Guest guest Posted November 27, 2006 Report Share Posted November 27, 2006 As you can see your history is much like those other pts with PA here and follows my paper on the evolution of primary aldosteronism. Would be interested in the following details-you cant give us too many details. 1. Are you bothered with cramps of the hands and feet and when did this start? 2. How many times a night do you get up to pee and when did this become a problem? 3. I think I may have already asked but do you eat licorice every day and I assume your HTN experts have already asked you this. If not you have not really seen a HTN expert. 4. Do you have any of your renin and aldosterone numbers? 5. How was the adrenal "bump" picked up? ie why were you having the study? 6. What chemotherapy have you been on for the Ca of the Breast? 7. Do others in your family have HTN?, HTN and low K? In a message dated 11/27/06 7:22:48 PM, oneohiowoman@... writes: Thank you for the reply. I also hope to hear from people who have undergone the surgery.  No one has mentioned AVS to me. I read a bit about it on the site and it doesn't sound like something very pleasant to go through and I do not understand how yet another invasive procedure is going to benefit me in the long run - after four surgeries (2x breast cancer, lymph node removal, and the hysterectomy) I am not eager to add anything else to my mix. I'm certainly willing to read more on it and to contact my surgeon (if I can remember to do that) to discuss it. And yes, as you said, that's a lot of surgeries. The goal of the AVS is to determine if the adrenal bump is causing the HTN and low K etc (Conn's) and if taking it out will produce a major impact on all your problems or have no effect or a short term effect on all your problems. It is not without risk but much less risk than surgery. I had no idea the last year of my life was going to be spent this way and I'm not happy about it. Quite frankly, I'm sick of being sick, tired of being tired, Classic Conn's complaint actually. and am really disgusted by knowing my way around the Cleveland Clinic better than some people who work there! I'm hoping this adrenalectomy is my last stop there for quite some time.  I've had high blood pressure for... hmm.. about 11 years now. I controlled it on my own for about five years with diet and exercise but then went on diuretics for about 6 years. I don't know if you'd call it the DASH diet or not, I watched my sodium intake, lots of fresh foods, as much exercise as I could tolerate, and that kept the bp at very nice levels for a long time. I can't exercise like I used to (arthritis and back problems) and I'm sure that's a factor. What drugs have not worked for your BP and what have worked? What problems did you have with the BP meds, if any?  The current issue was found in the recovery room of the last surgery (July 06) when my heart started doing weird things and I became pretty much incoherent. My K level at that time was 2.3 and after they put 3 bags of K through my IV it went up to 3.0, at which time they discharged me from the hospital. I've been on spiro about 3 months now, not years. My insurance doesn't cover the other med. After being on it a couple of months I tried to cut back some on the spiro, but a blood test last week showed the K level to be back down to 3.0 again, so back on the higher dose of spiro I went. The assumption is that your are making a lot of aldo and/or eating a lot of salt.  Neither I nor my medical team believes that the bp issue is radically related to the Conns, although the Conns may have aggravated it more (although I'd be perfectly happy to have it mostly or totally 'cured'). My guess is they have not read my article. How else do the explain the BP? Personally, I think that a combination of the Conns and the stresses I'm under are both negative factors in the whole thing. I haven't been on my diuretic since the last surgery in July. The 80 MeQ of K and the spiro are helping but I really don't like the spiro and hope that the surgery will take care of the need to take it.  Unfortunately, I don't like V-8. I certainly know the foods that are higher in amounts of K now. Low sodium V-8 tastes much better, in MHO, that regular V8. Problematically, I don't care for many of them but still eat them because I have to. If it came down to the "horse pill" or the time it would take for me to choke down V-8, well, I guess I'll stick with the horse pill - after all, surgery is in two weeks and hopefully I won't need these supplements afterward  I didn't find you sooner because I have some incredible brain fog and short term memory issues going on and I simply didn't think of trying - even tho I'm a member of several other ! The memory loss has taken me from a very intelligent and articulate person to someone who has to try to fit "thinking" into those short windows of time when I actually feel that congnitive thinking is possible. It's not a fun place to be. I forget everything, even how to do my job, and feel like an idiot having to ask people "how do I do this" when I've been doing it for 2 years. I even forgot my own name a couple of weeks ago - I was signing something (if I remember correctly) for my son't school and all of a sudden I didn't know how to spell my name, and it's only four letters (plus which I've been spelling it for almost 50 years!!), which was really scary to me. My spelling and grammar have really deteriorated and I have trouble, most times, making something I write make sense. One of the world experts in the drug managment of this problem is still in the Cleveland area I think. Dr. Manual Bravo. He was at the Cleveland Clinic for many years.  I hope this makes sense... ?  LJ     > > I am scheduled for a right adrenalectomy on December 11th. All the > blood work, the 24-hour urine tests (2), and the CT scan all show > Conns. CTs show bumps not Conn's. The only way to be sure the bump is causing the Conn's is to sample blood that comes from the bump area (AVS). If it is coming from only the bump side then surgery will likely make a big difference in your symptoms. If from both sides (maybe 50% of all smaller bumps) then surgery will help for only a short while. How big is your bump? And I assume they can only see one on one side. > You did not mention adrenal vein sampling (AVS) to improve your risks of being cured or not even operated on. > I've > had four surgeries in the last 15 months > Thats a lot of surgeries. > > > So are there good links to current information? > You are here. > Will anyone share > with me problems/concerns/ with me problems/concerns/<wbr>triumph > have to keep taking the spiro and K? I assume not... and if not, is > it an immediate stop? I hope so, I don't like the side effects of > the spiro (swollen painful breasts, which to someone who's had > estrogen receptive tumors in each breast is a scary thing) and I'm > looking forward to not having to take those huge horse pills (20MeQ > tablets). How often do they check your K levels after surgery? > If you have only one sided disease your BP will be much better to cured. You did not give us details of other problems, how long you have had HTN, what drugs you were on. Trust your Dr has told you that low sodium V-8 gives you the same K as the horse pills and tastes better. Also assume you were advised to try the DASH diet to see if you can control your BP with less or not meds to minimze side effects. How many years have you been on spiro? Was Inspra tried? > > I'm glad to have finally found this Group and I thank everyone in > advance who is willing to share information with me. I am assuming > that the brain fog I currently am experiencing is the reason I > didn't file you all sooner! So many questions, so little time... > Curious how you found us finally and why not sooner.  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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 27, 2006 Report Share Posted November 27, 2006 I don't like regular V-8 either, but the low sodium version actually tastes quite different - like tomatoes - not salty so much as a faint sweetness. I took to it right away. OJ - the kind with lots of pulp - is very high in K too. I use 'em both, and with the DASH diet at 2400mg sodium per day, and only 37mg spiro my BP is 118/68 and serum K, 4.2 - all day every day. Now I am working on shrinking my LVH. I wish the adrenalectomy had worked, but alas, it didn't. Dave On Nov 27, 2006, at 5:14 PM, LJB wrote: > Thank you for the reply. I also hope to hear from people who have > undergone the surgery. > > No one has mentioned AVS to me. I read a bit about it on the site and > it doesn't sound like something very pleasant to go through and I do > not understand how yet another invasive procedure is going to benefit > me in the long run - after four surgeries (2x breast cancer, lymph > node removal, and the hysterectomy) I am not eager to add anything > else to my mix. I'm certainly willing to read more on it and to > contact my surgeon (if I can remember to do that) to discuss it. And > yes, as you said, that's a lot of surgeries. I had no idea the last > year of my life was going to be spent this way and I'm not happy about > it. Quite frankly, I'm sick of being sick, tired of being tired, and > am really disgusted by knowing my way around the Cleveland Clinic > better than some people who work there! I'm hoping this adrenalectomy > is my last stop there for quite some time. > > I've had high blood pressure for... hmm.. about 11 years now. I > controlled it on my own for about five years with diet and exercise > but then went on diuretics for about 6 years. I don't know if you'd > call it the DASH diet or not, I watched my sodium intake, lots of > fresh foods, as much exercise as I could tolerate, and that kept the > bp at very nice levels for a long time. I can't exercise like I used > to (arthritis and back problems) and I'm sure that's a factor. > > The current issue was found in the recovery room of the last surgery > (July 06) when my heart started doing weird things and I became pretty > much incoherent. My K level at that time was 2.3 and after they put 3 > bags of K through my IV it went up to 3.0, at which time they > discharged me from the hospital. I've been on spiro about 3 months > now, not years. My insurance doesn't cover the other med. After being > on it a couple of months I tried to cut back some on the spiro, but a > blood test last week showed the K level to be back down to 3.0 again, > so back on the higher dose of spiro I went. > > Neither I nor my medical team believes that the bp issue is radically > related to the Conns, although the Conns may have aggravated it more > (although I'd be perfectly happy to have it mostly or totally > 'cured'). Personally, I think that a combination of the Conns and the > stresses I'm under are both negative factors in the whole thing. I > haven't been on my diuretic since the last surgery in July. The 80 MeQ > of K and the spiro are helping but I really don't like the spiro and > hope that the surgery will take care of the need to take it. > > Unfortunately, I don't like V-8. I certainly know the foods that are > higher in amounts of K now. Problematically, I don't care for many of > them but still eat them because I have to. If it came down to the > " horse pill " or the time it would take for me to choke down V-8, well, > I guess I'll stick with the horse pill - after all, surgery is in two > weeks and hopefully I won't need these supplements afterward > > I didn't find you sooner because I have some incredible brain fog and > short term memory issues going on and I simply didn't think of trying > - even tho I'm a member of several other ! > The memory loss has taken me from a very intelligent and articulate > person to someone who has to try to fit " thinking " into those short > windows of time when I actually feel that congnitive thinking is > possible. It's not a fun place to be. I forget everything, even how to > do my job, and feel like an idiot having to ask people " how do I do > this " when I've been doing it for 2 years. I even forgot my own name a > couple of weeks ago - I was signing something (if I remember > correctly) for my son't school and all of a sudden I didn't know how > to spell my name, and it's only four letters (plus which I've been > spelling it for almost 50 years!!), which was really scary to me. My > spelling and grammar have really deteriorated and I have trouble, most > times, making something I write make sense. > > I hope this makes sense... ? > > LJ > > > > > > > > > I am scheduled for a right adrenalectomy on December 11th. All the > > blood work, the 24-hour urine tests (2), and the CT scan all show > > Conns. > > > You did not mention adrenal vein sampling (AVS) to improve your risks > of > being cured or not even operated on. > > > > > I've > > had four surgeries in the last 15 months > > > Thats a lot of surgeries. > > > > > > So are there good links to current information? > > > You are here. > > > Will anyone share > > with me problems/concerns/ with me problems/concerns/<wbr>triumph > > have to keep taking the spiro and K? I assume not... and if not, is > > it an immediate stop? I hope so, I don't like the side effects of > > the spiro (swollen painful breasts, which to someone who's had > > estrogen receptive tumors in each breast is a scary thing) and I'm > > looking forward to not having to take those huge horse pills (20MeQ > > tablets). How often do they check your K levels after surgery? > > > If you have only one sided disease your BP will be much better to > cured. You > did not give us details of other problems, how long you have had HTN, > what > drugs you were on. > > Trust your Dr has told you that low sodium V-8 gives you the same K as > the > horse pills and tastes better. > > Also assume you were advised to try the DASH diet to see if you can > control > your BP with less or not meds to minimze side effects. How many years > have > you been on spiro? Was Inspra tried? > > > > I'm glad to have finally found this Group and I thank everyone in > > advance who is willing to share information with me. I am assuming > > that the brain fog I currently am experiencing is the reason I > > didn't file you all sooner! So many questions, so little time... > > > Curious how you found us finally and why not sooner. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 28, 2006 Report Share Posted November 28, 2006 Hello again, here are some answers to some of your questions: 1. Yes, foot cramps. For years, I don't know how many. Hands are arthritic, they ache but don't really cramp. The aching has been going on for a couple of years now. It gets progressively, slowly, worse as time goes on. 2. At least once, more often twice, every night I get up to pee and barely make it to the bathroom. That's probably been for... hmm.. two or three years now? The extreme urgency has gotten much worse since my July surgery. I try to limit my fluids in the evening (I drink lots of water during the day) but it doesn't seem to make much difference. I was under the assumption that it was because of the hysterectomy as bladder issues frequently follow that surgery. 3. I detest licorice, so no, I don't eat it. And no, no one has ever asked me about that. And I don't know what kind of doctor would be a HTN expert. I have a nephrologist, a pulmonary specialist, a gyno, a breast cancer surgeon, a urological surgeon, and a primary care. I am loath to seek out any more doctors, the mere thought makes me almost ill, but if I should be seeing a particular specialist about the blood pressure then please tell me what kind of specialist specializes in this. 4. Here are some test results. 11/20 - Aldosterone (blood) - 33.7 (range 4.5-35) 10/23, 24 hour urine, aldosterone 35 (range 3-25), Sodium 116 (range 40 - 220), 24 hour K 53 (range 30-99) The above were after starting the spiro and the higher K . The 10/23 one was probably a couple weeks after I started them, the 11/20 one was just recently. The next tests were before starting on the spiro. Seems like I've been taking it more than a month and a half! 10/12 - Aldosterone (blood) - 51.3 (range 4.5 - 35) 7/31 - Renin activity <0.1 (upright range 0.9-5.8) There are more tests but I don't seem to know where they are right now. It's horrible having very few functional brain cells. Here are my Sept CT Scan results: Exam Performed: CT ADRENALS W/OIMPRESSION:1. RIGHT ADRENAL ADENOMA.2. SMALL INDETERMINATE LOW DENSITY LESIONS IN THE SPLEEN.ADRENAL CT WITHOUT INTRAVENOUS CONTRAST MEDIA HISTORY: HypokalemiaCOMPARISON: NoneFINDINGS: There is a 1.7 x 1.7 cm low attenuation (-2 Hounsfieldunits) nodule in the right adrenal gland compatible with anadenoma. No lesions seen in the left adrenal. Within the limits of a noncontrast scan, no lesions are identifiedin the liver and pancreas or kidneys. There is no hydronephrosis.There are two or three small low-density lesions in the spleen,difficult to characterize due to their small size and lack of contrast. 5. I went into the last surgery with a K level of 3.6 (range 3.5 - 5.0). When I became coherent the next day (I was really " out of it " ) I was told that my K level had dropped to 2.3 or 2.5 (can't remember) and they had also done an EKG because of abnormal heart beats. The K level did not even out after the surgery, my PCP ordered tests every few days, and she started looking into things. Had a cardiac stress test (normal), and she started me on K supplementation. Then referred me to the nephrologist because of the aldosterone levels and some other tests (sorry, don't know what). The nephrologist ordered the CT scan and tons of blood tests and two 24-hour urine tests. It's been a struggle to keep the K levels up to 3.0 although I did once have a result of 3.6. 6. No chemo for the BC. The cancer board recommended Tamoxifen but after much research I decided to not take it, opting instead for the eventual mastectomies. Will be having double mastectomy next year (if I can quit having these other surgeries). BC treated by lumpectomy the first time in the left and a quadrantectomy on the right the second time, about 9 months apart. Last MRI, done... hmmm... July, I think... showed no reason to jump into things before taking care of some other issues (nodule in right lower lung, bronchoscopy showed lymph node cells, gyno stuff and then another wait because of the current issues). 7. Family history of HTN is mostly on the paternal side - several of my father's siblings and his mother and father. Mother's side clear as far as I know. I don't know of anyone who's had low K levels other than me. A grandson of one of a maternal aunt had to have kidney transplants, this is the only kidney issue I know of in my family. Lots of cancer tho, on both sides. Breast, lung, bladder, uterine. Paternal gf died of massive stroke (he had HTN but did nothing about it except smoke and drink more). I hope these are enough details for you. As for blood pressure meds, I had been on a combo diuretic for several years. About two years ago or so, my then-PCP put me on 5MeQs of K a day because she thought that the diuretic was causing the problem. That diuretic is/was... hmmm... I can't find the old bottle but it was something like triamterizine HCL? HCZ? That's probably no help. It was a generic brand of something, the name of which I'll probably remember in the middle of the night while sitting on the toilet peeing, sheesh. Anyway, I continued on that med and the 5MeQs of K until after this last surgery. I originally thought that perhaps the extreme bowel cleansing they did for the surgery had a major part in all of this but the opinion of all is that that is not it. I used to eat a LOT of salt, and I indulge once in awhile now but pretty much don't add salt to my food anymore (been about 8 years or so) and try to eat fresher food. That's been difficult (the fresher food) since the last surgery because I barely make it through a day of work let alone stand in the kitchen and cook something. So there have been more processed foods in my diet that last few months. If someone has addressed the primary root cause of the high blood pressure, I don't remember. That doesn't mean it hasn't been addressed, it siimply means that I have no memory of it. I do remember that the nephrologist and the urological surgeon both thought that the high blood pressure was not because of the Conns but because of other reasons. I 'think' I remember someone saying that if the surgery didn't lower the pressure that it would be looked into. Again, that is not a firm memory and the reality may be intirely different. I picked up some low-sodium V-8 tonight. I threw it out after tasting it. I'll continue with my horse pills and potatoes and bananas and kiwi and oranges and the like. And yes, I drink the orange juice with the most pulp - I love the pulp in the juice. I hope this is helpful. Does it tell you anything? Is there somewhere that I can find a good listing of possible complications/issues that arise after the adrenalectomy? Thank you, LJ As you can see your history is much like those other pts with PA here and follows my paper on the evolution of primary aldosteronism.Would be interested in the following details-you cant give us too many details.1. Are you bothered with cramps of the hands and feet and when did this start?2. How many times a night do you get up to pee and when did this become a problem?3. I think I may have already asked but do you eat licorice every day and I assume your HTN experts have already asked you this. If not you have not really seen a HTN expert.4. Do you have any of your renin and aldosterone numbers?5. How was the adrenal " bump " picked up? ie why were you having the study?6. What chemotherapy have you been on for the Ca of the Breast?7. Do others in your family have HTN?, HTN and low K? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 28, 2006 Report Share Posted November 28, 2006 LJ, with those aldo/renin numbers I personally woudn't go anywhere near a diazide-thiazide diuretic. It is like throwing gasoline on a fire for me, and other PA pts I know. I'd demand a test with spironolactone immediately (w/o the possibly toxic diuretic). That may well rise your K and lower your BP with a few titrations (tracking your BP & K regularly and adjusting the spiro to match - look up Dr Grim's article on how to measure BP in FILES). Immediately (I learned the hard way after developing LVH - a bad condition unless you like rising your risk for sudden death cardiac arrest somewhere down the road), I would not think of salt in my diet as " added. " I would make damn certain EVERYTHING i eat contained no more than 2400 mg of sodium in any day. Maybe take it down to 1500 mg. per day after the spiro test. Be forceful with your healthcare pros. Many of 'em are clueless because of errant water-cooler gossip and an absence of financial incentives to keep up on this. I'd ask for a doppler echo on my left ventricle, just to be safe. If it's near (or above) 19mm, you can ask for a cardio-rehab exercize program. Unless the tumor is the culprit (sometimes is), this may be your meds list for life. I would never take K-Dur for any length of time. That's treating a symptom - not a cause. Like blowing on the gasoline-fueled fire. You know that won't put out petrol fires. Use water - (spironolactone), at least to find out. The cause (of the hypokalemia & HTN, alkalosis, nocturnal polyuria) looks like too much aldosterone and low renin. In a word, hyperaldosteronism. Not using the chemo isolates those levels pretty suspiciously. The diuretic can be exacerbating it. The spiro test should tell in a few weeks. I was not thrilled with low sodium V-*, it's just that I figured strokes or cardiac arrest, blindness, polyuria and the other problems with this condition were a pretty good reason to develop a taste for it. Nothing I have found has the K-delivery into serum, and tissue ( " visceral " ). The book with the science on the DASH diet is here : http://www.amazon.com/DASH-Diet-Hypertension--/dp/0743410076 and amazingly, it is a huge NIH-directed study. The underlying diet has more science behind it than any of the others out there, and you'd thin it would be on TV every night for that reason alone. But once you lower the sodium component, remember that people with PA like us can achieve results far in excess of those in the study. Our salt and liquid retention problem is more advanced. DR Grim correct me if I err. . .thanks, Dave On Nov 28, 2006, at 4:42 PM, LJB wrote: > Hello again, here are some answers to some of your questions: > > 1. Yes, foot cramps. For years, I don't know how many. Hands are > arthritic, they ache but don't really cramp. The aching has been going > on for a couple of years now. It gets progressively, slowly, worse as > time goes on. > > 2. At least once, more often twice, every night I get up to pee and > barely make it to the bathroom. That's probably been for... hmm.. two > or three years now? The extreme urgency has gotten much worse since > my July surgery. I try to limit my fluids in the evening (I drink lots > of water during the day) but it doesn't seem to make much difference. > I was under the assumption that it was because of the hysterectomy as > bladder issues frequently follow that surgery. > > 3. I detest licorice, so no, I don't eat it. And no, no one has ever > asked me about that. And I don't know what kind of doctor would be a > HTN expert. I have a nephrologist, a pulmonary specialist, a gyno, a > breast cancer surgeon, a urological surgeon, and a primary care. I am > loath to seek out any more doctors, the mere thought makes me almost > ill, but if I should be seeing a particular specialist about the blood > pressure then please tell me what kind of specialist specializes in > this. > > 4. Here are some test results. > > 11/20 - Aldosterone (blood) - 33.7 (range 4.5-35) > 10/23, 24 hour urine, aldosterone 35 (range 3-25), Sodium 116 > (range 40 - 220), 24 hour K 53 (range 30-99) > The above were after starting the spiro and the higher K . The > 10/23 one was probably a couple weeks after I started them, the 11/20 > one was just recently. > The next tests were before starting on the spiro. Seems like I've > been taking it more than a month and a half! > 10/12 - Aldosterone (blood) - 51.3 (range 4.5 - 35) > 7/31 - Renin activity <0.1 (upright range 0.9-5.8) > > There are more tests but I don't seem to know where they are right > now. It's horrible having very few functional brain cells. > > Here are my Sept CT Scan results: > > Exam Performed: CT ADRENALS W/O > > IMPRESSION: > > 1. RIGHT ADRENAL ADENOMA. > > 2. SMALL INDETERMINATE LOW DENSITY LESIONS IN THE SPLEEN. > > > > ADRENAL CT WITHOUT INTRAVENOUS CONTRAST MEDIA > > HISTORY: Hypokalemia > > COMPARISON: None > > FINDINGS: There is a 1.7 x 1.7 cm low attenuation (-2 Hounsfield > units) nodule in the right adrenal gland compatible with an > adenoma. No lesions seen in the left adrenal. > > Within the limits of a noncontrast scan, no lesions are identified > in the liver and pancreas or kidneys. There is no hydronephrosis. > There are two or three small low-density lesions in the spleen, > difficult to characterize due to their small size and lack of > contrast. > > 5. I went into the last surgery with a K level of 3.6 (range 3.5 - > 5.0). When I became coherent the next day (I was really " out of it " ) > I was told that my K level had dropped to 2.3 or 2.5 (can't remember) > and they had also done an EKG because of abnormal heart beats. The K > level did not even out after the surgery, my PCP ordered tests every > few days, and she started looking into things. Had a cardiac stress > test (normal), and she started me on K supplementation. Then referred > me to the nephrologist because of the aldosterone levels and some > other tests (sorry, don't know what). The nephrologist ordered the CT > scan and tons of blood tests and two 24-hour urine tests. It's been a > struggle to keep the K levels up to 3.0 although I did once have a > result of 3.6. > > 6. No chemo for the BC. The cancer board recommended Tamoxifen but > after much research I decided to not take it, opting instead for the > eventual mastectomies. Will be having double mastectomy next year (if > I can quit having these other surgeries). BC treated by lumpectomy the > first time in the left and a quadrantectomy on the right the second > time, about 9 months apart. Last MRI, done... hmmm... July, I think... > showed no reason to jump into things before taking care of some other > issues (nodule in right lower lung, bronchoscopy showed lymph node > cells, gyno stuff and then another wait because of the current > issues). > > 7. Family history of HTN is mostly on the paternal side - several of > my father's siblings and his mother and father. Mother's side clear as > far as I know. I don't know of anyone who's had low K levels other > than me. A grandson of one of a maternal aunt had to have kidney > transplants, this is the only kidney issue I know of in my family. > Lots of cancer tho, on both sides. Breast, lung, bladder, uterine. > Paternal gf died of massive stroke (he had HTN but did nothing about > it except smoke and drink more). > > I hope these are enough details for you. > > As for blood pressure meds, I had been on a combo diuretic for several > years. About two years ago or so, my then-PCP put me on 5MeQs of K a > day because she thought that the diuretic was causing the problem. > That diuretic is/was... hmmm... I can't find the old bottle but it was > something like triamterizine HCL? HCZ? That's probably no help. It > was a generic brand of something, the name of which I'll probably > remember in the middle of the night while sitting on the toilet > peeing, sheesh. Anyway, I continued on that med and the 5MeQs of K > until after this last surgery. I originally thought that perhaps the > extreme bowel cleansing they did for the surgery had a major part in > all of this but the opinion of all is that that is not it. > > I used to eat a LOT of salt, and I indulge once in awhile now but > pretty much don't add salt to my food anymore (been about 8 years or > so) and try to eat fresher food. That's been difficult (the fresher > food) since the last surgery because I barely make it through a day of > work let alone stand in the kitchen and cook something. So there have > been more processed foods in my diet that last few months. > > If someone has addressed the primary root cause of the high blood > pressure, I don't remember. That doesn't mean it hasn't been > addressed, it siimply means that I have no memory of it. I do remember > that the nephrologist and the urological surgeon both thought that the > high blood pressure was not because of the Conns but because of other > reasons. I 'think' I remember someone saying that if the surgery > didn't lower the pressure that it would be looked into. Again, that is > not a firm memory and the reality may be intirely different. > > I picked up some low-sodium V-8 tonight. I threw it out after tasting > it. I'll continue with my horse pills and potatoes and bananas and > kiwi and oranges and the like. And yes, I drink the orange juice with > the most pulp - I love the pulp in the juice. > > I hope this is helpful. Does it tell you anything? > > Is there somewhere that I can find a good listing of possible > complications/issues that arise after the adrenalectomy? > > Thank you, > > LJ > > > > > > As you can see your history is much like those other pts with PA here > and > follows my paper on the evolution of primary aldosteronism. > > Would be interested in the following details-you cant give us too many > details. > > 1. Are you bothered with cramps of the hands and feet and when did this > start? > 2. How many times a night do you get up to pee and when did this > become a > problem? > 3. I think I may have already asked but do you eat licorice every day > and I > assume your HTN experts have already asked you this. If not you have > not > really seen a HTN expert. > 4. Do you have any of your renin and aldosterone numbers? > 5. How was the adrenal " bump " picked up? ie why were you having the > study? > 6. What chemotherapy have you been on for the Ca of the Breast? > 7. Do others in your family have HTN?, HTN and low K? > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 28, 2006 Report Share Posted November 28, 2006 LJ, I've been reading your posts. The diuretic (K-sparing) you mention is Triamtrene w/ HCTZ. I had a right adrenalectomy on Nov. 3rd. I had a 1.3 cm adenoma on right adrenal. I was on 11 pills a day for hypertension (including diuretic and K) and it was still uncontrolled. I was hospitalized several times with low K and throwing PVCs and malignant hypertension. I had a heart attack in 2003 during an extremely low K episode. A couple of months ago, I had an AVS showing very high aldo in right adrenal. It has now been almost a month since the lap surgery / adrenal removal. I take NO BP meds at all now. NONE, NADA! My BP is running around 117/70 with pulse of 65. My body has been adjusting to coming off all the meds. The biggest change I've noticed so far is no brain fog. I have more energy. My memory is getting better. I feel calm inside. My hands no longer shake. I have emotions returning. I am slowly losing weight. It's all been good for me. I just had some blood work done on Monday (not got results back) to see if any changes in chemistry (K for one). I only wish everyone had such a "gold standard" (as Dr. Grim put it) post Conn's adrenalectomy. I wish you the best with your surgery. My experience has been all positive post surgery. Take care, Debi in Knoxville Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 29, 2006 Report Share Posted November 29, 2006 Great details CEG See my comments In a message dated 11/28/06 11:06:07 PM, riothamus20@... writes: Hello again, here are some answers to some of your questions: > > 1. Yes, foot cramps. For years, I don't know how many. Hands are > arthritic, they ache but don't really cramp. The aching has been going > on for a couple of years now. It gets progressively, slowly, worse as > time goes on. My guess is that most of #1 is from low K. > > 2. At least once, more often twice, every night I get up to pee and > barely make it to the bathroom. That's probably been for... hmm.. two > or three years now? The extreme urgency has gotten much worse since > my July surgery. I try to limit my fluids in the evening (I drink lots > of water during the day) but it doesn't seem to make much difference. > I was under the assumption that it was because of the hysterectomy as > bladder issues frequently follow that surgery. Classic Sx of Conn's. > > 3. I detest licorice, so no, I don't eat it. And no, no one has ever > asked me about that. And I don't know what kind of doctor would be a > HTN expert. I have a nephrologist, a pulmonary specialist, a gyno, a > breast cancer surgeon, a urological surgeon, and a primary care. I am > loath to seek out any more doctors, the mere thought makes me almost > ill, but if I should be seeing a particular specialist about the blood > pressure then please tell me what kind of specialist specializes in > this. Tell the nephrologist he might want to get board certified in HTN. Esp if HE did not ask about licorice!! > > 4. Here are some test results. > > 11/20 - Aldosterone (blood) - 33.7 (range 4.5-35) > 10/23, 24 hour urine, aldosterone 35 (range 3-25), Sodium 116 > (range 40 - 220), 24 hour K 53 (range 30-99) sort of a low sodium diet for Americans. What was blood K around this time. And the renin was?/ > The above were after starting the spiro and the higher K . The > 10/23 one was probably a couple weeks after I started them, the 11/20 > one was just recently. > The next tests were before starting on the spiro. Seems like I've > been taking it more than a month and a half! > 10/12 - Aldosterone (blood) - 51.3 (range 4.5 - 35) > 7/31 - Renin activity <0.1 (upright range 0.9-5.8) This is classic primary aldo. > > There are more tests but I don't seem to know where they are right > now. It's horrible having very few functional brain cells. > > Here are my Sept CT Scan results: > > Exam Performed: CT ADRENALS W/O > > IMPRESSION: > > 1. RIGHT ADRENAL ADENOMA. > > 2. SMALL INDETERMINATE LOW DENSITY LESIONS IN THE SPLEEN. > > > > ADRENAL CT WITHOUT INTRAVENOUS CONTRAST MEDIA > > HISTORY: Hypokalemia > > COMPARISON: None > > FINDINGS: There is a 1.7 x 1.7 cm low attenuation (-2 Hounsfield > units) nodule in the right adrenal gland compatible with an > adenoma. No lesions seen in the left adrenal. > > Within the limits of a noncontrast scan, no lesions are identified > in the liver and pancreas or kidneys. There is no hydronephrosis. > There are two or three small low-density lesions in the spleen, > difficult to characterize due to their small size and lack of > contrast. A better term is there is a bump on the adrenal which can be a lot of differenct things. > > 5. I went into the last surgery with a K level of 3.6 (range 3.5 - > 5.0). When I became coherent the next day (I was really "out of it") > I was told that my K level had dropped to 2.3 or 2.5 (can't remember) > and they had also done an EKG because of abnormal heart beats. The K > level did not even out after the surgery, my PCP ordered tests every > few days, and she started looking into things. Had a cardiac stress > test (normal), and she started me on K supplementation. Then referred > me to the nephrologist because of the aldosterone levels and some > other tests (sorry, don't know what). The nephrologist ordered the CT > scan and tons of blood tests and two 24-hour urine tests. It's been a > struggle to keep the K levels up to 3.0 although I did once have a > result of 3.6. That is because you have advanced "Classical" PA as noted in my article. > > 6. No chemo for the BC. The cancer board recommended Tamoxifen but > after much research I decided to not take it, opting instead for the > eventual mastectomies. Will be having double mastectomy next year (if > I can quit having these other surgeries). BC treated by lumpectomy the > first time in the left and a quadrantectomy on the right the second > time, about 9 months apart. Last MRI, done... hmmm... July, I think... > showed no reason to jump into things before taking care of some other > issues (nodule in right lower lung, bronchoscopy showed lymph node > cells, gyno stuff and then another wait because of the current > issues). Rarely CA of the breast can show up in the adrenal. > > 7. Family history of HTN is mostly on the paternal side - several of > my father's siblings and his mother and father. Mother's side clear as > far as I know. I don't know of anyone who's had low K levels other > than me. A grandson of one of a maternal aunt had to have kidney > transplants, this is the only kidney issue I know of in my family. Why was the transplant needed?? Get as much details as you can and ask eveyone it they have ever had low K or had to take K. There are at least 2 familial forms of PA. > Lots of cancer tho, on both sides. Breast, lung, bladder, uterine. > Paternal gf died of massive stroke (he had HTN but did nothing about > it except smoke and drink more). Again see if you can get details on K. Men in these families with what is called GRA die young from strokes and HTN. > > I hope these are enough details for you. > > As for blood pressure meds, I had been on a combo diuretic for several > years. About two years ago or so, my then-PCP put me on 5MeQs of K a > day because she thought that the diuretic was causing the problem. Classic clue to early PA is low K on diuretic. 5 mEQ is nothing. > That diuretic is/was... hmmm... I can't find the old bottle but it was > something like triamterizine HCL? HCZ? That's probably no help. It > was a generic brand of something, the name of which I'll probably > remember in the middle of the night while sitting on the toilet > peeing, sheesh. Anyway, I continued on that med and the 5MeQs of K > until after this last surgery. I originally thought that perhaps the > extreme bowel cleansing they did for the surgery had a major part in > all of this but the opinion of all is that that is not it. This might have aggrevated the low K as PAs put out more k in their stool, sweat and saliva as well as urine. > > I used to eat a LOT of salt, and I indulge once in awhile now but > pretty much don't add salt to my food anymore (been about 8 years or > so) and try to eat fresher food. That's been difficult (the fresher > food) since the last surgery because I barely make it through a day of > work let alone stand in the kitchen and cook something. So there have > been more processed foods in my diet that last few months. Your 24 hr urine sodium suggests you are doing pretty good. The goal with DASH is to have the 24 hr be less that 80 mEQ/day. > > If someone has addressed the primary root cause of the high blood > pressure, I don't remember. That doesn't mean it hasn't been > addressed, it siimply means that I have no memory of it. I do remember > that the nephrologist and the urological surgeon both thought that the > high blood pressure was not because of the Conns but because of other > reasons. Suggest you give them my article AND ask that they read it so they dont miss this on the next patients they see. I 'think' I remember someone saying that if the surgery > didn't lower the pressure that it would be looked into. Again, that is > not a firm memory and the reality may be intirely different. > > I picked up some low-sodium V-8 tonight. I threw it out after tasting > it. I'll continue with my horse pills and potatoes and bananas and > kiwi and oranges and the like. And yes, I drink the orange juice with > the most pulp - I love the pulp in the juice. DASH will get you as much K as you need. > > I hope this is helpful. Does it tell you anything? > > Is there somewhere that I can find a good listing of possible > complications/issues that arise after the adrenalectomy? Yes. I would ask your surgeon for his/her experience. Ask how many has he operated on? How many has he followed for over 1 year? for 5 years, for 10 years? What has been the average time to return to full activity in his XXX number of patients. Other problems. How many were not cured but had to go back on meds? > > Thank you, > > LJ > > > > > > As you can see your history is much like those other pts with PA here > and > follows my paper on the evolution of primary aldosteronism. > > Would be interested in the following details-you cant give us too many 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 2, 2006 Report Share Posted December 2, 2006 > > Hello again, here are some answers to some of your questions: > > 1. Yes, foot cramps. For years, I don't know how many. Hands are arthritic, > they ache but don't really cramp. The aching has been going on for a couple > of years now. It gets progressively, slowly, worse as time goes on. > I had foot and leg cramps and then wrist pain, arm weakness and hand weakness, then cramps when trying to do any motor activity with them for any length of time such as typing or writing. I was diagnosed as fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis by a Rheumatologist but since the surgery I have none of those symptoms. I remark every day at the strength I now have. I was hypokalemic for at least two years and it wasn't treated properly. >> As for blood pressure meds, I had been on a combo diuretic for several > years. About two years ago or so, my then-PCP put me on 5MeQs of K a day > because she thought that the diuretic was causing the problem. That diuretic > is/was... hmmm... I can't find the old bottle but it was something like > triamterizine HCL? HCZ? > intirely different. I was on Maxzide 25 1/2 pill per day initially when the hypokalemia started and was ignored by my first PCP. It is the brand name for triamterine/hydrochlorothiazide. It is supposed to be potassium sparing. My potassium eventually dropped on it. > > I picked up some low-sodium V-8 tonight. I threw it out after tasting it. > I'll continue with my horse pills and potatoes and bananas and kiwi and > oranges and the like. The low sodium V-8 is an aquired taste that I enjoy now. I had to take that along with other high potassium foods AND 80 meq of KCL per day at the final stages of my disease just to keep my serum potassium above 3.5. I ate no processed food at all, didn't eat out, could only eat food I prepared myself to avoid sodium. > > Is there somewhere that I can find a good listing of possible > complications/issues that arise after the adrenalectomy? > I wish I could tell you there was a list somewhere but I haven't been able to find one. I am like Debi, I now have a normal serum potassium and a normal BP without any medication. My energy level is through the roof, I don't sit most of the day and am not constantly exhausted and achy. It took 4 1/2 weeks for the operative pain to completely be resolved, it was mostly the abdominal muscles that hurt even though I was done laparoscopically. I am now doing all my abdominal and cardio exercises better than ever. I did not have all the other health problems you do so I can't compare my situation to yours. Everyone is different. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 14, 2009 Report Share Posted February 14, 2009 I had to choose on my prostate cancer in 2005 how to deal with it. I searched the internet and determined how I wanted it handled which was cryo, having it frozen. Then I had to find some one in my area and state that would or could do it. Main question was who had the equipment. I also looked at my friends who had it and the problems they encountered. The other alternatives seemed to have a higher incidence of problems some of a lifetime nature. I am curious I guess if there were any other ways to dela with your surgery besides surgery like cryo or computerized surgery? Maybe in adrenals surgery is simple and most effective? I am asking because another Group leader thinks my problems are adrenal related? To be Determined? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 14, 2009 Report Share Posted February 14, 2009 Hi. First of all--wish you the best and hope the surgery works out well. Second, I just have been referred to surgery as well and wondering what it took to get you there. Hope to hear from you soon. From: sgalley1 <sgalley1@...> Subject: Adrenalectomy hyperaldosteronism Date: Saturday, February 14, 2009, 5:38 AM I will be having an adrenalectomy on Thurs. (2/18/09) If any of you have any positive things to share, I would love to hear them. Also as a sidenote: my surgeon said I may have Lynch Syndrome, which would be a connection between my adrenal adenoma and colon polyps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 15, 2009 Report Share Posted February 15, 2009 Since you have had prostate cancer, I would > definately have that colonoscopy! Does it matter who or where this is done! A local hospital is performing it per my md who is historically attached to this group perhaps as opposed to any particlular area of known expertise! I researched and picked my own dodctor outside of this good old boy network on the prostate cancer and type of treatment! I am not locked into them as far as insurance is concerned! I will check Mayo write up out! I haven't really researched this test! I do know medicare only covers it I think it was every 20 years or every two if cancer is a concern! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 17, 2009 Report Share Posted February 17, 2009 I can find only one case report of PA and colon adenomas. Ask him to give us more if he has them. Thanks and good luck. A good sign after surgery is that your K should jump up and you will lose 2-4 Kg as your body gets rid of the retained Na. Some even get low BP for a few days. Some take longer for the BP to fall. Aldo should drop very low right after surgery and renin should rise. Be certain you get a copy of the pathology report for you and your families health records. Also send us a copy so we will have it in your file. On Feb 14, 2009, at 8:27 PM, Jay Man wrote: > Hi. First of all--wish you the best and hope the surgery works out > well. Second, I just have been referred to surgery as well and > wondering what it took to get you there. Hope to hear from you > soon. > > > > From: sgalley1 <sgalley1@...> > Subject: Adrenalectomy > hyperaldosteronism > Date: Saturday, February 14, 2009, 5:38 AM > > I will be having an adrenalectomy on Thurs. (2/18/09) If any of you > have any positive things to share, I would love to hear them. Also > as a > sidenote: my surgeon said I may have Lynch Syndrome, which would be a > connection between my adrenal adenoma and colon polyps. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 23, 2009 Report Share Posted February 23, 2009 Hi. I agree. I am just seeing what they are going to do---the side with the adenoma was successful when they did my AVS and the numbers were high. I will keep you posted. l@...> wrote: From: Valarie <val@...> Subject: RE: Adrenalectomy hyperaldosteronism Date: Monday, February 23, 2009, 3:21 AM Again, Jay Man, there is virtually no way anyone can tell if your adrenal with the adenoma (left one) is the one causing the excess production of aldosterone, potassium wasting, etc. The ONLY way to tell if you have only one over-producing adrenal is with adrenal vein sampling. They can do renin/aldo tests, potassium tests, etc. until the cows come home but they cannot tell which (if any) adrenal to remove without doing adrenal vein sampling. Val From: hyperaldosteronism [mailto:hyperaldosteronism] On Behalf Of Jay Man Hi--sorry it took so long to reply. It looks like they will take out the left one with the adenoma. They have been doing more of the renin/aldo tests and came back abnormal. But the new doctor added a urine with potassium and finally found that I have been wasting a lot of potassium through my urine. So, now am on Spironolactone 100mg per day plus 60meq of potassium capsules---and still my potassium is boaderline. I could just imagine how low it was when I was working construction and had to drink Pedialite just to keep moving---anyway looks like the wheels are spinning and will update all. I am having another CT scan using different image cuts before I get referred to the endo surgeon. The doctors had a consult with a regular endo and they all agreed it was not necessary to even see them due to the results of all my tests etc. Please let us know how it is going with you. Best wishes!!!!!! ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 25, 2009 Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 Congratulations, Steph. When Dr. Grim talks about a pathology report, he means the report from the pathology lab about what they found in the removed adrenal. It probably isn't available yet but be sure to ask for it when it is. Dr. Grim (and the rest of us) really like seeing the reports. The pathology of the removed adenoma can give some clue if the other adrenal might go haywire. Val From: hyperaldosteronism [mailto:hyperaldosteronism ] On Behalf Of sgalley1@... I received the pathology report yesterday. I put the results of my AVS under " Steph's AVS " in the AVS stories file. I was not given all the numbers before, let me know if that is all of them. Also, it has been almost a week since my adrenalectomy. Yesterday my doctor told me I am orthostatic. He did blood tests that all came back normal. He told me to eat more salt and drink more fluids. Anything else I can do? ----- Original Message ----- From: " Clarence Grim " <lowerbp2@... <mailto:lowerbp2%40mac.com> > Be absoluty certain you get A complete pathology report for U and Ur Family this will help predict cure of BP Don't think we ever saw cortisone Results My hunch is that as the was considerable also in both sides (if I am recalling correctly then u likely have bilateral problems Taking out the higher side may Help a Lot tho On Feb 14, 2009, at 8:38 AM, sgalley1@... <mailto:sgalley1%40comcast.net> wrote: > It will be done with laporoscopy and because only my right adrenal > gland is giving me problems, it is best to remove it. Yes it is most > effective, but not really simple because they are kind of hidden. My > surgeon said he may have to take my gallbladder too if it gets too > banged up. Since you have had prostate cancer, I would definately > have that colonoscopy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 6, 2009 Report Share Posted March 6, 2009 My recxomwndation is always to go with experience. But ask the young guy how many he has done and followed 5 years. Please give us your aldo and cortisol results as your current Dr did not give u both. Tiped sad Send form mi iPhone ;-) May your pressure be low! CE Grim MD Specializing in Difficult Hypertension On Mar 6, 2009, at 6:41 PM, Farah Rahbar <farahbar@...> wrote: > Hi Amy: > Glad things worked out well for your husband and your visit with St. > 's. > I totally agree with you. The hospital and its staff's practices are > nothing > to compare. They were great when I was there too and called me when > I got > home to check on me. > > Is there any reason your husband doesn't do the surgery at Mayo? I > would be > careful about going to a surgeon who is just learning to experience on > his/her patients. > > Can you get a copy of the results and post here? > > Good luck to your husband. > > On Fri, Mar 6, 2009 at 1:17 PM, amyjl70 <amyjl70@...> wrote: > > > Hello All- > > > > Just wanted to report that my husband had his AVS performed at > Mayo by Dr. > > Stanson last week and everything went perfectly. He was able to > find and > > cath both veins easily with no complications. My husband didn't > feel a thing > > during the procedure and has had no discomfort at all since. My > husband and > > I both had the opportunity to meet and ask questions of Dr. > Stanson before > > they took him in for the procedure. I was very impressed with him. > Even > > though he was extremely backed up, he was very patient and caring > and we > > never felt rushed. He took ample time to explain the procedure and > answer > > our questions. We were both also very impressed with Mayo/St. 's > > overall. The whole experience, from the moment we entered the door > of the > > hospital until they discharged him, was unbelievably efficient and > fluid. > > Everyone we interacted with was extremely pleasant and helpful. I > have had > > my share of hospital experiences, both personally and with my > family over > > the years, and our experience at Mayo was markedly different. I > highly > > recommend Mayo and Dr. Stanson if you need to undergo AVS. Also, > my husband > > had the procedure last Friday and Mayo faxed the results to our > endo here in > > St. on Monday afternoon...very quick and efficient. Of course > our > > endo's office here in St. sat on the results all week and > insisted they > > did not have them, etc., which brought me back to 'real life' in > terms of > > health care (i.e., miscommunication, staff unwilling to go out of > their way, > > people dropping the ball, etc.). But we finally were called with > the results > > this morning. > > > > The endo said that the aldosterone reading for my husband's left > adrenal > > was 135, and the reading for his right was 1200! Naturally he now > recommends > > surgery. This brings me to another question for the group: the > surgeon the > > endo referred us to is in his group/office. I looked him up on the > state > > medical board site and learned that his first year of practice was > 2008! > > This scares me in terms of potential lack of experience with > surgery. I > > don't typically have a problem with younger physicians in general, > but when > > a procedure such as AVS or surgery is at hand, I worry about lack of > > experience/practice. I am also starting to wonder, however, if > maybe I am > > getting a bit carried away with my concerns in this area. Does > anyone have > > an opinion on whether they would be comfortable with the new > surgeon or > > whether searching for someone with more surgical experience/ > practice to > > perform the adrenalectomy would be warranted? Thanks for any > feedback. --Amy > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 6, 2009 Report Share Posted March 6, 2009 Let us know the cost even if insurance pays Tiped sad Send form mi iPhone ;-) May your pressure be low! CE Grim MD Specializing in Difficult Hypertension On Mar 6, 2009, at 4:17 PM, amyjl70 <amyjl70@...> wrote: > Hello All- > > Just wanted to report that my husband had his AVS performed at Mayo > by Dr. Stanson last week and everything went perfectly. He was able > to find and cath both veins easily with no complications. My husband > didn't feel a thing during the procedure and has had no discomfort > at all since. My husband and I both had the opportunity to meet and > ask questions of Dr. Stanson before they took him in for the > procedure. I was very impressed with him. Even though he was > extremely backed up, he was very patient and caring and we never > felt rushed. He took ample time to explain the procedure and answer > our questions. We were both also very impressed with Mayo/St. 's > overall. The whole experience, from the moment we entered the door > of the hospital until they discharged him, was unbelievably > efficient and fluid. Everyone we interacted with was extremely > pleasant and helpful. I have had my share of hospital experiences, > both personally and with my family over the years, and our > experience at Mayo was markedly different. I highly recommend Mayo > and Dr. Stanson if you need to undergo AVS. Also, my husband had the > procedure last Friday and Mayo faxed the results to our endo here in > St. on Monday afternoon...very quick and efficient. Of course > our endo's office here in St. sat on the results all week and > insisted they did not have them, etc., which brought me back to > 'real life' in terms of health care (i.e., miscommunication, staff > unwilling to go out of their way, people dropping the ball, etc.). > But we finally were called with the results this morning. > > The endo said that the aldosterone reading for my husband's left > adrenal was 135, and the reading for his right was 1200! Naturally > he now recommends surgery. This brings me to another question for > the group: the surgeon the endo referred us to is in his group/ > office. I looked him up on the state medical board site and learned > that his first year of practice was 2008! This scares me in terms of > potential lack of experience with surgery. I don't typically have a > problem with younger physicians in general, but when a procedure > such as AVS or surgery is at hand, I worry about lack of experience/ > practice. I am also starting to wonder, however, if maybe I am > getting a bit carried away with my concerns in this area. Does > anyone have an opinion on whether they would be comfortable with the > new surgeon or whether searching for someone with more surgical > experience/practice to perform the adrenalectomy would be warranted? > Thanks for any feedback. --Amy > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.