unable to do very much, I have

catching up to do and I am enjoying every minute of it.

> >

> > ____________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________

> > Sponsored Link

> >

> > $420k for $1,399/mo.

> > Think You Pay Too Much For Your Mortgage?

> > Find Out! www.LowerMyBills. Find O

> >

>

> May your pressure be low!

>

> Clarence E. Grim, B.S., M.S., M.D.

> Specializing in Difficult to Control High Blood Pressure

> and the Physiology and History of Survival During

> Hard Times and Heart Disease today.

>

January 17, 2007

Hi and Gang,

I've been busy with work and the holidays, so I've been offline for a

few weeks- sorry it's taken me so long to respond!

,

It took the better part of a month or so to feel no pain or soreness

at all, from what I remember. Nothing was as bad as that trapped gas

pain in my chest and shoulders the first week; that was terrible!@

I had some swelling in my belly (I called it my little buddah-belly)

for a few weeks, and the area around my belly button was swollen too,

enough to look like I had a new belly button shape (this subsided

over time). This was, afterall, where they took the gland out.

I was back to work on the later part of the 2nd week, but felt a bit

weird (weak) and drained at the office. I'm sure most of this is

detailed better in some of my post-op writings from 9/05 thru 11/05.

So glad to hear you're feeling well and doing things you were leery

of for so many years- me too!

Be well.

Kind Regards,

-Kip

>

> In a message dated 11/16/06 12:50:27 PM, shotzie@... writes:

>

> >

> > Kip and Debi

> >

> > I just wish I could get the hard-headed docs I had to

> > deal with to read the comments on this site. I can

> > feel the joy in your comments.

> >

> > Years of frustration, of self-blame, of drugs that

> > made me sick and some threw me into allergic reactions

> > lasting for days...all improved with surgery.

> >

> > When I showed my PCP, who was ignoring my low

> > potassium levels, the CT scan the neprhologist ordered

> > which showed the adrenal adenoma, I was promptly told

> > " that is not the cause of your problems, it probably

> > doesn't mean anything " . That is when I jumped ship!

> >

> Good judgement! Did you report him?

>

> >

> > It is so great to take a blood pressure and not cringe

> > at the reading, to exercise again, to have a normal

> > potassium without supplementation, it was 4.6 on

> > 11/13.

> > BP has been as low as 112/64 but is average

> > 128-130/78-82. And like Debi said, NO MEDS.

> >

> > I am not getting the wt loss Debi is but I had already

> > lost 27 lbs last year with a great effort on my part

> > to prove that I was doing everything I could to lower

> > my BP...am at that, " would be nice to lose 5 lbs

> > stage "

> >

> > I am 54 but was still getting regular periods, every

> > 28-30 days, I am now overdue. I had an endometrial BX

> > and hormone levels done 5/06 which showed I wasn't

> > menopausal. Now no period since 10/11, do either of

> > you have any comments on how this should effect my

> > cycle?

> >

> Did you lose them before surgery? or after?

> >

> > Also, Kip, how long before the soreness in the

> > operative area is gone. I had to resume Tylenol twice

> > a day, can't take ASA or NSAIDs. Since I am more

> > active there is more discomfort, the med does take it

> > away. I still don't have my normal waistline back

> > either, seems to be some mild swelling in the

> > operative side. It has been only 3 weeks but when you

> > read post op instructions they say you should be good

> > to go and ready to work in 10-14 days!

> >

> Yeah thats what they all say. Again if we had a good database here

we could

> give better informed opinions based on our paticipants experience-

but will need

> at least 100 folks and that will take time.

>

> >

> > ____________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________

> > Sponsored Link

> >

> > $420k for $1,399/mo.

> > Think You Pay Too Much For Your Mortgage?

> > Find Out! www.LowerMyBills. Find O

> >

>

> May your pressure be low!

>

> Clarence E. Grim, B.S., M.S., M.D.

> Specializing in Difficult to Control High Blood Pressure

> and the Physiology and History of Survival During

> Hard Times and Heart Disease today.

>

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