Em checking in

[Guest guest]

I haven't posted in a while because I am still in the process of

blood and urine testing. To recap, I have a 1.4 cm adrenaloma left

gland (discovered incidentally). I have been on BP meds for past 6

years (highest BP was in the 140's/90s), have tested low K whenever

bloodwork done for past 6 years and only in the past 6 months, since

the adreneloma was discovered and I Googled, have I put 2 + 2

together.

Currently seeing an endocrinologist who changed my BP meds while I'm

being tested. I am now on 5 mg generic Norvasc once daily and my BP

is wonderful -- usually in the 120s/70s, sometimes lower. I have no

sweats, headaches, muscle pain or weakness, flushing, etc. I try to

eat well, lots of fruits and veg, mindful of eating foods with high K

content. I dont drink caffeine or alcohol. I have no other issues

with thyroid, heart etc. I do have anxiety attacks, and have had them

all my life since childhood. But I'm not on medication for them

currently. I'm 50 years old.

Doc ruled out Cushings (no big surprise there) based on the first

round of 24 hour urine. Today I saw him for results of second 24 hour

urine collection and blood tests for upright PRA. What do you think

of these results -- anyone?

My K was still low (3.3). I noticed on the lab report that CO2 was

high (34) -- what does that mean?

The 24 hour urinary aldo was 20.4, which doctor said was inconclusive

or " neither fish nor fowl " , whatever that means. 24 hour fractionated

metamephrines was 245 and plasma free metanephrines (urine) was 76 --

think I have those numbers right, and doctor said this all but rules

our pheo.

Now for the aggravating part -- the & *%##$ lab lost my blood tests,

so there was no PRA result. I have to do the bloodwork again!

The doctor says the next step, after the PRA, is probably going to be

more 24 hour urine and blood with salt loading. He thinks I may have

mild hyperaldo. He talked about AVS down the road, for which he would

send me to Stanford. He mentioned possible surgery, but it's going to

take a heck of a lot to convince me to do that. I asked about

medication and he did mention that spiro and Inspra work well, so at

least he knows that. I asked him how many patients with this problem

he has treated -- keep in mind that he is one of the top rated endos

in my area, and he is probably in his 60s and been practicing for

many, many years. He said -- 2.

Ohhh-kaaaaay. 2 patients. Well, I think I see Stanford in my future.

Anybody have any thoughts on my situation? I know I have a lot more

testing to do, and I am tired of it. I dont know how some of you who

have endured years of testing and illness can stand it. I'm grossed

out just thinking about the salt test.

And I'm not keen on having an adrenal gland taken out. I have a

strong family history of HTN, so who's to say I wont still end up on

meds, even after surgery. And reading some of your stories of the

surgery and the struggle afterwards as your body adjusts -- well, it

sounds like a dicey proposition to me. I dont want to be worse off

than I am now - and right now, I'm maintaining a nice BP. If I could

block the aldo, get the K up and the HTN nice on meds, what's wrong

with going that route?